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]
Beck Taylor | |
|---|---|
| 19th President of Samford University | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Westmoreland |
| 18th President of Whitworth University | |
| In office July 1, 2010 – May 31, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | William P. Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Scott McQuilkin |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Baylor University (BS) Purdue University (MS, PhD) |
Education
editTaylor 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
editTaylor 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.[1] 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.[5] 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.[1][7] He was formally inaugurated on November 4, 2021, giving an address on love.[8][9]
Personal life
editTaylor and his wife, Julie Taylor, have three children.[5] 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
edit- Young Researcher Award from Hankamer School of Business in 2000
- First holder of the W.H. Smith Professorship in Economics in 2000
- Baylor University Outstanding Professor in 2005
References
edit- ^ a b c Pinarski, Phil (2021-03-10). "Samford names Beck A. Taylor as 19th school president". cbs42.com. WIAT. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor Leaving for Alabama Post". news.whitworth.edu. Whitworth University. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "Biography - President Beck A. Taylor". www.whitworth.edu. Whitworth University. Retrieved 2017-01-26.[user-generated source]
- ^ Beck A. Taylor, Ph.D
- ^ a b c "Beck A. Taylor elected 19th president of Samford University". Homewood Star. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ Nappi, Rebecca (2010-07-05). "Whitworth's new president looks to continue university's steady path". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ Mason, Greg (2021-03-19). "Whitworth University tabs Scott McQuilkin as interim president, but the search for a permanent one continues". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ Paglioni, Sofia (2021-11-05). "Beck A. Taylor sworn in as Samford's 19th president". The Samford Crimson. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
- ^ Taylor, Beck (November 8, 2021). "President Taylor's Inauguration Address". Samford University. Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
- ^ "Meet West Coast-born, Nashville-based musician Dreamer Boy". Wonderland. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ Audry Hiaoui; Adam Alonzo (2020-01-28). "New Noise: Dreamer Boy". Wonderland Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ Rash, Jennifer Davis (2021-03-10). "Beck A. Taylor named 19th president of Samford University". The Alabama Baptist. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- ^ "Samford Spotlight: Get to Know Beck Taylor". Samford University. Retrieved 2021-08-30.