Published on June 29, 2018 by Philip Poole  
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The executive committee of Samford University’s board of trustees approved a new program, new faculty and candidates for summer graduation during their regular mid-summer meeting June 26.

Trustees approved the Doctor of Audiology degree in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, pending final approval by the appropriate accrediting organizations. * The new degree is a four-year program with three years of academic coursework and clinical placements with a full-time externship in the fourth year.

Ten new faculty members were affirmed in eight academic areas – Christian ministry, divinity, interior architecture, music, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy and Spanish.

Forty candidates for summer graduation were approved pending completion of all degree requirements. Following their longstanding tradition, trustees paused to pray for the graduates after their vote.

Charlotte Freeman was appointed the Orlean Bullard Beeson Professor of Education. Freeman joined the Samford faculty in 1977.

Trustees also heard a series of updates from university administrators about summer construction projects across campus, progress of the multi-year campus master plan, fall enrollment projections and the Forever Samford fundraising campaign.

Phil Kimrey, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, reported that first-year student deposits for fall 2018 are exceeding those from the previous year, and housing requests currently are expected to be at capacity.

Randy Pittman, vice president for advancement, reported that year-to-date giving as of May 31 already has exceed the previous year’s total. Also, more than $77 million has been given or pledged to the $300 million campaign.

Harry B. Brock III, executive vice president and vice president for business and financial affairs, reported the university’s endowment was valued at $302 million.

The next meeting of the full board will be Sept. 7.

* The doctoral (Au.D.) program in audiology at Samford University is an Applicant for Candidacy by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

 
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 is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 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 fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.