The mission of Samford University’s Brock School of Business is to deliver lifelong education to its constituents through quality teaching, meaningful scholarship and servant relationships, imbued by its Christian commitment. During the 2022-2023 academic year, school leadership launched its Mission Impact Award to recognize the faculty’s work that contributes to this mission.

 

The inaugural recipients of the award are Kate McCombs, assistant professor of management, and Anna-Leigh Stone, associate professor of finance.

 

McCombs was selected for the award based on her encouragement of servant leadership in the community through her Leadership class. Her students can receive extra credit for volunteering in the community and then providing a written reflection on their experience. Some examples of this have included serving dinner at a women’s shelter and sending letters to veterans.

 

She said, “This is something I have done in my classes over a number of years and plan to continue to deepen and evolve. I believe a focus on serving our community and serving others in general is key to effective leadership. Aligning leadership with service and purpose is key for a thriving future. We are here to serve others and my hope is this assignment keeps this as a focus in our class!”

 

Additionally, Stone was selected for the award based on her latest article, “Faith-Based Credit Unions and Credit Risk”, which was recently published by Finance Research Letters. The paper supports the Brock School of Business mission by examining faith-based credits unions as extensions of their associated religious institution’s ministry while also examining their need to limit risks to stay in operation.

 

Stone said, “It is a privilege to work at a place that not only values and encourages, but rewards, faith-based research. The ability to do research that has faith-based implications and directly relates to the Christian mission that is a pillar of Samford is an honor.”

 

The Mission Impact Award is a grant that will be distributed by the school on an annual basis. Faculty recipients can use the award to further excellence in teaching, research, and service to our community in a way that highlights our mission.

 

Associate Dean Jeremy Thornton said, “Brock School of Business takes seriously its commitment to world-class teaching, research and a specific commitment to its distinct Christian mission. The Mission Impact Award is a tangible commitment from the Brock School to both encourage and celebrate faculty excellence in this area.”