Published on April 16, 2014 by Mary Wimberley  

Christian illusionist Curt Anderson will perform a spectacular show of daring and unfathomable feats at Samford University Legacy League's annual scholarship gala Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Wright Center.

Anderson, who has performed across the U.S. and six countries, has gained the respect of such prestigious groups as the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.  He started performing at age 7, did his first paid show at age 11, and was on the road performing a variety show at 13.  In 2013, he felt a call from God to use his unusual art to further His kingdom.

"Curt's blend of ministry and quality of performance is a special thing," said noted Christian author and speaker Josh McDowell. "As a performer, he has a desire to excel and as a person, he has a passion for people."

The festive evening will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres served prior to Anderson's "razzle-dazzle" show of amazing Vegas-style illusions and sleights of hand. In a Wright Center stage first, he promises to make a Ferrari disappear in his attempt to set a world record for the fastest car vanish.

Proceeds for the scholarship gala will provide life-changing Samford scholarships for deserving students with financial need. To date, the Legacy League has awarded in excess of $500,000 in scholarships, helping to provide a college education to more than 75 students who could otherwise not afford it.

"Someone once said, 'When courage, genius and generosity hold hands, all things are possible,'" said Legacy League president Karen Bergquist.  "We are asking you to join hands with us courageously, generously and with great genius, so that we can make need-based scholarships possible for students to attend Samford."

The scholarship gala will culminate a year of fund-raising events for the purpose of creating a new endowed scholarship, according to Legacy League executive director Jeanna Westmoreland.

"This new fund, added to the Legacy League's scholarship endowment of over $1.5 million, will continue our tradition of providing transformational educational experiences for students who would otherwise be unable to afford a Samford University education," said Westmoreland, noting that scholarship recipients face extraordinary challenges. Two have fathers with critical illnesses, one has a single mom making less than $20,000, and another has risen above the drugs and violence of his inner-city neighborhood to be the first in his family to attend college.

"This event will make financial assistance a reality for more students with similar needs," said Westmoreland.

 

 
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.