Bill Christenberry never expected to teach at Samford University, let alone in the shadow of a facility named in honor of his father. Now, as an adjunct professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, his daily path to the classroom offers a reminder of his family’s lasting connection to the university.
The Christenberry Planetarium—named for Boyd Christenberry, Bill’s late father—stands as a testament not only to one man’s commitment to Samford’s mission, but to a vision of learning that reaches far beyond the classroom walls.
“My father wasn’t a Samford graduate, and neither am I,” said Christenberry, a longtime veterinarian who joined Samford’s faculty in August 2024. “But as we both learned more about Samford—its values, its mission—it felt like a natural adoption. Samford became part of our family.”
Boyd Christenberry, who passed away in 2019, believed deeply in the power of education and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. The desire to give back to a university that had grown so close to his heart culminated in his support for the planetarium that now bears his name. The planetarium serves as a hub for astronomy education, outreach events and immersive shows that explore the cosmos and celebrate the wonder of God’s creation.
“He wanted to leave something behind, not just for the university, but for the broader community,” said Christenberry. “The planetarium does just that. It’s a place where students and families alike can come, be inspired and leave with a greater understanding of the universe and their place in it.”
The younger Christenberry believes the planetarium is uniquely positioned to embody Samford’s mission of academic excellence and spiritual formation. “You step inside and see how small we are in the grand scope of the universe, yet you also feel deeply significant—reminded that the same God who created galaxies cares about each of us individually,” he said.
Bill Christenberry and university leaders see opportunities to expand the planetarium’s profile on campus and in the community. Through future fundraising and updates to software and equipment, the goal is more fully integrating the facility into a variety of academic disciplines while continuing to serve as a cultural and educational resource for Birmingham.
“It’s not just a physics tool,” Christenberry said. “It can be used across disciplines to teach, to inspire and to draw people into the Samford story. We don’t want to be the best-kept secret anymore.”
As Samford looks to grow the impact of the Christenberry Planetarium, the university invites alumni, parents and community members to invest in a vision that spans generations. For many, it will be a way to honor a legacy of faith, learning and curiosity that began with Boyd Christenberry.
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