Time to rename Samford
Jonathan Coley
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Opinion
An article this summer in the Belltower newsletter sent my mind racing and my fingers rummaging through the files of Special Collections to learn more about a time many of us know little about - integration at Samford.
The story begins in 1965. Howard College, as our university was then known, was still a segregated institution, and not a single black student was to be found on campus.
But the times, as they say, were a-changin'. President Johnson had recently signed the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race by any institution that received federal funds, including Samford. And a growing number of students were embracing the cause of change - especially those students involved with the forward-thinking Baptist Student Union (now University Ministries) and Young Democrats.
Yet Howard College's leaders remained defiant. Several trustees reportedly boasted that they would never abide by the Civil Rights Act. And in what may have seemed like an unremarkable move at the time, the board made clear where its values laid when it decided to rename the school after Frank P. Samford, a trustee himself and at the time the university's largest donor.
Most of us know very little about Frank Samford. It's to Ralph Waldo Beeson that we've erected a statue, and to donors like Harry and Jane Brock whom we sing praises. There's a reason for this.
Using the money he donated to our university as leverage, his position on the board for power, and his new claim to fame for influence, Frank Samford did more than almost any other leader to obstruct integration at Samford.
The university would not admit a black law student until 1967 or a black undergraduate student until 1969, but even then only to avoid losing federal aid. Black students wouldn't be allowed to live in the same room as white students for several years, and Samford University would use discriminatory admissions practices for even longer.
The figures for the early 1970s are especially telling in this regard. During the period of 1970 to 1973, Samford only admitted as many as four black students each year. The enrollment figures continued on like this until 1980 - 1980! - when the federal government launched a probe into our university and found that it was still violating the provisions of the Civil Rights Act. Though Frank Samford wasn't responsible for all of this, he had certainly helped to set the agenda.
The story begins in 1965. Howard College, as our university was then known, was still a segregated institution, and not a single black student was to be found on campus.
But the times, as they say, were a-changin'. President Johnson had recently signed the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race by any institution that received federal funds, including Samford. And a growing number of students were embracing the cause of change - especially those students involved with the forward-thinking Baptist Student Union (now University Ministries) and Young Democrats.
Yet Howard College's leaders remained defiant. Several trustees reportedly boasted that they would never abide by the Civil Rights Act. And in what may have seemed like an unremarkable move at the time, the board made clear where its values laid when it decided to rename the school after Frank P. Samford, a trustee himself and at the time the university's largest donor.
Most of us know very little about Frank Samford. It's to Ralph Waldo Beeson that we've erected a statue, and to donors like Harry and Jane Brock whom we sing praises. There's a reason for this.
Using the money he donated to our university as leverage, his position on the board for power, and his new claim to fame for influence, Frank Samford did more than almost any other leader to obstruct integration at Samford.
The university would not admit a black law student until 1967 or a black undergraduate student until 1969, but even then only to avoid losing federal aid. Black students wouldn't be allowed to live in the same room as white students for several years, and Samford University would use discriminatory admissions practices for even longer.
The figures for the early 1970s are especially telling in this regard. During the period of 1970 to 1973, Samford only admitted as many as four black students each year. The enrollment figures continued on like this until 1980 - 1980! - when the federal government launched a probe into our university and found that it was still violating the provisions of the Civil Rights Act. Though Frank Samford wasn't responsible for all of this, he had certainly helped to set the agenda.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Adrienne Wiggins
posted 11/07/09 @ 9:51 AM CST
I agree that discrimination in university admission, especially for reasons of race, is wrong. However, to suggest that Samford University change it's name because we "owe it to those we pushed away for so long" is silly. (Continued…)
Parker
posted 11/16/09 @ 2:45 PM CST
Totally agree. Its the 21st ce. time for Samford to get with the rest of the nation. I find it sickening that we were investigate as late as the 1980s for racist policies. (Continued…)
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