USA News Archive

Plans for South's School of Marine and Environmental Sciences call for additional faculty, renovated classroom space and new academic programs. “The school capitalizes on our strategic location on the Gulf Coast, and allows us to expand opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students,” said Dr. Andi Kent, interim provost and senior vice president.

South Launches School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
March 15, 2021

Plans call for new undergraduate and graduate programs to complement the existing degrees that have been offered by the department ...

The Jaguar Investment Fund meets weekly in the John B. Saint Financial Analysis Center at the Mitchell College of Business. Its success, rising above $1 million and beating the S&P 500, has led to an additional investment from the University, with profits funding scholarships.

1 Million Reasons to be Bullish
March 9, 2021

With the Jaguar Investment Fund rising above seven figures, doubling in value and beating the S&P 500, student fund managers s ...

USA Trustees Announce President Search Committee
March 5, 2021

Board of Trustees begin search for the University's next president as Dr. Tony Waldrop will retire at the end of June. ...

South Collaborates With Mobile Jewish Film Festival
March 2, 2021

The Mobile Jewish Film Festival joins more than 60 other events across the country in showcasing some of the best independent film ...

Beginning in the 2021 fall semester, students can look forward to returning to in-class instruction.

South Plans For Traditional Fall Schedule
March 1, 2021

The University announces a transition back to a normal course schedule with face-to-face classes, along with student meetings, act ...

Grant Skinner and Sarai Garraway, both juniors and South Strong Ambassadors at the University of South Alabama, meet with fellow students recently outside the Student Center to talk about the importance of following precautions to keep people safe from COVID-19.

Ambassadors Bring Positive Energy, Critical Message
March 1, 2021

The South Strong Ambassadors are using peer encouragement, social media and Jag swag in promoting COVID-19 practices to keep peopl ...

Amre Davis, a Vigor High School student who is taking courses at the University of South as part of the Start South dual enrollment program, starts her schoolwork as early as 4 a.m. “I get up, set up my laptop, maybe have a bowl of cereal, and get going on my assignments,” she said.

High Schoolers Get a Jump Start with Start South
February 22, 2021

The dual enrollment program allows high school students to begin taking college classes at half the cost, while reducing the time ...

Researchers from the William B. Burnsed Jr. Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering Department. From L-R; Michael Johnson, MS student and Graduate Research Assistant, Nazim Uddin, MS student and Graduate Research Assistant, Prof. Kuang-Ting Hsiao display a unidirectional ZT-CFRP Prepreg sample produced in Hsiao’s lab and a ZT-CFRP Composite Panel manufactured from stacks of ZT-CFRP prepregs.

Developing Next Generation Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers
February 22, 2021

USA lands a large grant and partners with private industry to develop improved carbon fiber reinforced polymers for commercializat ...

NBC 15 Chief Meteorologist and USA adjunct instructor Alan Sealls has achieved multiple firsts in his more than three decade career in television.

Forecasting the Weather and Making History
February 18, 2021

South adjunct instructor Alan Sealls has broken through numerous ethnic barriers to become one of nation's top meteorologists ...

With Mardi Gras canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, South alumnae Suzanne Sarver, left, and Courtney Harris, right, joined with Mitchell College of Business Ph.D. student Stacy Wellborn to begin the Mobile Porch Parade. Wellborn's home features monsters from the children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are.”

South Graduates Lead Mobile Porch Parade
February 13, 2021

With Mardi Gras parades canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, two alumnae and a Ph.D. candidate find a new way to celebrat ...

Dr. Tony Waldrop will step down as president later this year. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as president of the University of South Alabama, and to work alongside an outstanding group of talented and dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and administrators,” he said.

USA President Tony Waldrop to Retire; National Search to Commence
February 11, 2021

The retirement of Dr. Tony Waldrop later this year follows a seven-year tenure marked by substantial growth and enhancements to th ...

Alayna Reid, a nursing student at the University of South Alabama, participates in the COVID-19 vaccination effort at the Mobile Civic Center. Nursing students are assisting USA Health providers in operating the county's largest vaccination site.

South Healthcare Students Join COVID-19 Vaccination Effort
February 10, 2021

At the Mobile Civic Center, where hundreds of people are rolling up their sleeves each day, students are getting to work — d ...

2020 Mobile County Public Schools Teachers of the Year. From L-R; Anna Mouton, Clark-Shaw School of Math, Science and Technology. Julie Neidhardt, Hutchens Elementary School. Deborah Pippen, Citronelle High School.

South Alumnae named Teachers of the Year
February 9, 2021

A trio of women, who earned degrees from South have now been named the best of the best in the Mobile County Public Schools. ...

USA student 2nd Lt. Zachary LaJoie, a recent graduate, received his military commission after completing the USA Army ROTC program last fall. LaJoie’s parents Steve and Bonnie pin his bars onto the uniform during the ceremony.

Perseverance Pays Off
February 8, 2021

2nd Lt. Zachery LaJoie receives his military commission from the U. S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, ROTC at South. ...

The University's Black History Month events were planned by USA Black Student Union with the support of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

Celebrating the History and Heritage of Black Americans
February 3, 2021

South celebrates Black History Month with virtual events, observing University and CDC COVID-19 guidelines for safety. ...

Dr. Jason Strickland, assistant professor in South's department of biology was part of a team breaking new ground in genetic research.

Strickland Recognized for Genetic Research
February 3, 2021

South faculty member Dr. Jason Strickland co-authors study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ...

Terrance Smith stands in front of a house on Virginia Street that's being renovated through the work of the Mobile Innovation Team, a project funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The home at one point was used by Mobile's Pollman family as a kitchen for their bakery before they opened the nearby Pollman's Bake Shop, said Smith, the innovation team director and a University of South Alabama graduate.

South Graduate Leads Mobile Innovation Team
February 1, 2021

Growing up in public housing, Terrance Smith now sits in the mayor's suite on the 10th floor of Government Plaza. There, he i ...

From L-R; Dr. Leslie Gamble, Jr., USA School of Computing Diversity Coordinator, Dr. Alec Yasinsac, Dean, USA School of Computing, James VanDyne, CGI Consulting Services Director, Allison Stephens, CGI Member Relations.

CGI Establishes New Scholarship at the School of Computing
January 28, 2021

The scholarship is part of a commitment by both CGI and South to enhance and increase diversity, equity and inclusion. ...

Dr. Peggy Delmas, an assistant professor in educational leadership spent two years researching the contributions of Catholic sisters in the field of academics, including science.

Celebrating the Contributions of Catholic Sisters in Academics
January 26, 2020

USA assistant professor's research highlights the contributions of Catholic sisters' careers in education leadership and ...

Fanny Meisler Trauma Center at University Hospital will deliver world-class care to more patients.

Fanny Meisler Trauma Center Opens
January 21, 2021

The $20 million facility is the region's only level 1 trauma center and is now open at USA Health's University Hospital. ...

Olivia McCarter still visits the grave at Jackson County Memorial Park of Alisha Ann Heinrich after helping identify her using DNA samples and genealogy records. Next to the plot is the grave of another baby girl whose body has never been identified.

South Sophomore Solves Cold Cases Using DNA, Forensic Genealogy
January 19, 2021

Olivia McCarter brings focus and closure to unsolved cases, identifying victims and giving law enforcement a trail to suspects. ...

South will mark Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday with a "Week of Unity & Service." A series of events include an online discussion, film screening and service projects.

USA Joins Virtual Celebration of Unity and Service
January 15, 2021

South plans for a week-long series of virtual events to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ...

From L-R; Will Marriott, staff archaeologist, USA Center for Archaeological Studies, and Jeremy Pruitt, field technician, USA Center for Archaeological Studies sift through soil collected during a cultural resource survey in the Africatown community of Mobile.

Digging Into the Past
January 15, 2021

South and the City of Mobile partner on a cultural resource survey in the Africatown community prior to planned construction. ...

Dr. Nicole T. Carr , associate vice president of student academic success, will be recognized by the National Resource Center for her work as a first-year student advocate.

Building Success at South
January 11, 2021

Dr. Nicole Carr is one of 10 honorees nationally who are being recognized for their work as first-year student advocates. ...

Drs. Joél Billingsley, Charlene Dadzie, Kern Jackson and Shenghua Zha were awarded Social Justice Initiative grant awards for research.

South Social Justice Awards Announced
January 8, 2021

Four members of USA's faculty were awarded the first Social Justice Initiative grant awards. ...

Seven members of the Jaguar Marching Band have been chosen by College Band Directors National Association to participate in a virtual halftime performance at the College Football National Championship game.

USA Band Members Participate In National Championship Performance
January 7, 2021

Seven members of the Jaguar Marching Band will join nearly 1,500 other performers for a virtual college marching band show. ...

Martin J. Heslin, MD, MSHA has been named director of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. A renowned surgical oncologist is the former associate director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Heslin Named Director of USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
January 1, 2021

Heslin leaves the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB to take over the reins at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. ...

Dr. Ronnie Baker, an assistant professor of marine science at the University of South Alabama, holds a grouper off San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. When he returns for research, Baker plans aims to identify coastal nursery habitats for fisheries species.

South Dives Into Galapagos Research
January 5, 2021

USA's collaboration with partners in Ecuador and on the volcanic archipelago grows with a focus on research and global engage ...

Temple James, left, and Yavaniy Garraway have been named winners of the "I Belong" essay contest hosted by the Department of English, Honors College, Student Academic Success, and Counseling and Testing Center.

This Is Where I Belong
December 30, 2020

Winners chosen in for the first, "I Belong" essay competition describing each students' journey that led them to So ...

Les’Lee Gilberry, left, and Cassandra Kellum were inspired to start a pair of annual scholarships for student-athletes at South. The awards will be called SWAG, short for Student With Athletic Grit.

On a Fast Track to Giving Back
December 29, 2020

Former USA runners Cassandra Kellum and Les'Lee Gilberry get a jump start on two scholarships to support student-athletes. ...

Louis and Melinda Mapp donated land this summer to USA Health for a Baldwin County medical campus. “Communities can’t make it without good healthcare,” he said. In all, the Mapp Family Foundation has given away more than $6 million, including several six-figure donations to USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where Louis has volunteered in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mapps Offer Direction to Success
December 29, 2020

Louis and Melinda Mapp believe quality healthcare is critical for progress. They fuel its advancement through humble philanthropy. ...

University Holiday Schedule
December 18, 2020

Most University of South Alabama departments will be closed until Jan. 4, 2021. Academic classes resume Jan. 19, 2021. ...

Briana Morris, the Sun Belt Conference's 2019-20 Female Student-Athlete of the Year, is scheduled to play in the spring 2021 season for Danish soccer team Aarhus Gymnastikforening Kvindefodbold, more commonly known as AGF. Photo courtesy of Briana Morris.

From South Alabama to Scandinavia
December 18, 2020

Accounting graduate student, alumna and student-athlete of the year Briana Morris readies to take the field in Denmark. ...

Dr. Mara Kozelsky, professor of history, is leading the effort to develop a digital history lab planned for a fall 2021 opening.

South Building Digital History Lab
December 17, 2020

A U.S. Department of Education grant provides $20,000 in seed money to develop and build an on-campus digital history lab. ...

Since 1998, the University and USA Health have raised over $5.5 million for the United Way of Southwest Alabama through its annual campaign.

Annual Campaign Raises $224,316 for United Way
December 16, 2020

More than 1,700 University of South Alabama and USA Health employees and retirees contribute to the United Way annual campaign. ...

Dr. Claire Cage, associate professor of history and gender studies is one of 13 USA Office of Community Engagement and Service Learning Program Faculty Fellows.

Faculty Fellows for Community Engagement Program Named
December 15, 2020

The inaugural class of 13 full-time assistant and associate professors from six colleges were chosen for the program. ...

The University of South Alabama holds the easement to 60 acres adjacent to Historic Blakeley State Park along the Tensaw River. The property, in addition to more than 30,000 acres throughout rural Alabama and Mississippi, can be used by South faculty for research and teaching.

Land Newly Available for Research, Teaching
December 15, 2020

Collaborations with The Conservation Fund and the J.L. Bedsole Foundation open access to properties across Alabama. ...

Kane Wommack is a finalist for the Broyles award given annually to the nation's top assistant coach and at 33, becomes the youngest head coach on the FBS level.

Kane Wommack Named Head Football Coach
December 12, 2020

The Indiana defensive coordinator returns to South, where he served in the same capacity for the Jags during the 2016-17 seasons. ...

Dr. Neil Schwarz, an associate professor of exercise science, has three active externally funded, industry sponsored projects in which he is serving as the principal investigator.

Studying the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements
December 10, 2020

Dr. Neil Schwarz, an associate professor of exercise science, is leading three externally funded industry sponsored projects. ...

From L-R; Dr. Lesley Gregoricka, associate professor of anthropology, was selected as Scholar of the Year, Dr. Joseph Hair, professor of marketing and quantitative methods, receives Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Thomas Rowell, professor of music, was selected as Artist of the Year.

Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2020-21 Award Recipients
December 10, 2020

USA's Phi Kappa Phi Chapter has been recognized for excellence nationally, while three faculty members earn individual awards ...

From L-R; Jennifer Henderson, Amanda Ledet, Emory Serviss combined to win Best Paper in the Business-to-Business track as well as the Steven J. Shaw & Joe Hair Overall Conference Best Paper awards in November.

Business Doctoral Students Excel at Marketing Conference
December 9, 2020

A trio of USA doctoral students collaborate to win multiple awards at the Society for Marketing Advances annual conference. ...

Former South student Benjamin Pelham outside of his trailer on the set of the film "Embattled."

Playing the Role of Trailblazer
December 8, 2020

Former PASSAGE USA student Benjamin Pelham continues to overcome challenges and appears in the film ‘Embattled.’ ...

From L-R, Margaret Sullivan, USA vice president of development and academic affairs, Dr. Andre Green, USA associate vice president of academic affairs and president of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Glyn Agnew, AT&T regional director for external and legislative affairs, Dr. Errol Crook, 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile.

AT&T Contributes to Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship
December 4, 2020

AT&T's contribution will total $20,000 through dollar-for-dollar matching by the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative. ...

Lexie Gibson is a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Medical Student to Present Findings at National Symposium
December 4, 2020

Lexie Gibson found a link between diabetes and significantly higher hospitalization and death rates for COVID-19 patients. ...

Jake and Pat Gosa pledged $5 million to the University of South Alabama. The gift will be split between the Mitchell College of Business and the College of Nursing.

Gosa Family Makes $5 Million Gift
December 3, 2020

The donation from Jake and Pat Gosa will be split between the Mitchell College of Business and the College of Nursing. ...

A Life Well Lived
December 1, 2020

University of South Alabama Writer in Residence, Frye Gaillard's latest book is deeply personal memoir of his late wife Nancy ...

Bailey Trout Stephenson, a 2018 graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, worked in a Brooklyn hospital in the spring, taking care of COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit. The work, like the virus, could be unforgiving. “I was there to help save the life of each patient I cared for, and that didn’t happen,” she said.

At Their Bedsides With Care, Compassion
November 30, 2020

College of Nursing graduate Bailey Trout Stephenson confronted the pandemic in a New York hospital. The battle continued at home. ...

The 3-year, $493,244 grant will provide support for USA and a campus interprofessional team to increase awareness and establish a campus-wide outreach program for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.

Empowering Sexual Assault Survivors
November 30, 2020

South receives a federal grant to develop highly skilled nurses to serve as a resource and support for sexual assault survivors. ...

USA's engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi is named the nation's most outstanding chapter for the second year in a row.

A Winning Tradition
November 24, 2020

South's Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society named outstanding chapter for second year in a row. ...

Dr. Ronald Baker, assistant professor in the department of marine sciences co-authored a paper on salt marshes that was published in Science magazine's November 6, 2020 issue.

DISL Researcher's Work Published in Science Magazine
November 24, 2020

A November 2019 meeting at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab led to a report on salt marshes published in esteemed scientific journal. ...

Full News Archive

South Launches School of Marine and Environmental Sciences March 15, 2021

1 Million Reasons to be Bullish March 9, 2021

USA Trustees Announce President Search Committee March 5, 2021

South Collaborates With Mobile Jewish Film Festival March 2, 2021

South Plans For Traditional Fall Schedule March 1, 2021

Ambassadors Bring Positive Energy, Critical Message March 1, 2021

High Schoolers Get a Jump Start with Start South February 22, 2021

Developing Next Generation Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers February 22, 2021

Forecasting the Weather and Making History February 18, 2021

South Graduates Lead Mobile Porch Parade February 13, 2021

USA President Tony Waldrop to Retire; National Search to Commence February 11, 2021

South Healthcare Students Join COVID-19 Vaccination Effort February 10, 2021

South Alumnae named Teachers of the Year February 9, 2021

Perseverance Pays Off February 8, 2021

Celebrating the History and Heritage of Black Americans February 3, 2021

Strickland Recognized for Genetic Research February 3, 2021

South Graduate Leads Mobile Innovation Team February 1, 2021

CGI Establishes New Scholarship at the School of Computing January 28, 2021

Celebrating the Contributions of Catholic Sisters in Academics January 26, 2020

Fanny Meisler Trauma Center Opens January 21, 2021

South Sophomore Solves Cold Cases Using DNA, Forensic Genealogy January 19, 2021

USA Joins Virtual Celebration of Unity and Service January 15, 2021

Digging Into the Past January 15, 2021

Building Success at South January 11, 2021

South Social Justice Awards Announced January 8, 2021

USA Band Members Participate In National Championship Performance January 7, 2021

Heslin Named Director of USA Mitchell Cancer Institute January 1, 2021

South Dives Into Galapagos Research January 5, 2021

This Is Where I Belong December 30, 2020

On a Fast Track to Giving Back December 29, 2020

Mapps Offer Direction to Success December 29, 2020

University Holiday Schedule December 18, 2020

From South Alabama to Scandinavia December 18, 2020

South Building Digital History Lab December 17, 2020

Annual Campaign Raises $224,316 for United Way December 16, 2020

Faculty Fellows for Community Engagement Program Named December 15, 2020

Land Newly Available for Research, Teaching December 15, 2020

Kane Wommack Named Head Football Coach December 12, 2020

Studying the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements December 10, 2020

Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2020-21 Award Recipients December 10, 2020

Business Doctoral Students Excel at Marketing Conference December 9, 2020

Playing the Role of Trailblazer December 8, 2020

AT&T Contributes to Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship December 4, 2020

Medical Student to Present Findings at National Symposium December 4, 2020

Gosa Family Makes $5 Million Gift December 3, 2020

A Life Well Lived December 1, 2020

At Their Bedsides With Care, Compassion November 30, 2020

Empowering Sexual Assault Survivors November 30, 2020

A Winning Tradition November 24, 2020

DISL Researcher's Work Published in Science Magazine November 24, 2020