Former Samford Provost, Business Professor Mike Hardin Reflects on a Career of Leadership and Learning Ahead of Retirement
After more than four decades in higher education, J. Michael Hardin, professor of quantitative analysis, will retire at the end of the spring semester, concluding a career defined by academic leadership, scholarly impact and service.
A Career of Purpose: Reflections from Professor and Former Dean Howard Finch as Retirement Approaches
Howard Finch, Sara J. Krawczak Chair in Financial Management and former dean of Samford University’s Brock School of Business, has built a distinguished career marked by thoughtful leadership, academic rigor and a lasting impact on students. He will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.
Samford Business Faculty Research Examines How Wearable Health Devices Shape Consumer Well-Being
Wearable health devices like Oura, Whoop, Dexcom Stelo and Apple Watch are generating unprecedented data on sleep, glucose, heart rhythms and stress, yet a study co-authored by Mary P. Harrison of Samford University’s Brock School of Business finds a growing disconnect as health care systems remain focused on episodic, reactive care, creating real consequences for consumers.
Beeson Divinity School Names Jacob and Suzanne Simmons Alumni of the Year
Jacob and Suzanne Simmons have been named Alumni of the Year by Samford's Beeson Divinity School. Jacob '06, MDiv, MBA '09, serves as pastor of Hope Community Church in Birmingham, while Suzanne '08, MDiv '11 is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) educator at UAB Hospital.
Bradley E. Lail Named Dean of Brock School of Business
Following a national search, Samford University has named Bradley E. Lail, PhD, CPA, dean of Brock School of Business, effective July 1, 2026.
Brock School of Business Students Place Third in the Nation at Sports Analytics Championship
This spring, students from Samford’s Brock School of Business placed third in the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship. During the event held in Nashville, the team of undergraduate students received tops honors for their performance and earned several individual awards.
Samford Business Faculty Member Highlights Faith-Centered Approach to AI in New Article for The Gospel Coalition
As AI continues to transform industries worldwide, Darin White, Margaret Gage Bush Distinguished Professor of Business at Samford University Brock School of Business, is encouraging students and professionals to think carefully about its impact.
Samford Startup Student Competes in North American Finals of Student Entrepreneur Awards
Madison Hamilton, a junior marketing and entrepreneurship student, is a member of the Samford Startup student business incubator program. Founder of Stitched By Madison, Hamilton won the national round of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), advancing to the North America Regionals in Chicago where she competed in March.
Samford’s Brock School of Business to Host Second Annual Women in Business Brunch Featuring Alumna Robyn Felton
In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, Samford University’s Brock School of Business will host its second annual Women in Business Brunch, Tuesday, March 3.
New Student Consulting Agency in Samford’s Brock School of Business Strengthens Experiential Learning and Career Preparation
Samford University's Brock School of Business has launched the Brock Consultancy, a faculty-led, student consulting agency that provides marketing research and consulting services to local businesses and organizations.
Samford Faculty Publish in Leading Sports Journal: The Future of College Football
This fall, faculty members in Samford University’s Brock School of Business—Mary Harrison, Nathan Kirkpatrick and Darin White—published a timely sports business case titled “Power Play: The Future of College Football in an Era of Centralization”
Turning Analytics into Impact at WHOOP
For Emily Ehrnschwender ’17, data analytics has been a passion since her days at Samford. Now she channels that passion as senior analytics manager at WHOOP.
Bringing Baseball to Life at Rickwood Field
Alumnus Gaines Johnson has set out to create a league unlike any other with the formation of the World Baseball League, playing its games at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
Meeting the Needs of Business Students Today
Cooney Hall, opened in 2015 as the home of Samford’s Brock School of Business, was built to prepare future business leaders through innovation and collaboration. The building features advanced learning spaces, specialized labs and expanded entrepreneurship programming through Samford Startup. Over the past decade, Cooney Hall has become a hub for experiential learning and continues to support the growing needs of business students.
Samford Alumnus Bill Stevens Named to Alabama Business Hall of Fame
Bill Stevens ’70, Birmingham businessman and former chairman of the Samford University Board of Trustees, was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.
Samford Sports Industry Professor’s World Cup Study on American Soccer Fandom Featured in LA Times
Darin W. White, founder of Samford’s Sports Industry Program, is seeking insights on the path professional soccer must take to rival the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball in the United States.
Samford’s Student-Managed Bulldog Investment Fund Surpasses $5 Million, Ranks Among Nation’s Top Programs
The Bulldog Investment Fund in Samford University’s Brock School of Business surpassed $5 million in October 2025, marking an impressive milestone that highlights student excellence and the value of experiential learning.
Samford Students Present Interdisciplinary Research at Southern Conference Undergraduate Forum
Samford University students from Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Brock School of Business and the School of Health Professions represented the university with excellence at the 2025 Southern Conference (SoCon) Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), held Oct. 25–26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
