The first time we visited Samford, we looked at each other and said, "This feels like home." After enrolling our twins at Samford in 2021, we quickly learned that the university truly loves its students and their families. As parents, we feel just as much a part of the Samford family as our girls do. Living in Minnesota, it’s over a 16-hour drive to Birmingham, but we have complete peace knowing they are at a school that will love them well.

Like many parents and young freshmen, the transition to college was marked with struggle. We were hoping the difficulties we encountered would bring some unexpected blessings or a silver lining, but it didn’t.

However, our daughters loved their freshman year at Samford. Though one of our daughters is introverted, she made herself join in on numerous freshmen activities. She attended the Freshman Retreat during Labor Day weekend, went through recruitment and joined a sorority, became part of a cadre, and joined a running club. She participated in a weekly Bible study with her sorority sisters, played several intramural sports, and went on the Samford mission trip to Ecuador. Despite the difficult transition, our children made many lifelong friends and had a great year.

What I would like to share with other parents who may be experiencing the same difficult transition is something our daughter, Piper, shared with us. Her friends at other colleges—both public and private—did not have the same experience she did. While they may have enjoyed different accommodations, they missed the friendly and welcoming community found at Samford. Her friends are often intrigued by her experiences and want to visit Samford to see it for themselves.

As parents, we’ve felt supported too. In a world that can feel like it has gone off the rails, we know our girls are attending a Christ-centered university.

Eric and I want to encourage other parents and families to trust Samford during this beautiful and challenging time in your lives. Trust that Samford loves your kids—and your family. Trust that the university has the best interests of its students at heart and will do its utmost for them. Trust that amid increased enrollment growth, Samford is building new dorms to accommodate these students, with completion expected next fall. Trust that it’s a positive thing to be part of a university experiencing record enrollment.

The students who enroll at Samford are the ones you would choose as your child’s friends, and the parents you meet. You’ll wish they lived next door. It’s a community like no other.

President Beck A. Taylor began his first year at Samford when our twins were freshmen. I remember meeting him and his wife, Julie, during move-in day; he wore a t-shirt that read "World's Oldest Freshman." I still smile at the memory—I love his sense of humor. Eric and I have great respect for him, and we’ve seen him accomplish so much for Samford in his short time as president. He quickly renovated the cafeteria his first year, began building the new Campus Recreation, Wellness and Athletics Complex his second year, and, in his third year, broke ground for the new dorms. He literally hit the ground running, implementing enhancements to a world-class university.

There are challenges that come with success and growth—I’ve had to remind our twins to be patient when they struggle to find commuter parking—but how amazing it is to witness all of this progress! To enjoy the new cafeteria and the impressive recreation and wellness complex this year is a joy. No school is perfect, just as no person is perfect, but our respect and love for Samford grows each year. I’m confident they will navigate any less-than-ideal circumstances.

I encourage every concerned parent to trust Samford, reach out to the Parent and Family Engagement team for help—they’ll be there for you—and pray for President Taylor and the leadership of the school. That’s the most powerful thing we can do.

With love, gratitude, and prayers,

Sharla and Eric

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Sharla and Eric Stafford currently serve as Co-Chairs for the Samford Parents Association. They are parents to three Samford students. Paige and Payton are seniors and Piper is a sophomore. They reside in Excelsior, Minnesota and are residential realtors with Coldwell Banker Realty.