Dr. Steven H. Stokes

An alumnus whose extraordinary leadership, loyalty, service and generosity have advanced the progress of the University of South Alabama, Dr. Steven H. Stokes, M.D. 1980, will deliver the University of South Alabama’s Fall Commencement address on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m., at the USA Mitchell Center.

The ceremony marks the beginning for 1,591 graduates, bringing the total number of degrees awarded in USA’s history to 71,382.

At the fall commencement ceremony, USA will award 993 bachelor’s degrees, 544 master’s degrees, 12 educational specialists and 42 doctorate degrees. Fall commencement is the graduation exercise for students who completed degree requirements in both the summer and fall terms.

Additionally, USA and the Mobile County Public School System will partner again this year to provide live streaming of the University’s Fall Commencement. The live coverage begins Dec. 17 at 2 p.m., CST, on the University's Web site at www.southalabama.edu. Recorded video of the event will be available online at the same address following the live Web cast.

Dr. Stokes was appointed to the USA Board of Trustees in 1993 by Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr., and reappointed by Gov. Bob Riley in 2005.  He served as board vice chair from 2004 through 2007 and as chair pro tempore from 2007 through 2010.

Dr. Stokes’ dynamic and insightful leadership, especially in the medical field, has been critical to the development and progress of major University initiatives, including the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, the USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital expansion project, Campaign USA, the Jaguar football and marching band programs, and many others.

Dr. Stokes and his wife, Angelia, have provided generous philanthropic support to many USA programs, including the Angelia and Steven H. Stokes Center for Creative Writing and the associated scholarship program, Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute Research Endowment, the Dr. Robert A. Kreisberg Gifted Medical Scholars Endowment, and the USA College of Medicine. Their gifts to the University, including matching funds, total nearly $2.5 million, making them the most generous alumni couple in USA history.

In honor of his many contributions to USA, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Stokes Chair Pro Tempore Emeritus.  The board also recently named the newest residence hall on campus in honor of the couple, making them the first alumni to receive such an honor.   Dr. Stokes has been presented USA’s highest alumni honor, the USA National Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

The son of a farmer, the Dothan native worked his way through college on an ROTC scholarship. After graduating with honors from U.S. Army Ranger School, Dr. Stokes led a platoon in Vietnam in the early 1970s. His military service then took him to Arlington National Cemetery, where he arranged funerals and coordinated accommodations for grieving families.

After military service, Dr. and Mrs. Stokes moved to Mobile to attend the University of South Alabama.  Angelia Stokes received her business degree from USA in 1979, and Dr. Stokes earned his M.D. from the USA College of Medicine in 1980.   Dr. Stokes’ training then took him to Washington University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis. Later, he worked for a year as a faculty member at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and joined a private radiation oncology practice there. In 1987, Dr. Stokes returned to Dothan to establish his radiation oncology practice, which also operates clinics in Enterprise, Ala., and Marianna, Fla.  

While maintaining a busy medical practice and serving USA, Dr. Stokes also serves his community, including two terms on Dothan’s city commission and as elected board chairman of Dothan City Schools.  Central to his life of service is a medical mission trip he leads each year to Panama.  A Rotarian, Dr. Stokes has received many civic honors for his life of service, including being named Dothan’s Man of the Year by the Hawk-Houston Boys Club.

Parking and Shuttle Info:

For graduating students, there will be reserved parking in the parking lot located behind the Mitchell College of Business on Student Services Drive.  Admittance to the Physical Education Building is limited to graduating students only.

Handicapped parking will be limited but is available for students, family and friends.  Entrance to this parking lot will be from Old Shell Road only (behind the Mitchell Center).  Proper tags must be visible for access to this lot.

Parking signs are posted throughout the campus and shuttle service is available if you park in the posted areas. Directional parking signs will be displayed. 

The shuttle service will run from noon - 6 p.m.

Shuttle pickup and drop-off points are University Commons, Gamma Residence Hall parking lot, Humanities Building parking lot, Administration parking lot, Student Services Drive, and the parking lot east of the Computer Science Building.