Published on July 11, 2023 by Dakota Rice  
Bill and Ingrid Lunsford

The Stephens Dempsey Endowed Scholarship was recently established and funded by Bill '97 and Ingrid Lunsford in honor of two inspiring women in their lives. 

Louise Bass Stephens of Enterprise, Alabama, was a seamstress by vocation and a mother of two. Fronie Dempsey of Frankville, Alabama, was an elementary school cook and single mother of three. They are the maternal grandmothers of Bill and Ingrid.

"Our grandmothers exhibited behaviors that our families still strive to emulate today," Bill Lunsford said. "It remains the small things - being thankful, being engaged in your community and church, and giving back."

Fronie Ingrid Erin

Though they never graced the doors of a university as students, their lasting impact continues today through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They instilled integrity in their families and the power of perseverance. They valued education and cultivated an abiding love of Christ in their homes. Because of their immense impact, the Lunsfords established a scholarship to honor Stephens and Dempsey's legacy.

"Our grandmothers and the children they raised played a key role in our lives - particularly in our younger years," Lunsford said. "We now see the importance of their lives, their daily faith and the ways they've impacted us. This scholarship is just a small way to express our appreciation for them both."

Bill received his degree in Public Administration from Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences. He had a well-rounded experience as a Samford Ambassador, Step Sing director and member of the fraternity Sigma Chi. He and Ingrid are now members of the Alabama State Bar and reside in Huntsville, Alabama.

Samford is close to their extended family's hearts as well. They have two nieces who are currently students, and Bill's brother, Dr. Mike Lunsford, is on the Advisory Board for Howard College of Arts and Sciences.

Louise Lunsford

"Our families are proud products of Coffee and Washington Counties, Alabama, and Samford embodies a lot of who we are as a family," Lunsford said. "It's where we were married and where many families attended college. We also firmly believe in the culture and long-standing mission of the university. So, it seemed like a perfect fit for us to support students from these areas who choose Samford as their university home."

To contribute to the legacies of Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Demsey, please consider supporting the Stephens Dempsey Endowed Scholarship.

Support the Stephens Dempsey Endowed Scholarship

 
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.