Over the past several weeks, Samford University has been under the microscope, with questions raised over whether the school is abandoning its biblical foundations in favor of cultural conformity. As an alumnus, donor, and regular presence on campus, I feel compelled to offer a broader perspective.
Let me state plainly: Samford University remains one of the most biblically grounded, mission-driven, and impactful Christian institutions in the South – if not the entire country. Its motto, “For God, For Learning, Forever,” is not just words etched into a crest. It's a lived commitment embraced daily by faculty, students and alums.
Full Disclosure and Personal Experience
"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him," Proverbs 18:17 says. It is biblical wisdom to seek a complete understanding before forming conclusions, and so I offer the following things I’ve seen at Samford over the years.
My connection to Samford is personal and ongoing. I walk the campus regularly, engage with students and faculty, and have seen the fruit of Samford University firsthand. My family and I endowed the Global Missions Fund and Social Entrepreneurship Fund, which support students on mission trips during spring and summer breaks and work with ventures that combine marketplace excellence with gospel impact.
These are not theoretical gestures – they're real investments with tangible outcomes. I've seen students return from overseas with transformed hearts, clearer callings, and a deeper understanding of servant leadership. That's the fruit you hope to see in a Christ-centered institution.
Furthermore, the caliber of Samford students and graduates I have encountered – and hired – far surpasses that of many other higher education institutions. Samford has built a reputation for cultivating merit, character, and academic excellence, not entitlement or identity politics. That distinction matters.
And while Samford is pursuing a mixed-use development plan on its Homewood property that may include restaurants and hotels that sell alcohol, it’s important to note that Samford has not changed its alcohol policy and it remains a dry campus for all students and visitors.
Biblical Diversity vs. Woke DEI
It is critical to understand that true diversity is not synonymous with "wokeness" or with the ideological agendas often pushed under the banner of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). At Samford, diversity means recognizing the image of God in every student, faculty member, and alum. It means celebrating the dignity and worth given to each person by their Creator without elevating identity markers over character, faith, or academic excellence.
Biblical diversity is rooted in the truth of Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." This foundational truth reminds us that all people – regardless of race, ethnicity, background or nationality – possess equal worth because they are made by God. As Revelation 7:9 depicts, heaven itself will be filled with a multitude "from every nation, tribe, people, and language," unified in worship of Christ. This is the vision of biblical diversity: unity in Christ, with all differences honored under the lordship of God, not politicized for earthly gain.
In contrast, much of what passes for DEI today focuses on elevating some groups while diminishing others, undermining the biblical principle of equal worth. Worse, many DEI initiatives prioritize mediocrity over meritocracy, promoting advancement based on identity rather than achievement or character. True Christian institutions must stand firm in promoting opportunity based on merit, faith and calling – not quotas or favoritism.
In today's polarized culture, words like "diversity" have been hijacked. We must not automatically dismiss the term but instead use discernment, looking at the fruit, not just the label. As believers, we must resist any policy that compromises biblical truth. Still, we must also refuse to cede ground on values God ordains: the dignity, worth and unique calling of every individual created in His image.
Standing Firm in Faith
It’s also important to recognize the ways Samford has stood firm when tested. In 2017, when pressured to recognize a pro-LGBTQ student organization, Samford respectfully declined, reaffirming its commitment to a biblical understanding of marriage and sexuality.
No university is immune from internal ideological pressures and many in the LGBTQ community continue to complain about Samford’s strong stance for the traditional family. However, it is inaccurate to suggest that a few dissenting voices reflect the entire culture or direction of the school.
Final Thoughts
I invite anyone with concerns to walk the campus with me. Talk to the students. Attend a chapel service. Meet with the faculty. You will not find an institution in theological retreat. You'll find a vibrant, faithful Christian university striving to live out the Gospel in a complicated world.
Samford is not a perfect place. No human institution is. There are areas where continued vigilance is needed. Some faculty lean more progressive than others. Some programs warrant scrutiny. However, the institution remains faithful to its founding principles.
If the fruits are the test of the tree (Matthew 7:17), then Samford's fruits – missions, worship, scholarship, community service – reveal a healthy, thriving tree still bearing fruit for the Kingdom. Just look at the impact over 57,000 living alums have on Alabama, the United States, and the world.
Let's be careful not to cannibalize our allies. It is easy to criticize from afar. It is harder – but much more Christlike – to offer accountability without discrediting the work of those still holding the line. Samford is a friend to the faith, not a foe.
I believe that Samford remains one of our country’s most influential conservative Christian universities and a powerful force for good worldwide. Samford is not perfect. No institution is. Clearly, some are left of center in the faculty and student body, but this does not reflect the university's overall culture. We should not be afraid to converse with people who disagree with our views but work to encourage and persuade them.
Christian institutions face immense pressures today. Faithfulness does not mean the absence of struggle; it means perseverance through it. Samford University is persevering. It continues to prepare Christ-centered leaders to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs it.
Let’s celebrate the larger story: a university “For God, For Learning, Forever.” That's not just a motto – it's a mission worth defending.
Gerrick Wilkins is an automotive consultant, former congressional candidate, and author of Unshackling Democracy: Embracing Term Limits, Empowering Citizens. Reach Gerrick at [email protected] or follow him on X @gdwilkins.
