The Samford Crimson

Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Andrew Westover Harry B. Brock Jr. receives one of several standing ovations during Tuesday's announcement. In his speech, Brock detailed his vision for a $100 million endowment for the newly re-named Brock School of Business.

Media Credit: Andrew Westover After the announcement, Brock met with the media.

Media Credit: Andrew Westover Outside the newly renamed Brock School of Business, workers hung a banner on the front of the building. Earlier that morning, an announcement was made in Brock Recital Hall about the school receiving a $100 million endowment.

The Samford School of Business announced Tuesday that it would be renamed as the Brock School of Business.

"History will prove this day to be significant for our city, our state and the landscape for Christian higher education and business," William J. Stephens, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said.

President Westmoreland acknowledged the wide impact on Samford from the Brock family.

"A rising tide raises all boats." This tide belongs to the exertion of one man, Harry B. Brock Jr.

Brock has committed to help build an endowment of $100 million for the School of Business.

This endowment will expand research and scholarships and enhance the school's service to the community.

Once the endowment is reached, Samford's Brock School of Business will rank in the top 25 accredited business schools and among the top five faith-based universities across the nation.

"I'm grateful for Harry Brock, his family and the support of the Samford School of Business. I'm proud to be a member of the new Brock School of Business," sophomore accounting major Taylor Marie Kardoes said.

Brock came to Birmingham as a visionary banker.

He began his relationship with Samford when he was asked to serve on a Board of Trustees that raised funds to complete the original construction of the Homewood campus.

In 1963, Brock joined the board and served on the Trustee Executive Committee as Board Chairman, and he assisted with numerous fundraising projects. He has been a strong advocate for Samford as well as in the Birmingham business community.

The Brock name is prominent throughout campus, and his service to the university is honored in the dedication of buildings, gardens, forums and halls.

He is particularly passionate, however, about the business school.

As an innovative banking leader, Brock helped Birmingham become nationally recognized as a banking center thanks to his involvement as co-founder of Compass Bank.

"What Harry brought in for banking he is about to do for business education in Alabama and across the nation," Stephens said.

A video at the announcement told of Brock's entrepreneurial journey.

With a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Brock is distinguished as having created his own path and leaving a trail.

"Samford is an inspirational part of my life," Brock said. He holds a strong vision for the school of business and maintains that his vision "in the next 10 years is very bright."

Beck Taylor, Dean of the School of Business, highlighted Brock as a "larger than life character."

Taylor recalled his initial thoughts about Brock and once "equated Brock with big business, with innovation and thinking outside the box."

He saw him "as a catalyst who brought powerful business together to form strong companies and to help form a financial center in Birmingham."

After meeting Brock, however, Taylor said that his initial impressions of him were updated.

"Brock doesn't think of himself as a banker but rather as a salesman, marketer and entrepreneur. He has a passion for small business," Taylor said.

Westmoreland also recalled his first meeting with the assertive man.

While interviewing with the presidential search committee, Westmoreland recalls that all the "zinger questions came from Brock."

Later, he realized that Brock was "attempting to safeguard the interests of an institution that he loved."

"The enthusiasm that we celebrate today is distilled down to one human soul, a man who never quits, a man of his word, a towering intellect, a contradiction of strength and humility, a fighter, a peacemaker, a visionary, a loving husband and father, a child of God and a friend," Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said he is excited about the renaming.

"The Brock name is now and for eternity fixed in the legacy that will be Samford University," Westmoreland said.

"This is a wonderful institution with a great future," Brock said.
Brock is identified as a catalyst, visionary, maverick and legacy, who personifies the motto of the school of business as a representation of "vision, courage, intelligence and ethics."

His generosity and commitment has been essential in Samford's growth, and his name will forever stand as a tribute.

"I've been around Birmingham around 50 years," Brock said upon acceptance.

"That's been a great experience but nothing is as moving to me as what ya'll have done today. It's almost more that I can take."

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