Samford University’s board of trustees elected new officers and approved new faculty and advisory board members at its September 6 meeting.

Officers of the board elected for one-year terms are William J. Stevens, chair; Robert Holmes, Jr., vice chair; Victor E. Nichol, Jr., secretary; and Sherri P. Foyt, assistant secretary. 

Ten new faculty members were approved for School of the Arts, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Orlean Beeson School of Education, Ida Moffett School of Nursing and School of Public Health. The board also authorized a new Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program that will prepare students to provide comprehensive mental health and social care services and primary care for children and adults. Graduates of the new program will be eligible for both the Family Nurse Practitioner and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exams.

Members of advisory boards for various schools and programs were approved by the trustees, who also approved the naming of 21 rooms and other facilities in Cooney Hall, home of the Brock School of Business. A revised process for the recognition of student organizations was presented and approved.

Trustees received reports on the university budget, student recruitment, athletics, advancement, marketing and the campus master plan. It was announced that campus-wide enrollment for fall 2019 is anticipated to be Samford’s largest, including the most academically accomplished freshman class in Samford history. Finally, it was noted that the Forever Samford campaign has received cash, property or pledges exceeding $172 million, representing more than 57% of the $300 million goal. The university’s endowment was valued at more than $301.3 million as of June 30, 2019.