In the Community

 
Photo Medallion1WinnersGroup
Samford Medallion Awards Herald Birmingham's Difference-Makers
A nonprofit founder who harnessed the healing power of horses. An award-winning landscape architect. The leader of an ecumenical ministry. Meet Samford's 2025 Medallion Award recipients.
Photo Students at Samford Gives Back
Over 1,000 Students Make an Impact through Samford Gives Back
More than 1,000 students gathered on April 28 to serve organizations all around the city of Birmingham in the annual Samford Gives Back event.
Photo Bill Cleveland
Cleveland Publishes First Book, Offering Practical Advice for School Superintendents
After 31 years in public education and 12 years as superintendent of Homewood City Schools, Bill Cleveland is adding a new title to his extensive resume: published author.
 
Photo justin hefner
Stronger Together: Orlean Beeson School of Education’s Commitment to Community
In 2020, as schools and workplaces across the country scrambled to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna McEwan, dean of Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education, and Justin Hefner, EdS ’16, EdD ’18, superintendent of Homewood City Schools, both stepped into their leadership roles mid-crisis.
Photo Samford students walk the campus
Samford Streamlines Path for Community College Transfers Through Expanded Partnerships
Current agreements include Jefferson State, Gadsden State, Wallace State and Lawson State community colleges.
Photo Bill Smith Photo
Pam and Bill Smith Inspire Students with Unique Gift
Bill Smith, a well-known Birmingham entrepreneur and community leader, announced the creation of a unique gift for Samford that will significantly impact future generations of Samford students.
 
 

Our Impact

Independent research has shown Samford greatly impacts the state of Alabama's job creation, generation of significant tax revenues, promotion of innovation, assistance in business creation and growth and facilitation of economic development.

Samford’s economic impact in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area is estimated to be $414.9 million. This includes an annual economic impact of $19.7 million due to university campus visitors.

Additionally, Samford is a net importer of human capital to Alabama and Birmingham.

From 2014-24, 18% of all out-of-state students decided to remain employed in Alabama or attend graduate school after graduation. A significantly smaller percentage (9%) of students whose home state was Alabama elected to relocate outside the state after graduating from Samford. In 2024, Samford enrolled students from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries. View the full report.

Samford’s annual fiscal and economic impact on Alabama $453.3 MILLION
Samford is also a proud employer of over 1,800 full-time and part-time employees. Want to join Samford's Mission? View Samford Jobs
Campus Aerial from Reid Chapel
Our Beautiful Campus
propst hall pendulum and seal
Medallion Awards
three male students at samford gives back day 2024
Community Engagement