In the Nation for Career Preparation
—Wall Street Journal (2024)
2023 Annual Report
Fidelitas: Faith and Future
Fidelitas is the Latin word for faithfulness, and faithfulness animates all that we aspire to achieve within Samford University's strategic plan announced in 2023. With every step forward, the Samford community takes faithful strides to sustain and strengthen the university's Christ-centered educational mission.
The aspirational goals within Fidelitas are aligned across eight pillars: Academic Distinction, Faith Formation, Student Engagement, Community Celebration, Athletic Success, Global Influence, Employee Elevation and Financial Stewardship and Strength. This thoughtfully designed plan seeks to establish our institutional priorities and provide a roadmap to a bright future. It is bold, comprehensive and adaptable to the evolving landscape of higher education. It connects Samford’s past with its present and it strengthens our future.
The following pages of this annual report share stories illustrating our journey to implement Fidelitas over the past year. Throughout these stories you will see a commitment to excellence in the classroom, on the field of competition and in cocurricular offerings. And above all, you will see stories celebrating Samford's mission and the wonderful accomplishments of our people. Our students achieved national distinction, our faculty members were honored for their teaching, service and scholarship, and our athletic teams garnered 11 Southern Conference championships—a new record for Samford.
These stories from 2023 also showcase members of the Samford community who embody what it means to be faithful. From one Samford football player’s personal mission to make a spiritual impact to the university’s efforts to engage our surrounding community in new ways, we are making a difference in the world around us.
I am confident that by God's grace and with the support of our faithful Samford family, we will achieve the bold vision provided through Fidelitas and see our beloved university reach new heights. And this world will be better for it.
#10
98%
NCAA Division I Graduation Success Rate
15
Consecutive Years of Record Undergraduate Enrollment
97%
Undergraduate Alumni Working or in Further Study Within Six Months