$13 million gift from Davidson family deepens a legacy of faith and service at 184-year-old university
Samford University has announced the receipt of a landmark $13 million gift from the family of Julius W. “David” Davidson, marking the second-largest single estate gift in the institution’s history.
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts, along with a range of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools.
Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks second in the nation for its 98% graduation success rate among all NCAA Division I schools.
The transformative gift not only reflects Davidson’s lifelong dedication to medicine and service but also cements his enduring connection to the university that helped shape his personal and professional journey.
Davidson, a distinguished alumnus and accomplished ophthalmologist, was a member of the first graduating class from Samford’s Homewood campus.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in biology before embarking on a decades-long career in medicine, primarily at the Callahan Eye Foundation—now UAB Callahan Eye—where he became one of Alabama’s most respected eye surgeons.
“This gift is an extraordinary expression of David’s lifelong gratitude and commitment to Samford,” said Bo Kerr, assistant vice president for university advancement. “It demonstrates how one life, well-lived, can impact generations to come.”
A beloved campus leader during his time at Samford, Davidson served as student body president in his senior year. He was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.
In a 2007 interview with Seasons magazine, he fondly recalled helping carry the campus flagpole from the university’s East Lake location to its current Lakeshore Drive home—symbolizing a turning point in Samford’s evolution that he embraced wholeheartedly.
“Samford was formative in David’s life,” said Gary Fenton, a retired development officer and longtime friend of Davidson. “It taught him how to think, how to serve, and how to lead with integrity. He carried those values into every aspect of his medical career.”
While the full scope of the gift’s impact will be shaped in the months ahead, university officials have indicated that the funds will support initiatives closely aligned with Davidson’s legacy of academic excellence and compassionate service.
Davidson’s nephew, Dr. Jonathan Davidson, who continues the family’s tradition in medicine, expressed pride in the family’s connection to Samford.
“My uncle always spoke of Samford with deep respect. This gift is a reflection of how much it meant to him—and how much he hoped to give future students the same foundation he received.”
Through this remarkable act of generosity, Julius W. Davidson becomes one of the newest members of Samford’s 1841 Society, which honors alumni and friends who have made planned or estate gifts to ensure the university’s enduring strength.
“This is more than a financial gift—it’s a spiritual and intellectual investment in the future of Samford,” Kerr added. “David’s life and legacy are now part of the university’s living fabric.”