Samford University celebrated 296 graduates at its fall commencement ceremony, Dec. 14. Each student who crossed the Pete Hanna Center stage to receive their diploma possess unique gifts, passions and aspirations for their future careers. This milestone marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, along with personal and professional growth at Samford.

Among these graduates are three Brock School of Business alumnae—Noelle Arnold, Whitney Bean and Shealy George. These accomplished students have excelled academically while making meaningful contributions to the Samford community. Below, they reflect on their time at Samford and their experiences in Brock School of Business.

Noelle Arnold

Hometown

Franklin, Tennessee

Major

Marketing

What made you want to major in marketing?

I’ve always had a passion for creativity and communication, and marketing seemed like the perfect fit to combine those interests with business strategy. I love the idea of using marketing to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, while also helping businesses grow and succeed.

Favorite memory in Brock School of Business?

One of my favorite memories was when my management class took a field trip to the quarry at Vulcan Materials. It was fun to get out of the classroom and see their operations up-close. Even though it’s not something I ever expected to do, it was a fun experience!

Was there a class or faculty member that made the biggest impact on you?

My favorite class was social media content marketing. In this course, we created a marketing portfolio, which I regularly update and use for job applications. The class also included an internship with Grace Klein Community, which gave us invaluable hands-on experience and a great addition to our resumes and portfolios. It was an incredibly practical and impactful experience that has directly prepared me for my career.

How has Samford prepared you for your career?

Brock School of Business prepared me for my career by giving me practical projects and hands-on experiences that I could directly apply to my internships. The classes were structured in a way that equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge that helped me succeed in real-world work environments. These experiences have given me a solid foundation and confidence as I begin to transfer into the workforce.

Whitney Bean

Hometown

Danville, Kentucky

Major

Finance

What made you want to major in finance?

I love people and I love numbers, and finance was a major that allowed me to bring two of my greatest passions together. I loved my first finance course with Professor Steve Jones and never looked back!

Favorite memory in Brock School of Business?

My favorite Brock School of Business memory was traveling to Fort Worth, Texas with Gamma Iota Sigma for an insurance conference. I learned so much about the wide world of insurance and made many new friendships. Also, getting to serve as a Bulldog Investment Fund analyst/manager was an incredible experience this year, and I am so thankful for the endless opportunities that Samford and Brock School of Business provide for all students.

Was there a class or faculty member that made the biggest impact on you?

I could write a book on all my professors and the wonderful classes they have taught, but Steve Jones is without a doubt the most caring professor I have ever met. He goes above and beyond to ensure that all his students understand class content, but even more than that, he always goes the extra mile to see how his students are truly doing. He has cheered me on throughout my entire Samford career and has shown me what it looks like to be someone who takes a genuine interest in those around you. I hope to continue his legacy of kindness and compassion as I begin my career!

How has Samford prepared you for your career?

Brock School of Business prepared me for my career in countless ways, but one of the best ways it prepared me was by providing very valuable professional development opportunities. Dana Waldrop, director of professional success, works so hard to bring in guest speakers and organize job and internship fairs. All these events allowed me to make meaningful connections with various business leaders. In addition, Nathan Kirkpatrick's managerial values course taught me how to be a Christian leader in the workspace, and I feel as though this is the best preparation I could have ever received. He always asked our class, "Why couldn't you be the most encouraging person in your (future) office?". I hope to ask myself this question each day for the rest of my career.

Shealy George

Hometown

Hartwell, Georgia

Major

Marketing with a minor in communication studies

What made you want to major in marketing?

I chose to major in marketing because of the field's blend of creativity and strategy. Growing up, my sister, an author, invested significant time and resources into building her social media presence. I had the opportunity to assist her with these accounts, and through this experience, I developed an interest in understanding consumer behavior and the factors that influence specific actions. This hands-on involvement deepened my passion for marketing and its potential to creatively engage and influence audiences.

Favorite memory in Brock School of Business?

My favorite Brock School of Business memory was taking the business and local poverty class. During this course, I had the opportunity to visit several nonprofits around Birmingham and serve the community alongside my professor, Barbara Cartledge. One of the most memorable experiences was painting the Christian Service Mission building. What made this experience particularly special was not only the willingness of the students to get involved, but also her active participation alongside us.

Was there a class or faculty member that made the biggest impact on you?

Nathan Kirkpatrick and Barbara Cartledge have been two of the most influential professors during my time at Samford. Both are exceptional in their ability to encourage and support their students, always going above and beyond to offer assistance and foster deeper connections. Their dedication to student success and personal growth has had a lasting impact on me. Not only that, but their deep love for the Lord is evident in their actions, as they consistently demonstrate kindness, integrity and a genuine care for others.