Posted by Phillip Poole on 2008-02-26

Samford University announced the appointment of two new vice presidents Feb. 26 as part of several administrative changes reported to the board of trustees by President Andrew Westmoreland.

W. Randall Pittman will become vice president for university relations, effective April 15. Pittman most recently has been chief financial officer for Emageon, Inc., and had served on Samford's board of trustees since 2001. As vice president, he will oversee development, communications, and alumni and parent relations.

"Mr. Pittman is extraordinarily familiar with Samford, and he has a keen mind for sales, finance, management and marketing that will hold him in good stead as we approach the largest capital campaign in Samford's history," Westmoreland said. "A lifetime of business, civic and charitable involvement has prepared him for this important role."

Pittman has a successful 32-year career in Birmingham, including executive positions with AmSouth Bank, Caremark and BioCryst. Pittman and his wife, Daina, are the parents of two daughters who have attended Samford.

Michael D. Morgan, current vice president for university relations, will become assistant to the president. Morgan has been at Samford since January 2003 and led the recently completed 18-month, $53 million Promise for All Generations campaign. In his new role, he will be involved in several administrative assignments.

"This new role fits Dr. Morgan's skills as a creative thinker and administrator as we look for common themes that unite our university," Westmoreland noted. "It is my intent that he will help with the development of new and creative ways to tell the Samford story."

Sarah C. Latham, who has been assistant to the president since 2006, will assume a new role as vice president for operations and planning, effective June 1. A Samford administrator since 2002, Latham will have responsibility for facilities management, the office of institutional effectiveness, university-wide event coordination and related functions.

"Dr. Latham's background in public administration and her interest in promoting best practices will help us do an even better job of serving our constituents," Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said the restructuring began when current Vice President for Facilities Don M. Mott reached the university's mandatory retirement age of 65 for executive officers. Mott will remain at Samford indefinitely as a construction consultant.

"Mr. Mott has added a strong element of professionalism to our supervision of construction projects," Westmoreland noted. "He is a careful steward of the resources allocated to the physical improvement of the campus.

During Mott's tenure, Samford has added the Pete Hanna Center, Jane Hollock Brock Hall, a 600-space parking deck, expanded heating and cooling systems and refurbished several campus facilities.

 
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.