The University of South Alabama has announced the continuation of the Abraham Mitchell Scholars Program, the University’s largest single privately funded scholarship program.

Twelve USA students – seven new scholarship recipients and five whose scholarships are being continued - have been selected to receive Abraham Mitchell Scholarships. The total value of the scholarships is more than $85,000, and will be applied toward tuition and fees, books, and room and board at USA.

The “Abraham Mitchell Scholars,” all from Alabama and most from the Mobile area, were chosen on the basis of their superior academic records and all are majors in USA’s Mitchell College of Business. Seven of the scholars are freshmen with an average ACT of 30 and a high school grade-point average of 3.8.

The scholarship program is named after its benefactor, Mobile businessman and philanthropist Abraham Mitchell. Together with his brother, Mayer, a longtime member of USA’s Board of Trustees, the Mitchells have given more than $8.1 million to USA’s Mitchell College of Business.

“It is very satisfying that we are developing a future core of business leaders for Mobile and the surrounding area,” Mitchell said. “Mobile has always developed a lot of talented high school students and many of them often go away to seek education. We’re committed to keeping them close to home at USA.”

The dean of the Mitchell College of Business, Dr. Carl Moore, said the Abraham Mitchell Scholars Program promises to foster the success of Alabama’s future business leaders. “It allows us to become more competitive on a regional and national level, and raises our expectations for the future.”

One of the hallmarks of the program is that each scholar is assigned a faculty mentor who will direct the student through the research and scholarly experience, which will culminate in an honors research thesis with the goal of producing a peer-reviewed publication or creative work.

“The Abraham Mitchell Scholars Program represents the very best in a public-private partnership,” said University President Gordon Moulton. “Abe Mitchell’s dedication to the betterment of our community, and his support of the University of South Alabama, is unmatched and is an inspiration.”

The freshman Abraham Mitchell Scholars for the 2000-2001 academic year are: Pagelyn Beaty of Louisville, Audrey Douglas of Daphne, Emily Hines of Jackson, Bradley Strickland of Selma, and Brian Scott Ladner, Barbara Miller and Joshua Rubey, all of Mobile.

The continuing Abraham Mitchell Scholars for the 2000-2001 academic year are: Joshua Baker and Kelly Hefley, both seniors from Mobile; Kristen Neill, a junior from Fairhope; Buck Pettus, a sophomore from Northport; and Mark Spivey, a sophomore from Montgomery.

Students who maintain the academic requirements can remain in the program for up to four years, the time required to complete an undergraduate degree. For information on the Abraham Mitchell Scholars Program in the USA Mitchell College of Business, please call the USA Office of Enrollment Services at (334) 460-6494.