seasons

PERSPECTIVE
complete two cross-cultural practicums in
addition to meeting all other components
of the M.Div.
Those pursuing a missions certificate
also will be able to take advantage of
Samford University’s Global Center, a hub
of resources to equip students for missions,
and to build awareness of the global
Christian cause and community.
Also, the Anglican Church in North
America (ACNA) approved Beeson
Divinity School’s Certificate of Anglican
Studies (CAS). Beeson Divinity School is
recognized by the denomination as one of
only two non-Anglican seminaries in the
United States to train Anglican clergy.
Beeson Divinity School established an
Anglican Institute and the CAS in 2014 to
foster biblical Anglicanism, and to help
students deepen their knowledge and
practice of Anglican belief, worship and
spirituality, according to Dean Timothy
George. This certificate is awarded with the
successful completion of the M.Div. degree.
Four Anglican churches in the Birmingham
area offer opportunities for Anglican
internships that meet the certificate
requirements.
ORLEAN BULLARD
BEESON SCHOOL
OF EDUCATION
Parker J. Palmer, popular author of
Courage to Teach, presented the sixth
annual Tom and Marla Corts
Distinguished Author Series in the spring.
Palmer discussed themes found in his
latest book, Healing the Heart of
Democracy: The Courage to Create Politics
Worthy of the Human Spirit. His lecture
examined the political rhetoric that has
emerged in the United States and how
society needs to respond with active civic
involvement to better hold leaders
accountable.
The lecture highlighted the importance
of the human story when having conversations
with others about politics. Parker
states when people place importance on the
human story over ideology, dialogue begins
Palmer
to form.
From start to finish, Parker explored
the concept of democracy through realism
and hope rooted in his own experience and
in American history. He ended with closing
remarks and a question: “Is American
democracy dead or alive? It’s in our hands.”
The author series highlights reading
and literacy and provides endowment
support for the school of education. The
series honors the late Thomas Corts, who
served as Samford’s 17th president, and his
wife, Marla, a former high school English
teacher and nurse.
CUMBERLAND
SCHOOL OF LAW
Beginning in spring 2017, Cumberland
School of Law will offer a minor in
paralegal studies to Samford University’s
undergraduate students. The new program
option, approved by the American Bar
Association, is in addition to the ABAapproved
Paralegal Studies Certificate
offered to students who have already
received a degree.
The 22-credit hour curriculum will
focus on the development of legal knowledge
and practical skills in a variety of legal
practice areas. While the courses are
intentionally focused on paralegal education,
students can explore areas of the law
that interest them, making the minor
program option ideal for undergraduate
students contemplating law school.
“The minor program is a wonderful
complement to many majors offered at
Samford University,” said Dawn Smith
Carre, director of paralegal studies. “It gives
students the opportunity to explore
additional career options. Moreover, with
the projected growth of the paralegal
profession, the paralegal minor will work in
conjunction with the certificate program to
meet the expanding needs of the legal
market for quality paralegal support.”
SAMFORD
ATHLETICS
Two Samford University teams — men’s
cross country and volleyball — received
public recognition awards for the 2014–15
academic year from the National Collegiate
Athletic Association. The awards recognize
teams achieving the highest level of
academic performance in Division I.
“Earning a 3.0 GPA at Samford
University is a challenge for any student,
but earning a 3.0 GPA while competing in
Division I intercollegiate athletics is even
more challenging,” Assistant Athletics
Director for Student Services and Academic
Enhancement Harold Goss said.
“Additionally, many of these studentathletes
are leaders on campus and are
heavily involved in community service.”
These teams posted multiyear
Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the
top 10 percent of all squads nationally in
their respective sports. The public recognition
awards are part of a broad Division I
academic reform effort.
With the two teams earning recognition
this year, Samford has had at least
two teams earn the award in each year of
the 11-year existence of the APR. ◗
News from the College of Health Sciences can
be found beginning on page 17.
Additional information on these stories and
other news from Samford’s academic units
can be found at samford.edu/news.
samford.edu • 15