![Photo 2023 Fall Graduation](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford’s School of the Arts and Howard College of Arts and Sciences Celebrate Spring 2024 Graduates
On Saturday, April 27, Samford University’s School of the Arts and Howard College of Arts and Sciences celebrated its spring graduates with a joint commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center.
![Photo Dale Wilger Headshot](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Professor Receives Organic Syntheses Grant to Fund Chemistry Research Project
Dale Wilger, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and his student research group have developed a compelling hypothesis that received grant funding for one undergraduate summer researcher to prove this hypothesis.
![Photo Sophia Revis and friend in UK](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Student Spends Semester in British Parliament
Sophia Revis, a Samford University sophomore and sociology and communication studies double major, has spent the spring semester studying abroad in London. While residing at Samford’s Daniel House, she completed a unique internship in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
![Photo CAM AMP Awards 2024](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Communication and Media Students Continue Winning Streak at Alabama Media Professionals Communication Contest
The Department of Communication and Media has had an outstanding spring award season, winning over 50 awards across student achievements and publications. Their winning streak continued on Thursday, April 11, as they garnered more accolades at the Alabama Media Professionals Communication Contest award ceremony.
![Photo TJ Riggs](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
TJ Riggs Becomes Fifth Samford Student to Be Named Truman Scholar
Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences junior TJ Riggs, a law politics and society major, has been named a 2024 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Riggs is the first Samford student to receive this prestigious national scholarship since 2002 and only the fifth recipient in Samford’s history.
![Photo Richard and Dorothy Swindle](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
40 Years of Giving: One Couple’s Dedication to Continuing Samford University’s Legacy
Dorothy ’76 and Richard ’69 Swindle made their first gift to Samford University in the 1980s. Now, 40 years later, they are still investing in its legacy. This time, through a challenge to the Samford community on Tuesday, April 9 for 2024 Samford Giving Day.
![Photo Mandy Howard Counseling](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Psychology Professor Awarded Prestigious Grant to Help Create More Sensory Inclusive Worship Environments
For many people, church is a place of healing and tranquility. It's a place where you can fellowship with other believers and be in the presence of God. However, for those grappling with sensory processing sensitivity, going to church is far from peaceful. It can be a nightmare.
![Photo Anthony Overton Appointed to Fish Advisory Council](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Professor Elected President of the American Fisheries Society Southern Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences chair Anthony Overton's election by the committee in February marks the beginning of a four-year term. At the forefront of his duties is directing the many chapters and committees across the division.
![Photo TheLocalStaff2023 24](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford University Student Media Publications Win College Media Association Apple Awards
Samford University's student media publications brought home more accolades from the College Media Association's annual conference on March 16.
![Photo STEM Network 2024](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford University’s STEM Scholars Hosts Third Annual Networking Event
Samford University's STEM Scholars program, which provides scholarships for academically gifted transfer students committed to a STEM career, proudly hosted its third annual networking event on Friday, March 15.
![Photo Adam Winn Headshot](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford University Appoints Adam Winn as New Chair of Biblical and Religious Studies Department
Following a nationwide search, Adam Winn, PhD, a distinguished scholar of the New Testament, has been selected as the new chair of Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. Winn's tenure, effective August 2024, follows the leadership of Roy Ciampa, who admirably served as the department's chair for six years.
![Photo John Lewis Mural](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Students' Research and Writing Skills Strengthened through Magic City Religion Project
Samford University Howard College of Arts and Sciences students have had their research and writing skills strengthened thanks to Biblical and Religious Studies professor David Bains's Magic City Religion project. For five years, students have completed and published research papers on religious life in Birmingham, Alabama.
![Photo 2024 Mock Debate](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Debate Reaches Final Four of ADA Nationals, Wins Numerous Awards
Samford Debate returned from a successful weekend at the American Debate Association National Tournament held at Indiana University March 9-11.
![Photo Elsner paintings](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Professor Honors Vestavia Hills Shooting Victims with Original Paintings
Nearly two years after the shooting at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, psychology chair and professor Rob Elsner is honoring the three lives lost with his latest project, "Pilgrimage of the People: Liturgies for Labyrinth Worship throughout the Church Year."
![Photo SEJC 2024 Conference Students](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Communication and Media Students Earn 17 Awards at SEJC 2024 Conference
Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences Communication and Media students and staffers from The Samford Crimson, Samford's student-produced newspaper, received 17 awards from the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC) last weekend.
![Photo De escalation event 2024](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Students Receive Certification and Training on Trauma and Crisis De-escalation
Hundreds of Samford students, first responders, ministers, law enforcement and other area professionals gathered in the Leslie S. Wright Center to learn about supporting children and adolescents who have experienced a crisis or trauma.
![Photo Tyshawn Gardner Headshot](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Professor Awarded Preaching Magazine's Book of the Year
One year after publishing his second book, "Social Crisis Preaching: Biblical Proclamation for Troubled Times," Tyshawn Gardner, Samford University's Preministerial Scholars director and professor, was awarded Preaching Magazine's Book of the Year.
![Photo CAM Control Room](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Communication and Media Students Win Awards and are Selected to Present Research at BEA Conference
17 students from the Fall 2023 JMC 401 Senior Thesis class were accepted to present their research projects at the April Broadcast Education Association convention. 16 of those students also won awards for their papers.