Samford University has announced it selected a veteran higher education leader to serve as executive director of its Mann Institute for Christian Faith and Learning, a new institute focused on integrating Christian faith and learning across academic disciplines.

The university announced June 3 that Todd C. Ream will lead the institute following a national search. Ream brings 30 years of experience in higher education and currently serves as university professor and executive director of faculty research at Indiana Wesleyan University.

He also serves as senior fellow for public engagement for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and publisher of Christian Scholar’s Review.

The appointment comes as Samford continues building the Mann Institute, which was announced in August 2025 and is supported by an $11 million endowment from the late Samford alumnus and benefactor Marvin Mann.

University leaders say the institute is intended to foster the integration of Christian faith across academic disciplines while preparing educators for service to students, the academy and the Church.

“The Mann Institute for Christian Faith and Learning embodies the primary distinctive of the academic mission at Samford University,” said Dave Cimbora, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “I am thrilled that Todd Ream has joined the Samford community to steward this critical aspect of our mission. He brings sagacity, experience, creativity, and innovation to the faith and learning space.”

Ream said he sees the institute as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between faith and scholarship both on campus and beyond.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve as a faculty member at Samford and to serve my new colleagues, Church-related higher education, and the Church as the executive director of the Mann Institute,” Ream said. “My hope is the Mann Institute will be recognized on and beyond the campus as a leading catalyst for the relationships faith and learning share.”

In addition to his academic leadership roles, Ream has served Christian higher education institutions in a variety of capacities throughout his career, including positions in residence life, student support services, honors and graduate programs, and as a chief student development officer.

Since 2022, he has served as senior fellow for public engagement with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, where he provides consultation and programming for more than 185 member institutions. He also chairs the organization’s mission self-study advisory board.

Ream became publisher of Christian Scholar’s Review in 2019 and leads a 60-member staff that produces the quarterly journal as well as online content focused on the relationship between academic vocation and the Church.

A prolific scholar, Ream is the author or editor of 20 books and has contributed more than 200 articles, editorials, interviews and reviews to academic and religious publications. He is currently writing The Academic Vocation for Oxford University Press and Hesburgh of Notre Dame: An American Prophet (1957-1972) for Catholic University Press of America.

A native of Fullerton, California, Ream earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School and a doctorate from Pennsylvania State University.

Ream and his wife, Sara, are members of Northview Church-Kokomo, where she serves as kids pastor. Their daughter, Addison, and son-in-law, Owen, are graduate students at Duke University, and their daughter, Ashley, graduated from Westmont College in May 2026.

Looking ahead, Ream said his vision extends beyond programs and publications.

“The quality of the programs and resources the Mann Institute will generate will prove critical,” Ream said. “My overriding hope, however, is those efforts are first and foremost the products of an imagination sparked by intellectual friendship. Samford and the Mann Institute are uniquely positioned to make such a contribution and model what is best about the ways Christian scholars work and serve together.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].