Samford Medallion Awards
Celebrating Civic and Community Good
The Samford University Medallion Award, approved by the Board of Trustees on March 7, 2006, is presented to individuals who have accomplished some important civic or community good, and who have been less publicly recognized to this point in their lives. Recipients should be those clearly responsible for specific deeds of kindness and documented actions of record that make a difference in community and civic life. The award should bring honor to individuals and to the university. By tradition, the Samford Medallion is presented to community members outside of the Samford family.
Recipient Qualifications
Recipients should be people whose specific accomplishments in civic and public affairs merit recognition. Special attention should be devoted to individuals who have not otherwise been widely recognized. Often, civic leaders and office-holders collect awards and honors in great number. "Piling on" awards makes honor and recognition routine, and does not bring sufficient notice to justify the presentation. The Samford Medallion should especially seek out those whose good works have made a difference in society, in community affairs, in the life of the church, in the quality of life for individuals. Recipients should not necessarily be philanthropists; i.e., people who make generous financial contributions, inasmuch as honorary degrees, naming, and other recognition options should be available. The Samford Medallion should be reserved for those individuals whose ideas and actions have been largely unheralded up to the time of the award, and who are responsible for deeds of kindness, actions of record, rather than heading organizations, holding titles, announcing plans and intentions.
Nominate Someone Today View Previous Recipients
Questions? Contact Debby Haralson, Director of Community Engagement.
Previous Recipients
April 2025
- Ray J. Flynn, D.S.W., founder and director of the Ministry Center at Green Springs
- Joy Hicks O'Neal, founder and executive director of The Red Barn
- Jane Reed Ross, renowned landscape architect
April 2024
- Linda and Jim Jones, founders of Alabama Childhood Food Solutions
- Carolyn Green Satterfield, founder of the Alabama Governor's School
- Chris Yarboro, executive director of the Community Furniture Bank
November 2021
- Mark Wakefield and Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief
- Tony Cooper, retired executive director of Jimmie Hale Mission for 29 years
- Frances Ford, executive director of Sowing Seeds of Hope, Marion, Alabama
August 2011
- Gov. Albert P. Brewer, former governor of Alabama and retired professor of law, Cumberland School of Law
May 2006
- Caroline B. Novak, president, A+ Education Foundation (now A+ Education Partnership)
- William E. Smith, board chair, A+ Education Foundation (now A+ Education Partnership)
