Respect Everyone

Alumnus and former SGA president (2019-2020) reflects on advice Westmoreland once gave him, and how he embodies these words himself.

By Heath W. Padgett ’20

From the thousands of T-shirts, buttons, posters, socks and, yes, even a pair of shoes with Dr. Westmoreland’s face on them, it is hard not to recognize Samford’s president on campus. But why is his face everywhere? I can assure you, Dr. Westmoreland didn't do this himself. Students did.

Students absolutely adore Dr. Westmoreland. When asked what the most refreshing part of his job is, Dr. Westmoreland inevitably replies that it is the interactions he has with students. Whether it be a simple walk across campus or a meeting with student leaders, Dr. Westmoreland truly seeks to engage with students on a personal level. He even hosts regular Bible study with students where they gather and pray for each other and for the university.

Among other things, Dr. Westmoreland is a true servant leader who views himself as a steward of the opportunities the Lord has blessed him with. When visiting Freshman Forum my freshman year, Dr. Westmoreland gave this leadership advice:

1. Respect everyone.

I cannot think of a better description of Dr. Westmoreland than the personal advice he shares with others. Dr. Westmoreland truly does respect everyone. It is easy to respect people you look up to or whose ideas you agree with, but Dr. Westmoreland taught me the importance of respecting everyone, especially those with whom you disagree. He has shown me how respecting everyone can open doors, build relationships and be a driver for positive change.

2. Practice an economy of words.

Dr. Westmoreland also practices an economy of words. He thinks before he speaks and means what he says.

3. Read widely.

Additionally, as you might expect with a university president, Dr. Westmoreland is an avid reader. He is not only well-read in some of his favorite authors, including C. S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Marcus Aurelius and more, but also sees the importance of staying well-informed in day-to-day life. For him, reading widely means reading opposing viewpoints, staying up-to-date and keeping an open mind.

4. Be disciplined with your time.

For someone as busy as Dr. Westmoreland, it would be hard for him not to be disciplined with his time. However, this is more than just organizing and accomplishing major responsibilities. Dr. Westmoreland says that the most important part of his day is quiet time spent in prayer.

5. Be accountable.

Accountability is also important to Dr. Westmoreland. He encourages people to surround themselves with those to whom they can openly express and who will be honest back to them.

6. Be positive.

Being positive is a key to success. Dr. Westmoreland told me that he sees Samford as becoming the premier Christian university in the country, and wants Samford to be the name that comes first to mind when anyone thinks of a high quality, Christcentered education. It is through positivity and genuine hope that these goals are set, pursued and achieved.

7. Maintain humility.

Finally, Dr. Westmoreland maintains humility, emphasizing that “a key to ethical leadership is having the appropriate humility and confidence, and finding the equilibrium between those two.”

When His Words Went Viral

Dr. Westmoreland has meant so much to me as a leader, a mentor and a friend. It was a privilege to serve as a student leader under him and to glean from his wisdom. As he so often says, “We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant,” and I am so grateful for the forest of trees that Dr. Westmoreland has planted on Samford’s campus these past 15 years as president. I look forward to the continued impact his work will have for years to come. ◗ In December 2017, Westmoreland was asked to be Samford’s commencement speaker for ceremonies honoring its fall graduates, yet, with a performance of The Nutcracker scheduled for that afternoon, Westmoreland would only have seven minutes to give his speech. Challenge accepted. Titled “Respect Everyone,” his words went viral overnight.

Watch it again at samford.edu/go/respecteveryone.