Published on January 13, 2007 by Philip Poole  
Posted by Philip Poole on 2007-08-06

A concert featuring award-winning recording artists Little Big Town highlights the 2007 Homecoming schedule at Samford University. The 8:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, Oct. 20, is one of several events during the weekend celebrating the official opening of Samford's new Pete Hanna Center.

Two members of LBT, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Roads, met as Samford students in the late 1980s. They were featured in the summer 2007 issue of Seasons magazine.

Tickets for the concert and other Homecoming events go on sale Sept. 1 at www.samforduniversityrelations.com. Student tickets are $5 with a valid Samford identification card. Chairback seats in the arena's lower bowl are $25. Tickets in the upper bleachers are $15 each.

Other activities celebrating the dedication of Pete Hanna Center include:

  • The annual J. Roderick Davis Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 18, featuring Walter Issacson, president of The Aspen Institute and author of a new biography of Albert Einstein.  The 7:30 p.m. lecture is free.
  • Ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19.
  • A gala on Friday, Oct. 19 combining the dedication celebration, Alumni of the Year recognitions and Samford's annual donor recognition dinner.

Among the special reunions during the weekend include BSU/Student Ministries Choir members, art department alumni, nursing alumni, the golden reunion class of 1957, the class of 1987 and the annual Golden Bulldogs brunch for graduates of 50 years or more.

The Samford Bulldogs football team will host Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay State University at 2 p.m. in Seibert Stadium. Tickets are available at www.samfordsports.com. Other Samford sports teams in home action during the weekend include soccer and volleyball. Several teams plan public scrimmages during the weekend.

The annual homecoming bash on Friday evening will feature live music and refreshments, a pep rally, bonfire and fireworks. Activities begin about 8 p.m.

The homecoming worship service on Sunday, Oct. 21, will be led by Esther and Bob Burroughs and will include a BSU/Student Ministries reunion choir. Esther Burroughs is a former campus minister at Samford, and Bob Burroughs taught in the music division and led BSU choral groups.

Throughout the weekend there will be special displays and other activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the move from Birmingham's East Lake area to the present campus in Homewood.

A full schedule of activities and reunions is planned for the weekend, according to David B. Goodwin, Samford's director of alumni and parent programs.


A complete schedule of activities, including organization and class reunions is available online.  The schedule and registration information will be updated regularly, Goodwin noted.  Additionally, registration information will be mailed in late August and will be included in the fall issue of Seasons magazine.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.