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The best way to experience the Samford spirit is to walk our campus and meet our people, but until you are able to visit in person, we want to give you an idea of what to expect. To get started, choose a tour stop from the map or the menu below.
Samford University is a premier, nationally ranked, private university deeply rooted in its Christian mission and committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience. With almost 5,800 students from 49 states and 16 countries, Samford has been nationally ranked the No. 1 most recommended university (2020), No. 1 in student engagement (2022) and No. 10 for career preparation (2024) byThe Wall Street Journal. We offer over 170 majors, minors and concentrations that provide an environment which values diversity and encourages education to propel students forward.
Our history stretches back to 1841 in the small town of Marion, Alabama. After forty-seven years of educating, we moved our campus to the East Lake area of Birmingham and in 1957 finally settled into our 247-acre home in Homewood, Alabama.
Sharing our history wouldn’t be complete without mentioning those who paved the way for us. We’ve asked our trustworthy friend, Mr. Ralph Waldo Beeson, to sit as your official welcome committee on this virtual tour. Mr. Beeson and his family gave over $100 million to Samford. While he was not a Samford graduate, he saw the quality of people the university produced and thought it a worthy investment.
Learn more aboutSamford’s History
In 1957, Samford moved to its current 247-acre home in Homewood, Alabama. The library was intentionally placed in the center of campus, to represent that academics are always to remain the center of the Samford experience. Inside the library, you’ll find study rooms, a computer lab, Einstein Bros. Bagels and a bust of Major Harwell Goodwin Davis. Major Davis, Samford University’s 15th president, generously provides luck to all who rub his nose upon entering.
Learn More aboutSamford Academics
Our most recent addition to campus is Cooney Hall, home to our Brock School of Business. This facility features state-of-the-art learning spaces like our Portfolio Management Room and Data Analytics Lab. This expansion provided the facilities needed to prepare business students for leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Learn more aboutSamford Business
Samford’s average undergraduate class size is 18 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. Our faculty are extremely accessible and are available to students through office hours and email. In addition, many faculty include their cell phone number on the class syllabi so students can easily contact them. Ninety-seven percent of our May 2023 graduates were employed, in internships or pursuing a continuation of their education within six months of graduation.
Learn more aboutSamford Job Preparation
In 2018, our Interior Design students proposed plans that drove the renovation of the entire University Center, which houses our newly expanded food court and bookstore, Samford Shop. The students intentionally proposed designs to create a space that could serve as a destination place for students to gather, collaborate, eat, study and attend events. Hands-on learning is seen across Samford’s campus. The Samford community and experience form students into decision makers by providing real-life opportunities to apply what they’re learning in the classroom.
Learn more about ourRenovations
Outside the University Center, Ben Brown Plaza is the social hub of campus. From Summer Send-Off and Welcome Back Week to Greek Life philanthropy fundraisers, you’re always likely to see one of our 166 student organizations present on Ben Brown. The university hosts 1,481 student life events each year, making it easy to get involved and be known on campus.
Learn more about ourStudent Organizations
Residence Life at Samford is an extension of community. The friendships formed with your hallmates during freshman year will often be some of the strongest throughout your time on campus. There are five primary dorms for incoming freshman: Lena Vail Davis Hall, John D. Pittman Hall, Evergreen Hall, Mamie Mell Smith Hall and Mountainview. Students may request their own roommate or fill out an application noting their living preferences and Res Life will pair them with the perfect match!
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In 2014, Samford added 28 acres and 400,000 square feet of building space to house the newly formed College of Health Sciences. The College unites some of Samford’s longest standing programs: Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing and McWhorter School of Pharmacy, with School of Health Professions and School of Public Health.
In this facility, you’ll find Freshens, a fast and healthy food option, many collaborative student spaces, clinical learning labs, a high-fidelity simulation suite, audiology labs and nutrition and dietetics labs.
Learn more about theCollege of Health Sciences
Samford doesn’t just pride itself on strength inside the classroom. The Pete Hanna Center houses many facilities used by our 17 NCAA Division I athletic teams at Samford. In this area, you will also find nine fitness programs, eleven intramural sports and student workout facilities which are free for use with a Samford ID. Samford ensures that students have abundant resources to prioritize their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being during their college years.
Learn more aboutSamford Athletics
Samford's $85 million Recreation, Wellness & Athletics Complex combines world-class fitness amenities with spaces designed to encourage and enhance opportunities to build community among students and employees.
This 165,000-foot, four-story complex features basketball, racquetball and pickleball courts, along with studios for spin classes, yoga, pilates, Zumba and barre core. There are tonal strength stations, free weights, cardio and circuit training, turf areas, billiards, an elevated jogging track, a coffeehouse and 24-hour market. There’s also an Esports lounge designed to launch the university’s new video gaming program.
Bookending either side of the quad are Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel and A. Hamilton Reid Chapel. Every Tuesday and Thursday students gather in Reid Chapel for campus worship, one of many opportunities for students to grow in their faith on campus. Hodges Chapel houses Beeson Divinity School. Student-led campus ministries, small groups and Bible studies are available each night of the week, so you can choose for yourself how to invest your time. Outside of Samford, local churches also play an important role in students’ lives as they engage with the greater Birmingham community through worship and in service.
Learn more aboutSamford Spiritual Life
Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center was built in 1975 and seats 2,500 people. The Wright Center hosts a variety of national and international artists and community events. Each year, the Wright Center is center stage for Samford's annual Step Sing, School of the Arts theatre productions and music concerts, graduation ceremonies, convocations and worship events.
Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall is a state-of-the-art concert hall featuring music performances from students, faculty and guest artists. It serves as both a classroom and a performance space for the School of the Arts.
Buchanan Hall is home to the Division of Music in the School of the Arts. Majors are available in performance, music education, composition and music and worship. The Division of Music offers numerous ensembles for students across the Samford campus including the Marching Bulldogs, A Cappella Choir, Samford Opera, Samford Orchestra, Worship Arts Ensemble, Campus Worship Team, Gracenotes, University Chorale, Wind Ensembles and Jazz Band.
Swearingen Hall is home to Harrison Theatre, the Samford Art Gallery, Bolding Studio, the graphic design lab, interior architecture studios and numerous classroom spaces for the School of the Arts. Harrison Theatre's 244-seat venue includes a revolving stage and features 6-8 mainstage productions by theatre students each year.
Art Lofts is an expansive and modern educational space for visual arts faculty and students in sculpture, ceramics, painting, design and drawing. The open and bright interior features an atrium connecting two levels of classrooms, small studios, large workrooms and office space.
Samford seeks students who demonstrate their commitment to excellence in both academic achievement and personal character. Your admission counselor is your personal advocate, whom you may contact at any time. We look forward to supporting you as you discern your place at Samford University.
