Samford University honored outstanding student leaders at the school’s 2017 leadership and service convocation May 4.

Porter Rivers of Selma is a senior finance major. Rivers won the John R. Mott Award.

This award is given to men in the graduating class who best represent high character, scholarship and student public service.

Rivers was noted for his active role in the Student Government Association for the past four years, beginning his tenure as freshman class president and ending his time as student body president.

Timothy Hall, Howard College of Arts and Sciences dean, was the guest speaker for the leadership and service convocation.

He quoted from Mark 10:35, which culminates the well-known verse, “For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Hall urged students to seek out new opportunities to lead and to not be afraid to ask others for assistance. “Leadership and service all must happen in the power of the Holy Spirit, not by our efforts,” Hall said.