Founded in 1841, Samford University has long benefited from the generosity of others. Formerly known as the DeVotie Society, the 1841 Society will pay tribute to our rich history while recognizing alumni and friends who have completed a planned gift to Samford.

Planned gifts, also often called estate or legacy gifts, provide a wonderful way to show support and appreciation while accommodating one’s personal, financial, estate-planning and philanthropic goals. When you give a planned gift of any kind, you are impacting students you’ll never meet. It’s a true picture of planting seeds that will sustain Samford’s future.

“The 1841 Society will recognize and celebrate members of a special group of alumni and friends who share a common bond of philanthropy, a love of Samford and the vision to provide for future generations of Samford students,” said Bo Kerr, assistant vice president for university advancement.

As a recent example, Chris Blackerby ’88 and his wife, Barbara, have committed to making a planned gift to Samford. Chris graduated from Brock School of Business and has been an involved alumnus ever since. And while Barbara is not an alumna, she considers herself an honorary bulldog. When their daughter, Rachel, enrolled in 2016, they became Samford parents. They enjoy attending campus events and serving as volunteers, and in addition to giving of their time, they give back to Samford through their finances.

“It's one way that we show our gratitude for this place,” shared Chris. “It all stems from our love for Christ. I had a great experience at Samford, and so did my daughter. Knowing we’re giving to the next generation of students speaks volumes.”

The foundational verse for the 1841 Society is Proverbs 16:3, which says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Learn more about planned giving at Samford.

This story was first published in the summer 2024 issue of Seasons magazine.