Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education hosted its annual Learning for Life Awards Dinner on Aug. 19, honoring alumni and friends whose leadership and service made a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Since 2015, the school has recognized distinguished individuals who exemplify leadership in classrooms, school administration, churches, mission organizations, nonprofits, businesses, volunteer organizations and communities. During the ceremony, award recipients were presented with a certificate and a distinguished medallion of honor.
2026 Learning for Life Award recipients:
- Jessica Crocker ’18
- Tiffany Hamilton ’07, EdD ’23
- Shane Harmon ’93
- Erica Hochberger ’02
- Chad Holden, EdD ’18
- Keri Johnson, EdD ’14
- Trina Leary ’20, MSW ’22
- Ca’Dric Moulton ’17, MSE ’19
Jessica Crocker ’18 received the Jodi Newton Excellence in Character Education Award, and Ruth Ash received the Orlean Beeson Award.
Learn More About the Recipients
Scholarship Recipients Share the Impact of Giving
The evening also highlighted the impact of scholarship support through testimonies from graduate and undergraduate recipients. Bill Mann, EdD ’25, principal of Vestavia Hills Freshman Campus, shared how the Maurice Persall Endowed Scholarship helped him complete his dissertation and prepared him to extend that investment through his work as a school leader.
“I’m grateful to Samford for being transformative in my life, and I’m grateful to the donors who make transformations like mine possible,” Mann said.
Mann emphasized that scholarship support reaches beyond an individual recipient by influencing the students, educators and communities that recipient goes on to serve.
“Your investment in one student rarely ends with that one student,” he said. “I see that every day.”
GIVE: Support the Kingdom work of Orlean Beeson School of Education
Sophie Wright, a senior majoring in early childhood special education, elementary education and collaborative special education), shared how receiving the John and Frances Carter Scholarship and the Mary Elizabeth Wyatt Scholarship will allow her to graduate debt-free. She also reflected on how the School of Education prepared her to recognize the significance of everyday acts of service.
“There are certainly moments when sharpening pencils, tying little ones’ shoes, wiping tears or helping a child sound out a word may seem insignificant,” Wright said. “But I am indebted to the School of Education for teaching me that these seemingly small acts are, in fact, acts of love, and that the Lord sees and honors them.”
A Celebration and a Catalyst
Anna McEwan, dean of Orlean Beeson School of Education, closed the evening by encouraging attendees to view the celebration as a recognition of achievement and as a reminder of the lasting influence of their work.
“I hope tonight is more than a celebration. I hope it is a catalyst,” McEwan said. “A catalyst that causes us to stop in the midst of very busy lives and remember why this work matters. A catalyst that reminds us that the work we do today can create possibilities we may never live to see.”
