UNIVERSITY NEWS Ashlyn Nichols crowned Miss University of Mobile 2022
Ashlyn Nichols will represent UM throughout 2022 including at the Miss Alabama competition in Photo by Abigail Brock July. A native of Missouri, Nichols discovered UM when she represented her state at the national Distinguished Young Women program in Mobile.
“I really love this school,” Nichols says. “The faculty and staff were so sweet. They just welcomed me, and I have been at home ever since.”
First Female NFL Official Sarah Thomas ’95 Awarded Doctorate
University of Mobile alumna Sarah Bailey Thomas broke glass ceilings to become the first female official in the Photo by Dan Anderson National Football League. She shared lessons learned on that journey during her commencement address to the UM Class of 2021.
Thomas was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters during the outdoor ceremony on campus May 8. The 265 graduates included the first doctoral degrees from the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance programs. Thomas urged graduates to look upon roadblocks as speed bumps “and the quicker you get over the speed bump, the faster it is in your rearview mirror. When you put that in your rearview mirror, don’t look behind you. Your windshield is so much bigger, and there are so many opportunities in front of you.” Thomas graduated from UM in 1995, having earned a basketball scholarship and Academic All-American honors. She began her football officiating career in 1996 when she attended a meeting for aspiring football officials with her brother. She became the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015. On Feb. 7, 2021, she became the first female to officiate a Super Bowl, serving as down judge for Super Bowl LV. 4
TORCHLIGHT | Spring 2022
Tracey Henry ’02 Named 2021 Boykin Award Honoree
Dr. Tracey Henry, a physician and professor with Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, was awarded the 2021 Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence. The psychology graduate attended medical school at Georgetown University and earned her Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkin University. Additionally, Henry was named a UM Alumni of the Decade for the 2000s The Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence was established in 2019 to honor the life of the late Samuel M. Boykin, the first African American graduate of the University of Mobile. The award recognizes outstanding African American graduates of the Christian university who reflect the ideals of virtuosity, faith and charity that Boykin exemplified throughout his career, family and community.
TorchLight Extra! Watch the feb.26, 2021 virtual presentation
Treii Pace ’11 Named 2022 Boykin Award Recipient
The 2022 Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence is awarded to 2011 graduate Treii Pace. The native of Saraland graduated from Satsuma High Photo by Rovy Lopez School and played basketball at the University of Mobile. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Exercise Science. He was named 2021 Teacher of the Year for Saraland Elementary School and the district, and also coaches the girl’s middle school basketball team. The award will be presented at an Alumni Brunch on March 26. (Read Treii’s UM story on Page 40.)
