Two Samford University nursing students have been named brand ambassadors for the month of March.
Senior Hannah Dawson and junior Devynne Roahrig were selected after being nominated by members of the Samford community.
Dawson, a team captain of the two-time Southern Conference champion women's basketball team, was cited for her academic and clinical achievements as well as her community involvement. She has worked with Community Kitchen of Birmingham, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Samaritans' Feet, United Way, Boo at the Zoo, Serve our City, March of Dimes and as a volunteer for the Sunshine Room for children staying at Children's Hospital while awaiting surgery.
"Being a nursing major alone requires time commitment and so does being a varsity athlete. Hannah has handled both well," said the person nominating her. "[The] faculty has complimented her on her exceptional performance in the clinical setting. She is a leader among her peers and a hard worker. She will leave a 12 hour clinical shift and go straight to basketball practice without any complaints. Being on her feet for 12 hours does not interfere with her basketball practice. She gives 110 percent."
Roahrig was nominated by a fellow student.
"She has meant so much to me and many others. She is always smiling and serving others," said her nominator. "She loves Samford and makes the people around her want to love it too. She has helped make Samford a home for me."
Roahrig is a community service ambassador and part of the Office of Admission student recruitment team. She also is involved in leading a Bible study, is actively involved with The Church at Brook Hills and served as a 2012 Connections leader.
In a new initiative launched in January 2013, Samford's Office of Marketing and Communication is promoting the concept of every member of the university community as a "brand ambassador." As part of the emphasis, the Office of Marketing and Communication is recognizing a "brand ambassador of the month" from the university community. The first brand ambassadors were announced in February - student Clayton Hurdle and employee Elizabeth Wells.
Anyone can suggest someone as an outstanding Samford brand ambassador either for a specific action or their general work on behalf of the university, according to Philip Poole, executive director of the Office of Marketing and Communication. Nominations for brand ambassador of the month should be submitted in writing to samnews@samford.edu.