When students attend college orientation, parents or other supporting family members also attend a parents' orientation so they can know what to expect for the next four years.

We ask parents or other supporting family members to attend Bulldog Days, Samford’s orientation program for new students and parents. That's right! We ask parents to attend orientation along with their students so you will know what to expect for the next four years. You will enjoy a schedule that’s been designed just for you. From the parents’ perspective, you will learn all about academics and campus life, helpful resources and services, the Samford Parents Association, and more. Plus, you will meet current Samford parents who can answer questions and share their stories as well as begin friendships with the other parents and supporting family members going through this college transition along with you.

Learn More about Orientation

Parent and Family Programs will host Welcome Parties in six regional locations in July and early August to give incoming freshmen and their parents an opportunity to meet other Samford families from their area. We want to help you make connections with as many students and families as possible, so you feel right at home when school begins.

Welcome Parties are hosted by Samford staff, as we "welcome" you to Samford. These events are held in cities with the highest numbers of incoming Samford freshmen. Students will receive an email with details and a registration link.

If a Welcome Party is not planned in a city near you, you might consider hosting a Samford Send Off. These events are hosted by Samford parents as you "send your student off" to Samford. If you are interested in hosting a Samford Send Off in your home or at a nearby restaurant/venue, please email parents@samford.edu and we will discuss some ideas with you. Our office will handle promotion and registration and provide the host with a Party-in-a-Box, which includes games, decorations, and hosting tips.

Some Send Offs are just for incoming freshmen and their parents. In cities with smaller populations of Samford students, we will include upperclassmen.

Below, you will find a list of Samford Send Offs. We will add to this list as we schedule more events in the the weeks ahead.

• July 21: Columbus, Georgia (for incoming freshmen)
• July 25: Columbine Valley, Colorado (for all classes of students)
• August 3: Flora, Mississippi (for all classes of students)
• August 3: Cordova, Tennessee (for incoming freshmen)
• August 11: Metairie, Louisiana (for incoming freshmen)

This year, two days have been set aside for new student move in - Thursday August 22, and Friday, August 23. For students attending Bulldog Days in August, move in will be Tuesday, August 20. Students will select a day and time to move in. Upperclassmen will choose from move-in appointments on August 18, 19, 21, 24, or 25.

When you arrive on the day of your student’s chosen move in, signage will direct you to know where you may offload your student’s belongings and then park. As soon as your student’s room is set up, you will want to say goodbye so your student can jump into an amazing college experience. Parent and Family Programs will have stations set up at Centennial Walk behind the Mr. Beeson statue to allow you to walk through a special goodbye time with your student. After you depart, new students will enjoy Connections, a weekend of activities planned and led by students to help them get acquainted with their classmates, the campus and their new city.

The Samford Parents Association will provide parents of freshmen with a Drive-Home bag, which includes travel snacks, a word from Dr. Taylor, a Spotify playlist for your drive, and a list of local services and resources you will find helpful as you and your student make Birmingham your second home.

We invite all Samford parents to join us in prayer each month, as we come together to lift up the students and others in our Samford community. A few prayer options are explained below.

1. Zoom Prayer Calls: You will find opportunities each month to join a Zoom call, led by other current Samford parents. Each call will follow a similar format and will be approximately 30 minutes in length. You can join the one that works best for your schedule each month. For example, if you attend a Monday night call one month, you are free to join the Saturday morning call the next month. As these dates are scheduled for fall 2024, we will list them here.

2. Praying for Students by Name: You may choose to pray for a small group of students by name. To receive a list of 20 students (first name, last initial), please email parents@samford.edu.

3. Collegiate Day of Prayer: You can join others across the nation to pray for students on the Collegiate Day of Prayer, Thursday, February 27, 2025. In January 2025, we will email details about how Samford Parents can join in through prayer at home, as well as prayer events on campus.

4. Prayer Walk: Parent & Family Engagement will host a Samford Prayer Walk during Bulldog Days and Family Weekend. The Prayer Walk begins with parents gathering at Mr. Beeson’s statue.  Following a group prayer, individuals, couples and/or families continue the Prayer Walk using the guide at their own pace. Most people take 30-45 minutes to complete the 730-step loop around the Quad. We encourage you to use this 14-stop map for your own personal prayer walk at Samford whenever you are visiting our beautiful campus. We hope this map will be useful as a guide or as inspiration in voicing your own prayers.

Prayer Walk Guide

“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

We look forward to hosting Samford families and friends on campus September 20-22, 2024, for the 60^th anniversary of Family Weekend at Samford University! The schedule and registration information for the many activities planned for the weekend will be posted here in summer 2024. More details will be posted here: Samford University Family Weekend

Step Sing is one of Samford’s most popular traditions. Learn more about Step Sing

Samford Parents celebrate the tradition of Step Sing with the following planned activities:

• Backstage Brunch for families of Step Sing directors
• Collegiate Partner Reception at the home of President and Mrs. Taylor
  During this festive weekend, the President and First Lady are delighted to host the Collegiate Partners Reception at the President’s Home. This event is to celebrate the significant contributions of those members of the Parents Association whose generosity has worked to impact the lives of students at Samford at the highest level. Learn more about becoming a Collegiate Partner
• Parent Commons open throughout the weekend
• Donation drive
• Special food options in and around the University Center

Coming from out of town? Area Hotels

• Parents are invited to join us for Family Academy classes taught by Samford professors and held online every Tuesday night in February. Registration and details about the classes will be announced in January 2025.
• Save-the-Date: Samford Grandparents’ Day will be held February 21, 2025. Stay tuned for more information about this special day.
• Collegiate Day of Prayer – Join us for a Parent Prayer Walk on campus during Collegiate Day of Prayer, February 27, 2025.
• Family Day at the Pete! Enjoy a Family Day basketball game. Date: TBD

Events are planned during Commencement weekend for graduates and their families. Visit Samford Graduation for general information and stay tuned for more details.

Parent and Family Engagement offers in person and virtual events that connect you with other Samford families and with the University. These events will be listed here as they are scheduled. Click on the links to learn more and to register.

Tuesday, May 7: Orlando Coffee Connection
Tuesday, July 2: Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: Room Assignment Process
Monday, July 29: Greek Life Zoom Call for Parents: IFC Recruitment 101
Tuesday, July 30: Greek Life Zoom Call for Parents: NPC Recruitment 101
Thursday, August 1: Greek Life Zoom Call for Parents: NPHC Recruitment 101
Tuesday, August 6: Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: Move-In Process for New Students
Tuesday, August 6: Res Life Zoom Call for Parents: Move-In Process for Returning Students