2023 Samford Student Research Colloquia -- This Friday

 

The Samford University Library is proud to once again host the Samford Student Research Colloquia this Friday starting at 9:30 am!  

The colloquia is sponsored and organized by the Research Advisory Collaborative, in partnership with the Office of Research. It is a public forum where Samford students (undergraduate and graduate) present their scholarship and research.  The library hosted the first-ever colloquia on April 22nd of last year with an impressive turnout in terms of both submissions and visitors -- and this year looks like it'll be the same.

Please be advised that noise levels in the building will be elevated during this time due to the colloquia.  DBH 112, DBH 113, and Brock Forum will be available next door if you desire a quieter place to study.  We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

Click here to visit the colloquia website, including links to lists of both 2022 and 2023 abstracts.

Throwback Thursday - Gwendolyn Brooks on Campus, 1995

Image courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection

Twenty-three years ago this month, famed American poet Gwendolyn Brooks visited the campus as part of the Samford Speakers Series.  She is pictured here with then-SGA President Eric Motley, who himself will be speaking March 1st as part of the 2018 Tom & Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series.

In 1950, Ms. Brooks became the first African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.  She would also receive the Robert Frost Medal and the National Medal of Arts, among many other awards.  She also became the first African American woman inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1976.

Mr. Motley served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and is currently an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute.  His memoir, Madison Park: A Place of Hope, has been listed on Oprah Winrey's "10 Titles to Pick up Now."  Those interested in attending his upcoming event can find more information and ticket prices by clicking here.

Stress, Snowflakes and Slices

Finals are, understandably, a time of great stress among Samford's students... so we at the library plan stress-busting activities for those who need a break from their caffeine-fueled marathon study sessions.  Two of the most popular diversions this semester have been the make-a-snowflake station by the Circulation Desk and the late-night pizza break.  Thanks to everyone who participated in each (or both) of these stressbusters!

Samford University wasn’t always named Samford University

In 1841, Samford University was founded as Howard College. Originally located in Marion, Alabama, Rev. James Harvey DeVotie advocated naming the college after the 18th century philanthropist and English prison reformer, John Howard.

To a modern audience, John Howard seems a strange choice for a small Baptist college in Alabama. He was not Baptist, nor was he heavily involved in church matters. Rather, John Howard was a member of the merchant class of Britain and attributed for being the first English prison reformer. He traveled across Europe documenting the deplorable conditions of prison.

As for his dedication as a prison reformer, Howard viewed his work as humanitarian. In the 19th century, prison reform was a topic of heavy debate which is perhaps why DeVotie chose to name the school after the renowned John Howard. He was widely revered as a model of Christian compassion.

 If you’d like to read more about John Howard, check out Dean Chapman’s article for Season’s magazine in Spring 2005 or come visit the Special Collection. The Special Collection in the University Library holds a first edition, 1777, of John Howard’s book on English prisons and a second edition, 1791, of his book on European prisons, as well as a letter by Howard and several other items of interest, all thanks to the generosity of a donor.

So, why aren’t we still Howard?  In part because when Howard College became a university in 1965 there already was a Howard University. The name was changed to Samford University in honor of Frank Park Samford and the Samford family’s contribution to the university. The Howard College of Arts and Sciences retained both the name and the legacy of this great humanitarian.

On Tuesday, September 3rd, the University Library will celebrate John Howard’s 287th Birthday with cake and coffee at 10:00  am.   Come Join the Celebration!

Friday: Hellenic Scholars' Library

The Hellenic Scholars' Library

Samford Classics professor Doug Clapp noted that although pride in Greek culture was exaggerated for comedic effect in the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "it is no stretch to say that we can trace our ideas, our ways of thinking, back to their ancient Greek origins through the writings of, among others, Homer, Plato and Paul." "By preserving a multitude of Greek voices," Clapp said, "the Hellenic Scholars Library can help a twenty-first century world maintain access to ancient wisdom that can help us thoughtfully consider our modern quandaries."

Since 2005 over 3,000 volumes have been donated to the collection. The Hellenic Scholars' Library is located on the lower level, adjacent to Special Collection. Materials are accessible through the Samford Libraries Catalog. 

Please join us Friday, 10:00am, for the reception.

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

 

Wednesday: ALFA Presentation Room

ALFA Presentation Room

Did you know there's a place in the library specifically so students can practice class presentations?

In February, Samford dedicated its new ALFA Practice Presentation in library room 214. With funding from the ALFA Foundation, the facility was renovated and outfitted with the latest technology to help students practice and refine presentations for classes, seminars, conferences and thesis defense. In addition to dedicated recording software, the room features an automatic screen, projector, video camera and confidence monitor.

Although the room is reserved for student use, this open house will introduce the facility to the entire university community and public. For more information, visit our exhibits page.

Please join us Thursday between 10-11 am, for the open house.

Popcorn will also be served on the Library Porch from 10-11.

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

Wednesday: C.S. Lewis Collection

CS. Lewis Collection

Through the gift and direction of a generous local donor, University Library has added 72 titles by and about C. S. Lewis since January 2012. The enhanced collections provide a complete catalog of novels, poems, theological and philosophical monographs, literary criticism, children's books, essays, and memoirs by this highly influential Christian scholar. The goals for the collection now include adding audio books and DVDs, a process that has already begun, as well as secondary works about Lewis. 

It's hard to overestimate the influence Lewis had and continues to have on generations of scholars and the public. His science fiction, children's literature, and devotional writings persist in popularity, while his scholarly works continue to be studied and analyzed. Derivative works such as movies and plays entice young audiences and lay the foundation of a generous and beautiful Christian theology. Lewis' prodigious body of work can be found throughout the library.

Help us celebrate C.S. Lewis and our other favorite authors by creating a collage inspired by YOUR favorite work! Just add it to Pinterest or Tweet using the hashtag #sulibrary (and be entered again in our daily drawings). 

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

Free Stuff? Love Your Library!

National Library Week

comes to Samford University Library!

April 15-19

On each day, we'll highlight a different cool thing in the Library AND draw for one of many gift cards:

Target, iTunes, the Food Court, and a $50 Amazon card!

You can enter multiple ways:

• Fill out an entry form at the Library Circulation Desk on the 1st Floor
• Comment on our daily blog entries
• Retweet or Share our daily National Library Week stories
• Check in at one of the Library events
• Create a board for our Living In... a Book display and post it to Twitter or Pinterest, tagged #SULibrary (Polyvore is an easy way to get started)

You can enter once per method, and your entry will stay in the drawing box until the end of the week... or you win! You don't have to be present to win, but we'd love to see your smiling face!

For more information about all National Library Week events at Samford, visit the Event Page on the Library Website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

We can't wait to see you next week!

Marliese Thomas
User Engagement Librarian

St. Andrew's Day

Photo by Murdo Macleod from The Guardian

Who was St. Andrew?

Andrew was, well, I'll let a greater writer than I am tell you that. In Mark 1:16-18, Jesus, "passing by the Sea of Galilee, saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a set into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" He was one of the less prominent Disciples, being omitted from the writings of Matthew and Luke completely. John writes about Andrew more extensively, putting him in a position of authority to intercede between people and Jesus. He continued to preach the gospel throughout the region until his death.

The Martyrologium Romanum gives us some insight into his final days, "30 November is at Patrae of Achaia the feast dat of St. Andrew the Apostle, who preached the Gospel of Christ in Thrace and Schythia. He was arrested by Aegeas the Proconsul, at first locked in prison, then most gravely cut, and finally suspended from a cross. On it, he lived for two days, teaching th epeople; and having asked the Lord that he not be taken down from the cross, he was surrponded with a great spendor from Heaven, while a light shortly shown, and he gave up the ghost."

St. Andrew's Cross

State Flag of Alabama

Tradition accounts that the cross upon which Andrew was crucified was an X-shape, thus creating the shape of the Saltire, or St. Andrew's Cross, which is now the national emblem of Scotland and the state flag of Alabama.

St. Andrew is known as the patron for fishermen, singers, those who suffer from gout and sore throats, unmarried women, and women wishing to become mothers.

Historically, St. Rule is credited with bringing relics of St. Andrew to what is now Scotland, after receiving a vision. St. Andrew was first recognized as the patron saint of Scotland in 1320 at the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, asserting the country's independence from England.

Not Just Scotland

St. Andrew is revered in many other European countries, including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Russia, and Romania. 

In Poland, St. Andrew's Day, or Andrzejki, is celebrated on the night of November 29th and the day of November 30th. It is considered the last night to celebrate before fasting begins during the Advent season, somewhat similar to Mardi Gras before Lent. As the patron saint of maiden women, many Andrzejki games and traditions involve single women seeking clues about their future husbands. 

So, Happy St. Andrew's Day, or, for the Scottish, 'Here's tae us - Wha's like us'! 

Sources:
Peterson, P. M. (1958). Andrew, brother of Simon Peter: His history and his legends. Leiden: E. J. Brill.

Edition in Propylaem ad Acta Sanctorum Decembris, Brussles, 1940. cf. Epistle of the Presbyters and Deacons in Bonnet, Acta, pp. 32-44 and Passio in Bonnet, Sup., pp. 69-70.
 
"Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama: State Flag of Alabama". Alabama Department of Archives & History. Retrieved 30 November 2012.

"Who was St Andrew?". Scotland.org. Retrieved 30 November 2012.

McSweeny, Declan. "Liverpool gives St Andrew's Day a Polish twist". TheGuardian.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2012.

It's Snowing in the Library!

Need a study break? Help us decorate our Christmas trees by making a snowflake!

You'll find all the materials you need on the First Floor, by Circulation -- scissors, paper, and instructions. 

If you want to get really crafty, check out our Pinterest Holiday board for more snowflake patterns. 

Ever wondered what’s in the archive?

Well, we’ve pulled out many treasures to show you, and you never know what characters you might find roaming the halls. 

We’d love to have you stop by this afternoon for a treat. 

In honor of October being American Archives Month, the Special Collection and University Archives would like to invite you to an open house on October 31st, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Many treasures from the department will be on display including the 1595 Geneva Bible, an original sermon written by C. H. Spurgeon, lotus shoes, early items from Howard College history, and much more. Light refreshments will be served in the Hellenic area, just outside the Special Collection reading room on the lower level of the University Library.

Please join us and invite your students to come see history.

"Mockingbird" Stamp Unveiling this Saturday, 12 pm

Following a screening of the documentary "Song of a Mockingbird" this Saturday in Brock Recital Hall, the Library Reading Room will be host to a unique presentation to commemorate the Pulitzer Prize-winning book's 50th anniversary.

A Pictorial Cancellation Stamp and Commemorative Cachet Envelope will be unveiled at 12 p.m. The stamp and envelope, presented by Samford, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, was designed by artist Nicolosi.

This event will cause a potential disruption for our regular patrons from 11:30 until about 1:30. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to participate in the event and excuse the additional noise.

For more information about the stamp unveiling and documentary screening, please visit the full news article.

Thanks so much!
Marliese Thomas, User Engagement Librarian

Live @ the Library 2012: Randall Williams & Jon Clemmensen

Join us Homecoming weekend for 

The Crimson: My Time as Editor. 

Convo Credit Available

NewSouth Books Editor-in-Chief Randall Williams to present. Presentation to include screening of Another Voice documentary by Samford Professor, Jon Clemmensen. The University Library will host a reception after Mr. Williams' presentation. All are invited to attend. Event Date Saturday October 13, 2012 9:00 am Live at the Library Main Reading Room. 

For more information, click the image above or here.