Samford vs FSU Trip

As I am sure all of you are sitting at home anxiously waiting to hear, we have finalized the details for the trip to watch Samford play Florida State on the first weekend after school starts. Before I get into the details, if you wish to go on this trip then you must be one of the first 100 students to register once the sign-up link is sent to you via your Samford e-mail account on Monday, August 23rd at noon. So, on to the details...

We will have two charter buses leaving Samford at around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3rd. These buses will hold about 100 students total plus a few administrators and athletic staff. After stopping somewhere along the way for dinner, we should arrive in Tallahassee arround 10:30 or so Eastern time.

We’ll stay overnight at a nearby hotel and then head over to a pre-game pep rally brunch courtesy of the Office of University Advancement before the kick off at noon. This game will be televised so wear your Samford colors! We’ll caravan back with the team on Saturday afternoon and arrive in Talbird Circle for a post-game tailgate sponsored by SGA to welcome the team back from their first away game.

Thanks to the generosity of the Samford Athletic Department securing us half price tickets, this entire trip (including game ticket) will cost only $100. It's a great opportunity to show your support to the Samford Bulldogs and have a great time your first weekend of school. So remember, the first 100 students to respond to the e-mail on Monday at noon will secure a spot on the buses.

Summer Update 3

Good evening!

Sorry it has taken us so long to post another summer update, but considering our tireless work ethic and constant drive for the betterment of the student body we just haven't had much free time. We've actually gone mobile since our last update, as myself, John, Trevor, and Riley spent last weekend in Washington, D.C. at the NACA Student Government Institute. While most of the schools that attended are pretty different from Samford (and their grass isn't nearly as green), we still got some good, tangible ideas out of the weekend. Some of those would be: writing a SGA strategic plan, free coffee to all students in the SGA office, putting a feedback/suggestion box in the food court, and purchasing a car for the SGA President. We really had an enjoyable experience there and think it will translate into some improvements for SGA and for all students in the fall. Also, we are in the process of planning the most epic road trip of all time to go see the SU football team dominate Florida State on the first weekend of school. Any student who is interested in going will get a charter bus ride to Tallahassee, hotel room, breakfast, game tickets, and tailgate after the game at an extremely low price. It should be a very good time to be had by all, and you don't want to miss being on the cover of Sports Illustrated after we pull off the upset and storm the field. But before we even get to have this magical journey we've got Welcome Back Week! SGA is raising the ante once again on Welcome Back Week, and hopes to provide the best first week back at Samford you'll have all fall. I don't want to give away all the details quite yet but get prepared for lots of free food, killer concerts, a rock climbing wall, and even more. Yes, those student activity fee dollars are already at work. With a lot of hard work and some cooperation this is definitely going to be the best year we've seen at Samford in quite some time. As always, if you ever need anything or have any questions don't hesitate to let me know.

All the best,

Sam

Summer Update 2

Greetings!

If you can't tell every time you walk out the door, summer is officially underway. We are excited in Birmingham to have completed all the summer orientations and welcomed a new freshmen class to Samford. The orientation staff has done a truly outstanding job thus far, and are now directing their focus towards Connections. Here at the SGA office we have been busy getting some administrative issues out of the way and doing some minor things with Orientation, and now hope to get down to some serious brainstorming and planning in July.

The office of Student Affairs has been busy as well, and has already hired one new staff member for the upcoming year. Congratulations to our new Assistant Dean of Students, Renie Moss. I personally am excited about having her working with us next year, and I am sure you all will feel the same way when you meet Mrs. Moss in the fall. In the very near future we hope to fill the other vacant positions.

As always, if you ever have any ideas or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

All the best,

Sam

Summer Update 1

Hello everyone!

I hope your summers are all going magnificently. If you're abroad try to stay safe and if you're at the beach try to stay unoiled. For those of you working this summer, I feel your pain.

We have now completed 1 orientation with 3 more to go. Freshmen it was great to finally meet some of you, and I look forward to meeting the rest of you over the course of the summer. Due to the hard work and dedication of the Orientation Leaders I think you would agree with me that the first orientation was a great success.

When not busy trying to mindwash all the freshmen into becoming extreme SGA loyalists, your Student Government Association has been working hard for you. We have already spent many hours this summer planning and preparing to make this upcoming year the best it can possibly be. As always, if you have any suggestions or complaints feel free to let me know.

All the best,

Sam

Contact Info

And in case you would like to contact your SGA officers over the summer...

Sam Dickerson - President: shdicker@samford.edu

John Woods - VP for Senate: jwoods@samford.edu

Tori Bragg - VP for Events: vbragg@samford.edu

Trevor Starnes - VP for Programming: tstarnes@samford.edu

Riley Westmoreland - VP for Development: rwestmor@samford.edu

Terra Garmon - Chief of Staff: tdgarmon@samford.edu

Daniel Childs - Chief Justice: dschild1@samford.edu

Dewitt Clark - Treasurer: ddclark@samford.edu

Jen Taylor - Chaplain: jwtaylo1@samford.ed

Commencement

Well, we've made it! Another year, and for many a college career, has come to a close.

Graduates, we love you and we will miss you, but we are excited about the awesome things the future holds for you. Never forget what you have learned here (especially what you learned outside of the classroom) and never sell yourselves short of your potential. It is far better to overestimate yourself and occasionally fail than to underestimate yourself and always wonder what might of been. There is no doubt that you have contributed tremendously to Samford over the past four years, and for that I am extremely grateful. We would not be where we are today without those who went before us, so thank you for paving the way.

Rising Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores, best of luck on whatever your summer plans may be. Those of you who are traveling, stay safe and be sure to spread some Samford pride wherever you go. Hopefully you will be able to get a little rest, reorganize your thoughts over the summer, and prepare yourself for one of the best years Samford's ever seen when we get back in the fall. I can't wait to see all of you again, and I can't express how excited I am about the upcoming year. If there's anything that you want SGA to be working on during the summer please let me know, and if you are ever in Birmingham during the summer please swing by the SGA office and say hey (I'll probably be here).

Freshmen, on behalf of the entire student body let me say how excited I am that you are going to be joining us in the fall. Your next four years are going to be some of the most exciting and fun years of your life, so prepare yourselves. If there's anything that we as a student government can do to make your transition run any more smoothly please don't hesitate to let me know. I am looking forward to meeting all of you at the summer orientations in just a few short weeks.

Transfer and graduate students, don't think we've forgotten about you. You're just as much a part of this campus as anyone else. Welcome to the family, I look forward to knowing you.

To everyone I've mentioned above and anyone I may have missed, as we've stated repeatedly since we've been elected, SGA is here to serve you. If anyone has any problem at all that they would like us to take care of (as major as getting new facilities or as minor as making sure that laxatives are readily available on campus in the fall) please don't hesitate to let me or any of the other officers know.

Have a blessed and safe summer, and start preparing yourselves for the awesomeness that next year holds.

All the best,

Sam

The Coolest Event at Samford

Harry's Coffeehouse, which is Samford's concert series that happens every Thursday from 7-9 in Harry's. It was start 4 years ago as a venue for students to showcase their music to students. Over the years it has grown into a big deal. Acts such as Dave Barnes, Andy Davis, Steve Moakler, Act of Congress, and Drew Holcomb have graced the stage, but this thursday should be the best night thus far. The Civil Wars are coming this week!!!! Their single, "Poison and Wine" is blowing up the airwaves, and you can hear it on Grey's Anatomy. Take a listen here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfzRlcnq_c0. Harry's has an average of about 100-125 students attending each week, but Harry's has only surpassed 150 students a couple of times over the years. The Civil Wars already have over 225 confirmed guests and its only Monday. According to the fire chief, Harry's can only fit 170 people without a fire hazard going in to effect. This thursday we are going to ignore that limit. Harry's is the best event on campus this week, you don't want to miss the event!! Free cookies and coffee as usual! Invite all of your friends to come "Chow, Sip, and Chill" in Harry's while listening to The Civil Wars!!!