In May, Samford University recognized the dedication of 127 employees who have worked a total of 1,570 years of service. While the university’s annual employee service awards luncheon could not take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Andrew Westmoreland personally recognized those employees who have worked at Samford for 30 years or more. Those six special honorees received a framed watercolor painting of Reid Chapel.

45 Years of Service

Howard Walthall, who recently retired from Cumberland School of Law, served as a professor for 45 years.  

“Over the course of 45 years, Howard Walthall became a legendary law professor and an absolutely critical part of this institution. His important contributions to scholarship, the state of Alabama and the legal community are many and are all enduring legacies,” said Cumberland School of Law Dean Corky Strickland. “But, his greatest impact, though, is as a teacher. Even as his nearly five decades of teaching drew to a close, he was still innovating to assure the success of yet another generation of Cumberland lawyers.”

35 Years of Service

Lawrence Davenport, professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, was honored for 35 years as a faculty member.

“There are many experts in biology, many in teaching and many in public engagement, but very few who combine all three as effectively as Larry Davenport,” said Howard College of Arts and Sciences Dean Tim Hall. “He’s a Buchanan Award winner, Alabama Professor of the Year, past Fellow of the Alabama Academy of Arts and Sciences, author of many scholarly and popular books and articles, and champion of Alabama’s biological diversity.”

30 Years of Service

Jeanie Box Cook, professor and former dean of the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education, David Dedo, associate professor of English in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Wanda Lucas, senior associate athletic director for business operations, and Janice Paine, director of undergraduate student services in the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, were recognized for 30 years of service.

Cook and Dedo retired at the end of the 2021 academic year.

25 Years of Service

Honored for 25 years of service were Garry Atkins, assistant vice president of student affairs; Marshall Cates, professor in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy; Janet Goodwin, assistant director of payroll; Robert Hensarling, professor in the School of Health Professions and director of the Office of Interprofessional Education; Paul Kuruk, professor at Cumberland School of Law; Heather Mitchell, director of career counseling; and Mary Worthington, professor in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

20 Years of Service

Honored for 20 years of service were Christy Allen and Doug Wilson with university advancement; Dana Basinger, Emily Hynds, Kelly Jensen and Carol Vaughn Cross with the Howard College of Arts and Sciences; Jenni Beall and Eilani Grayson with the McWhorter School of Pharmacy; Della Darby with the Beeson Law Library; Les Ennis with educational leadership; Tom Fuller, Le-Ann Little and James Pounds with the Beeson School of Divinity; Rene’ Golden, undergraduate music; Theresa Kanute and Lenita Rice with student financial services; Archie Lockamy and Cynthia Lohrke with the Brock School of Business; Susan Nolin with technology services; April Robinson with student development; and Carla Waddell with University Library.

15 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

Five Years of Service