BIRMINGHAM – Samford University's Orlean Beeson School of Education held its annual award ceremony May 4 to recognize the many accomplishments of the school's undergraduate teacher education students. Twelve scholarships totaling more than $35,000 were awarded to students pursuing a career in teacher education.
Jacklyn Keller, a senior elementary, special education, early childhood collaborative major from Vinemont, received the Ralph and Orlean Bullard Beeson Scholarship and the John and Frances Carter Award for Teaching Excellence.
Guest speaker and alumna Alyssa Barnes, an early intervention teacher, encouraged students to reach beyond their comfort zones as they move forward in their careers. "Don't stay somewhere because you are comfortable. Step outside your comfort zone and take a risk. That is where the magic happens," said Barnes.
"Awards Night is such a special evening," said Karen Birkenfeld, teacher education department chair, "As faculty, we feel blessed to be able to recognize all of our exceptional teacher education students and their accomplishments surrounded by their family, friends and peers."
Samford University is Alabama's top-ranked private university and one of the nation's top Christian universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks Samford 4th among regional universities in the South, and the university is widely acknowledged as a leader in liberal arts and professional school education. Located in suburban Birmingham, Samford was founded in 1841 and is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls more than 5,400 students from 47 states and 29 countries in its 10 academic units: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. Samford also fields 17 NCAA Division I teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference.
