Homecoming

For more than 150 years, Samford alumni have enjoyed activities on campus, reconnected with former classmates and reminisced the many memories of their time as students as part of Homecoming. In January 1866, at the end of the Civil War, Howard College and the town of Marion, Alabama, celebrated the return visit of Howard’s first president—Vermont native Samuel Sterling Sherman—in the first recorded homecoming celebration. By 1870, the alumni association had elected officers and inaugurated an official annual reunion of alumni that included a banquet in connection with spring commencement ceremonies. The homecoming traditions continue each year with the Samford Homecoming Quad Party on Friday evening, recognition of the Alumni of the Year honorees, class reunions, tailgating on the Quad, and cheering on the Bulldogs at the football game.

Hanging of the Green and Lighting of the Way

Decorating for Christmas has special meaning at Samford. The traditional Hanging of the Green service just after Thanksgiving features candlelit walks, beautiful seasonal decoration of Reid Chapel and Centennial Walk, a worship service celebrating the birth of Christ led by a group of selected senior class honorees, and the official lighting of the campus Christmas tree during Lighting of the Way.

Crimson and Blue

The origin of crimson and blue as Samford’s traditional school colors is unknown. Archival records show the colors were in use in athletics events as early as 1908, and by 1910, references clearly demonstrate the colors were recognized by students and alumni as the official colors. In the mid-20th century, crimson was replaced by red.

The Crimson and Blue

In our hearts our college emblem
Long has been with love enshrined.
In the vast of our affections
With our memories entwined.
We would lift this veil of silence,
Bring our emblem forth to view,
We would share the storied treasures
Of the Crimson and the Blue.
Bursting into song exultant,
We would lilt to lay to you
Telling of the storied treasures
of the Crimson and the Blue.
Joseph T. Vaughn, class of 1918

Step Sing

Each year, almost 1,000 students participate in this unique musical production, which began more than 50 years ago and has developed into one of the most popular Samford traditions. Each show is developed, written, choreographed, rehearsed and performed by students. In addition to entertaining thousands of audience members, the proceeds of each Step Sing are donated to charity.

Rascal Day

Each spring, Cumberland School of Law faculty, staff and students honor a mongrel pup named Rascal. Rascal faithfully attended classes at the law school’s former campus in Lebanon, Tennessee, until he was presented with the rare degree of Doctor of Canine Jurisprudence in 1937. Legend holds that his diploma was awarded in recognition of the hundreds of classes and mock trials at which his attendance had been difficult to ignore. When he died in 1940, Rascal was buried beneath the window of the classroom where he had spent so much time. When the law school joined Samford University in 1961, Rascal’s tombstone and a few spades of dirt from his grave were brought to the Samford campus and reinterred on the west side of Robinson Hall. Each year, a procession of two- and four-legged creatures passes by Rascal’s grave to commemorate one of the law school’s most memorable graduates.

Tailgating on the Quad

Don’t miss the food, fun and games as a festival atmosphere envelops the quad hours before the kickoff of every home football game. The Bulldog Walk takes place about two hours prior to kickoff as the team walks from Beeson University Center to Seibert Stadium, led by the cheerleaders and the Samford Marching Band.

Major Davis' Nose

Presidential portraits may be seen throughout University Library, but a special place is reserved for the portrait and bronze bust of Major Harwell Goodwin Davis, 15th president. Davis helped save the college during the Great Depression and led the college through its relocation in 1957. Touching the bust of Davis in the entrance of University Library proves to be an irresistible good-luck charm to visitors, who keep the nose well polished.

Mr. Beeson

Introduced to Samford by longtime trustee A. Gerow Hodges, Ralph W. Beeson and his family helped define the physical and intellectual shape of the university for more than three decades. Their gifts, totaling more than $110 million, supported a variety of building and academic projects. Glynn Acree’s life-size bronze statue of Mr. Beeson at the foot of Centennial Walk welcomes visitors to campus and is a popular spot for photographs. Mr. Beeson’s birthday is celebrated each year on October 24.