USA News Archives | Media Relations

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. ...

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. ...

University Holiday Schedule
January 15, 2021

Most University of South Alabama departments will be closed until Jan. 3, 2022. Academic classes resume Jan. 10, 2022. ...

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. ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 of South Alabama street sign.

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. ...

$160.9 Million Raised in Upward & Onward
November 19, 2020

South exceeds fundraising goal with more than 23,000 donations to support academics, research, athletics and healthcare. ...

Dr. Kelly Dorgan, an associate professor of marine science at the University of South Alabama, studies worms and their impact on marine sediment.

The 'Important, Poorly Understood' Worm
November 18, 2020

Dr. Kelly Dorgan studies worms and marine sediment, creatively piecing together what she calls the 'puzzle of science.' ...

Land Newly Available for Research, Teaching
November 17, 2020

Faculty and students will have access to more than 30,000 acres, including land along the Tensaw River in the Mobile Delta. ...

Dr. Kevin White, professor and chair of USA's department of civil, coastal and environmental engineering leads a pilot program addressing wastewater treatment in Alabama's Black Belt region.

USA Leads Program to Address Wastewater Treatment
November 17, 2020

South lands a Columbia World Projects grant that will help improve wastewater treatment in Alabama's rural Black Belt region. ...

From left, University of South Alabama students Crystal Pitts, Josh Yang, Aaron Mattox, Muhammed Mubasshir Hossain and Associate Professor Dr. Saeed Latif meet to discuss the SWARM-EX project that will lead to small satellites being launched into the atmosphere.

Small Satellites, Big Learning Opportunities
November 17, 2020

A USA engineering professor and his students are building light-weight satellites in an out-of-this-world research project. ...

University of South Alabama Assistant Professor Dr. Krista Mehari and Professor Dr. Phillip Smith were awarded a $1.8 million grant to research strategies to reduce gun-related suicides and homicides. The project will last three years and will focus on better understanding the perspective of people who possess and own guns to improve public health strategies.

Grant Seeks to Reduce Gun Deaths
November 17, 2020

Firearm safety measures often focus on access. Two South professors aim to take a different approach with buy-in from gun owners. ...

From left, University of South Alabama President Dr. Tony Waldrop, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile President Dr. André Green, Hancock Whitney Business Banker Tramaine Perry, Alabama Market President Guy Helmsing, Middle Market Banker Angela Dunn, and USA Vice President for Development Margaret Sullivan at Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

Hancock Whitney Gives to Social Justice Scholarship
November 13, 2020

Hancock Whitney Bank pledges $20,000 to the University of South Alabama Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship. ...

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne signs the Deed of Gift as Dr. Tony Waldrop, president of the University of South Alabama, looks on. The University now houses the congressional records of four Alabama District 1 representatives spanning 56 years.

Byrne Donates Congressional Record to USA
November 13, 2020

Rep. Bradley Byrne becomes the fourth consecutive representative from Alabama's 1st Congressional District to gift his record ...