THE DEPARTMENT OF
BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
FALL 2025
Greetings from the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences! As chair, I’m excited to share just a glimpse of the energy and excellence that make our community so special. This year has been full of discovery, service, and creativity—from creek clean-ups and Tri-Beta’s “Murder Under the Microscope” event to S-STEM scholar trips, internships, and research presentations across the country. Our students continue to show what it means to combine rigorous science with curiosity and care for the world around them. I’m especially proud of the many ways they represent Samford beyond our campus—at SURF, the Association of Southeastern Biologists, research experiences from Oregon to South Carolina, and in local clinics, parks, and classrooms. Their work reflects not only scientific skill but also a heart for service. Our faculty and staff are the backbone of this success. This year, we celebrate Mrs. Cindy Kennington’s SoCon AllConference Staff Award and her daily impact on every student who walks through our doors. We also honor Dr. Larry Davenport’s distinguished career and recent recognition as a Distinguished Scholar at the UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center, along with his ongoing research on Alabama’s unique flora. In the classroom, lab, and field, colleagues like Mr. David Frings—whose photography and research capture the beauty of our natural world—and Dr. Katylynn Corder—recipient of a Howard College course release grant and Academic Advisor of the Year— continue to pair high-impact teaching with meaningful scholarship. We also celebrate Dr. Drew Hataway’s promotion to full tenured professor, a well-deserved recognition of his dedication and contributions to our department. And looking ahead, Dr. Brad Bennett has been awarded a sabbatical for Spring 2026, during which he will focus on education and training in the analysis and mapping of microbial whole genome and transcriptome sequencing data—work that will generate exciting new data and create additional opportunities for student research. This has been a year of growth and new opportunities. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Coleman, whose expertise in turtle ecology and conservation biology enriches our wildlife offerings, and Dr. Jade Stanley-Jefferson, a molecular physiologist whose research on hormone regulation and metabolic health strengthens our cellular and molecular biology programs. Add to that new student opportunities—like the Samford Fishing Club, Neuroscience Club outreach, Brain Day events, and conservatory displays—and it’s clear that students can find a home here whether their passions lie in molecules, ecosystems, or somewhere in between. To prospective students and families: imagine yourself collecting data in a mountain stream, presenting your senior research at a regional conference, guiding children through a Brain Day activity, or helping restore local habitats on a Saturday morning. At Samford, you’ll be known by name, mentored closely, and challenged to connect your faith, values, and scientific training to real-world problems. To our alumni and friends: we invite you to reconnect—visit the department, share your professional journey, partner on internships, or simply drop us a note. Your stories inspire our current students and help us build the next generation of scientists, health professionals, educators, and conservation leaders. Thank you for being part of the Biological and Environmental Sciences family. I hope you enjoy this newsletter and see in these pages a reflection of our shared mission and momentum. Please enjoy this issue of our newsletter. It is filled with the accomplishments of our students and faculty. Warm Regards, Dr. Anthony Overton, Professor & Chair Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
CONTACT US aoverton@samford.edu