By Haley Parker
Samford University’s campus is home to dozens of facilities that serve students for hands-on learning. One of these facilities is the conservatory, which is in talks of a possible closure.
The conservatory is a 2,000 sq ft greenhouse built during Samford University president Thomas E. Corts’s tenure from 1983 – 2006). It’s connected to the South end of Propst Hall and serves as not only a laboratory for biology and environmental science students, but also a space for anyone to visit and learn about the hundreds of species housed there.
The greenhouse is made up of three parts: tropical plants, desert plants, and an aquatics section, which contains tanks of fish, shrimp and aquatic plants. Collectively, the species of each section work to mimic the ecosystems of their natural habitats on Samford’s campus.
Biological & environmental sciences professor, Dr. Malia Fincher, serves as the building coordinator for the conservatory. Under Dr. Fincher, students have served as interns and volunteers to maintain the well-being of the facility and the life contained in the building. She began a survey for students to share how they use and value the conservatory.
Mia Davis, a senior biology major, has been an intern at the conservatory since her freshman year. During these four years, she’s also conducted on-going research in the conservatory, where she creates an “artificial winter” to observe the germination of acorns.
“We’re able to germinate them in the conservatory because of the humidity and the conditions that it offers that we can’t really get elsewhere,” says Davis.
The conservatory is also used to grow and contain the duckweed plant, which biology & environmental science students use in labs. Both areas of research are part of growing students understanding and conservation of Birmingham’s ecosystems.
The conservatory, however, is not only for the use of science students, but also serves as an opportunity for students to pursue their passions without a degree.
Michael Doyle, a senior law, politics & society major, has been volunteering at the conservatory since January 2025 because of his personal interest in plants and animals. Doyle devotes time almost every day to cleaning, maintaining and growing the environment of the conservatory for his enjoyment, but also to serve the students and visitors at Samford.
“I want to do everything in my power to stop [closing the conservatory] from happening,” said Doyle. “Just as sports teams are a part of Samford culture, the conservatory is a part of Samford’s culture.”
Though students like Davis and Doyle are heavily involved in the operation of the conservatory, they’ve been left in the dark on why the building may be shut down and given no apparent reason to close the facility. Not only that, but they also aren’t sure what “closing” the conservatory will look like.
For now, the space will continue to serve students and staff for academic and personal uses until further notice.
