Published on September 16, 2015 by Emily Duval  
Pass the Chalk

The Samford Black Alumni Association (SBAA) will present its first major fundraising event Oct. 2 at Birmingham’s WorkPlay. 

The 7 p.m. Pass the Chalk Party will raise funds to directly benefit Birmingham education organizations and Samford’s minority assistance scholarships. The evening will feature live music and heavy hors d'oeuvres, and will highlight three organizations impacting education in Birmingham. 

Tickets are $35 or $25 for students. The first 100 persons to register also get the discounted $25 price. 

Samford has partnered with Growing Kings, Birmingham Education Foundation and Tap Inc. These organizations are focused on mentoring students and making sure every individual realizes his or her academic potential. The proceeds will be split between these three organizations and Samford minority scholarships, according to Lauren McCaghren, Samford’s senior director of alumni programs and annual giving. 

“This is not just a Samford event, this is a community event. It will be a fun night, where great connections can be made,” McCaghren said. 

Live music will be performed by Just A Few Cats, a funk and jazz band. Alvin Garrett, a 2000 Samford alumnus, is a member of the band. Ruben Studdard was with the band before he won American Idol but has since collaborated with band. 

Pass the Chalk Party is still accepting sponsors and donations for the Oct. 2 event. 

Emily Duval is a journalism and mass communication major and a news and feature writer in the Office of Marketing and Communication.  

 
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.