Beck A. Taylor Explained

Beck Taylor
Office:19th President of Samford University
Term Start:July 1, 2021
Office1:18th President of Whitworth University
Term Start1:July 1, 2010
Term End1:May 31, 2021
Predecessor1:William P. Robinson
Successor1:Scott McQuilkin
Education:Baylor University (BS)
Purdue University (MS, PhD)
Predecessor:Andrew Westmoreland

Beck A. Taylor is an American academic administrator and economist serving as the 19th president of Samford University, a private Christian university in Birmingham, Alabama. Taylor took office in July 2021, succeeding Andrew Westmoreland.[1] [2]

Education

Taylor earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University in Texas, studying economics and finance.[3] After graduating, he attended Purdue University, where he earned a Master of Science and Ph.D. in economics.[4]

Career

Taylor began his career as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). He worked as a professor of economics at Baylor University and Samford University. He served as the dean of Samford University's Brock School of Business from 2005 to 2010, as well as an associate dean of research and faculty development at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. At Samford, Taylor created the Samford Business Network to connect university students with the business community of Birmingham, Alabama.[5]

In 2010, Taylor was selected as the 18th President of Whitworth University, succeeding William P. Robinson.[6] There, he focused on community development and institutional effectiveness, in addition to holding the university's largest fundraising campaign. Following an 11-year tenure at Whitworth, Taylor was elected as the 19th president of Samford University in March 2021, succeeding retiring president Andrew Westmoreland. He assumed office in July 2021.[7] He was formally inaugurated on November 4, 2021, giving an address on love.[8] [9]

Personal life

Taylor and his wife, Julie Taylor, have three children. Their oldest son, Zachary, is a Nashville-based musician recording under the name Dreamer Boy.[10] [11] They are members of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Alabama.[12] [13] His daughter, Lauren Taylor, is earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Awards and honors

References

  1. News: Samford names Beck A. Taylor as 19th school president. Pinarski. Phil. cbs42.com. WIAT. en. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-10.
  2. Web site: Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor Leaving for Alabama Post. news.whitworth.edu. Whitworth University. en. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-10.
  3. Web site: Biography - President Beck A. Taylor. www.whitworth.edu. Whitworth University. en. 2017-01-26.
  4. https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/media/whitworth/documents/administration/president-beck-a-taylor/BeckTaylorCurriculumVitae.pdf Beck A. Taylor, Ph.D
  5. News: Beck A. Taylor elected 19th president of Samford University. Homewood Star. en. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-10.
  6. News: Nappi. Rebecca. 2010-07-05. Whitworth's new president looks to continue university's steady path. en. The Spokesman-Review. 2017-01-26.
  7. News: Whitworth University tabs Scott McQuilkin as interim president, but the search for a permanent one continues. Mason. Greg. The Spokesman-Review. en. 2021-03-19. 2021-03-21.
  8. Web site: Paglioni. Sofia. 2021-11-05. Beck A. Taylor sworn in as Samford's 19th president. 2021-11-07. The Samford Crimson. en-US.
  9. Web site: Taylor. Beck. November 8, 2021. President Taylor's Inauguration Address. live. 2021-11-22. Samford University. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122164747/https://www.samford.edu/departments/president/19/inaugural-address . 2021-11-22 .
  10. Web site: 2020-01-28. Meet West Coast-born, Nashville-based musician Dreamer Boy. 2021-03-21. Wonderland. en-US.
  11. Web site: New Noise: Dreamer Boy. Audry Hiaoui. Adam Alonzo. Wonderland Magazine. en. 2020-01-28. 2021-03-10.
  12. Web site: Rash. Jennifer Davis. 2021-03-10. Beck A. Taylor named 19th president of Samford University. live. 2021-08-30. The Alabama Baptist. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210310171310/https://www.thealabamabaptist.org/beck-a-taylor-named-19th-president-of-samford-university/ . 2021-03-10 .
  13. Web site: Samford Spotlight: Get to Know Beck Taylor. 2021-08-30. Samford University. en.