University of South Alabama Press Release

University of South Alabama, Office of Public Relations

May 4, 2012
Contact: Joy Washington, USA Public Relations, (251) 460-6638

USA Dedicates Nature Trail in Honor of
Longtime Professor Dr. Glenn Sebastian

Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail Dedicated – More than 200 people attended the dedication of the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail recently on the University’s main campus. Cutting the ribbon for the trail, which is named for geographer and Professor Emeritus Dr. Glenn Sebastian, are, from left, Brian Allred, assistant director of campus recreation; Colin Al-Greene, president, Student Government Association; Dr. Doug Marshall, vice president of USA Faculty Senate and associate professor of sociology; Dr. Miriam Fearn, professor and chair of earth sciences; Sebastian; President Gordon Moulton; and Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

More than 200 people attended the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail dedication located on Aubrey Green Drive at the University of South Alabama in honor of Dr. Glenn Sebastian, a University Professor Emeritus.

The Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail honors the contributions of Sebastian who was a geographer who joined the USA faculty in 1967 and retired in 2006. He has inspired more than four decades of USA students in the study of geography and continues to teach even in retirement.

“I spent many years using the nature trail as my outdoor classroom,” Sebastian said. “I am humbled to have the nature trail named in my honor.”

Sebastian served 25 years as chair of earth sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. His enthusiasm for teaching earned him a wide range of accolades, including the Outstanding Professor and Distinguished Service awards from the USA National Alumni Association and the Excellence in Teaching and Service awards from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Sebastian remains one of the most popular teachers on campus, and more than 13,000 students have enjoyed his physical geography classes over the past 44 years. Also a former National Park Service Ranger, he has utilized the campus nature trail throughout the years by taking University students as well as civic and other community groups on short field trips through the area.

Sebastian Remembers-Professor Emeritus Dr. Glenn Sebastian stands next to a photo taken of him many years ago and shares memories of enjoying the nature trail that’s been recently named in his honor.

When Sebastian retired in 2006, the faculty and staff in the department of earth sciences established an endowed scholarship in his name to honor his 40 years of service to the University. The faculty also created the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail Endowed Preservation Fund, ensuring that USA’s on-campus nature trail is forever preserved for the enjoyment of students and the USA community.

The Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail is located in headwaters of Three Mile Creek. Over three miles of trails wind through 95 acres of native pine/oak woodlands. Signage on the trail helps visitors understand the environment.

The University nature trail has been a part of campus for nearly 30 years. Efforts to officially recognize the trail began with geography major Amy Milam in 2006. This year, Brian Allred, assistant director of Campus Recreation, spearheaded the effort to bring the nature trail project to fruition. With substantial support from the Student Government Association, the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail is now a reality.

To learn more about the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail, visit http://naturetrail.southalabama.edu/. For more information about contributing to either the Dr. Glenn Sebastian scholarship or nature trail preservation fund endowments, call the Office of Development at (251) 460-7032.