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Night of Celebration Honors the Legacy of Andrew and Jeanna Westmoreland
by Ashley Smith
The Samford community celebrated former President and First Lady Andrew and Jeanna Westmoreland on April 27 in the Pete Hanna Center with a night of musical entertainment and personal tributes. Westmoreland made one request for the night—for it to feature student talent— and with the support of Samford’s School of the Arts, it did just that.
Samford’s orchestra, jazz band, wind ensemble, brass ensemble, commercial music ensemble and A Cappella Choir all took part in the event. “It was very meaningful to honor the Westmorelands with a live, in-person collaboration with multiple groups from the School of the Arts after a year of smaller, more isolated concerts,” said Anna Kate Saucier, a flute player and senior, nursing major.
In addition to music ensembles and a Broadway musical number, the evening was sprinkled with video testimonials and heartfelt gratitude for the entire Westmoreland family. Westmoreland even participated himself, paying tribute to his wife by playing his trumpet in a rendition of "You’re Still the One" with the help of Samford’s new commercial music ensemble, directed by Steven Potaczek, assistant professor of commercial music.
Videos from members of the Samford community and the broader higher education community applauded the work of the Westmorelands. Of the many testimonials, their daughter Riley, a 2012 alumna, may have described the spirit of the Westmorelands best. She noted how they had not planned to come to Samford, but “God changed their plans. They were faithful and found such joy in it.” She explained there is no distinction for her parents in terms of work and calling. “Work is a calling. Our calling demands our lives and that is who they are,” she said. Michael Morgan, assistant to the president, offered a few personal reflections. Although he said it was “impossible to pay tribute” to their 15 years of service, Morgan used Scripture to express his gratitude and thank the Westmorelands for always pointing Samford toward Jesus. At the conclusion of the event, William Stevens, chair of Samford’s
Board of Trustees presented the Westmorelands with numerous gifts. Most notably, they were named alumni honoris causa by the Board of Trustees, which includes them as lifetime members of the Samford family. In addition, they received leather boxes brimming with notes written by Samford students, parents, alumni and employees and a commissioned painting by Larry Thompson, associate dean of the School of the Arts and longtime friend to the Westmoreland family.
Providing his own reflections, Westmoreland recounted his first day at Samford in June 2006. He received two notes on his desk, one from the then outgoing President Thomas E. Corts and one from his successor, Beck A. Taylor, who was then the dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business. “God’s providence is magnificent,” he said. ◗
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