Samford University

Samford University is a private Christian university located in Homewood, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. Founded in 1841, it is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the state. Originally established as Howard College, the university maintains historic ties to the Baptist tradition while operating under an independent board of trustees. Samford offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across fields such as business, law, pharmacy, nursing, education, and the arts. The Cumberland School of Law and McWhorter School of Pharmacy are among its longstanding academic units. Samford attracts students seeking a faith-informed educational environment combined with professional and liberal arts programs in a suburban campus setting.

Samford University was founded in 1841 in Marion, Alabama, as Howard College by the Alabama Baptist State Convention. The institution opened to students in 1842 with a classical curriculum emphasizing language, literature, and the sciences. Samuel Sterling Sherman served as the first president. In 1887, Howard College relocated to East Lake in Birmingham to accommodate growth. The college became fully coeducational in 1913 and expanded its academic offerings in the early twentieth century, adding programs in music, education, journalism, and pharmacy. After World War II, increased enrollment led to another move, and in 1957 the university opened its current campus in Homewood, Alabama. Cumberland School of Law was acquired in 1961. In 1965, Howard College achieved university status and was renamed Samford University. Since then, Samford University has continued to expand its graduate and professional programs while maintaining its Christian heritage.