The University of South Alabama today announced its 50th Anniversary Annual Fund Campaign, which seeks to broaden support of the University by its alumni and supporters in honor of USA’s golden anniversary in 2013.

The aim of the campaign is to collect 50,000 individual gifts,  significantly broadening the University’s donor base and encouraging support from alumni, parents and businesses in the community, region, state and country. The 50,000 gift goal was chosen in commemoration of the University’s 50th anniversary.

The gifts will be used for the well-being and education of USA students through merit, leadership and need-based scholarships, as well as improved learning environments and emergency grants and loans.

For the past year, the Campaign has been through a quiet period, as University leaders have sought to encourage alumni leadership of the drive. Initially, the goal was to have 50 alumni contribute $1,000 or more as charter member leaders of the Campaign. To date, 70 alumni have pledged their leadership support to the Campaign, which will span the next two years.

Excitement is building across the University family as plans are made to celebrate the institution’s first half century of service.  Over the coming months, USA alumni and supporters will take part in an historic celebration of the University’s accomplishments.

Numerous special activities and events are being planned to celebrate USA’s Golden Anniversary. Starting with fall 2012 and running throughout the 2012-2013 academic year, USA will be buzzing with excitement and activities, from the grand opening of Shelby Hall this fall to a gala campus celebration on the 50th Anniversary date of May 3, 2013.

“As the University of South Alabama family celebrates the institution’s first 50 years of service, it is inspiring that our alumni are taking the lead in a campaign that will benefit current and future students for generations to come,” said USA President Gordon Moulton.

“I can think of no better way to commemorate the University’s contributions than a collective investment in the future of our students.”

“No other university has come so far, so fast as South Alabama,” said Campaign Co-Chair Dr. Steven Stokes, College of Medicine ’80. “This success will continue because of our great alumni support. Over the next several years, we will be reaching out to our fellow alumni from across the country and asking them to support our wonderful University. The University has meant a lot to me and my wife, Angelia, who received her business degree in 1979 while I was in medical school here. This campaign marks our 50th anniversary as a University and, in a broader sense, shows that we have grown up as alumni. We are ready to take our rightful role as alumni.”

“Our alumni body has matured to the point that we are ready and willing to take the full responsibility that alumni should for the University,” said Campaign Co-Chair Alexis Atkins, B.S. ’97. “My USA degree has meant great things for me in my life. I am proud of it, and I know my fellow alumni will work with me to support our alma mater.”

“The initial response we have received to this Campaign from our alumni demonstrates their desire to strengthen the University in every way,” said USA Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Dr. Joseph Busta. “We look forward to bringing many alumni back to our campus for celebration activities over the next year and reminding area businesses of their community connection to USA.”

For more information or to make a gift, contact Cris Smith at (251) 460-7032 or
crsmith@usouthal.edu.