Issuu

Experience the Difference. SPRING 2024

M E S S AG E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T In several of Paul’s letters to the early churches, the Apostle would chastise groups or individuals regarding a certain misguided belief, a dangerous heresy or perhaps a harmful practice. This was not the case in his epistle to the church at Ephesus. In fact, he praised them for their faith and their love for each other. He noted that he had never stopped giving thanks for their faithfulness (Ephesians 1:15-16). This is my heart as I write my last piece for a University of Mobile publication. I am so thankful for the hundreds of people who have been so faithful in their service to this university, our students and, most importantly, to the Lord. Although I can never make an exhaustive list, the following deserve special mention. Our Board of Trustees give of their time with no compensation because they believe in our mission. The senior leadership team constantly makes me look smart through their tireless dedication and collective wisdom. Our faculty members are unmatched in their knowledge and ability. The staff always finds ways to make more bricks with less straw. I am thankful to anyone who makes it possible for our students to attend this institution—donors, Alabama Baptist churches, employers, parents and others. All of these groups, and more, understand that there is no higher purpose than preparing our young people to pursue their God-given calling. For that, I am thankful.

President, University of Mobile 2

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Experience the Difference. Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of TorchLight, where our theme Experience the Difference invites you to explore the people, places and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. Our cover story, Science in Action, introduces you to the world of our natural sciences department, where curiosity meets discovery with hands-on learning experiences that set our science programs apart. In A Wonderful Journey, we pay tribute to our institution’s 5th president in the final days of his administration. As an alumnus, professor, dean, senior administrator and – since 2019 – president of the University of Mobile, Dr. Lonnie Burnett has invested his boundless energy and deep devotion into guiding his alma mater through turbulent times, including a worldwide pandemic. As the Board of Trustees prepares to name the university’s 6th president, we relive those early days when a freshman bound for the presidency bounded up the back steps of Weaver Hall.

University News ................................................. 4 Rams Roundup ................................................. 8 Experience the Difference ............................... 10 A Wonderful Journey .................................... 14 Science in Action ............................................. 20 She Wears the Crown ................................. 26 From Parchment to Pixels .............................. 32 Building a Legacy ........................................... 38 Advancement & Alumni News ..................... 42 Alumni Association ........................................ 44 Class Notes ..................................................... 48 TorchLight is published by the University of Mobile Office for Marketing and Public Relations and is distributed free of charge to alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Issues are online at umtorchlight.com. Postmaster: send address changes to Office for Marketing & Pubilc Relations, University of Mobile.

She Wears the Crown shines a spotlight on the impact of the title Miss University of Mobile on the lives of alumni. From Parchment to Pixels shares how the gift of a 400-year-old bible not only enriches our university’s collection, but also symbolizes our enduring commitment to spreading the gospel in the digital age. You will learn about The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign, a new fundraising initiative to restore one of our most iconic landmarks; meet our new Alumni Council; and discover how you can support Higher Education for a Higher Purpose. From our founding over six decades ago, the University of Mobile continues to be a beacon lighting the way for future generations through a faith-based approach to higher education that transcends the ordinary.

President | Lonnie Burnett Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations | Lesa Moore Editor | Kathy Dean Graphic Design | Heath Vester Writers | Brian Boyle, Kathy Dean, David Haney, Haley Ikner Haney, Sydney Snow, Molly Grace Watkins Photography | Camden Jewell, Rovy Lopez, Heath Vester Editorial Office University of Mobile, TorchLight 5735 College Parkway Mobile, Alabama 36613 Phone: 251.442.2497 Email: torchlight@umobile.edu Cover Photo: Camden Jewell ’23

umobile.edu 3 3 umobile.edu

University News University

News

Keep up with UM news at umobile.edu/news

TORCHLIGHT 2024

including how to book College Woods Center for your event or links to schedule appearances by UM performing arts ensembles, at umobile.edu/um-resources.

Christmas Spec 2023 The University of Mobile celebrated the joy of Christmas and the reason for the season during Christmas Spectacular 2023 at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Footage from the four performances is being edited by Production Technology students, alumni and faculty. It will be available for viewing following the Spring 2024 semester.

Disc Golf Tourney The University of Mobile has a variety of resources available to the public, including access to one of the best disc golf courses in south Alabama! Alumni Josh Hollingsworth ’17, left, and Logan Moore ’17 are following up their successful Ram Jam Classic disc golf tournament last September with The Ram Rumble on March 16, a C-tier PDGA-sanctioned singles tournament. Sign up at discgolfscene.com. You will find information about more UM resources,

Mark Foley Hall Revealed In a surprise announcement during graduation 2023, UM President Lonnie Burnett revealed the name of UM’s newest residence hall: Mark Foley Hall. Over 3,000 graduates and families watching a video screen on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn witnessed the unveiling. On hand to experience the moment was President Emeritus Mark Foley, who delivered the commencement address. Formerly known as “The Timbers,” the three-story residence hall was built during Foley’s 18-year tenure as university president. The nearly 40,000-square-foot building includes 24 apartments housing four students each and was part of a total $44.8 million investment in capital projects during Foley’s service as president. A time capsule sealed in the lobby floor is set to be opened in 2061 on the 100th anniversary of the university. See the reveal video on our Youtube Channel as part of the 2023 commencment

umobile.edu

Forbes Lists UM Among Best Employers in Nation The University of Mobile is named one of “America’s Best Small Employers” for 2023 by Forbes. UM is among only 300 companies nationwide and the only educational institution in Alabama selected from an initial pool of over 10,000 businesses. UM employs 185 full-time and 75 part-time faculty and staff, with up to 90 student workers during the academic year.

Record First-Year Student Enrollment A record-breaking number of 288 first-time freshmen, an overall 14% increase in new students, plus an impressive 72% retention rate pushed enrollment growth to 1,916 students for fall semester 2023. Fall semester 2022 enrollment was 1,851. UM’s 72% retention rate is far above the Alabama average of 66.25% overall and 69.75% for private universities in the state. The national average for private colleges is 68%.

School of Nursing Earns Another 100% NCLEX Score, Named #1 BSN Program in Alabama For the second consecutive year, the University of Mobile School of Nursing scored

TORCHLIGHT 2024

a perfect 100% pass rate for Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates taking the NCLEX national licensure examination in 2023. In 2022, UM was the only school in Alabama to receive a 100% pass rate. The ranking and information site NursingEducation.org named UM’s BSN program #1 in Alabama for 2023. Nursing graduates are required to pass the NCLEX to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States and Canada. The standardized test assesses a candidate’s competency and ability to provide safe, effective nursing care prior to entering the profession.

Master of Athletic Training Program Accredited The Master of Athletic Training program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athlete Training Education (CAATE) in April 2023, prior to the first class graduating in May 2023. Program strengths cited by CAATE included the program’s small cohort sizes which are ideal for maintaining exceptional didactic and clinical learning experiences, the ability to provide a variety of quality clinical experiences across multiple patient care settings for all students, the commitment to the success of the MAT program by clinical preceptors including UM’s medical director for the program Dr. Matthew Busbee MD (The Orthopedic Group), and the exceptional use of simulation in the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice.

Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt and continued for almost 30 years. More information coming soon at umobile.edu/pas.

SGA Officers Elected UM held its first Student Government Association (SGA) election in four years in November 2023, due to disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic. Voter turnout exceeded expectations, demonstrating students’ enthusiasm for shaping the future of their institution and UM’s commitment to student representation and engagement. Four executive officers and 11 senate representatives are now working on various projects to enhance the student experience at UM.

Looking Ahead Make plans to be part of these upcoming major events. Spring Spectacular 2024 March 22 at 7 p.m., Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn, $10 admission. Alternate dates in case of inclement weather are March 23 or 24. umobile.edu/pas.

Boar’s Head Festival Returns December 2024

Leadership Banquet Featuring Mike Pompeo April 6 at 6:30 p.m., Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center. umobile.edu/banquet.

A University of Mobile tradition returns in December 2024 as the Alabama School of the Arts Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts presents the UM Boar’s Head Festival as part of the Performing Arts Series. The Boar’s Head Festival was started in 1971 by the late

Commencement May 4 at 9 a.m., Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn. umobile.edu/graduation.

umobile.edu

Rams Roundup

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS By David Haney ’16 From all over the world, well over 300 student-athletes each year choose to attend the University of Mobile to not only receive an education, but to carry on promising athletic careers that began at young ages. In the UM Athletic Department, which currently houses 21 competitive sports, student-athlete and team success is strived for, both athletically and academically. That successful nature is attracting attention, as success breeds success. Photo: NAIA Staff

The Competitive Cheer program has also been a force over the last five years, earning national qualifying bids during each year and claiming the most recent SSAC Competitive Cheer Championship in 2023.

Photo: SSAC Staff

The Men’s Soccer program, led by 10th-year head coach Daniel Whelan, has put together a remarkable 68-17-7 record over the last five seasons, qualifying for the national championship tournament in the NAIA Division during each year. Whelan is a four-time Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year, including the most recent 2023 campaign which saw the team earn the SSAC Men’s Soccer Championship trophy.

TORCHLIGHT 2024

For the Softball program, seventh-year head coach Alison Sellers-Cook has led her team to a 92-19 record over the last two seasons and is expected to be a top team once again in the NAIA at the start of the 2024 season. The success year in and year out from just these three of the 21 athletic programs at UM has begun to multiply, with other teams joining in on the fun. The Indoor Volleyball program, led by Jon Campbell who started the team in 2005 and will begin his 20th season in August of 2024, has qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament in three of the last four seasons, finishing as the runner-up in the

SSAC Championship Tournament in back-to-back seasons across 2022 and 2023.

Photo: SSAC Staff

Baseball won the program’s first-ever SSAC Championship in May of 2023, qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2019. Both Men’s and Women’s Basketball began the most recent 2023-24 season as two of the top teams in the SSAC Conference, with the women’s basketball program putting together the best start through 18 games in program history under first-year head coach Sydney Westry. For men’s basketball, the team was ranked inside the NAIA Top 25 to open the year, the first national ranking in over a decade.

The team success continues to grow throughout the UM Athletic Department, and where there is team success, individual success comes, too. Multiple student-athletes from across all programs have earned NAIA All-America status athletically and academically in recent years, while adding SSAC All-Conference and All-Academic honors. Track and Field and Cross Country programs see several NAIA National Championship qualifiers each season across different events, while the Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams see standouts compete at the national tennis tournament each season. Success at the University of Mobile is defined not only athletically, but academically as well. The University of Mobile continues to lead the SSAC Conference in Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes, with the Beach Volleyball team leading the entire NAIA Division in scholar-athletes in 2023. As success on a team level and individual level continues to grow throughout the University of Mobile Athletic Department, the ultimate goal goes beyond trophies or banners. The biggest wins of all come when coaches, faculty and staff at the University of Mobile can build strong, lasting relationships with student-athletes who came to play a sport and earn a degree. The goal is to make a difference in a student-athlete’s life, setting that student up for success in life itself.

Keep up with all things UM Athletics at umobilerams.com Photo: UM Athletics

umobile.edu

Experience the Difference. By Kathy Dean Photos by Camden Jewell ’23

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Ask students why they chose the University of Mobile, and you’re likely to hear something like this: I knew from the first moment I stepped on campus… This was the place God was calling me to be. There is just something different – something special – about this place. At the University of Mobile, we believe students deserve a college experience that goes beyond the traditional classroom. Where they will be empowered to reach their full potential. Where they will truly Know & Be Known. In a world where education often feels impersonal and disconnected, The University of Mobile offers transformative education, community spirit and a faith-based approach that transcends the ordinary.

umobile.edu

The RAMS Approch to Student Engagement A University of Mobile difference has always been the personal attention students receive. Now, a new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) aims to enhance the student success culture at UM through The RAMS Approach to Student Engagement.

The footprint of the university’s Student Success Center is being expanded, with improved academic achievement interventions for first-year students and proactive student information on topics dealing with mental health, academic success and career planning. For more about the QEP, visit umobile.edu/rams.

Exceptional Hospitality Initiative The University of Mobile has always been a welcoming place, and a new Exceptional Hospitality initiative creates an internal customer service framework for delivering exceptional hospitality throughout all areas of the university. The robust, scripture-based framework is built on four pillars of hospitality: Kindness, Personalization, Resourcefulness and Proactiveness.

The RAMS Approach is built on four foundations: Relationships, Activities, Mentorship and Support. Through intentional action plans incorporated throughout the university, the program’s goals are to: - Strengthen the sense of community among students by fostering relationships - Increase student participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities - Foster higher quality mentoring interactions between students and faculty in the advising process - Increase the use and perceived value of the Student Success Center. The initial pilot of the RAMS Approach was launched with a revised UM 101 curriculum for new students, the creation of a UM 101 Extra-curricular Expo to help new students get connected to clubs and organizations, and additional professional development for faculty advisors.

TORCHLIGHT 2024

As fall semester 2023 started, faculty and staff received “hospitality toolkits” filled with practical resources that empower employees to create “wow” moments for others – notecards to write encouraging messages, discount coupons to The U to brighten a student’s day, even branded M&Ms to sweeten a moment. A new “Dreamweaver Committee” composed of representatives from various departments meets monthly to plan events to show appreciation for employees and build community among faculty and staff. Uplifting “Stories of Hospitality” are shared in weekly emails highlighting the ways employees have used the principles of exceptional hospitality to help others Experience the Difference of the University of Mobile.

umobile.edu

A WONDERFUL JOURNEY Dr. Lonnie Burnett reflects on his path from Mobile College student to University of Mobile president as May retirement approaches. By Dr. Lonnie Burnett • Photos by Rovy Lopez

TORCHLIGHT 2024

It seems like yesterday. It was a hot August morning in 1976. I had just recently turned 18, had long hair (parted in the middle), was the proud owner of a new Chevy Vega, would soon start dating a gorgeous 17-year-old blonde, and was ready to, and confident that I would, conquer the world. I came up the driveway past recently planted oak trees facing the main (and only) classroom building at the top of the hill. I parked in the back and literally bounced up the steps through the back door of what is now Weaver Hall and made my way to my first class as a collegian. I felt the excitement, mingled with apprehension that all new college students experience. At the heart of my emotions was the belief that these next years were going to make a difference in my life. Fast-forward almost 50 years. Each day, I drive up that same entrance – but so much has changed. Mobile College is now the University of Mobile. I pass majestic, mature oaks. I still see Weaver Hall, updated with a roof, portico and cupola. I pass so many buildings that weren’t here in the ’70s. The stress of trying to find a student parking space has been replaced with the joy of a reserved spot. Rather than bouncing, I leisurely walk up the steps through that same door heading, not to a freshman class, but to the president’s office. Also, the gorgeous 17-year-old blonde is now the gorgeous first lady and my wife of 43 years. Indeed, so much has changed over six decades since the University of Mobile was founded in 1961. However, there have been some important constants. As in 1976, each day begins with that same combination of excitement and apprehension. There is no higher purpose than the academic training and spiritual mentoring that takes place on this campus. That task is both exhilarating and daunting. Likewise, my belief in the life-changing difference this university can make has never wavered. Experience the

Difference is more than a marketing slogan — it is a call to action through faith. When I was a student, the faculty and staff poured into my life. A day seldom passes when I don’t think about Dr. Petersen, Dr. Weaver, Dr. Davis, Dr. Eubanks, Dr. Garner, etc. Each, in their own way, took time to care about me as an individual. That culture of caring that began at Mobile College still thrives among the dedicated faculty and staff at the University of Mobile.

As a faculty member, it has been my honor to teach and serve with so many gifted colleagues. We have labored mightily through often trying times. We have celebrated and mourned together. Most significantly, I have had the awesome privilege and responsibility to teach several thousand students over 45 years. My first love is the classroom. All I ever wanted to be was a history teacher, and anything beyond that was, as my father would say, “just gravy.” It has been a wonderful journey. Our people have been remarkable and our God has been faithful. On behalf of Lynne and myself, I thank you all for your confidence, patience, support and, most of all, your friendship.

umobile.edu

‘The Honor of a Lifetime’ This university is a better place because of Dr. Lonnie Burnett. - Senior faculty member Dr. Ted Mashburn

By Kathy Dean Sometimes it is the little things that say a lot about a person. Each May, on the Friday morning before Saturday’s graduation ceremony, University of Mobile President Lonnie Burnett, his wife Lynne, and about 10 faculty members from the College of Arts & Sciences gather in front of Weaver Hall where 3,500 white folding chairs are stacked on pallets. Armed with specially cut PVC pipes and string to measure spacing between the rows, Burnett leads the 5-hour operation to set out chairs on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn – then follows that up by leading students in graduation practice. What started as a cost-saving measure has become one of many examples of how UM’s 5th president has thrown himself into the challenge of leading his alma mater, setting the institution’s sights on making the UM experience different, personal and exceptional. “One of the really amazing things about Lonnie is that he is a tireless worker who seldom asks anyone to do anything he hasn’t already done,” said longtime faculty member and humanities professor Dr. Ted Mashburn. “From overseeing building renovations to developing academic programs to complying with accrediting agencies to simply moving chairs for the graduation ceremony, Lonnie has always been down in the trenches doing the heavy lifting. There is so much admiration I have for Lonnie Burnett.”

Mission Accomplished As Burnett closes out his tenure as president on May 30, 2024, he does so having accomplished the goals he set out to achieve 16

TORCHLIGHT 2024

when the UM Board of Trustees unanimously elected him president on Nov. 22, 2019, following a six-month stint as interim president.

Accomplishments during Burnett’s five-year tenure include: • Providing a quality academic, spiritual and social experience for students • Defying national trends of declining enrollment • Ensuring financial stability • Paying down over $5 million in debt and increasing cash reserves • Increasing faculty and staff salaries • Strengthening positive relationships with Alabama Baptists • Overseeing nearly $3 million in new construction and renovations through existing funds and fund-raising efforts • Renovating the College Woods Center as an event space for the university • Implementing new academic programs including the Associate Degree in Nursing and new master’s degrees in the College of Arts & Sciences • Starting the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program which has expanded and continues to have a waiting list of prospective students. Remarkably, these goals were accomplished despite a global pandemic that started four months after Burnett became president. In his final year, the university launched the Experience the Difference marketing campaign and is completing its SACSCOC 10-year reaffirmation process.

2019

2023

2011

umobile.edu

TORCHLIGHT 2024

UM Board of Trustee Chairman Terry Harbin said Burnett “brought vision and clarity to the mission of the University of Mobile, while adding strength and stability up and down the organization. I know I speak for the entire Board when I say the university has been served extremely well by his time as our president.”

The Next Chapter Burnett resists the term “retire,” noting that his retirement after 25 years as a teacher in the Mobile County Public School System led to the start of his 20-year University of Mobile career where he served as professor of history, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, associate vice president and president. Along the way, he compiled an impressive scholarly research record that includes two books published through the University of Alabama Press. He continues to be active in the community, where he has

served as a member of the Saraland City School Board since 2011 and was named to the 2017 All-State School Board by the Alabama Association of School Boards. Among his final duties as president, Burnett will deliver UM’s commencement address on May 4. He will stand on the podium on the Great Commission Lawn, with Weaver Hall behind him and the 3,500 chairs he helped to set out in front of him. As he congratulates and challenges UM’s newest graduates to pursue God’s calling for their lives – a calling that the University of Mobile has prepared them to fulfill – among the Class of 2024 may be a future UM college president in the making, taking the first steps that will lead to what Burnett says is the most remarkable accomplishment in his career. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve my alma mater in this role,” said Dr. Lonnie Burnett.

2022 Presenting Doctor of Humane Letters to Sarah Bailey Thomas ’95. umobile.edu

Science in Action

The University of Mobile’s Natural Sciences program fuses theory and practice through immersive experiences, from cadaver dissections in our nationally accredited gross anatomy lab to field studies aboard a research vessel in Mobile Bay.

By Kathy Dean • Photos by Rovy Lopez Natural Sciences Department faculty, from left: Dr. Salomon Itza, professor of physics; Kim Albins, assistant professor of marine science; Dr. Cynthia Littlejohn, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Wanda Jones, assistant professor of chemistry; and Dr. Ashley Lindsey, assistant professor of biology.

20 TORCHLIGHT 2024

Students in the Natural Sciences program at the University of Mobile are not just learning science – they are living it. In the nationally accredited Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab, students delve into the complexities of anatomy using human cadavers. Meanwhile, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab research vessel Alabama Discovery turns the vast expanse of Mobile Bay into a living laboratory, where students can study marine biology in an incredibly diverse ecosystem that serves as a nursery habitat to many species of fish and invertebrates. In Weaver Hall, an aquaponics lab cycles nutrients through a closed circuit of bacteria, fish and crop plants, teaching students how chemistry affects our environment and how to live and maintain sustainability in the world. As night falls, students gather on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn for “Stargazing with Dr. Itza” and a chance to explore constellations that are cited in the Bible, like Orion and The Big Bear. (Job 9:9)

The Natural Sciences at UM The natural sciences encompass the study of matter and energy (physical science) and the study of living things (life science.) The University of Mobile offers majors in Biology, including secondary certification that qualifies graduates to teach biology; Pre-Health Biology designed for students interested in attending various medical professional schools; and Marine Science, which can lead to a variety of careers ranging from marine technology and engineering to ocean mapping and oceanography. Minors are offered in these areas, as well as in chemistry. Program graduates have been accepted to medical and graduate schools, employed in laboratories and hospitals, worked in cancer research, pursued ecological careers, taught in middle and high school settings, and more.

These experiences do more than prepare students for exams – they deepen understanding and ignite a passion for discovery that textbooks alone could never kindle. Dr. Matthew Downs, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, says it’s all part of the Christian university’s student-centered experience. “For students in the Natural Sciences classroom, that means one-on-one interactions with the professor, student-led projects and hands-on work. Whether in the classroom, in the lab, on a boat or under the stars, our students explore the wonder of Creation with caring, engaging professors,” Downs said.

Learn By Doing A theme running throughout UM’s Natural Sciences program is an emphasis on experiential learning, where students learn by doing. Senior Pre-Health Biology major Brooke Turner describes the first course she took in the Natural Sciences Department that nurtured her love for research and sparked

umobile.edu

her calling to work in a research lab. In the Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab, named for the late professor who created and designed the lab in 2018, undergraduate students have the advantage of working with human cadavers well before most of their peers at other universities, who must wait until they enter medical school to have this experience. The anatomy lab includes a plastination lab that uses forced polymer impregnation to preserve tissues and organs to allow further study.

“We are given a case study with a human cadaver and perform an ongoing autopsy to research everything about the medical history of the cadaver. I have always been a hands-on learner, and this class was something that came very easily and naturally to me, because it took everything from a textbook and put it right in front of me. I could touch, feel and examine everything that I had only been able to see on paper over the years. “I have grown to love the vast field of research over my time at the University of Mobile, and I have taken extra courses to dig deeper and learn more about the research field. Directed Study courses have extended many opportunities to broaden my knowledge of the research field, such as courses in water purification, diagnostic imaging, pathophysiology, etc. With the water purification research, I was given the opportunity to work with a magnetic field pulse apparatus and study its effects on

22 TORCHLIGHT 2024

purifying water by tearing apart bacteria. This is the kind of unique experience that the University of Mobile offers which allowed me to fall in love with research.” - Brooke Turner, Class of 2024 Gross Anatomy is a required course for all of UM’s Biology and Pre-Health majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, and for UM’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) students in the School of Health and Sports Science, College of Health Professions. During Fall Semester 2023, MAT students from BIO 525 Human Gross Anatomy presented a “Lunch and Learn” about current donor specimens, including a presentation on how some conditions they discovered can be avoided, such as adrenal diseases, osteoarthritis, neurocognitive disease, skin cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Dr. Ashley Lindsey, assistant professor of biology and director of the Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab, says she would like to see the lab become a hub for interdisciplinary and intercollegiate collaborations in the Mobile area. “It is an excellent resource and environment to support training programs for multiple research and clinical-based professions,” Lindsey said, inviting interested groups to tour the lab and discuss projects with faculty and students.

A Solid Scientific Foundation The University of Mobile’s location on the Gulf Coast offers a unique opportunity for students in the Marine Science program. As part of the Marine Environmental Science Consortium (MESC), UM students have access to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) research station just an hour from campus. A summer program offers students the unique opportunity to live and study at the research station.

Photo: Camden Jewell ’23

umobile.edu

During a field trip in Mobile Bay aboard the DISL research vessel Alabama Discovery, natural sciences students collected data from trawl surveys, plankton tows and oceanographic instruments to analyze data and write independent research papers. “One idea I plan to pursue is to develop a May-term field class where students spend time outdoors learning about ecology and appreciating God’s creation while also diving into our role as Christians to protect and conserve natural resources. I want students leaving our program to have a solid scientific foundation, practical hands-on experience and a theological understanding of their role in protecting natural resources,” said Kim Albins, assistant professor of marine science. “I’d also like us to have our own research boat so that our students can access the waterways nearby,” she added.

The UM Difference The university’s quality academic program is a key to the success of graduates from the Natural Sciences program. But it is the culture of this Christ-centered university and the dedication and commitment of the faculty – the UM Difference – that positions students for success. “The University of Mobile has enhanced my life through knowledge, networking and faith,” says Shanta Williams, a senior majoring in Biology who plans to become a physician. “I am grateful for the exceptional efforts of each of my professors. I’ve been blessed to form so many remarkable relationships with professors, staff and students. Being a part of a Christian campus has enhanced my relationship with God and my ability to be more like Christ in my courses, my community and my life in general.” Even students who don’t major in the natural sciences are impacted by UM’s

TORCHLIGHT 2024

science faculty. Dr. Salomon Itza, professor of physics, hosts “Stargazing with Dr. Itza” events each spring semester.

On clear nights, Itza sets up telescopes on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn in front of Weaver Hall and hosts stargazing nights for members of his PH 215 Astronomy class as well as students, faculty and staff from throughout the university. He hosts similar events during important astronomical moments like the solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023. “I am passionate about teaching astronomy because it is a science I can use to reach out to all students,” Itza said, noting it offers an opportunity to introduce physics concepts like colors and temperatures of stars. Whether they are gazing at stars through a telescope, examining the structure of a heart in anatomy lab, pulling up a trawling net on Mobile Bay, or conducting experiments in chemistry or water purification – students who study the the natural sciences at the University of Mobile have a unique opportunity, says Itza. “We can observe every day and night the wonders created by our Lord.”

SHOP THE

Find all the University of Mobile gear online at universityofmobilestore.com umobile.edu

She Wears the Crown How the Miss University of Mobile Title Impacts Lives By Molly Grace Watkins • Photos by Camden Jewell ’23

26 TORCHLIGHT 2024

The lights dim as you grasp the hands of your fellow contestants. This is the moment that you all have been waiting for. The hours of preparation and countless rehearsals all culminate to this moment. For an instant, it seems as if time has stopped. The silence is deafening, yet it ends abruptly with thunderous applause as you hear the words: “You are the next Miss University of Mobile!”

Each lady took the lessons that wearing the crown taught them and built upon that in their own lives.

The Heart of Miss University of Mobile Stays Constant

In that moment, a young woman knows her life is about to change forever.

In 58 years, the Miss University of Mobile program has gone through many changes. However, the values of Miss UM remain constant.

The Miss University of Mobile competition is one of the university’s most cherished traditions that embodies community and servant leadership. This title means so much more than a dazzling crown or a chance to be in the spotlight. Wearing the crown gives each young woman the opportunity to make a difference and leave an impact that will last a lifetime.

At its inception, titleholders were crowned as the result of a student vote instead of a panel of judges. Now many years later, the woman wearing the crown is selected by a panel of five judges. Miss University of Mobile has also been a preliminary for the Miss Alabama competition. Now, each lady has the choice whether she would like to pursue that route or stay more local in the ways that she serves.

“Not only is the Miss University of Mobile program a way for young ladies to represent and serve their student body and the university as a whole, but it’s also an incredible chance for these women to come together, celebrate one another, and grow in their God-given giftings and talents. So often, I have the pleasure of walking alongside these young ladies from commitment date to program date, encouraging them to become the best version of themselves and push the boundaries of their perceived limitations. In those moments, that’s where you find the importance of a program such as this. It’s so much bigger than placing a crown on someone’s head. It can truly be a life-altering experience for those involved.” – Hannah Clardy ’19 & ’22, Director of Miss UM

Joannie Munger Glisson, Miss Mobile College ’72, says, “One thing that remains constant is the search for a person who sets a positive example for the community, remains strong in her faith, loves UM, and encourages others to attend. One of the many responsibilities Miss UM demonstrates is the support she continues to give to the mission of UM, which is to provide not only a quality education to all students but to promote a Christ-based foundation for them as well.”

Since Sally Holmes was crowned the first Miss Mobile College in 1965, titleholders have become news anchors, teachers, journalists, managers, missionaries and more.

Both Miss University of Mobile and Miss Mobile College needed to have a heart for serving and ministering to people. In hearing from former titleholders, this is exactly the kind of people who gained the opportunity to wear the crown.

umobile.edu

The Women Who Wore the Crown “My favorite thing to do as Miss Mobile College was mentor and invest in younger girls and to get the chance to walk alongside them through the gospel. This is something I still do to this day with younger women in the ministry or those preparing for ministry. Life is hard in this broken world we live in, and we all need someone we can completely trust and who can encourage us to keep running the race. I want to be that person for those who feel they have no one.” – Lori Gaston Haight, ’92, Last Miss Mobile College, Ministry “Lessons I learned from being Miss UM were things like learning to interview, which has served me well countless times. Also, I learned to speak publicly and to be winsome on matters of importance. I learned that serving others with intentionality ministered to my soul and still does to this very day.” – Christy Wynn Williams, ’04, Local Missionary “Since I participated in the Miss University of Mobile pageant, I have only grown in my confidence more and more daily! Miss University of Mobile was one of the first things I did that was truly nerve-wracking as it was out of my comfort zone. It challenged me to face fear head-on! Now, I am living in Paris, France

28 TORCHLIGHT 2024

working an international career in marketing. I am so grateful for my experience!” – Ember Langley, ’13, Marketing “Being Miss UM was exactly what I needed to come into my own personality. It was the catalyst that showed me my own strengths: hospitality, engagement, and communication!” – Brooke Sanders, ’14, Social Worker “Serving as Miss UM was one of my greatest gifts. The relationships made and the opportunities granted were nothing short of a blessing. The University of Mobile is a special place that holds kindness and love, and I will forever be grateful for the time I had to represent the university.” – Chelsey Sayasane Sklopan, ’17, Co-host to Studio10 and Fox10 Midday “The true significance of wearing the crown is hard to put into words. In the end, I was forever changed. I walked away taller and more connected to the calling that the Lord placed on my life! Without this organization, I would not be the woman I am today.” – Raven Young Casey, ’19, Teacher “As Miss UM, I learned what it meant to seize every moment to shine the light of Jesus, realizing that I was simply a vessel for Him. I learned how to listen to others, show

umobile.edu

30 TORCHLIGHT 2024

compassion and stand for something much greater than myself. Now that I’ve traded my crown for a microphone, my purpose remains the same – to reflect the good news of the gospel in a dark and broken world and, through storytelling, bring hope to those around me!” – Ashlyn Nichols Mitchell, ’22, Multi-media journalist “The best part about being Miss UM was the chance to see the different sides of the university. I got to meet people and minister to people that I never would have gotten to, and even though I am no longer wearing the crown, opportunities still present themselves to me. Also, I am getting my master’s for free because of the Miss UM association, so I am forever indebted to this organization!” – Michaella Johnson, ’23, UM Enrollment Counselor A full list of titleholders is available at umobile.edu/missum.

Miss UM Legacy Scholarship The Miss UM organization has awarded over $250,000 in tuition benefits during its 58 years. A way to further the next generation of Miss University of Mobiles is to give to the Miss UM Legacy scholarship. The Miss UM Board of Directors and prior title holders are working to increase scholarship opportunities through the new Miss University of Mobile Legacy Scholarship. This award provides cash scholarships for Miss University of Mobile to help offset educational expenses. Previous Miss University of Mobile and Miss

Mobile College title holders are invited to pledge a variation of their title year annually toward the award for the next Miss UM. Those who wish to support the program are encouraged to donate as well. To give, visit umobile.edu/missum.

Making a Difference Not only do former crown-wearers understand the impact of this legacy, but current Miss University of Mobile AnnaKatherine Bell knows this privilege is one that will shape her future. It also gives her a unique platform to shape the future at UM. “Gaining the title of Miss UM 2024 gives you access to meeting all sorts of different people from various walks of life. God has used this for me to be able to minister to people in the community in ways that I would have never been able to,” she says. One of those ways is her initiative, “The Growth Project,” that aims to create a daylily garden in partnership with The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign. (See page 38)

The Legacy that Lasts a Lifetime Wearing the crown is no simple task. As the current and former titleholders look back on their legacy and all the hard work that they have put into this organization, what stands out is not the crown atop their head or the sash around their waist. What stands out to them are the experiences they gained and the people they met through this program. Each young woman used the opportunity as a selfless way to serve greater matters. Whether it be through leading spiritually, or becoming more confident, each titleholder sought out how to encourage the hearts of students at UM. Ultimately, each leading lady learned that wearing the Miss University of Mobile crown was less about donning a sparkly tiara, but more about learning how to wear their eternal crown. umobile.edu

Parchment Pixels F RO M

As the University of Mobile embraces the past, engages with the present, and looks toward the future, the enduring power of God’s Word continues to unfold in diverse and transformative ways. By Kathy Dean • Photos by Camden Jewell ’23 32

TORCHLIGHT 2024

When University of Mobile alumnus Dr. Leslie Holmes ’75 first saw the 400-year-old “bits of a Bible in a box” at his uncle’s home in northern Ireland, it was the beginning of a four-year passion project that would span Ireland, Scotland and England – and bring Holmes and his wife, Barbara, back to Mobile, Alabama, and the university that took him in when nobody else would.

A conversation about Belfast, and a longer conversation about Holmes’ desire to preach the gospel – coupled with Matthews’ belief that the university “could not turn away a man God has called to preach” – paved the way for Holmes to enroll on academic probation. He thrived, graduated in 1975, then pursued graduate training in theology and psychology.

Holmes shepherded the box filled with pieces of centuries-old brittle pages through the challenges of a global pandemic in a collaborative process with world-renowned restorationists who used techniques and materials common in the early 1600s to preserve the book’s historical integrity. The couple presented the restored 1627 King James Bible to the University of Mobile during a reception in J. Maury Lyon Chapel on Sept. 26, 2023. It is the oldest Bible in a university collection that includes a Hebrew Torah Scroll dated to 1820, a 1901 Norwegian Bible, and an early 20th century Braille volume of the New Testament. The collection is housed in the Center for Christian Calling in the School of Christian Studies. “I am honored and delighted and thrilled that Barbara and I can give this to the school and say, ‘Thank you.’ Because if you hadn’t taken us in, our lives would have been a whole shape different than what they have been,” said the retired senior pastor, seminary professor and author who was called “one of America’s foremost scholar-pastors” by former U.S. Senate Chaplain Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie. A native of Belfast, Ireland, Holmes had been turned away from three other universities because his Belfast credentials weren’t recognized by U.S. colleges. As he was applying to then-Mobile College, his Belfast accent sparked an encounter with retired Col. Ira Matthews, assistant to the Mobile College president, who had flown out of Belfast over Germany during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Force’s 40th Bombardment Group.

Photo: Dr. Lonnie Burnett, Barbara and Dr. Leslie Holmes

Sharing another connection to the university, Holmes spoke of his salvation story, his call to ministry and his wife’s initial reluctance to “be a preacher’s wife.” When the young couple went to a concert in Mississippi and heard the gospel, Barbara committed her life to Christ. The concert featured one of the very first contemporary Christian groups – TRUTH. The person sharing that message was TRUTH’s founder, Dr. Roger Breland, who now serves as executive director of UM’s Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts. In a ministry career of more than 40 years, Holmes led congregations from 30 to 4,300 members across 6 states, served as provost/ CEO and professor of preaching and pastoral theology at Erskine Theological Seminary, was moderator of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, spoke at university campuses and churches on six continents, and has been published on both sides of the Atlantic. His latest book is “Leading the Way: Principles of Leadership Excellence for All Believers.”

umobile.edu

Holmes said his uncle and aunt, the Rev. John and Molly Batchelor, came across the old Bible years ago and had been trying to decide what to do with it.

Lansford ’07 to pursue their passion for translating the gospel message in unique ways to reach people groups who may never have heard of Jesus Christ.

“When he offered it to me, I immediately decided that I would take it to an antiquarian book restorer in Belfast,” said Holmes. The project eventually required the work of three restorationists. “I said to Barbara, I want to give this to the University of Mobile. They took me in when nobody else wanted me. And I want to give it in honor of Col. Ira Matthews.”

Translating the Gospel Message The arduous task of preserving and binding fragile pages from a centuries-old Bible is one way to ensure that future generations have access to the life-changing message of eternal salvation. Another is by developing graduates who have a Great Commission passion for sharing the Good News throughout the nations. “The School of Christian Studies provides Christ-focused, hands-on, personalized instruction from committed faculty members who equip Christians for a lifetime of ministry service,” said Dr. Doug Wilson, professor of biblical studies and executive director of the Center for Christian Calling.

Claudia Hall discovered her calling to become a Bible translator during a Christian Studies class at UM. She graduated in Spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies and is pursuing a master’s in applied linguistics with a concentration in Bible translation at Dallas International University.

In addition to majors in Christian ministry, intercultural studies and theological studies, the program offers a variety of minors including Bible translation and biblical languages. Rigorous courses in New Testament Greek and Biblical Hebrew give UM students an advantage in seminary studies while adding a depth of understanding that enriches their ministries.

“I had known for a long time that I was called to missions in some capacity, but I wasn’t sure exactly how that would look for me. When I got to UM, I was very quiet and struggled with social anxiety. One day in class we were talking about some of the challenges we were facing in ministry, and I expressed that I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to be a missionary if I could hardly even talk to people.

The combination of majors, minors, university ministries and mission experiences in the School of Christian Studies prepares graduates like Claudia Hall ’23 and Sara

Claudia’s Calling

TORCHLIGHT 2024

“My professor for this class was Dr. Doug Wilson, and I was also taking Biblical Hebrew

with him that semester. Dr. Wilson said that I was doing well in Hebrew and that I should consider Bible translation. Later in the semester we watched a video called ‘Ee-Taow’ about the Bible translation for the Mouk tribe. I immediately knew that was the type of work I wanted to do.

“We used an oral strategy because the vast majority of the Songhai people in Mali learn orally and do not read the language. We began our work in 2007 and completed it in 2009. The story set has since been distributed on cassette tapes, SD cards, Bluetooth, solar players, and broadcast on the radio throughout the country.

“Since that day, my passion for Bible translation has continued to grow. I cannot express how upset it makes me that I can access the Bible in hundreds of versions in my own language, yet there are hundreds of people groups that have never even heard of the Bible. Bible translation is important because we have been commanded to share the Good News, and I believe there is no better way to do that than to bring people the Word of the Lord in their mother tongue. “After my first semester, I got involved volunteering with the international students on campus and it really brought me out of my shell. I no longer struggle with social anxiety at all – it was like God used that to call me to Bible translation and then set me free from it shortly after. “

Sara’s Mission Sara Lansford traveled with UM’s University Missions teams to West Africa and prepared class presentations on Muslim evangelism and chronological Bible storying. After graduating from UM in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, she served in Timbuktu as a Journeyman for two years with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. “My team of three produced a set of 25 oral Bible stories in Songhai from creation to the promise of the return of Christ. The stories were strategically picked so that if this happened to be the only Scripture someone ever heard, he would recognize that: he is a sinner, he needs a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.

“A teammate and I had the privilege of hand-delivering a few cassette tapes and listening to God’s Word with some of our closest friends from our village, just months before the village went under Sharia law for a period of time. The day we handed our friend the cassette, we sat and listened to half of the stories before we needed to leave. We returned the next day and she had finished listening to the stories and had then gone to her neighbors, playing the stories for them as well. “While we do not know the exact impact of our work, we do know that our village mom and sisters made decisions to follow Jesus. We have heard of others recognizing that these stories are truth. To my knowledge, these stories are still being shared even today.” umobile.edu

The University of Mobile offers a variety of resources available to alumni, supporters, churches, businesses and the community. Request Ensembles

Support Rams Athletics

Become a Partner for Purpose

Schedule College Woods Center

Access Alumni Services

Purchase Performing Arts Series Tickets

Post Internship & Job Opportunities

Learn more at umobile.edu/um-resources

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Bridging Past and Present Bible translation is a passion for Professor Wilson, who serves on the Old Testament translation committee for the “New Tyndale Version” (NTV), named for the earliest printed translation of the Bible into English. Wilson is translating three books and serves as a sectional editor for a portion of the Old Testament during the multi-year project. The Tyndale Bible is named for William Tyndale who was martyred in 1536 after being charged with heresy for translating the Bible into English from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek – an action that was punishable by death at that time. The translation process itself bridges the past and present, from parchment to pixels, as scholars use new technologies in research.

The new translation Wilson is working on utilizes documents that were unknown 500 years ago and are now accessible via the internet. Wilson brings his experiences as a Bible translator into the classroom, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the process of translating the Bible from its original languages into modern ones. “As a professor, I love teaching students about translation work, because I know that God is going to use some of them to reach people I will never reach, in places I will never go, in languages I will never learn. When we are all gathered to worship around the Throne from every tribe, tongue, nation and language, I will meet brothers and sisters I have never known on this earth, who came to faith in Jesus because of the witness of my former students at the University of Mobile,” Wilson said.

University Missions Program This summer, UM students, alumni and ministry partners will be leading mission projects across the globe through the University Missions Program. “We will be preparing teams to serve in Brazil, East Africa, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East,” said Dr. Doug Wilson, executive director of the Center for Christian Calling which coordinates the University Missions program. Hundreds of UM students, alumni and church groups experienced short-term

international mission trips through the program originally created by Emeritus Christian Studies Professor Cecil Taylor. To apply for a team, become a prayer partner or donate to support mission teams, contact Wilson at dwilson@umobile.edu. Approximate cost is $3,500 per person.

umobile.edu

Building a Legacy, One Brick at a Time 38

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Be part of The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign and help revitalize UM’s iconic fountain sculpture Since its installation more than three decades ago, the fountain sculpture titled “The Gift” has become an iconic campus landmark and a meaningful part of the University of Mobile experience. The bricks lining the walkway are etched with the names of alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and community leaders who made contributions to install the fountain in 1992. Some of the local community’s most influential benefactors are included among the listing.

as a physical reminder to students to keep growing and blooming through all seasons of life. “It is my hope that with the garden of daylilies – the world’s most resilient flower – students can be more easily reminded that they can grow strong in any circumstance,” Bell says.

However, time has taken its toll and restoration has become imperative. The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign is a new initiative to refurbish one of the university’s most cherished landmarks. This unique fundraising effort invites alumni and friends of the university to join those original donors by purchasing personalized bricks that not only will pave the way to restoring the brick patio around the fountain sculpture, but also create a new communal space known as The Legacy Fountain Courtyard. When you join the effort by purchasing an engraved brick, you make your permanent mark in University of Mobile history. Each brick, engraved with a name or message, not only will contribute financially to the restoration project but also will symbolize the individual stories and connections that make the University of Mobile a remarkable place.

A Lasting Legacy A personalized engraved brick is a lasting legacy to celebrate a graduation, honor a loved one, pay tribute to a favorite professor or colleague, or remember one’s time as a student. When your brick is placed in The Legacy Fountain Courtyard, all who visit campus will be able to see the indelible mark left by alumni and others who support the mission of the university. Members of the graduating Class of 2023 were the first to contribute to the renovation through their Senior Class Gift, and the Class of 2024 is doing its part as well. Each class will be honored with a large brick displayed at the fountain.

The Growth Project In a partnership with Miss University of Mobile 2024 AnnaKatherine Bell and her initiative, “The Growth Project,” daylilies will be planted in the area surrounding the fountain to serve

umobile.edu

Order Your Brick Today It’s easy to be part of The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign. 1. Visit umobile.edu/give. 2. Click on The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign. (You will see a variety of additional giving opportunities on this page that may interest you as well.) 3. Provide up to 4 lines of text that will be etched on a brick to be placed in The Legacy Fountain Courtyard. 4. Make your donation as follows: - $150 standard cost - $100 for Members of the UM Alumni Association - $50 for the Graduating Senior Gift Package - $10 additional for clip art The Legacy Fountain Courtyard Brick Campaign is more than just a fundraiser: it is a call to action for all who have been part of this great institution to play a role in preserving a piece of our history. To learn more or for more giving options, call the Office for Advancement at 251.442.2913 or email advancement@umobile.edu.

5 Things to Know About UM’s Fountain By Sydney Snow ’22 How many times did you walked by the iconic fountain between William K. Weaver Hall and Thomas T. Martin Hall at the University of Mobile and wondered what it is? I have heard the sculpture referred to as “the clothespin” or “the fountain.” However, there is more than what meets the eye when it comes to the fountain. 1. It is titled “The Gift,” because it represents the gift of knowledge. 2. It portrays an abstract figure made of bonds holding up a stainless-steel offering dish. 3. It was donated to the University of Mobile in April of 1992 and created by Mobile artist Casey Downing Jr. 4. It is a part of Downing’s Sentinel series but is the only piece to represent “the gift.” 5. It is the central figure of one of the University of Mobile’s most ingenious pranks. The prank was described in the 2013 TorchLight alumni magazine story titled “The Fountain Head.” Around 1999 or 2000, students Matt Wilson, Alan Castleberry and Josh Jones found a white porcelain toilet that was going to be thrown away. The three men took it and planned to put it on the roof of Martin Hall. When that did not work, they put it on the “leaking clothespin” – the fountain sculpture. The toilet stayed on top of the fountain for several days before the maintenance crew removed it.

Scan to read “The Fountain Head” story 40 TORCHLIGHT 2024

UNIVERSITY of MOBILE

LEADERSHIP BANQUET Featuring Mike Pompeo 70th United States Secretary of State

Downtown Mobile Saturday, April 6, 2024 umobile.edu/banquet

umobile.edu

Alumni & Advancement News Photos by Rovy Lopez & Camden Jewell ’23 42

TORCHLIGHT 2024

American graduate of the University of Mobile. The award recognizes outstanding African American graduates of UM who reflect the ideals of virtuosity, faith and charity that Boykin exemplified throughout his career, family and community. Scan the QR code for a video featuring each recipient.

Dr. Burnett Named Alumnus of the Year The University of Mobile Alumni of the Year Award was presented to outgoing president and 1979 alumnus Dr. Lonnie Burnett, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to his alma mater and in appreciation for all he has accomplished for the university in his roles as student, alumnus, faculty member, dean, senior administrator and president. In addition, this annual award has been named in Burnett’s honor. Nominations for the Dr. Lonnie Burnett Alumni of the Year Award are made by members of the University of Mobile Alumni Association to the Office for Alumni Relations and are voted on by the UMAA Advisory Council.

2023 Recipient Ira Bates Jr. ’04 Vice President – Community Development Officer The First Bank 2024 Recipient Ron Moore ’03 Project Manager, Existing Industry Economic & Community Development Alabama Power Company Member, Board of Trustees, University of Mobile

‘That’s How I Became a Christian’ The Italian Stallion – football legend Johnny Musso – shared his faith story with University of Mobile supporters at the Partners for Purpose fundraising luncheon at UM’s College Woods Center on Oct. 19, 2023. The event raised funds for student scholarships at UM. Musso told of the moment a former teammate witnessed to him: “He explained that Jesus died for my sins. I knew Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but this was personal, and it made sense. It started my life all over. I prayed that God would show me what He had for me.

Ron Moore ’03

Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence The Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence was established in 2018 to honor the life of the late Samuel M. Boykin, the first African

“I went to bed that night, and I woke up the next morning and life was just different. I could feel God’s spirit inside of me. It was very emotional and very dramatic for me. It was like night and day. And so I started walking with the Good Lord, and it was just a new day for me. That’s how I became a Christian.”

umobile.edu

By Haley Ikner Haney ’16 & ’22 | Director of Alumni Relations

Join our powerful network of doers For more than 50 years, University of Mobile alumni have launched from our beautiful 880-acre campus to leave an imprint on the world. This is why generations of family members have chosen this special place to grow in their faith while gaining a world-class education. With more than 15,000 graduates, the University of Mobile has been changing the world through this powerful network of doers, spanning the globe in virtually every profession. The University of Mobile Alumni Association (UMAA) exists to continue serving our graduates long after they received their diploma. We seek to create a lifelong and worldwide community of alumni through fellowship, programs and services by increasing opportunities for engagement with each other and with the university. As a continuation of the University of Mobile experience, the Alumni Association fosters growth of the individual while encouraging service to the university, our students, our communities and to the world. Your membership contribution serves the alumni community through supporting alumni chapters and events. These funds

TORCHLIGHT 2024

ensure we are serving our alumni and continuing to invest in their lives as they continue to impact the world.

Become a Member All graduates of the University of Mobile are automatically enrolled as a member of the UMAA at no cost for a period of 12 months after the date of graduation. To maintain membership thereafter, alumni may select among the following membership levels. For details and benefits, scan the QR code or go to umobile.edu/alumni. Recent Graduate Annual Membership $25 per year Individual Annual Membership $50 per year Joint Annual Membership $80 per year Enhanced Individual Annual Membership $100 per year Enhanced Joint Annual Membership $150 per couple Life Membership (one-time fee) $250 single, $350 joint

Learn More and Join today!

Meet the University of Mobile Alumni Council The University of Mobile Alumni Council serves as an advisory council to UM’s Office for Alumni Relations and acts as a voice for the UM Alumni Association to the university. The council’s goal is to promote the university and its alumni by fostering relationships with fellow graduates for the benefit of continuing the mission of the university and sharing feedback and suggestions with the Office for Alumni Relations

Erin Will Harris ’96 | Chairperson

As chair of the UM Alumni Council, I hope to help connect alumni and current students and engage with all to be a light in the world.

Rachel Croom ’14 | Vice Chairperson

I look forward to helping strengthen our alumni association into a close-knit community where we connect past students to the current university’s mission and goals.

Scott Peters ’96

I am excited to see and encourage our alumni to be more involved. Staying in contact with classmates and professors is special. It makes it all the more special now, having a daughter who attends UM.

Ashlyn Nichols ’22

As an alumna, I am honored to say I’ve graduated from UM. UM has provided me with all the skills and tools I need to thrive in my current professional career. But it’s so much deeper than that…I’ve been spiritually prepared to be a light in a broken world.

Charlie Brown ’79 & ’14

I love the university and have had a continuous attachment. The camaraderie of friendship and belonging to a “family” is special.

Ira Bates ’04

UM is special. I want to see more alumni join together to serve a common purpose, while also being served by one another.

Parker Elkins ’14

I love our university’s biblical foundation. The character and integrity the University of Mobile strives to instill in everything they do is what I value most as an alumnus. I am very honored to call the University of Mobile my university and to serve on this council.

umobile.edu

A Lasting Commitment to Future Generations By Brian Boyle ’94 & ’15 | Vice President for Advancement While doing an etymological search on the word “legacy” recently, I was surprised to learn that its original meaning dates back to Medieval times and derives from the Latin legatia, meaning “an appointed ambassador sent on a mission to bestow a commission for the future.” How appropriate, I thought. At the University of Mobile, our students have been the grateful beneficiaries through the years of the legacy gifts made by those “ambassadors” who have found value in investing in the ongoing mission of Christian

Ways to Give UM General Fund Meets the essential operational needs of the university, maintaining the exceptional student experience across all programs. Charitable Estate Giving Includes gifts from bequests, wills, trusts, assets, retirement plans, estates, insurance.

higher education even after they are gone. By bestowing their resources to benefit future generations, our legacy donors quite literally become partners in our mission. Will you consider joining the many who have done so in the past, by becoming a legacy donor? There are many ways one can support the University of Mobile through legacy giving, and we would love the opportunity to discuss them with you. Please give the Office for Advancement a call at 251.442.2913 to schedule an appointment.

Performing Arts Supports the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts and ASOTA. Athletics Supports specified UM Rams athletic programs of one’s choice. Alumni Gives back to your alma mater and strengthens your connection to UM.

Scholarship Endowments Establishes a timeless fund that directly supports UM students, often established in memory of a loved one or someone who has made a difference in your life.

Capital Projects Invests in the growth of our campus by contributing to the construction of new facilities or updates to existing facilities.

Academic Programs Supports specified academic areas of one’s choice.

For more information on establishing an endowed scholarship or for assistance with making an estate gift, please call us 251.442.2913.

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Upcoming Alumni Events Keep up with alumni events, learn details and RSVP at umobile.edu/alumni. Coffee Connection March 13 7:30 - 9:30 AM Moka’s Coffee House UM Day | Alumni Connection Table March 19 | 12 - 1 PM UM Day Expo in Ram Hall Alumni & Friends Spring Fling Weekend March 22 | Alumni Reception & Spring Spectacular March 23 | Spring Fling: Lunch on the Lawn, Kids Egg Hunt, Fun for All Leadership Banquet with guest speaker Mike Pompeo 70th US Secretary of State, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency April 6 | 6:30 PM Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center Tickets at umobile.edu/banquet Coffee Connection April 10 | 7:30 - 9:30 AM Moka’s Coffee House Alumni Night in Birmingham May 31 | 7 PM Birmingham Barons vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas University of Mobile Alumni & Friends Golf Classic October 25 Heron Lakes Country Club Register at umobile.edu/mobileclassic

umobile.edu

Class Notes Marriages

(A) Adrian Bates ’04 (Communication) married Billy Thompson on Nov. 11, 2023. (B) Laney Verzone ’18 (Business Management) married Ryan Woodward on Dec. 2, 2023. The ceremony took place on Dec. 16, 2023, due to career-related travel demands. (C) Elise Johnson ’22 (Communication & English) married Zach Bridges on Oct. 28, 2023. (D) Jacob Clabo ’23 (Mathematics) married Chloe Rada on Dec. 6, 2023. (E) Anna Smith ’23 (Worship Leadership) married Jacob Smith on May 20, 2023.

Births (F) Bryley Weaver ’12 (Education) and Nick Weaver ’11 (Music & Worship Leadership) welcomed their second child, Cayson Alexander. They also have a daughter, Gracelynn. (G) Briley Teague Freeman ’21 (Collaborative Special Education) and husband Luke Freeman welcomed Thomas Ray Freeman on April 27, 2023. (H ) Jessica Catlin Anderson ’13 (Political Science) and husband Blake Anderson welcomed Emilia Jo Anderson on Nov. 1, 2023. (I) Lauren Smith ’18 (Worship Leadership & Music Business) and husband Clay Smith ’14 (History & Theology) welcomed Haddon Grace on Jan. 7, 2023. On April 22 of 2022, they also adopted big sister Savanna (3). (J ) Miranda Freeman Stringer ’16 (Music Education) and husband Kevin Stringer welcomed Mason in May of 2023. They also have Melody (3).

TORCHLIGHT 2024

(K) Shelby Jacobs ’14 (Early Childhood and Elementary Education) and husband Matthew Jacobs ’14 (Theology) welcomed Mattie Reece on Jan. 9, 2023. They also have Sadie Blake (7) and Ellie Grace (6). (L) Emilee Rogers Manning ’19 (Elementary Education) and husband Trey Manning welcomed Parker Manning on Oct. 3, 2023. (M) Ryan Pippin ’12 (Music Education) and wife Anna (Phillips) Pippin ’14 (Worship Leadership & Music Business) welcomed Norah Rose Pippin on Feb. 9, 2023. (N) Heath Vester ’16 & ’22 (Art) and Hannah Vester ’17 (Biology) welcomed Otto Woods Vester on June 19, 2023. They also have Asher (3). (O) Caleb Croom ’22 (Accounting & MBA) and Rachel Croom ’13 (Business Administration) welcomed Nolan Buckley on Jan 24, 2024.

In Memoriam Dr. Audrey Eubanks Vice President for Academic Affairs - Emeritus Having served the university for 38 years through the administrations of five university presidents, died Feb. 26, 2023. Dr. Hazel Petersen Walter Vice President for Academic Affairs – Retired Known as “Dr. Petersen” to her UM family, died March 15, 2023, at the age of 99. Dr. Christopher Lovely Associate Professor of Music Leaving behind a legacy of music, love and kindness, died suddenly at the age of 45 on Oct. 30, 2023. Dr. Gene Perkins Professor of Human Performance and Exercise Science – Retired A member of the charter faculty at Mobile College, he taught at UM for 48 years before retiring in 2011. Died Feb. 6, 2024 at the age of 95.

Stay Connected!

umobile.edu

Thank you to all of our Partners for Purpose sponsors, including the following: Additional Sponsors Mobile Red Elephant Club Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wilson

Title Sponsor

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Robinson

Mr. and Mrs. Vince Boothe

Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie Burnett Mr.

Jim Boothe Contracting

Mr. Pat and Mrs. Deborah Nelson Dr. and Mrs. Sammy Gilbreath Mr. and Mrs. Terry Harbin Mr. Braxton C. and Mrs. Charity Wittner

& 50 TORCHLIGHT 2024

6140 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36608 251-341-3565 | thefirstbank.com

LOCAL FIRM. GLOBAL RESOURCES. Wilkins Miller is a constant force leading you forward by bringing an expert staff of certified public accountants, business analysts, consultants and advisors to the table to help you see farther and reach higher. We are also a proud member of DFK International, a worldwide association of independent accounting and management consulting firms, where we are able to give clients immediate access to industry and technical expertise around the globe.

wilkinsmiller.com

Mobile, Alabama

Fairhope, Alabama

41 W. I-65 Service Rd. N., Suite 400

56 South Section Street

5 Dauphin Street, Suite 100 251.410.6700

umobile.edu

W T W I S P RO U D TO S P O N S O R T H E

University of Mobile Partners for Purpose Luncheon

wtwco.com

4591 Cypress Business Park Drive, Mobile, AL 36619 | 251-661-7926 | sjlcontractors.com

52 TORCHLIGHT 2024

631 S. Hull Street P.O. Box 2108 Montgomery, Alabama 36104 334-834-9933 mckeeassoc.com

COTTAGE HILL BAPTIST CHURCH 4255 COTTAGE HILL ROAD, MOBILE, AL 36609 Sundays at 10:30 AM 251-660-2422 | cottagehill.org 24/7 PRAYER LINE: 251-661-8400

umobile.edu

Saraland 880 Industrial Parkway Suite H Saraland, AL 36571 Springhill Avenue 1720 Springhill Avenue Suite 100 Mobile, AL 36604

theorthogroup.com (251) 476-5050

TORCHLIGHT 2024

Airport Boulevard 6144 Airport Boulevard Mobile, AL 36608

4440 McCrary Road Semmes, AL 36575

syntergy-ems.com

(251) 415-4559 air-specialty.com

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

THE UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE

HA N DFIRM.COM

ALABAMA: ATHENS / BIRMINGHAM / FAIRHOPE / MOBILE

FLORIDA: DESTIN / PANAMA CITY / PANAMA CITY BEACH / SANTA ROSA BEACH

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Contact: J. Burruss Riis, Esq., 104 Saint Francis Street, Suiteumobile.edu 300 Mobile, AL 36602. HAHS_231031_Univ Mobile Ad_8.5x5.5_03.indd 1

11/22/23 2:04 PM

North Mobile 1251 Industrial Pkwy Saraland, AL US 36571

West Mobile 879 Snow Road Mobile, AL US 36608

(251) 679-3266 goredemption.com Sundays @ 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM

Delta Transfer Lines, LLC 1100 14th St W Jasper, AL 35501 deltatransfer.com (205) 384-3094 56 TORCHLIGHT 2024

4668 Airport Blvd Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 714-9432 fastsigns.com

G&M

MAINTENANCE LLC

5625 Kushla McLeod Rd Eight Mile, AL 36613 251-408-1355

umobile.edu

113 Corporate Park E Dr. LaGrange, GA 30241 (601) 326-8159 mmidining.com

113 Corporate Park E Dr., LaGrange, GA 30241 | +1 800-292-9323 | teamnational.com

58 TORCHLIGHT 2024

Hancock Whitney Bank 25 West I-65 Service Rd N Mobile, AL 36608 251-665-1601 hancockwhitney.com

joebullard.com

umobile.edu

5735 College Parkway Mobile, Alabama 36613

UNIVERSITY of MOBILE

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS GOLF CLASSIC October 25, 2024 | Heron Lakes Country Club Learn more at umobile.edu/mobileclassic 60 TORCHLIGHT 2024