• • November 18: Birmingham, AL Care Package Party
  • November 19: Excelsior, MN Care Package Party
  • November 21: SamfordGlobal Zoom Call for Parents: Study Abroad
  • November 21: Huntsville, AL Care Package Party
  • December 2: Parents in Prayer Zoom Call
  • December 8: Study Break Snacks
  • December 12: Christmas Home Tour
  • February 21: Grandparents' Day at Samford

When students attend college orientation, parents or other supporting family members also attend a parents' orientation so they can know what to expect for the next four years.

We ask parents or other supporting family members to attend Bulldog Days, Samford’s orientation program for new students and parents. That's right! We ask parents to attend orientation along with their students so you will know what to expect for the next four years. You will enjoy a schedule that’s been designed just for you. From the parents’ perspective, you will learn all about academics and campus life, helpful resources and services, the Samford Parents Association, and more. Plus, you will meet current Samford parents who can answer questions and share their stories as well as begin friendships with the other parents and supporting family members going through this college transition along with you.

Learn More about Orientation

The office of Parent and Family Engagement will host Welcome Parties in six regional locations in July and early August to give incoming freshmen and their parents an opportunity to meet other Samford families from their area. We want to help you make connections with as many students and families as possible, so you feel right at home when school begins.

Welcome Parties are hosted by Samford staff, as we "welcome" you to Samford. These events are held in cities with the highest numbers of incoming Samford freshmen. Students will receive an email with details and a registration link.

Attire for all events is "Party Casual." Shorts, sundresses, T-shirts, polos... whatever makes you comfortable!

If a Welcome Party is not planned in a city near you, you might consider hosting a Samford Send Off. These events are hosted by Samford parents as you "send your student off" to Samford. If you are interested in hosting a Samford Send Off in your home or at a nearby restaurant/venue, please email parents@samford.edu and we will discuss some ideas with you. Our office will handle promotion and registration and provide the host with a Party-in-a-Box, which includes games, decorations, and hosting tips.

Some Send Offs are just for incoming freshmen and their parents. In cities with smaller populations of Samford students, we will include upperclassmen.

Each year, two days are set aside for new student move in. For students attending Bulldog Days in August, move in will be on the day prior to orientation. Students will select a day and time to move in. Upperclassmen will choose from move-in appointments on separate days. Sign-ups for move-in dates will be sent to all students in July.

When you arrive on the day of your student’s chosen move in, signage will direct you to know where you may offload your student’s belongings and then park. As soon as your student’s room is set up, you will want to say goodbye so your student can jump into an amazing college experience. The office of Parent and Family Engagement will have stations set up at Centennial Walk behind the Mr. Beeson statue to allow you to walk through a special goodbye time with your student. After you depart, new students will enjoy Connections, a weekend of activities planned and led by students to help them get acquainted with their classmates, the campus and their new city.

The Samford Parents Association will provide parents of freshmen with a Drive-Home bag, which includes travel snacks, a word from Dr. Taylor, a Spotify playlist for your drive, and a list of local services and resources you will find helpful as you and your student make Birmingham your second home.

We invite all Samford parents to join us in prayer each month, as we come together to lift up the students and others in our Samford community. A few prayer options are explained below.

1. First Monday Parents in Prayer: You will find the opportunity to join a Zoom prayer call, led by other current Samford parents, on the first Monday night of each month at 7 p.m. Central. Each call will follow a similar format and will be approximately 30 minutes in length. Monday, November 4: Register Online

2. Praying for Students by Name: You may choose to pray for a small group of students by name. To receive a list of 20 students (first name, last initial), please email parents@samford.edu.

3. Collegiate Day of Prayer: You can join others across the nation to pray for students on the Collegiate Day of Prayer, Thursday, February 27, 2025. In January 2025, we will email details about how Samford Parents can join in through prayer at home or with others in their communities.

4. Prayer Walk: Parent & Family Engagement will host a Samford Prayer Walk during Bulldog Days and Family Weekend. The Prayer Walk begins with parents gathering at Mr. Beeson’s statue.  Following a group prayer, individuals, couples and/or families continue the Prayer Walk using the guide at their own pace. Most people take 30-45 minutes to complete the 730-step loop around the Quad. We encourage you to use this 14-stop map for your own personal prayer walk at Samford whenever you are visiting our beautiful campus. We hope this map will be useful as a guide or as inspiration in voicing your own prayers.

Prayer Walk Guide

“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

We look forward to hosting Samford families and friends on campus September 26-28, 2025, for Family Weekend at Samford University! The schedule and registration information for the many activities planned for the weekend will be posted here in summer 2025. More details will be posted here: Samford University Family Weekend

Step Sing is one of Samford’s most popular traditions. Mark your calendars for Step Sing 2025, January 30-February 1.  Learn more about Step Sing

Samford Parents celebrate the tradition of Step Sing with the following planned activities:

• Backstage Brunch for families of Step Sing directors
• Collegiate Partner Reception at the home of President and Mrs. Taylor
  During this festive weekend, the President and First Lady are delighted to host the Collegiate Partners Reception at the President’s Home. This event is to celebrate the significant contributions of those members of the Parents Association whose generosity has worked to impact the lives of students at Samford at the highest level. Learn more about becoming a Collegiate Partner
• Parent Commons open throughout the weekend
• Donation drive – look for details soon
• Special food options in and around the University Center

Coming from out of town? Area Hotels

• Parents are invited to join us for Family Academy classes taught by Samford professors and held online every Tuesday night in February. Registration and details about the classes will be announced in January 2025.
• Samford Grandparents’ Day will be held February 21, 2025. Stay tuned for more information about this special day. Coming from out of town? Area hotels
• You can join others across the nation to pray for students on the Collegiate Day of Prayer, Thursday, February 27, 2025. In January 2025, we will email details about how Samford Parents can join in through prayer at home or with others in their communities.
• Family Day at the Pete! Enjoy a Family Day men’s basketball game on February 22, 2025.

Events are planned during Commencement weekend for graduates and their families. Visit Samford Graduation for general information and stay tuned for more details.

Fall Commencement
December 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pete Hanna Center

Senior Walk and Baccalaureate Service
May 1, 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Centennial Walk; LSW Concert Hall

CHS Undergraduates Spring Commencement
May 2, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Pete Hanna Center

Business Spring Commencement
May 2, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Pete Hanna Center

Education Spring Commencement
May 2, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Pete Hanna Center

Art and Sciences Spring Commencement
May 3, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Pete Hanna Center

Arts Spring Commencement
May 3, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Pete Hanna Center