Published on January 13, 2025 by Catherine Smith  

Samford University's Brock Scholars program offers unique opportunities for high-achieving business students to enhance their educational journey.

Designed for those whose career aspirations require a more customized curriculum than a traditional business major, the program aims to develop confident, Christian industry leaders equipped with strong communication skills, quantitative proficiency, teamwork and integrity.

This distinctive, experiential learning program provides students with the flexibility to design their own curriculum, engage in international travel, and conduct independent research under the guidance of dedicated faculty mentors. Sara McCarty, the Margaret Gage Bush Distinguished Professor of Economics and Brock Scholars program coordinator, has now led the program for over 11 years.

"Brock Scholars offers students an opportunity to go beyond the standard curriculum of Brock School of Business," McCarty shared. "This allows ambitious and self-driven students to explore intersections of disciplines both within and outside the classroom in a way that is difficult with standard degree tracks."

The 2024-25 cohort of Brock Scholars includes:

McCarty highlights the various opportunities for students through the program. "All of these experiences, along with the internships, serve as training and enriching activities for Scholars’ senior thesis. The senior research thesis is a year-long project during which they are mentored by a faculty member in their area of study. The resulting research projects are evidence of the detailed and critical thinking we develop in the program. In past years, senior Brock Scholars have won undergraduate research competitions at both Samford and international conferences!"  

Students in the Brock Scholars program complete a core set of business courses alongside electives from across the university, allowing them to shape a personalized academic path. Some focus on a specific area within business, while others combine their business foundation with studies in other disciplines. The program's customized approach equips students to successfully pursue their unique career goals and highlights Samford's recognition as No. 8 in the nation for career preparation.

To join Samford in supporting the next generation of Christian business leaders, contact Kristen Evans. 

 
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 with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.