seasons
2016-summer
2016-summer
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PERSPECTIVE<br />
complete two cross-cultural practicums in<br />
addition to meeting all other components<br />
of the M.Div.<br />
Those pursuing a missions certificate<br />
also will be able to take advantage of<br />
Samford University’s Global Center, a hub<br />
of resources to equip students for missions,<br />
and to build awareness of the global<br />
Christian cause and community.<br />
Also, the Anglican Church in North<br />
America (ACNA) approved Beeson<br />
Divinity School’s Certificate of Anglican<br />
Studies (CAS). Beeson Divinity School is<br />
recognized by the denomination as one of<br />
only two non-Anglican seminaries in the<br />
United States to train Anglican clergy.<br />
Beeson Divinity School established an<br />
Anglican Institute and the CAS in 2014 to<br />
foster biblical Anglicanism, and to help<br />
students deepen their knowledge and<br />
practice of Anglican belief, worship and<br />
spirituality, according to Dean Timothy<br />
George. This certificate is awarded with the<br />
successful completion of the M.Div. degree.<br />
Four Anglican churches in the Birmingham<br />
area offer opportunities for Anglican<br />
internships that meet the certificate<br />
requirements.<br />
ORLEAN BULLARD<br />
BEESON SCHOOL<br />
OF EDUCATION<br />
Parker J. Palmer, popular author of<br />
Courage to Teach, presented the sixth<br />
annual Tom and Marla Corts<br />
Distinguished Author Series in the spring.<br />
Palmer discussed themes found in his<br />
latest book, Healing the Heart of<br />
Democracy: The Courage to Create Politics<br />
Worthy of the Human Spirit. His lecture<br />
examined the political rhetoric that has<br />
emerged in the United States and how<br />
society needs to respond with active civic<br />
involvement to better hold leaders<br />
accountable.<br />
The lecture highlighted the importance<br />
of the human story when having conversations<br />
with others about politics. Parker<br />
states when people place importance on the<br />
human story over ideology, dialogue begins<br />
Palmer<br />
to form.<br />
From start to finish, Parker explored<br />
the concept of democracy through realism<br />
and hope rooted in his own experience and<br />
in American history. He ended with closing<br />
remarks and a question: “Is American<br />
democracy dead or alive? It’s in our hands.”<br />
The author series highlights reading<br />
and literacy and provides endowment<br />
support for the school of education. The<br />
series honors the late Thomas Corts, who<br />
served as Samford’s 17th president, and his<br />
wife, Marla, a former high school English<br />
teacher and nurse.<br />
CUMBERLAND<br />
SCHOOL OF LAW<br />
Beginning in spring 2017, Cumberland<br />
School of Law will offer a minor in<br />
paralegal studies to Samford University’s<br />
undergraduate students. The new program<br />
option, approved by the American Bar<br />
Association, is in addition to the ABAapproved<br />
Paralegal Studies Certificate<br />
offered to students who have already<br />
received a degree.<br />
The 22-credit hour curriculum will<br />
focus on the development of legal knowledge<br />
and practical skills in a variety of legal<br />
practice areas. While the courses are<br />
intentionally focused on paralegal education,<br />
students can explore areas of the law<br />
that interest them, making the minor<br />
program option ideal for undergraduate<br />
students contemplating law school.<br />
“The minor program is a wonderful<br />
complement to many majors offered at<br />
Samford University,” said Dawn Smith<br />
Carre, director of paralegal studies. “It gives<br />
students the opportunity to explore<br />
additional career options. Moreover, with<br />
the projected growth of the paralegal<br />
profession, the paralegal minor will work in<br />
conjunction with the certificate program to<br />
meet the expanding needs of the legal<br />
market for quality paralegal support.”<br />
SAMFORD<br />
ATHLETICS<br />
Two Samford University teams — men’s<br />
cross country and volleyball — received<br />
public recognition awards for the 2014–15<br />
academic year from the National Collegiate<br />
Athletic Association. The awards recognize<br />
teams achieving the highest level of<br />
academic performance in Division I.<br />
“Earning a 3.0 GPA at Samford<br />
University is a challenge for any student,<br />
but earning a 3.0 GPA while competing in<br />
Division I intercollegiate athletics is even<br />
more challenging,” Assistant Athletics<br />
Director for Student Services and Academic<br />
Enhancement Harold Goss said.<br />
“Additionally, many of these studentathletes<br />
are leaders on campus and are<br />
heavily involved in community service.”<br />
These teams posted multiyear<br />
Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the<br />
top 10 percent of all squads nationally in<br />
their respective sports. The public recognition<br />
awards are part of a broad Division I<br />
academic reform effort.<br />
With the two teams earning recognition<br />
this year, Samford has had at least<br />
two teams earn the award in each year of<br />
the 11-year existence of the APR. ◗<br />
News from the College of Health Sciences can<br />
be found beginning on page 17.<br />
Additional information on these stories and<br />
other news from Samford’s academic units<br />
can be found at samford.edu/news.<br />
samford.edu • 15