SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford University's Larry Harper and James Carlson are the school's representatives on the All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team, released by the conference on Monday afternoon, with two representatives each from all 10 member schools being recognized by the league.
 
Harper is an assistant professor in the Brock School of Business. Carlson serves as the assistant athletics director for facilities, game operations and equipment.
 
Harper has served at Samford since 1991 and is an avid supporter of Samford Athletics. He is a regular fixture at Samford basketball, tennis, soccer, baseball and football games. As a native of South Africa, Harper has a huge heart for the international student-athletes and has mentored dozens of these students over the years. In his role as assistant professor of business in the Brock School of Business, he teaches Managerial Values and Business Ethics which challenges students to consider how their Christian worldview will intersect with their future career in the business world.
 
Carlson is in his 20^th year on the Samford Athletics Department staff. He came to Samford in 2002 as the football equipment manager. He was later promoted to the position of director of equipment services and later to his current title of assistant athletic director for facilities, game operations and equipment. Carlson's actions define what it means to put student-athletes first. He works countless hours to ensure that Samford's student-athletes have the proper equipment and gear to be successful. He treats every athlete with dignity and respect, and he is a very respected member of the Athletics Department staff. Doing what is often a thankless job, Carlson goes above and beyond to make sure Samford's coaches, staff and student-athletes have everything they need.

While the selections were left up to each institution's discretion, the recipients all shared the common characteristics of demonstrated service to the institution and contributions to campus life and the local community. Faculty members selected have demonstrated strong contributions to teaching, research and/or service, while staff members are being recognized for bringing out the best in others and creating conditions for success.
 
The faculty and staff recipients include: The Citadel's Dr. Kevin Skenes and Stephanie Fye, ETSU's Dr. Natalie Smith and Jeff Shell, Furman's Dr. Scott Murr and Dr. Brad Harmon, Mercer's Dr. Chris Grant and Rick Cameron, UNCG's Dr. Chris Kepley and Zach Smith, Samford's Larry Harper and James Carlson, Chattanooga's Dr. Mark Schorr and Christopher Stokes, VMI's Colonel James A. Coale and Dr. David Copeland, Western Carolina's Dr. Alvin Malesky and Roger Turk and Wofford's Dr. James B. Hill and Jeff Burney.