Dr. Andrew Westmoreland became the 18th president of Samford University on June 1, 2006. Founded in 1841, Samford is Alabama’s largest privately supported institution of higher learning.

In today’s episode of Small-Time Leaders, Dr. Westmoreland shares with us how his good friend Ben Elrod pushed him to a new limit. Andrew already has set up a new career record on his family’s history, but Ben challenged him even further. This encouragement not only helped Andrew grow professionally and personally but also had him become university president, not one, but two universities.    

Dr. Westmoreland holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science and a doctorate in higher education administration.  A native of Arkansas, he is married to Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland.  They have one daughter, Riley, who is a graduate of Samford and of Vanderbilt University.

His career in higher education spans 42 years, including 23 years in two college presidencies.  In addition to his duties as Samford president, Dr. Westmoreland teaches courses in political science as his schedule allows.  He serves as a member of many boards for charities and other entities, and he is an author and speaker. He is the past Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for approximately 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas.

Dr. Westmoreland has announced his plans to retire from the Samford presidency in June 2021.

To learn more about how Michael guides executives and their teams to get on the same page with strategic planning and leadership succession, go to  https://michaelalantate.com/ where you’ll  also find his Blog and 3 Books: The White Shirt – how to find a life-giving career , Design a Life that works  Michael’s latest book, Roll Up Your Sleeves. all three are  now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent local bookstores. Roll Up Your Sleeves teaches people how to Lead and Live in a Constant Changing World with simple applications. Take a closer look at the book and experience a new way of working through an unexpected change in your life and career by taking the 2-minute My Change Management Style Quiz  http://rollupsleevesbook.com/

To learn more about Small Time Leaders podcast and Michael’s the Leadership & Life Journal blog- a new way to think about at the important things you already know, go to at https://michaelalantate.com/