In the 15 years he has served as Samford’s president, Westmoreland has successfully ‘’enabled” thousands of alumni, staff, faculty, parents, friends, corporations, churches and charitable foundations to join him in generously supporting Samford and its mission.

Samford has had two comprehensive capital campaigns during the Westmoreland years. From 2006 to 2014, a period that included the most severe recession in our country since the 1930s, A Campaign for Samford raised $202.5 million in cash and pledges for the university. Prior to that time, the most successful campaign Samford had ever undertaken raised $89 million, so this effort was more than twice as beneficial. The record set in that campaign has now been exceeded in the current Forever Samford campaign, which, at the time of this writing, has raised $207.5 million and is still going.

Westmoreland, a first- generation college graduate who benefited from financial support to attend college himself, is most passionate about raising funds for scholarships. He and his wife Jeanna have personally funded 10 endowed scholarships at Samford, one in each of the academic schools; and more money has been raised and pledged for scholarships ($166.8 million) than for all other purposes during the years of his leadership.

Challenging Samford supporters to pledge a portion of their estates to the university is another area Westmoreland has emphasized. The decision about what to do with the proceeds of one’s estate is the most important stewardship decision a Christian will make, and Westmoreland has encouraged many Samford friends to “plant trees for future generations” in this manner.

Approximately 35% of all the funds coming in to the two capital campaigns have come in the form of estate pledges and gifts.

While the day-to-day work of raising funds is done by staff in the Division of University Advancement, other employees and scores of volunteers, Westmoreland has provided strong leadership every step of the way.

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Andrew Westmoreland has spent most of his life giving and leading others to give, and everyone associated with Samford University is better for it.