Published on October 16, 2023 by Dakota Rice  
Scott and Caden Smith

Scott Smith ’91 was drawn to Samford University’s sense of faith and community, specifically through football. Smith comes from a family full of Samford graduates, and because of his experience, Smith is dedicated to giving back to current and future bulldogs.  That's why the lifelong accountant is investing in students through giving to the new Campus Recreation, Wellness and Athletic Complex. 

“My dad went to Samford, and they were one of the first classes that moved to this campus from East Lake,” shared Scott Smith. “I wanted to play football here, and I was part of the first team in 1988 that played in FCS football.”

Off the field, Smith majored in accounting and cited former professor Frank Minter as an influential and impactful piece of his Samford experience, even citing that Minter sent him customized gifts upon passing the CPA exam. Throughout his career he has moved up the ladder, serving as chief financial officer of three different companies in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scott Smith’s Samford legacy has continued through his children. His daughter, Audrey Roetto ’21, is a recent graduate. And his son, Caden Smith, is a sophomore in the School of Health Professions studying sports administration.  Since the project is set to be completed in fall 2024, Caden will be able to experience all that the new campus rec complex will have to offer.

Caden Smith shared, “I’m excited about the overall size of the complex, especially since we’re bringing in bigger and bigger class sizes every year. Just having that space where you can just hang out with friends, whether you’re working out or not, will be really cool.”

Because Scott and Caden Smith have both been impacted by Samford’s commitment to community, Scott Smith decided to invest in the future community of bulldogs by donating to the complex, specifically the new esports studio. This studio will be a place for both recreation and education. While the studio will certainly provide a space for students to have fun and compete in esports, students in Samford’s Game Design and 3D Animation program will be able to hone their digital storytelling skills.

“I chose the esports studio because I’ve noticed how gaming resonates with so many people from kids to young adults,” explained Scott Smith. “Having an esports studio on campus is another way to engage and help students connect doing something they already love.”

Scott Smith has been an incredibly involved alum, especially philanthropically. When asked why he believes in giving back to Samford, Scott Smith explained it’s simply Samford’s mission and vision that inspire him.

“I’ve been giving to other projects at Samford, mostly centered around football,” shared Scott Smith. “But I look at how Samford impacted me and my family, and I look at how the mission of Samford is to better students’ lives. Caden’s sister graduated and is in law school now. I’m seeing the impact on my kids. I want to be a part of Samford improving the physical and spiritual lives of students and the surrounding community.”

Join the Smiths in their support of this historic campaign.

 
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.