Published on October 16, 2023 by Diamond Nunnally  
Samford drone shot

Nada Almansoob, a freshman majoring in secondary education with a special focus in mathematics at Samford University's Orlean Beeson School of Education, has been honored with the prestigious John Duren Scholarship.  

"Winning this scholarship is a special feeling," Almansoob said. "I felt overjoyed upon receiving the email that I had won the scholarship." 

With aspirations of becoming a mathematics teacher, Nada will dedicate a substantial part of her academic journey at Samford's Howard College of Arts and Sciences in addition to her secondary education requirements to transform her dream of teaching mathematics into a reality. 

"I was surprised," Almansoob said when she learned about the scholarship. "I asked myself, 'Is this right, or am I dreaming?' I didn't believe it." 

Established in 1994 by John W. and Carol J. Duren, this scholarship assists students pursuing teaching careers in science and mathematics at the secondary education level.  

The Durens "believe competent and dedicated teachers motivate students to learn and enjoy science and mathematics and that a population better educated in these areas is a blessing to society." 

The John Duren Scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated high character, scholarship and need. It is intended for the scholarship to pay a substantial part of the expenses for a student enrolled full-time at Samford. 

"This scholarship will help me focus on achieving my career goals," Almansoob said. "It will greatly assist my academic pursuits." 

This scholarship is granted year after year for a maximum of four years as long as Almansoob meets the requirements for this award. 

“Samford University provides such wonderful opportunities for students to achieve their goals,” Howard College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dawn McCormack said. “In this case, Mr. Duren’s generosity and passion are not only aiding Nada in pursuing her dream but will also carry on to all the students that she teaches in the future. Thus, his gift to Samford will be magnified in significant ways that will reach far beyond the university’s gates.” 

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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.