A World of Possibilities

By Amber Kelley

International travel often changes who we are. It challenges us to consider new perspectives, helps us interact with those who are different from us, and leaves us with special memories of missed trains, delayed flights and new foods.

At the University of Mobile, travel is in our blood.

Travel is Tradition

It’s part of the University of Mobile experience, from the choir tours led by music professor Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt throughout the United States and Europe, to the international tours of this summer led by professors and students.

Ensembles from the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts in the Alabama School of the Arts traveled throughout the southeastern United States. RamCorps toured in France and New York City, and Voices of Mobile toured in England and Romania.

Students went to Israel with Professor of Humanities Ted Mashburn, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students went to Paris with Associate Professor of French Barbara Brousseau. Students backpacked in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe on Youth Hostel Missions (YHM). Along the way, current University of Mobile students met alumni who are making their mark worldwide. Surrounded by current students and a couple of alumni in Paris, France, Barbara Brousseau was reminded just how strong the UM community is.

“This trip reminded me and the students that there is value in community. To say, ‘I am a UM Ram’ means something. It opens doors. This

community is genuine,” says Brousseau. Even when you graduate, you are still a part of a deep-rooted community.

Katt Smith ’17 lived in Paris for two years and was in her final weeks in France when the UM group was touring. Smith attends and serves at Emmanuel International Church of Paris where Parker Windle ’04 is pastor. Brousseau also met up with Ember Langley ’15, who is in the process of moving to Paris. Lexi Kilsdonk ’19, just moved to Paris, as well. Brousseau is connecting these alumni to each other.

Smith spoke to the six students accompanying Brousseau about what it’s like to live abroad, the benefits and the challenges.

These students were reminded that living abroad isn’t a far-fetched dream, at least for University of Mobile students. Brousseau says, “Our alumni can end up anywhere on the planet.”

Dr. Lonnie Burnett, UM president and a member of the Class of 1979, believes that international travel is important.

“International travel exposes our students to diverse cultures. With the world increasingly moving to a global economy, such opportunities are invaluable,” Burnett says.

John Matheou, senior, traveled the United Kingdom and Ireland on YHM this summer. Reflecting on his trip, Matheou says, “In all, my perspective of the world has changed completely. I have a new sense of courage and boldness for the gospel, and I’m excited to take it back home. I have four new best friends from my University of Mobile Youth Hostel Missions team that I honestly never thought I would love as much as I do.”

As Mashburn walked the streets of Israel with the UM team, he was enriched by the students making connections between the scriptures and historical sites.

“These students will never forget seeing the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, the Temple Mount and many more sites,” says Mashburn.

Mashburn traveled as a student himself and believes that travel is important to a student’s education. Travel even encouraged Mashburn to teach. As a student, he traveled to England, Austria and Italy. The summer of his senior year was especially transformative, as a he worked in Liberia and West Africa.

“Travel might just be the best form of education. Why? Because when one experiences something personally, one never forgets. Travel made me a better student, better Christian and a better person,” says Mashburn.

Jess Strenth ’19 traveled to England and Romania with the Voices of Mobile and also came back home with a renewed passion to share the gospel.

“I am reminded that across the globe we serve One King. The story is the same in over 6,000 languages. His image is the same in over 8 billion people. And we all have the same calling – to share the gospel with all,” says Strenth.

Thomas Rawls, senior, was among 29 students who went on the RamCorps trip to France. He says it was great to spend time with bands from different countries and experience different cultures.

Rawls says, “It was incredible to get to share the differences in our upbringing and societies, all the while focusing the conversations on my relationship with God and how He has changed my life.”

At the University of Mobile we are distinctively driven – driven to expose our students to the world, different cultures, new experiences and endless possibilities to live out their Great Commission calling anywhere in the world.

The World is Your Classroom

By Heath Vester

College is a transformative time for most. It is an opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and develop independence from your past. For me, college was just that – a time to go and explore new parts of the world, meet new people and make new friends. Although I grew up in Mobile and practically went to college in my own back yard, the University of Mobile gave me the world as my classroom.

First, I traveled to India with the School of Christian Studies. Our goal was to partner with an organization to survey water wells in rural villages.

This trip opened my eyes to underdeveloped communities and sparked compassion for the people. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. It made me think about the world in a different way. It gave me a new respect for other cultures and showed me that we are more connected and have more in common than what separates us.

The following summer I traveled to Paris with French studies. Our goal was to experience the culture and immerse ourselves in the language. I wanted to really experience Paris. While the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are amazing, I wanted more. We explored neighborhoods outside of the main tourist hotspots, visited small cafes, and made friends with the people we met. By the end of the trip, Paris felt like home. It also energized me, inspired me, and fueled my creative spirit.

My senior year, I applied for Youth Hostel Missions. Our goal was to build relationships and share our faith with other travelers we met along the way during our three-week backpacking trip through Europe. Our journey was full of historical sites, dinners with strangers, lots of coffee, and heartfelt conversations. We traveled from Rome to Florence to Grindelwald, Switzerland to Munich, to Prague, to Berlin, and finally to Amsterdam.

In each city we met people from all around the world, all with different world views. It showed me that the world is a much smaller place than you think. It taught me to find common ground with people who live on the opposite side of the world.

The experiences you have while traveling are ones that can change your life. I have learned so much about the world and myself by taking advantage of the opportunities I had in college at the University of Mobile. International travel expanded my world, deepened my faith, and sparked a new sense of adventure that continues to push me out of my everyday routine.

Proud to Be a Ram!

As a new academic year begins at the University of Mobile, I think about my days as a student athlete and the many wonderful people that I crossed paths with. It makes me proud to not only be a graduate of one of the Best Small Colleges in the nation, according to College Consensus, but to see the Christian impact that is shown in our community each day.

I believe every graduate of the University of Mobile can say they are a better person professionally and spiritually because of their time at UM. The university’s vision statement talks about being “a premier Christ-centered academic community providing comprehensive liberal arts and professional programs to distinctively transform the world.” The founders of our university over 50 years ago would be proud of what the University of Mobile is today.

I want to encourage our alumni to continue to be part of YOUR university. Attend our annual scholarship banquet on Oct. 1, come to the many performances presented by the Alabama School of the Arts, or support the Rams athletic program. You can follow the University of Mobile Alumni Facebook page and UM’s flagship social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

I look forward to seeing you at the University of Mobile!

Go Rams!

R. Thomas “Tommy” Ankerson Jr. Class of 2001 President, University of Mobile Alumni Association

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