USA News Archive

South theatre students Aryn Carr, Malcolm Hayden and Kaylee Pulliam rehearse for Theatre USA’s production of 'The Fabulous Fable Factory,' which will run Feb. 10-18 at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center..

'Fabulous Fables' in Footlights at Theatre USA
February 3, 2017

'The Fabulous Fable Factory' runs Feb. 10-18 at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on South's campus. ...

Dr. Sandra Stenson, professor of chemistry, worked at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a research scientist after earning her doctorate.

A Lot Goes Into Such a Little Pill
February 2, 2017

So how do drug makers cram your meds into that small space? It's complex, and not cheap, says Professor Dr. Sandra Stenson. ...

The annual Soul Food Luncheon, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, kicked off a month of events celebrating Black History Month.

First Course: Soul Food Luncheon
February 1, 2017

A month of events celebrating the culture and contributions of African Americans kicks off with food and friendship. ...

The University of South Alabama joins community partners to announce a 75,000 Degrees Initiative to meet the needs of the region's growing workforce. From left are Bob Charlebois, USA transfer coordinator; Dr. Peggy Bradford, Lumina Foundation; Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development; Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president; Carolyn R. Akers, CEO of the Mobile Area Education Foundation; Chandra Scott, director of strategic outcomes, Mobile Area Education Foundation; and Dr. Andrea Kent, dean of the USA College of Education.

USA Joins 75,000 Degrees Initiative
January 31, 2017

Effort seeks to increase the number of residents with post-secondary degrees and credentials to meet a growing workforce. ...

Dr. Jeremiah Newell is a 2008 graduate of the College of Education and the chief operating officer for the Mobile Area Education Foundation.

From Shoe Salesman to the Ivy League
January 31, 2017

Dr. Jeremiah Newell earned his undergrad at South before heading to Harvard. This year the College of Education turns 50. ...

Twin brothers Daniel, left, and Caleb Butler were among several hundred South volunteers at the this year's Project Homeless Connect. Volunteers served and supported nearly 300 homeless individuals.

A Chance Encounter, a Changed Outlook
January 30, 2017

Twin brothers volunteer at Project Homeless Connect after meeting a former neighbor. "I thought, 'I could be homeless.'" ...

Recipients of internal funding grants for TeamUSA projects are, from left, Dr. Zoya Khan, associate professor of Spanish; Kimberly Jordan, MSN, RN, instructor of adult health nursing; Colleen Lynch, MSN, RN, CNL, instructor of adult health nursing; Dr. Phil Carr, Chief Calvin McGhee Endowed Professor of Native American Studies and professor of anthropology; Dr. Debra Swanzy, RN, assistant professor of adult health nursing; and Dr. Elizabeth Allison, assistant professor of leadership and teacher education. Not pictured: Dr. Theresa Wright, RN, vice chair and associate professor of adult health nursing.

Seven Faculty Members Receive TeamUSA Awards
January 27, 2017

Faculty members will use internal grants for projects enhancing South's team-based learning program, TeamUSA. ...

University of South Alabama Collegiate 100 members attend the 31st Annual 100 Black Men National Conference held recently in New Orleans. From left are Cornelius Madison, senior mechanical engineering major from Montgomery; Broderick Morrissette, junior information technology major from Prichard; Dr. Michael Mitchell, vice president for student affairs and adviser of Collegiate 100; Myles Payton, sophomore communication major from Montgomery; and Adreun Malone, senior professional health sciences major from Memphis, Tenn.

'Prepping for Success:' The Collegiate 100
January 26, 2017

Members of South's Collegiate 100 recently served as delegates at the 100 Black Men National Conference in New Orleans. ...

box filled with donated toiletries and miscellaneous personal items for distribution to tornado victims

Jags Collecting Donations for Tornado Victims
January 25, 2017

South is accepting donations for William Carey University students displaced by a recent tornado at their Mississippi campus. ...

Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie, a 2015 South graduate, used hand-made signs to warn viewers about severe weather when his sound was knocked out.

Sound Knocked Out, Grad Grabs Sharpie
January 25, 2017

Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie of WDAM-TV 7 quickly improvised as a tornado bore down on his viewers near Hattiesburg, Miss. ...

Junior anthropology majors Shaunna Goetz, left, and Antonia Carter recently visited the United Arab Emirates to do preliminary research on ancient bones, which have since been sent to South for a long-term study.

South Archaeologists Travel to the UAE
January 24, 2017

The all-female team led by Dr. Lesley Gregoricka sent back ancient bones for a long-term study on how people lived and died. ...

Dr. Jung-Hyun Kim, Ph.D., left, a post-doctoral fellow, and Dr. Erin Ahn, Ph.D., associate professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, collected and analyzed the clinical features of 20 unrelated patients who shared a developmental delay and intellectual disability, and narrowed down which genes are closely related to brain development.

Cancer Research Leads to Syndrome Discovery
January 23, 2017

The findings by two USA Mitchell Cancer Institute researchers ends a New York family's search for their daughter's diagnosis. ...

R&B singer Jeremih will perform April 8 at the USA Mitchell Center. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Mitchell Center Box Office.

Jeremih to Perform at USA Spring Concert
January 21, 2017

Jaguar Productions and the Student Government Association will bring the R&B singer and songwriter to the Mitchell Center April 8. ...

Phiwat Klomkaew, left, a junior chemical engineering major, and Kevin Ingles, a junior math and physics major, will present scientific papers at the 94th Alabama Academy of Sciences annual meeting.

Undergrad Experiences, Ph.D. Expectations
January 19, 2017

Two USA juniors will present papers at the Alabama Academy of Sciences annual meeting next month on South's campus. ...

Gold Humanism Honor Society Members Selected
January 19, 2017

Ten medical students, three residents and one faculty member have been named to the USA Chapter of Gold Humanism Honor Society. ...

USA Medical Center Administrator Sam Dean has more than 15 years of health care leadership experience, including in Birmingham and Mississippi.

New Administrator Begins at USAMC
January 19, 2017

Sam Dean is responsible for operations at USA Medical Center, which serves as the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center. ...

Dr. Don Mosley, professor of management in the Mitchell College of Business and executive director of the college’s Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said corporate tax reform, economic stimulation and deregulation would help small businesses thrive.

Good News For Small Businesses?
January 18, 2017

The backbone of America's economy could get a boost if President-elect Donald Trump and Congress do these three things. ...

Ashlyn Cohen, left, and Lydia Turner help lead a session on the Declaration of Independence and equality during Monday's 'teach-in' held in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Freedom, Equality Focus of 'Teach-In'
January 17, 2017

The student-organized forum included a robust discussion and dissection of wording in the Declaration of Independence. ...

University of South Alabama students participate in a clean-up project Monday as part of the MLK Day of Service.

USA Remembers King With Outreach
January 16, 2017

Hundreds of South volunteers participate in MLK Day of Service projects to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ...

South staff recognized in 40 under Forty.

Strong Showing in 40 Under Forty
January 13, 2017

Faculty, staff and alumni representing both academics and health care join Mobile Bay magazine's annual leaders list. ...

Through her job, Kelsey Ramirez finds ways to help teens who are dealing with issues such as substance abuse, emotional illness or criminal charges. The goal is to provide outpatient care so they can continue living with family at home rather than being sent to residential treatment programs or state detention.

Internship Leads to New Perspective
January 11, 2017

Kelsey Ramirez had resolved against working with children. That was until she found her calling at a child welfare agency. ...

During her training at the State Police Academy in Selma, Ala., Ashton Pennington was awarded the prestigious “Leadership Award.”

South Grad's Office Has Four Wheels
January 9, 2017

Ashton Pennington, an officer with South's Police Department, was a javelin thrower and Student Auxiliary officer at USA. ...

The Last Mentsch is considered a beautiful film of friendship and healing. Image captures three individuals in deep discussion with piles of junk equipment and tires in the background. Photo courtesy of Menemsha Films.

Screenings Set for Jewish Film Festival
January 6, 2017

Three films will be shown on South's Mobile and Fairhope campuses as part of the 16th annual Mobile Jewish Film Festival. ...

SOLD! First Preparation, then the Pitch
January 4, 2017

Business students analyzed local commercial properties and, as part of their grade, presented to Mobile real estate leaders. ...

Karen Finklea, a physician assistant graduate student at South, is one of the recipients of the 2016 National Health Service Corps scholarship.

Committed to Health Care for the Underserved
January 4, 2017

PA graduate student Karen Finklea earns a competitive national scholarship to help those with limited access to health care. ...

Pooja Revanna, a junior Honors student, works with her mentor, Dr. Peter Sykora, at a USA Mitchell Cancer Institute lab.

'I Know What They Are Going Through'
January 4, 2017

Diagnosed with cancer now in remission, Honors junior Pooja Revanna is working toward a career as a pediatric oncologist. ...

University Holiday Schedule
December 22, 2016

Most departments will be closed until Jan. 3, 2017; a limited number observe different schedules during the break. ...

Dr. Gary A. Piazza, professor of pharmacology and oncologic sciences at USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, will be inducted as a NAI Fellow on April 6, 2017, at the Sixth Annual Conference of the NAI in Boston.

Piazza named NAI Fellow, a first for South
December 20, 2016

MCI's Dr. Gary A. Piazza, who holds 70 issued or pending patents, has been recognized by the National Academy of Inventors. ...

Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development, speaks at a news conference designating Mobile as a TechHire Community.

Mobile Designated TechHire Community
December 19, 2016

South helps city earn classification and commits with partners to train and employ 500 information technology job candidates. ...

Yolanda L. Lewis is the court administrator/chief administrative officer for the Superior Court of Fulton County Georgia in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, and 5th Judicial Administrative District.

Bringing Order to the Court in Atlanta
December 14, 2016

Yolanda Lewis '00, '02 manages 300 people and a $24.5 million budget as Superior Court of Fulton County, Ga., administrator. ...

Elmer Sellers, retired USA Medical Center assistant administrator , unveils the new USA Medical Center sign at Mobile Street. The hospital houses the region's only Level I trauma center and has one of the busiest burn units in the country.

Same Spot, New Address for USA Medical Center
December 13, 2016

Section of Fillingim Street renamed USA Medical Center Drive in a nod to the hospital with the area's only Level 1 trauma center. ...

Dr. Craig Pearce, Ben May Distinguished Professor in the USA Mitchell College of Business, pioneered the management technique of shared leadership after working as a consultant in Great Britain.

Meet 'Mr. Shared Leadership'
December 12, 2016

Dr. Craig Pearce says companies should rethink their management structure to increase efficiency, productivity and profit. ...

Retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral William

'My Job Wasn't to be the Smartest Guy'
December 10, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral William "Dean" Lee '79 conveys to graduates the importance of team work, character and leadership. ...

While searching for a teaching job after graduating, Robert Bennie Warren said he will continue to work on his fourth book. Titled “Archetype,” it centers around a female child soldier in Africa with super powers.

Author Writing His Next Chapter — and Book
December 5, 2016

With two degrees and three published books, Robert Bennie Warren plans to teach, write and, perhaps, work on a doctorate. ...

Robin Campbell, who after a little more than two years at South is set to receive her undergraduate degree, plans to pursue her master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology.

From a Challenging Start, a Fast Finish
December 5, 2016

Abandoned in China and raised by her adopted grandparents, Robin Campbell finishes her degree in a little more than two years. ...

Retired in 1998, Dr. Robert Barrow remains a familiar face around campus, where he takes a daily walk with his wife, Margot; daughter, Audrey; and Bucky the Boston terrier.

His Mentorship Led to an Internship, Career
December 5, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral William 'Dean' Lee credits Dr. Robert Barrow with guiding him from mall watcher to homeland protector. ...

Retired Vice Admiral William “Dean” Lee, who served as Atlantic Area Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, will deliver the Fall Commencement address on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the Mitchell Center.

Retired Vice Admiral to Address Graduates
December 5, 2016

William 'Dean' Lee '79 will speak at Saturday's commencement, which will be live-streamed from the Mitchell Center. ...

Alexis Atkins, vice president of human resources/principal in co-ownership of Budweiser Busch Distributing, Inc., has been appointed to fill a term that will expire in 2019. She is a past president of the USA National Alumni Association.

Governor Appoints South Alumna to Board
December 2, 2016

Alexis Atkins, a principal in co-ownership of Budweiser Busch Distributing, Inc., of Mobile, is past president of the USA National ...

Engineering student Yousef Omar, right, and Dr. Sumit Arora, instructor in the College of Engineering's Core Facility, examine a silver wire magnified 200 times with the University's scanning electron microscope. Silver nanoparticles are a key ingredient in their research efforts regarding sunscreens and other biomedical applications.

In Search of a Safer Sunscreen
December 1, 2016

Undergrad Yousef Omar describes his 'insanely awesome' research on a more effective sun blocker using silver nanoparticles. ...

'Winter Wonderland' set for Mitchell Center
November 28, 2016

USA musicians will perform traditional and modern arrangements of holiday favorites Thursday at a free public concert. ...

South Raises $259,263 for Local Agencies
November 23, 2016

More than 2,600 employees and retirees contributed to this year's United Way Campaign, including 128 who gave $500 or more. ...

Dr. Reid Cummings, director of the Center for Real Estate and Economic Development at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business, the best way to be financially successful during the holidays is to make a good plan, and then stick to it.

Keep Calm and Carry Credit Wisely
November 22, 2016

As the holiday shopping season gets underway, South's Dr. Reid Cummings offers eight ways to survive on a budget. ...

Rebecca Fitz, left, is visiting the United States through a bilateral student exchange program. Patricia Bellido Jara, a South student, attended Fitz's University of Passau in Germany in the spring.

7,000 Miles Apart, Two Cultures Cross Paths
November 18, 2016

South's Study Abroad student exchange program is shrinking distances while expanding global experiences. ...

South students in the emergency medical services program load a

Today in Class: Bananas and Helicopters
November 17, 2016

South students learn how to keep a cool head — and suture fruit — during a campus mass-casualty drill. (Fake blood included.) ...

Junior Alex Coley, left, and Dr. Glen Borchert are among a growing number of USA undergraduates and faculty members collaborating on research that crosses disciplines. Coley and Borchert use this microscope to look at pancreatic cancer cells.

Finding Ways to Starve Cancer Cells
November 14, 2016

Honors program junior Alex Coley, with the help of a faculty mentor, is researching ways to target vulnerabilities in cells. ...

Seniors Sadie Bell Freeman and Tahj Vaughans star in Theatre USA's production of

'A Thrill Ride Not to be Missed'
November 14, 2016

Contemporary drama 'When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?', set in a 1960s diner in New Mexico, runs at Theatre USA until Nov. 19. ...

Dr. Thomas Shaw, director of the USA Polling Group/Survey Research Center, said representative sample-based polling remains the most accurate way to obtain information about what large groups of people think, feel and do.

Toss Out the Polls? Not So Fast
November 9, 2016

South pollster Dr. Thomas Shaw said there remains much value in political polling. Just don't forget that margin of error. ...

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Reduce That Stress
November 8, 2016

With the election over, South psychologist Dr. Elise Labbé-Coldsmith offers seven ways to return balance to your life. ...

Following their Sun Belt title victory with two second half goals, the Jags will enter the NCAA Tournament with a 15-5-1 overall record.

Four-peat! Jags Take Sun Belt Title
November 7, 2016

South's soccer team becomes just the second program in league history to win four consecutive tournament crowns. ...

University of South Alabama Collegiate 100 members gather with their mentors from the 100 Black Men of Mobile Inc. From left are Dr. Andre Green, mentor and associate dean in the College of Education; Broderick Morrissette; Marlon Jones; Collegiate 100 mentor and adviser Dr. Michael Mitchell, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students; Jerod Coleman; Derek Pickett and JuWan Robinson.

'It's Important That We Are Visible'
November 2, 2016

South mentors offer support, friendship and hope through the Collegiate 100 and the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. ...

Full News Archive

'Fabulous Fables' in Footlights at Theatre USA February 3, 2017

A Lot Goes Into Such a Little Pill February 2, 2017

First Course: Soul Food Luncheon February 1, 2017

USA Joins 75,000 Degrees Initiative January 31, 2017

From Shoe Salesman to the Ivy League January 31, 2017

A Chance Encounter, a Changed Outlook January 30, 2017

Seven Faculty Members Receive TeamUSA Awards January 27, 2017

'Prepping for Success:' The Collegiate 100 January 26, 2017

Jags Collecting Donations for Tornado Victims January 25, 2017

Sound Knocked Out, Grad Grabs Sharpie January 25, 2017

South Archaeologists Travel to the UAE January 24, 2017

Cancer Research Leads to Syndrome Discovery January 23, 2017

Jeremih to Perform at USA Spring Concert January 21, 2017

Undergrad Experiences, Ph.D. Expectations January 19, 2017

Gold Humanism Honor Society Members Selected January 19, 2017

New Administrator Begins at USAMC January 19, 2017

Good News For Small Businesses? January 18, 2017

Freedom, Equality Focus of 'Teach-In' January 17, 2017

USA Remembers King With Outreach January 16, 2017

Strong Showing in 40 Under Forty January 13, 2017

Internship Leads to New Perspective January 11, 2017

South Grad's Office Has Four Wheels January 9, 2017

Screenings Set for Jewish Film Festival January 6, 2017

SOLD! First Preparation, then the Pitch January 4, 2017

Committed to Health Care for the Underserved January 4, 2017

'I Know What They Are Going Through' January 4, 2017

University Holiday Schedule December 22, 2016

Piazza named NAI Fellow, a first for South December 20, 2016

Mobile Designated TechHire Community December 19, 2016

Bringing Order to the Court in Atlanta December 14, 2016

Same Spot, New Address for USA Medical Center December 13, 2016

Meet 'Mr. Shared Leadership' December 12, 2016

'My Job Wasn't to be the Smartest Guy' December 10, 2016

Author Writing His Next Chapter — and Book December 5, 2016

From a Challenging Start, a Fast Finish December 5, 2016

His Mentorship Led to an Internship, Career December 5, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral to Address Graduates December 5, 2016

Governor Appoints South Alumna to Board December 2, 2016

In Search of a Safer Sunscreen December 1, 2016

'Winter Wonderland' set for Mitchell Center November 28, 2016

South Raises $259,263 for Local Agencies November 23, 2016

Keep Calm and Carry Credit Wisely November 22, 2016

7,000 Miles Apart, Two Cultures Cross Paths November 18, 2016

Today in Class: Bananas and Helicopters November 17, 2016

Finding Ways to Starve Cancer Cells November 14, 2016

'A Thrill Ride Not to be Missed' November 14, 2016

Toss Out the Polls? Not So Fast November 9, 2016

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Reduce That Stress November 8, 2016

Four-peat! Jags Take Sun Belt Title November 7, 2016

'It's Important That We Are Visible' November 2, 2016