Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences recently announced the establishment of the Core Texts Abroad Endowed Scholarship, an initiative designed to support student participation in the Core Texts Abroad program.
Launched through the leadership of Howard College Dean Dawn McCormack, the endowment will support students in the Core Texts London Program—an immersive summer experience for rising sophomores. The program explores Britain's major intellectual, cultural, political and scientific contributions through the study of significant texts, historical sites and key events. Through readings, site visits, lectures and discussions, students engage with Britain’s "great ideas" across literature, religion, politics, science, architecture and art.
“This scholarship ensures that exceptional students have the opportunity to take part in an immersive educational experience that aligns with Samford’s mission of fostering knowledge, community, faith and purpose,” said McCormack. “Through this endowment, we are investing in future leaders who will carry the insights of this program into their lives and careers.”
Students are nominated by their Core Texts 101 professors and selected through a highly competitive process.
“For more than a decade, the Core Texts London program has provided deserving students with the opportunity to grow in their understanding of the big ideas and powerful questions that are foundational to the program's curriculum," said Annie DeVries, director of Core Texts at Samford. "This endowment will help strengthen our commitment to providing our students with an in-depth introduction to the Christian intellectual tradition that we have all inherited.”
The total cost per student for the program, which includes tuition, travel, housing and excursions, is approximately $6,000. The goal of the endowed scholarship is to reduce or eliminate this cost, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent exceptional students from participating in this life-changing experience.
Over 90 students were nominated this year for Core Texts London, with 20 ultimately chosen to participate in the summer 2025 cohort:
- Rosalyn Kate Alexander; Knoxville, Tennessee
- Cass Bradley; Vestavia, Alabama
- Joseph Broad; Brentwood, Tennessee
- Mamie Dickey; Mountain Brook, Alabama
- Whitney Duggan; Franklin, Tennessee
- Elise Eichholtz; Maryville, Tennessee
- Ella Fordham; Dacula, Georgia
- Cade Harkness; Millington, Tennessee
- Gabriella Hosmer; Wilsonville, Alabama
- Belle Kelly; Madison, Alabama
- Elliott Knowles; Trafford, Alabama
- Martha Maxfield; Hudsonville, Michigan
- Anabelle McDonald; Houston, Texas
- Cat McWhorter; Decatur, Alabama
- Miles Merwin; Pelham, Alabama
- Bella Phillips; Shreveport, Louisiana
- Emma Rogers; Double Oak, Texas
- Carrington Severson; Wellington, Florida
- Elie Shoemaker; Alpharetta, Georgia
- Maggie White; Tucker, Georgia
“The Core Texts London program is a distinctive opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of significant ideas and texts while exploring the very places where many of these ideas were written and debated,” said Jennifer Speights-Binet, director of Core Texts London and a faculty member in the program since its creation in 2014. “This endowment strengthens our commitment to providing life-changing academic experiences for our students for years to come.”
Gifts to the Core Texts Abroad Endowed Scholarship directly support student scholarships, faculty engagement and the long-term sustainability of this unique learning opportunity. The scholarship itself will ensure that students continue to have access to this life-changing academic and cultural experience.
GIVE: Sponsor a student in London by contributing to the fund today.
