Samford University Birmingham Alabama

The Alabama Baptist Convention affiliated Samford University has had a turbulent history. The school has endured fires, two moves, monetary troubles and the Civil War. Its genesis came through land donated by Siloam Baptist Church members, and it was established as Howard College in 1841. Initially a men only institution, it opened its doors to women in 1895. Today, the school lies in suburban Birmingham, Alabama on a scenic 212 acre campus that was modeled after historic site Colonial Williamsburg. The grounds feature verdant lawns, gardens and Colonial Georgian style red brick buildings. The magnificent Harwell Goodwin Davis Library is capped by the school s signature bell tower, while A. Hamilton Reid Chapel harks back in time, having been designed to imitate the earliest Baptist church constructed in the New World. Accommodating over 5,000 students, Samford is the biggest private university in its state. Its courses include options in education, divinity, arts and sciences, and law.