Selection Process

Timeline

November 15: Nomination forms due
January: Regional interviews conducted
January 31: Regional Beeson Committee reports
February: Finalist interviews in Birmingham
March 1: Awardees chosen and announced
April 1: Announcement of scholars
May 1: Scholars' confirmation deadline

Nomination and selection of Beeson Exceptional Scholars entails a rigorous screening and interview process designed to give students equal opportunity. A student may not apply for the Beeson Exceptional Scholarship. Nomination by an Alabama high school or preparatory school is required. (Students participating in home-school efforts are not eligible for the Beeson Exceptional Scholarship competition.) Just to be a Beeson Scholar nominee from one's high school should be considered a distinct honor.

  1. A student must be nominated from the senior class of an accredited public or private secondary or preparatory school in Alabama. Every such school is entitled to one nominee for the first 200 graduates (based upon size of the current senior class) and an additional nominee for each additional group of 200 graduates, or portion thereof: for example, one additional nominee for 201 and up to 400 graduates (total of two); one additional nominee for 401 and up to 600 graduates (total of three), etc. A form is supplied the school for this purpose. The form must be signed by the principal or an authorized official of the school.
  2. Nominations to the Beeson Exceptional Scholars Program must be duly executed and received by the Beeson Scholarship Committee (hereinafter, "the Committee") by December 1.
  3. The State of Alabama is divided into regions, at the discretion of the Committee, with approximately equal number of individual schools and nominees represented in each region. A Regional Beeson Committee [RBC] is chosen by the Committee for each region and reviews nominations from the respective region, including dossiers, transcripts, resumes and recommendations, as directed by the Committee. The RBC will personally interview the most promising candidates. The RBC will forward its findings and recommendations to the Committee by January 31.
  4. By March 15, the Committee will choose finalists and invite them to the campus for interviews. By April 1, the Committee will make awards for the coming year and announce them to the public.
  5. The finalists must inform Samford University of their decision to accept the award by May 1.

The decision of the Committee shall be final.

Scholarship Committees

A. Beeson Scholarship Committee

The administration and responsibility of the Beeson Exceptional Scholars Program is understood to be handled by Samford University in a manner that meets the donors' objectives and complies with all government and University regulations. To ensure compliance, to make final selections and to oversee details of the program, the Board of Trustees has authorized the Beeson Scholarship Committee, whose members shall include the president of Samford University, the dean of admission, a member of he Board of Trustees who shall be A. Gerow Hodges, during his lifetime, a member of the Board of Overseers, one female and one male faculty member.

The Committee works with the president and dean of admission to assure appropriate administration, communication, processing and interviewing for the Beeson Exceptional Scholarship Program.

The Committee shall complete the final interview of regional nominees. The final interview shall be conducted on the Samford University campus according to the schedule appropriate for processing.

B. Regional Beeson Committees

Each Regional Beeson Committee will include Samford University alumni, trustees, and business, civic and religious leaders, all residing within the respective region. Members will be appointed by the Beeson Scholarship Committee and will be expected to notify fellow members in advance of any potential conflict of interest, such as being asked to judge a relative or close friend or associate. Worthy nominations received from each high school will be forwarded to the respective regional committee for review and consideration. The regional committee will review supporting materials of worthy nominees, as forwarded by the Beeson Scholarship Committee, and will interview those deemed most promising. Each regional committee shall evaluate the nominees and forward recommendations to the Beeson Scholarship Committee.

While it is anticipated that the process will be implemented in accordance with the above policies, the Board of Trustees of Samford University is empowered to make such rules and regulations as may be required from time to time to facilitate operation of the program.

Questions and requests for information should be addressed to:

Beeson Scholarship Committee
Office of Admission
Samford University
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2871

Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes applications for employment and educational programs from all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national or ethnic origin.