Q&A WITH UM’S NEW PRESIDENT There’s no doubt, Dr. Lonnie Burnett loves the University of Mobile. Just ask him why. We did.
Q. What do you love most about the University of Mobile? A. I love the people. We have got some great facilities and great technology – things I call “stuff.” However, it’s the people that make us unique. The employees of this university are here because they have a calling. This calling is manifested in the way they pour themselves into the lives of our students. Likewise, the students here are special. They are pursing knowledge and skills that will prepare them for the workplace, but, at the same time, they realize there is a higher purpose. Q. Where do you plan to lead the university in the next five years? A. I want us to fulfil what I believe is our special purpose. Our motto, “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” is more than just a marketing slogan. I truly believe that our mission sets us apart from other institutions. Every university in America (including us) will claim to offer quality academic programs. We will no doubt continue to offer the very best in academic training, but we will also excel in the mentoring aspect of our mission. Our size and our spiritual focus make us uniquely qualified in this regard. Q. What do you see as the university’s strengths? Its challenges? A. As mentioned, our biggest strength is our people. However, we have several other advantages. One is that we are in a great geographical location. Students can leave our campus and be on some of the nation’s greatest beaches in just over an hour. We are also 10 minutes from a thriving downtown area. Another is our traditionally strong tie-in to Alabama’s Baptists. There are over 3,000 Baptist churches in this state.
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They contribute through the Cooperative Program, they support us in prayer, and they send us their kids. Finally, our most noticeable strength is the quality of the “product” we turn out. The quality of our graduates is the best advertising we could have. Q. You often speak about the value of personal relationships and mentors at UM. Who are your mentors? A. I have had several mentors along the way at this university, both as a student and later as a faculty member/administrator. As a student, Dr. Hazel Petersen was my first mentor. As chair of the Division of Education, she taught me the importance of hard work and paying attention to detail. She would accept nothing less that your best effort. When I came here as a full time employee in 2004, I was greatly influenced by Dr. Audrey Eubanks, Dr. Billy Hinson, Dr. Dwight Steedley, and, of course, Dr. Mark Foley. Each of these, in his or her own way, taught me valuable lessons. I also benefitted from working with the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, who are an inspiring group of dedicated professionals. Q. What advice would you give to students considering their future plans after high school? A. When I speak to high school students, I always say they should follow their passion. I understand that they (and, more importantly, their parents) are thinking about a well-paying job. I like to say that there is no amount of money that will make up for being unhappy in a career. The beauty is that if a student will follow their passion, the money will most likely follow. I have been extremely fortunate that, for the last 41 years, I have managed to convince someone to pay me to do what I love. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
