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Alumni Comments

Lara Johnson, ’96 - Master of Social Work , University of California Los Angeles She has a private practice in Los Angeles, CA. larajohnsoncreations.com Holli Drummond, ’96 - Ph.D. University of Georgia She is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Western Kentucky University Elizabeth Redding Floyd, ’97 – J.D. Cumberland School of Law She is employed at Adams and Reese/Lang Simpson LLP, Birmingham, ALA.

Danielle Pinkston (standing, fourth from left in maroon blouse), Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, with Peace Corps peers at an AIDS conference in Rabat.

Stephanie Hall ’97 – Master of Public Health, University of Alabama Birmingham. She is working toward B.S. Nursing at University of Alabama Birmingham.

Perlie Harris, ’97 – He is a Fire Claims Representative for State Farm Insurance Co., Birmingham, ALA.

Melissa Kaplan Mandell ’98 – Master of Public Administration, University of Alabama Birmingham

Anne Marie Kinman Trammell ’98 – Master of Social Work, University of Georgia
She is working for New Jordan Cares Retirement Communities, Iowa City, Iowa.

Stephan Floyd, ’98 - Master of Education, University of Montevallo, Montevallo Alabama. He is teaching at Calera High School, Calera Alabama.

Sarah Thomason Kingery, ’99 – B.S.O.T. University of Tennessee, Memphis – Health Science Center. She is seeking a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University.

James T. Taylor, ’99 – Master of Education, University of Alabama Birmingham
He is teaching at Homewood High School, Homewood, Alabama

Ryan Smith, ’00 – Master of Criminal Justice, University of Alabama Birmingham. He is a police officer in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Erin Spengeman, ’00 – She is currently seeking a Master of Divinity, University of Richmond

Susan Clemmons, ’01 – Master of Public Administration, University of Alabama Birmingham; Masters of Library Science, University of Alabama
She works for the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA.

Ahmad Brewer, 01’- He is currently seeking Master of Social Work, Alabama State University

Mark Mitchell, ’01 – He is currently seeking a Law Degree at University of Arkansas Law School

Danielle Pinkston ’01 – Peace Corps, Morocco, Africa

Jessica Burgess, ’02 – Trainer/Recruiter for Youth Villages foster care program, Nashville, TN. She is admitted to Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Melissa Mauldin, ’02 – Ph.D. candidate in sociology, University of Florida

Christina Peterman ’03 – She is working toward a Master of Divinity at Duke University Divinity School, Spent academic year ’03-’04 teaching ELS in China.

Andrew Wilbanks ’03 – He works for BellSouth on the Technology and Infrastructure Security Management Team.

Lauren Keel, ’03 - She is working toward a Master of Family Studies, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Charles Lumbatis, ’03 – He is working toward a Master of Counseling, University of Alabama Birmingham

Kristen Lingle, ’04 – She is working toward a Master of Public Health, University of Alabama Birmingham

Jennifer Hill, ’04 – She is working at Momentum Telecom as a salesperson, Birmingham, Alabama

Alumni Comments

What do some alumni say about the Sociology Department at Samford University?

“At Occupational Therapy school I encountered several research classes and sociological/occupation classes for which I was better prepared than the rest of my classmates. I was able to assist them in writing professional-level papers…I can never begin to thank you enough for molding my writing style and giving me the confidence to attack so many things in O.T. school.”

“I think the most helpful aspect of my sociology studies at Samford were brought to light when I taught overseas for a year. I was able to synthesize the culture and understand the perspective of the Chinese people better than many people. I have also been able to add sociological elements to many of the discussions…at Divinity school.”

“It has been amazing how much sociological theory I have used not only in my epidemiology degree but also with my nursing degree.”

“The most enriching courses I took in the Sociology Department were Senior Seminar, Sociology of Childhood and Sociological Theory…because I was able to research a topic that was personally meaningful and I grew in my thoughts and beliefs because of it… They were heart and mind-opening engagements that have strengthened me personally and professionally.”

“Sociology taught me how to appreciate differences in others and differences in thinking. It taught me how to perceive and recognize differences because of different people's SES, race, gender, age, etc. This has helped me tremendously as I work with people from other nationalities and backgrounds.”

“I feel like I got a strong theoretical and research introduction, which helped me so much in my graduate courses. Thanks to that, I was ahead of the game!”

“The size of the program allowed for individualized attention and support…This was missing in my graduate program. My internship experience at the Birmingham/Jefferson County Council on Aging was also very helpful. It gave me a good, broad background and introduction to senior services, also emphasis on macro structure of the organization and government programs.”

“Senior seminar format was similar to a graduate seminar; it was also a great summary. I also enjoyed both classes I took from Dr. Penny Marler but especially sociology of religion. Her classes were very demanding but I find that I use some of her teaching strategies and feel I learned a lot in each.”

“My sociology degree has been a wonderful foundation in treating patients. I have found it imperative to understand and appreciate individual’s backgrounds and lifestyles before attempting treatment to return them to activities of daily living… Thanks for a good education and helping open my eyes to the big world out there.”