The Mitchell name has become synonymous with generosity and unwavering support on the campus of the University of South Alabama. The Mitchell family of Mobile has given freely of its time, financial resources, and support to the University of South Alabama. Although not Alumni, Abraham, Mayer, and Arlene Mitchell have adopted the University as their own. They have dedicated their lives to turning it into a valuable asset to Mobile and the Gulf Coast.
Abraham and Mayer Mitchell began their partnership in single
home construction. Since that time, the Mitchell Company, started
in Mobile, has become one of the most prominent and successful
real-estate developers in the southeastern United States. Today,
Abe Mitchell is Chair Emeritus of the American Israel Affairs
Committee (AIPAC), B'nai B'rith, and the Congregation of Ahavas
Chesed, where he funded the Youth Study Program in Israel for
Ahavas Chesed Synagogue confirmands. Mayer Mitchell is the Chair
Pro Tempore Emeritus of the University's Board of Trustees,
and has been a member since 1975.
Abraham Mitchell
The Mitchell family's philanthropy reaches all aspects of the
campus, from business and medicine to athletics. To date, they
have contributed 36.6 million
dollars to the University, the largest amount given to a single public university by a single family in the state's history. Mayer Mitchell has served
the Board of Trustees for over 30 years, while Abe has continuously
provided invaluable counsel on academic programs, especially
in business and medicine.
Avid basketball fans, the Mitchells bestowed a generous gift
of over 1 million dollars to ensure the completion of the Mitchell
Center, which celebrated its opening in May 1999. The family
then commissioned Sam Nettles, in 2001, to construct a bronze
statue of a jaguar, the school's mascot. Today, this statue
stands outside the North entrance to the arena, to further promote
school pride
Through the endowing of scholarships, as well as money donated
for the upgrade and construction of facilities, the Mitchell family continues
to cement for itself a legacy of philanthropy. Through their
generous contributions, a bright future is in store for the
University of South Alabama.
