Published on August 7, 2024 by Kameron Brown  
ATL class 2028

This summer, Samford University’s Office of Parent and Family Engagement hosted six regional Welcome Parties and 23 Send Offs across the United States to welcome the class of 2028. New Bulldogs enjoyed games, food and fellowship as they prepared to transition to college.

Samford families gathered in homes and venues around the nation, from La Mesa, California, to Charlotte, North Carolina, to honor Samford’s incoming freshman class. Approximately 1,000 people attended a Welcome Party or Samford Send Off between July and August.

Welcome Parties are hosted by the Office of Parent and Family Engagement in regional locations with a high population of incoming freshmen. Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville and other cities across the nation hosted Welcome Parties this year.

“I felt welcomed. It was a great opportunity for Samford to show how happy they are to have our son,” said one Samford parent.

Send Offs are hosted by parents in collaboration with the Office of Parent and Family Engagement, which provides an official Samford "party-in-a-box." Each box contains decorations, games and university swag for parents to host the perfect party for their students, families and friends.

“My daughter made new connections, and it made me feel more comfortable knowing where my daughter is going to be living,” said another Samford parent.

Each unique event provides entering freshmen the opportunity to get connected with their community before they step foot on Samford’s campus. Students and parents are given the opportunity to learn more about move-in day, Connections Weekend and the Freshman Retreat.

Samford University hosts several events throughout the year designed to bring parents and students together for the betterment of the Samford community. The Office of Parent and Family Engagement invites parents and families to “fall for Samford” during the 60th anniversary of Family Weekend which is set for Sept. 20-22.

 
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.