Published on December 8, 2025 by Neal Embry  
Fall2025Graduates

On Friday, Dec. 5, Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School celebrated eight new graduates during a service of commencement and consecration. 

Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians, delivered the commencement sermon, a message from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 titled, “The Foolishness of God: Pastoring From the Cross.” 

In his sermon, Lawrence encouraged the graduates to “crucify (their) diploma.” 

He said the temptation for Christian ministers is to allow the flesh to twist the grace we have received into an instrument of pride that chases our glory instead of God’s. The answer is to be driven to the cross and remember that God’s power is demonstrated in weakness. 

“It’s only in the weakness of God that we find strength,” Lawrence said. “Live in the power of the weakness of God.” 

The new graduates are: 

  • Margot Cooney, Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) 
  • Nancy Hartin, MATS 
  • Coleman Kitrell, MATS 
  • Blake Dean, Master of Divinity (MDiv) with Anglican certificate 
  • Erin Dean, MDiv with Anglican certificate 
  • Mallory Douglas, MDiv with Anglican certificate 
  • Mallory Johnson, MDiv 
  • Daniel Richardson, MDiv 
 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.