Kimeran Stevens was an English major at Samford in 1966 when she met her future husband, Bill. More than a half-century later, the Stevenses’ spirit of generosity continues to lift the university and their community.
“Like so many others, I fell in love with Samford the moment I arrived on campus,” said Kimeran. “The physical beauty appealed to me, but I also noticed the atmosphere. I wasn’t able to verbalize it then, but now I recognize that God’s presence is what makes Samford unique. He is present in the students, the faculty and the staff.”
The Stevenses were selected as the university’s Philanthropists of the Year for 2026. The award honors a Samford University constituent who has made a significant impact through generosity to the university and embodies its mission.
The Stevenses, both 1970 graduates, served as co-chairs of the Forever Samford Campaign—the most successful comprehensive capital campaign in university history—and took pivotal leadership roles instrumental to numerous initiatives.
Bill attended Samford thanks to a basketball scholarship and majored in business administration .
“People who never knew us gave sacrificially that Samford might be here when we came,” Kimeran said. “We are beneficiaries of their generosity and their obedient giving. We think about our support as a kind of stewardship for future generations. We want Samford to be here for generations to come. We value our Samford education and experience, and we want to be a part of that same experience for generations of students to come. God has blessed us, and we want to bless others as much as we are able.”
Kimeran was named 2018 Samford Alumna of the Year and Bill became the 2010 Alumnus of the Year. He was elected a Life Trustee at Samford in 2025, recognizing his completion of 20 years on the board. He served on the advisory board for the Brock School of Business, the selection committee for the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame, and the university’s most recent presidential search committee. The William J. Stevens Board Room in Samford Hall and the Bill and Kimeran Stevens Plaza are named in the couple’s honor.
“Samford University has been in our lives since 1966 when we began as students,” shared Bill in 2025 upon being inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. “Our relationship has allowed us to be involved with the university through the years, and we have been blessed to be able to serve and support Samford.”
Bill was recognized by the hall of fame for his work as CEO of Motion Industries, where he saw sales grow from $1.85 billion to $4.8 billion during his tenure.
The Forever Samford Campaign raised more than $260 million across six years, thanks in large part to the Stevenses’ leadership.
“We are so very grateful for every donor to the Forever Samford campaign—the many long term, faithful donors as well as the new donors. Samford’s story is a story worth telling. Every campaign, alumni meeting, every place the Samford story is shared is of immense importance,” Bill said in 2022. “The success of the campaign proves that there are many who desire a place like Samford to last long into the future.”
Longtime residents of Vestavia Hills, they serve on the board of the Salvation Army and as members of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.
