Issuu

UN I V E R S I T Y o f M O B I L E

TORCHLIGHT

Spring 2025

Meet Our President

Alumni on Mission

Gospel Generosity

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President | Charles W. Smith Jr. Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations | Lesa Moore Editor | Kathy Dean Graphic Design | Heath Vester Writers | Kathy Dean, Baleigh Essary, Noelle Foster, David Haney, Haley Haney, Nathan Harris, Lesa Moore, Kylee Stewart Photographers | Shawndell Hope, 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 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. Postmaster: send address changes to Office for Marketing and Public Relations, University of Mobile umobilemagazine.com

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From the President Dear Friends, Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of TorchLight Magazine. In this edition, we explore a theme that is at the heart of all we do here at the University of Mobile: On Mission. This is more than a slogan — it is our identity and purpose. Every program, every classroom, every interaction is grounded in our calling to multiply Kingdom leaders who impact the world for Christ. This task is both a great responsibility and a great privilege. The stakes are high, and the issues facing our world, and ultimately our students, grow increasingly complex. These challenges invigorate our passion and sense of purpose, reminding us that our work is not ours alone. God has given us His Word, He has promised to go before us, and He has blessed us with partners and collaborators like you who make the work of this university possible. Nowhere is our mission more evident than in our students. Over the past year, our students have grown in profound ways. Students from all over the world have gathered on our campus to expand their minds, inform their hearts, and equip their hands for the Glory of God and the good of the world. These students have conducted cutting-edge research, wrestled with great books and big ideas, conceptualized new businesses, studied and produced works of art, competed as student-athletes, prepared for their various careers, and most importantly, these students have been invited to taste and see that the Lord is good. As you read the stories in this edition of TorchLight, I pray that you will be inspired by the ways God is working through the University of Mobile. These testimonies of transformed lives and renewed purpose are a reflection of your investment in this mission. Your prayers, encouragement and generosity sustain us as we invest in the lives of students who will go forth and lead with conviction and purpose. Together, we are making an eternal impact — for His glory and the good of the world. For Christ and His Kingdom,

Charles W. Smith Jr. President, University of Mobile Associate Professor of Christian Leadership

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A CONVERSATION WITH

President Charles Smith The University of Mobile began a new chapter on March 21, 2024, when the Board of Trustees elected Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. as the 6th president of the Baptist university founded in 1961.

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In this exclusive TorchLight interview, President Smith shares his observations about the university’s unique culture and his vision for the future. From navigating the challenges facing Christian higher education to embracing new opportunities, UM’s new president offers insights into the leadership priorities that will shape UM’s path forward. Q. As the new president of the University of Mobile, you bring a fresh perspective to the institution. What have you observed about UM that those who have been part of the community for a long time might overlook? Smith: One of the first things I noticed about the University of Mobile is its stunningly beautiful campus. It’s a reflection of the intentional care and pride this community takes in creating an inspiring environment for learning and discipleship. Beyond the physical beauty, I’ve been struck by the depth of commitment and relationships here — students, alumni, faculty and staff genuinely care for UM and one another. This isn’t just a university; it’s a community united by a shared commitment to multiplying Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world. It’s truly the privilege of a lifetime to join and serve this community. Q. How has your professional journey and faith shaped your path to becoming a university president, and why did the University of Mobile stand out as the place where you feel called to lead? Smith: I’ve always wanted to live at the intersection of faith and formation. To serve at places that expose individuals to God’s beauty, wisdom and invitation to leverage the gifts He has given them to impact the world for Christ. That is why I was so excited to come serve at

the University of Mobile. UM’s commitment to God’s Word, wisdom and mission has influenced generations of kingdom leaders and made a profound impact on the world. I’m honored to help continue this legacy into the future. Q. What is your definition of leadership, and what are your leadership priorities as president of UM? Smith: As a Christian, I believe leadership is fundamentally about stewardship and missional influence. It’s about following God’s call on our lives and being willing to take initiative for His glory and the good of the world. For me, that means leading with integrity and a commitment to be a good steward of all that God has entrusted to our care. Here at UM, it means reaffirming our longstanding commitment to God’s Word and wisdom, serving and building trust with our students, staff, and stakeholders, and inviting our entire community to leverage their time, talent, and treasure For Christ and His Kingdom. As we look into the future, we are excited to expand programs, grow enrollment, and support our students as they impact the world around us. Q. What is your vision for the University of Mobile as it seeks to impact students, the community and the world in the years ahead? Smith: Everything we do here at the University of Mobile can be summed up in five words: For Christ and His Kingdom. Indeed, this institution exists to “Multiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World.” To do that, we must continue to invest in the head, hands, and heart of every student at the University of Mobile. We want to be a place where great minds are challenged, gifted hands are strengthened, and all hearts are exposed to and inspired by God’s wisdom and Word. Not only would such an environment catalyze a new season of academic achievement and equip students for wherever God is calling them, it would also impact thousands for Christ. We are praying God would do even more than we ask or think for His Glory, our joy, and the good of the world.

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Q. You have outlined 5 Core Commitments for the university as we look to the future. Briefly, what are they? Smith: First and foremost is a winsome and sincere commitment to God’s Word, Wisdom & Mission. We are committed to nurturing a Healthy Culture, with a healthy and hopeful community of staff, faculty and students. We are focused on Our Students, with a growing student body that is developing and leveraging their gifts for God’s glory and the good of the world. We must have a robust portfolio of Academic Programs & Activities with vibrant student life and athletic programs. Key to achieving all of these is a commitment to Financial Stewardship, with a financial model that supports our students, blesses our faculty and staff, and extends our ministry far into the future. Q. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Christian higher education today, and how will UM address them? Smith: Higher education, like so many other industries, faces significant challenges including inflation, increasing government regulation, decreasing birth rates, and questions of affordability and value. These challenges are an invitation for universities to reimagine their work and restate the value of higher education and the foundational economic and societal role universities play in the world around us. I’m convinced these challenges are also opportunities in disguise; invitations to depend on the God who can do “more than we ask or think” (Eph 3:20). By God’s grace, the University of Mobile is in a good place. But to stay there, we need to remain faithful to our vision and values while continuing to adapt to the changing world around us. Q. Looking ahead, what are the most significant opportunities you see for the University of Mobile to expand its influence and deepen its impact? Smith: The University of Mobile has incredible opportunities to expand its influence through strategic partnerships, program innovation and campus development. We are exploring ways to strengthen ties with key partners and stakeholders, expand online and graduate offerings, and invest in facilities that enhance 8

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the student experience. Our goal is to equip more students to make a Kingdom impact. By embracing these opportunities, we can solidify UM’s reputation as a leader in Christian higher education and deepen our impact locally, nationally and globally. Q. How can the UM community – students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors – pray for and support you as you lead the university into this next chapter? Smith: I invite the UM community to pray for wisdom and discernment as our leadership team leads, for a unified vision and passion in this new season, and for God’s favor over our initiatives. Your prayers are invaluable as we seek to honor Him in all we do. Additionally, your support through The Great Commission Fund can help us continue equipping students for lives of service and leadership. Together, we can trust God to do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine and write a new chapter in UM’s story for His glory.

Meet the Smiths Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. stepped into the university’s top leadership post on May 6, 2024, upon Dr. Lonnie Burnett’s retirement after five years of distinguished service as UM’s 5th president. Burnett ’79 served over 20 years at his alma mater, rising through the ranks from adjunct professor to become president in 2019.

Here are a few fast facts about our new president and his family: • Family: Charles and his wife, Ashley, are natives of Montgomery, Alabama. They have three daughters: Ellie, Annie and Susie. • Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration, Mississippi College; Master of Divinity in theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Doctor of Philosophy in organizational leadership, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. • Before coming to the University of Mobile: Senior vice president of institutional relations and assistant professor of Christian leadership, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College.

Scan the QR code to read about Dr. Smith’s selection as UM president.

Inaugural UNIVERSITY of MOBILE

celebration

MAY 1, 2025 | UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE

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ON M IS

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SSION For Christ & His Kingdom Missional leadership begins with a heart tuned to God’s calling and a life dedicated to serving others with purpose and passion. The University of Mobile is focused on advancing our mission for Christ and His Kingdom by inspiring and empowering our community to embrace their callings and live out the Great Commission with boldness and impact. Together, we are living On Mission for the Glory of God and the Good of the World.

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The

Giving Loaf

Kala Holt Hembree

Owner, The Bread House Bachelor of Arts in English ’12 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities ’12

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Josh Hembree

General Manager, Hembree Heating & Air Conditioning Bachelor of Science in Political Science ’12

To celebrate her 35th birthday, Kala Hembree turned the oven in her home micro-bakery to 450 degrees and slid in the first batch of sourdough bread.

who has blessed you in some way and whom you want to bless in return. I don’t have to know who or why – I just want you to come grab it and gift it. I’ll be the hands; you be the feet!”

By day’s end, 35 freshly baked loaves are ready – cooled, bagged and tagged “The Giving Loaf.” They’re delivered to Hembree Heating & Air Conditioning, the family business where husband Josh is general manager. Volunteers are already on their way, ready to grab a free loaf and deliver it to someone they know who needs a blessing.

As students in the Honors Program at the University of Mobile, Kala and Josh had their career plans mapped out. Kala planned to be an English teacher or professor, and Josh prepared to practice law.

A Shift in Plans, A Step in Faith

Each fulfilled those early dreams – Kala earned a master’s degree and recreated her memorable UM Honors class experiences as a teacher in her own classroom at Bayshore Christian School, while Josh earned his juris doctor and practiced as an attorney in Montgomery. Then came the opportunity for Josh to take over the family business in Mobile. The careers they had planned out and relentlessly pursued suddenly changed. That’s when they discovered:

“Having a plan is good, but trusting our good God is better.” The Heart Behind The Giving Loaf

Business as Ministry

Kala’s post on her Facebook page, The Bread House with Kala, explains the mission:

While Josh excelled at law, he thrived in business. Hembree Heating & Air Conditioning quintupled in size over the next five years, all while prioritizing people over profits and maintaining its close work-family atmosphere.

“The Giving Loaf is a free sourdough loaf, one that I need you to help me gift to someone who needs it. It could be for someone you know going through financial difficulty who could use some healthy bread to stretch the groceries out for the week. It could be someone going through a hard time emotionally, whether they’re experiencing loss or change or struggle. It could be someone

Since he was a young boy, Josh had been told he would go into ministry – he even earned a ministry certificate a few years ago. But he discovered that ministry isn’t confined to working alongside a church; it can happen anywhere.

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“God can and does move in the hearts of people at their desks or on the field working their daily jobs,” he says. Josh also deeply cares about using his business to serve and enrich his community. He’s the vice chairman for the non-profit organization Baldwin Youth Services, actively involved in multiple business networking groups and the Chamber of Commerce, uses his HVAC company to support various charities, and leads the Legacy Team at his church – a group of people whose spiritual gift is giving – many of whom are business leaders in the area.

What started out as a side hobby selling bread at farmer’s markets quickly grew into something bigger. As demand increased, Kala began taking weekly orders. In February 2022, she taught her first bread class in a friend’s home. The response was overwhelming.

“I wasn’t sure where I could host people with a large enough space to accommodate everyone wanting to learn. Then Josh suggested the company training room at his office, and I gave it a shot,” she says.

A Calling to Teach – And Bake Kala has known since childhood that God placed the gift of teaching in her heart, and she puts it to use in her family and in her business. “My ultimate calling in this season is to teach the two most precious souls – our children, Eva and Brenton – about Jesus and to raise them as His disciples,” she says. Both Kala and Josh were homeschooled for most of their education, and her home micro-bakery, The Bread House, gives her the freedom to set her own schedule and prioritize her children’s learning.

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Since then, Kala has taught 2,048 people, in person, how to bake 25 different kinds of breads. She’s taught classes on both sides of Mobile Bay and her students have come from as far away as Mississippi and Florida. Each Wednesday, she preps 25 to 50 loaves of sourdough and bakes them on Friday mornings, then holds weekly pickups at the Hembree office and stocks her local neighborhood market. She also participates each month in the Tanner Williams farmer’s market and teaches a Bake Around the World Club, where each lesson features a new bread from a different culture.

Bread as a Blessing Kala picked up the idea for The Giving Loaf from a fellow micro-baker and has watched it grow into a ministry as God moves within a community of people who want to bake – and give. “Jesus is the Bread of Life. My ultimate desire is for The Bread House to point people to Him,” Kala says.

Their friendship began on a University of Mobile mission trip. Eight years later, Kala Holt and Josh Hembree were married. “We cherish the fact that our relationship began by serving others, and we continue to hold that as a vision for our marriage and our family.” – Kala Hembree umobile.edu

FAITH,FAMILY & BASEBALL Joe Espada’s Playbook for Life Creating and maintaining a winning culture is an all-hands-on-deck job. It requires discipline, constant communication, trust and faith. Houston Astros Manager Joe Espada first experienced that winning culture as a student-athlete at the University of Mobile.

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Joe Espada’s workday begins with an afternoon meeting for Houston Astros players and staff, followed by a video review of their opponent. “There’s a lot of coordination and collaboration that goes on prior to the first pitch, so it is imperative that I set a clear vision on how that day would look like. Right before our pre-game workout, I speak with the media to answer questions about that day’s game. Players take the field, do their warmups and take batting practice. Once game time approaches, I quickly meet with my staff to go over strategy. It’s a 162-game season, so you want to stay creative to keep players motivated and focused during that long journey. As manager, my job is to create a process that allows our players and staff to be in the best position to succeed.”

“God surrounded me with some amazing people during my years at UM. Coaches, teammates and faculty members who solemnly cared about making my experience one that I would cherish for the rest of my life.”

That process is working. In just his first year as manager, Joe led the Astros to the playoffs as American League (AL) West Champions.

The Rookie Years Before Joe was named Houston Astros manager in November 2023, before he began his Major League Baseball coaching career with the Miami Marlins and then the New York Yankees, before he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics and played a decade in the minor leagues, he was a Mobile Ram. A student-athlete from Puerto Rico, Joe made his mark on the UM Baseball program as a middle infielder. He was named a three-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) First-Team All-Conference selection and a two-time GCAC Baseball Player of the Year. Additionally, he was selected as an NAIA Baseball Second-Team All-American following the 1995 and 1996 seasons. During the 1996 season for the Rams, he hit a program-best .442 on the year with 13 home runs and 38 stolen bases. Following that same season, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round as the 45th overall pick.

“But it all started with Coach Mike Jacobs. A man of unwavering faith. A man of Christ, whose sole mission was to make sure his players knew that God had a purpose for our lives and that integrity is a fundamental value that will shape our characters for the rest of our lives. It was not easy making the transition from Puerto Rico to Mobile, so learning the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who genuinely care about us was a lesson that I quickly learned at UM.”

TORCHLIGHT EXTRA Scan the QR code to read about Coach Mike Jacobs or visit umobile.edu/legacy.

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A Team Commitment The bonds formed during Joe’s time as an athlete and student were strong, and those connections have only strengthened and grown over the years. In Fall 2019, Joe returned to Mike Jacobs Field for a reunion of former Rams Baseball teammates and a ceremony retiring his No. 6 jersey. In April 2024 he returned again to his alma mater and was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 by the UM Athletic Department. He also was presented the Doctor of Humane Letters, an honorary degree recognizing his accomplishments and unwavering support of his alma mater.

me proud, and it also shows the talent and the extraordinary people who attend our university.” Joe notes he is the second person in his family with a doctorate – his wife, Pamela, earned a doctorate in pharmacy. “I’m married to an amazing, loving, caring, supportive, strong woman. Pamela is the perfect role model for my two daughters, Eliana, 13, and Viviana, 9. When the university granted me this honor, I was humbled and grateful that both Pam and I can set an example for our daughters. My family is my source of strength and emotional support. Every single day I thank my Lord for giving me the opportunity to love and be loved by three amazing girls.”

Faith and Purpose Joe’s family and faith are the sources of strength that hold him steady in the high-pressure world of Major League Baseball.

The degree was announced during commencement on May 4, but Joe wasn’t able to be there to receive it. As over 300 new UM graduates received their diplomas, he was at Minute Maid Park (now Daikin Park) where the Astros were hosting the Seattle Mariners. A few weeks later, Voices of Mobile was on that same field in Houston, singing the National Anthem. It was the second time they performed at Joe’s request, and they are scheduled for a third appearance this May. “My commitment to the university is endless. Giving back so others can experience and cherish the same opportunities that the university provided for me 25 years ago is something that I care deeply about. Extending my hand to help student athletes understand that through sports God reveals His plan and love for us. He did it with me and can do it for them. Watching the Voices of Mobile perform at Minute Maid Park is one of my favorite days of our season. It makes

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“There can’t be a testimony without a test. I’ve been tested and I love sharing my testimony. We must use our platforms to share the word and power of God. We are here to serve. Mark 10:45 says ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’ During victories and trials, God wants us to let the world know that He is in control and has equipped us to sustain and fight the enemy with peace and grace that only God can provide for us.”

TORCHLIGHT EXTRA Watch Joe Espada receive the Doctor of Humane Letters. Scan the QR code.

“When I think about my UM experience, I’m immediately ambushed by incredible memories. Joyful moments on the baseball field, impactful conversations with professors, coaches and teammates, and most importantly, the growth in my relationship with God. I constantly find myself going back to those experiences which have helped me make better decisions and navigate future challenges more effectively.” – Joe Espada

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DEBRA STORY Registered Nurse/Missionary International Mission Board Southern Baptist Convention Bachelor of Science in Nursing ’16

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While she was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the School of Nursing’s rigorous academic program at the University of Mobile, Debra Story also was pursuing her calling.

call that brought me to Tanzania, even when things around me seem to always be changing.

“After spending every summer during college either overseas or working with refugees in the states, God kept confirming His calling on my life that at some point I would be overseas. After graduating and getting a few years of nursing experience in Mobile and then in Nashville, I started looking into how I could get to the mission field overseas. Fast forward, and now I have been in Tanzania for almost three years,” she says.

“Since the beginning of October, a teammate and I plus 11 national partners, give or take each week, have been taking a boat out to a lake village called Kigalye. This village is primarily Muslim and mainly consists of fishermen and their families. At the center of the village is a mosque and right beside the mosque is the health clinic. Every other week, we have been teaching a health lesson at the clinic to the women of Kigalye and telling a Bible story at the beginning of the lesson.”

First, she learned Swahili and cared for premature babies on the pediatric ward of the local hospital. Now she serves in nearby lake villages, using community health as an entryway to build relationships with women and their families. In her newsletters, Debra shares the joys and challenges of daily life on mission to Tanzania. Here are excerpts.

Answered Prayers

Prayer Request: That I will abide in Christ every day.

Our First Road Trip Adventure “A teammate and I got to go on our first Tanzanian road trip to help with a women’s health teaching in a Maasai village. We were in an extremely dry bush village for a week, doing this teaching, with a group of 30 incredible Maasai women. I did not really have many expectations for this week and was just going to go and be open and flexible to help out in any way I could. From my experience with women in the rural town I live in, I did not expect these Maasai women to be super engaged or want to really participate, but they proved me wrong! They welcomed us in with open arms and trusted us with sensitive topics. It truly encouraged my heart and has me excited and motivated to bring what I learned in this village back to my area! We also saw giraffes and zebras every day on our drive out to the village, so that was pretty awesome!” Prayer Request: To keep my focus on Christ and His

God is With Us “This week we have started going by foot to the lake villages of Kigalye and Kagongo twice a week. With the blessing of the local doctor and the Muslim village leaders, we are allowed to visit the homes of the pregnant women and newborns. We are praying this will give us the opportunity to build relationships with the women and their families, as that was really hard to do when we were doing the health teachings at the clinic. After just one week, we can see this is going to be challenging and hard, but we have hope and we know that God is with us through it all.” Praises: The blessing from village leaders to continue working in Kigalye and Kagongo.

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Patience and Perseverance “This has been a very slow process, but the Lord is teaching us what it looks like to persevere and be patient. Within the past couple of months, though, we are beginning to see little bits of interest to the Gospel, and one lady in Kagongo received Christ! She is now meeting weekly with two of her neighbors and a couple of the girls on our team, learning how to read her Bible and studying through the commands of Christ. Our team has even been able to show the Jesus Film in both Kagongo and Kigalye recently, which has initiated a lot of Gospel conversations.” Praises: For the Tanzanian youth who hike out to the lake villages every week to share the gospel. For their health and safety, and that they will abide in Christ and be obedient to what God has called them to. That their churches would come alongside them to encourage, pray and support them.

To Hear and Respond “A teammate and I and a team of national partners are continuing to hike to the lake villages of Kagongo and Kigalye. Twice a week we start our mornings by making the rounds to pick up the team, then we drive out to another village where we park our car. As we set out on our hikes, we make sure everyone has water, say a prayer, and then we begin our journey down to the village. There are two different paths that we use depending on which village we are going to that day, so the hike is anywhere from 25 minutes to 1 hour. During our hike we either review and practice sharing the Gospel or our testimonies, learn a Bible story, or as of lately, we have been learning the stories in the book of John when Jesus says, “I Am,” or we discuss commonly asked questions like, “Is Jesus God?” Once we reach the bottom of the mountain, we divide into smaller groups and go door-to-door with the Gospel, Bible stories, and a few of us continue doing women and children home health visits.

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Then on our hike out of the village, we take the time to pray by name for those whom we had the opportunity to meet.” Praises: It has been so fun being able to see those on our team learn and grow in their knowledge of God’s Word and grow in their love for their Tanzanian brothers and sisters to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the true Gospel.

ABOUT DEBRA’S MISSION Based out of a small rural town in Tanzania, on the shore of one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world, the Lake Tanganyika Basin Team uses a variety of strategies to share the gospel and make disciples, including home visits, hospital and clinic-based medical care, evangelistic film showings, healthy church trainings and community health evangelism. We partner with the local church to reach unreached people groups up and down Lake Tanganyika, as well as nearby towns. Like much of Africa, Islam heavily permeates our region along with animism/spirit worship, the prosperity gospel and nominal/cultural “Christianity.” Our people are small-scale farmers, small business owners and fishermen, many of whom make only enough to live day to day. Most families are large, with an average of seven to eight children. Diseases caused by unclean water, as well as malaria and malnutrition, cause significant issues in many families. - International Mission Board

TORCHLIGHT EXTRA Keep up with Debra’s story by scanning the QR code and signing up for her email newsletter.

“Where better to pursue a degree in nursing, for someone wanting to use it on the mission field, than at the University of Mobile – where they put Christ first! At UM, I learned how to be a nurse, but it was much more than that. I would not be where I am today without the University of Mobile’s nursing program and how they prepared me to be the best nurse I can be, no matter where I am in the world.” - Debra Story

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CHURCH SPOTLIGHT

COTTAGE HILL BAPTIST CHURCH Mobile, Alabama “As a graduate, I still have a great love and appreciation for the University of Mobile. I personally want to support the school’s leadership in their vision. UM is our Baptist university, and as a Baptist church, we should support it. In fact, every Baptist church in Alabama should!” -Dr. Alan Floyd ’89

Front row: Ricky Watt ’89 – Campus Pastor, Bay Family Church, Candice Goins ’08 – Kid’s Ministry Director, Jacob DeLange ’24 – Accounting Manager, Jay Moore – Minister of Operations, parent of Logan ’17 and Olivia ’21, Micah Steadham ’19 – Video Creator, Dr. Alan Floyd ’89 – Lead Pastor, parent of Christopher ’17 and Conner ’21, Christopher Floyd ’17 – Associate Pastor, Hagan Ware ’19 ’23 – Worship Pastor, McCall Ware ’21 – Communications Director. Back row: Joe McDonald ’21 – Facilities Director, David Cagle ’05, ’16 – Campus Pastor, Downtown Church, Ronnie McCarson – Senior Adult Pastor, parent of Natalie ’05 and Meredith ’10, Emily Sisson ’19 – Next Generation Worship Director, Jared Sisson ’19 – Student Pastor, Chris Brazell ’02 – Head of School, Cottage Hill Christian Academy. Not Pictured: Matt Goins ’09 – Student Pastor, Church of the Island.

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A History of Growth and Impact Celebrating 80 years of faith and service, Cottage Hill Baptist Church has grown from a one-week tent revival in 1944 with just 28 members to a thriving, multi-site church making a global impact. Each era has brought new blessings and opportunities for expansion: • Cottage Hill Christian Academy recently marked its 25-year anniversary and now serves over 600 students from preschool through 12th grade. • The Recreational Outreach Center has become a vital ministry hub, using sports and fitness programs to reach people across the city. • Love Where You Live, launched in 2015, has contributed thousands of service hours to Mobile and Baldwin counties. Cottage Hill has been a longstanding partner with UM, hosting Christmas Spectacular, graduation ceremonies, and investing in UM students in a variety of ways.

A Vision for the Future With four campuses – Cottage Hill Baptist Church (main campus), Downtown Church at The Steeple, Church of the Island (Dauphin Island), and Bay Family Church (Grand Bay) – Cottage Hill continues to expand its reach. During the church’s 80th anniversary celebration, Pastor Alan introduced the “Eight80” vision, a bold initiative that includes: • Commissioning 80 members into ministry service. • Assisting in the planting or revitalization of 80 churches. • Sending 800 members on short-term mission trips. “We are very intentional and have currently partnered with church plants in Puerto Rico, Turkey, Salt Lake City and Pittsburg,” said Floyd. “We also want to help those who are called to vocational ministry find opportunities to serve – whether at one of our campuses, a church replant or through one of the many churches we are connected with. Although Cottage Hill has a very rich history, we truly believe its greatest days lie ahead.”

Dr. Alan Floyd ’89, Lead Pastor A Mobile native, Dr. Alan Floyd felt the call to ministry at just 16 years old. He graduated from then-Mobile College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in religion and English, later earning his MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a DMin from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion for church revitalization has been a guiding force throughout his ministry, shaping his doctoral work and leadership approach. Before becoming lead pastor at Cottage Hill in 2012, he pastored churches in Florida and Georgia. “I value the preparation for ministry and the friendships developed at Mobile College. Many of those relationships remain strong today. It’s a joy to now serve alongside Ricky Watt, who attended MC with me, as we work together through our network of churches,” he said. Floyd and his wife, Kathy, have two sons, Christopher ’17 and Conner ’21, both University of Mobile graduates currently serving in local church ministry.

OUR MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO JESUS CHRIST & ONE ANOTHER. umobile.edu

CHURCH SPOTLIGHT

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Hendersonville, Tennessee “When I consider some of the men and women who committed their lives to ministry in the mid-1970s at Mobile College and see that they are still faithfully serving the Lord, it blesses my heart beyond measure. I text a handful of them weekly to keep in touch and offer encouragement and appreciation.” -Dr. Bruce Chesser ’78

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A Giving Heart When University of Mobile alumnus Dr. Bruce Chesser ’78 became pastor in 2009, First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was $17 million in debt. Today the nearly 80-year-old church is debt-free and has the largest attendance in its history, reaching 3,735 in 2024 with over 2,200 people involved in Vacation Bible School each summer. FBC Hendersonville baptized more people than ever before in 2024, with 340 following the Lord in baptism. Notably, FBC Hendersonville became the first church in the state of Tennessee to give over $1 million a year to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Chesser

Breland

Dr. Bruce Chesser ’78 Senior Pastor

The multi-generational church is intentionally a single-campus church with a vision of planting and revitalizing existing churches to help them become thriving, independent Southern Baptist congregations.

Among its ministries are: • Feed Sumner Food Bank and Ministry Center, meeting the physical needs of people in upper Middle Tennessee • Adult special needs ministry, addressing a largely unmet need in the region • The Babb Center, a counseling ministry serving all of Middle Tennessee.

After graduating from then-Mobile College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Dr. Bruce Chesser earned both his MDiv and DMin from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored in Texas, Alabama and Arkansas before becoming pastor of FBC Hendersonville in 2009. He met his wife, Joy, at MC/UM and they have two married sons and two grandchildren. “The foundational truths of my theology began as a child in my home church, but they were refined while I was in college. Things I learned at Mobile College impact my life every single day,” he said.

Fellow alumnus Jason Breland ’24 serves as worship leader. Breland holds a Master of Arts in Worship Leadership and Theology from UM. One of his daughters, Abigail, graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Chesser said he values his University of Mobile connections, both past and present.

“I ALWAYS ENJOY POINTING STUDENTS TOWARD THE UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE,” CHESSER SAID. umobile.edu

ALUMNI SHORTS From career milestones to community impact, ‘Alumni Shorts’ highlights the inspiring stories of University of Mobile graduates who are making a difference in their fields and beyond.

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‘Alabama Faith’ Spotlights Churches

Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence Dr. Veronica Smith Hudson ’84 & ’03 is the 2025 recipient of UM’s Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence in honor of her lifelong dedication to healthcare, education and civic leadership. Veronica is nurse manager of workforce development at USA Health University Hospital, has served on the Saraland City Council since 2009, and held leadership roles in the Saraland Chamber of Commerce, Mobile County Municipality Association and Keep Saraland Beautiful. Established in 2019 to honor the legacy of Samuel M. Boykin, the university’s first African American graduate, the medal recognizes outstanding African American alumni who exemplify the ideals of virtuosity, faith and charity that Boykin demonstrated throughout his life. Past recipients are Ronald G. Moore ’02, Ira Bates Jr. ’04, Treii Pace ’11, and Dr. Tracey Henry ’02. The first award was presented in 2019 to Boykin’s widow, Ellen Hardiman Boykin.

TORCHLIGHT EXTRA Scan to the QR code to hear Dr. Hudson’s thoughts on receiving the 2025 Boykin Award.

For author, photographer and pharmaceutical sales representative David Graves ’96, the coffee table book “Alabama Faith” is a testimony to his passion for photography and a heartfelt reflection on how faith has shaped his life and the lives of countless others throughout Alabama. It features over 140 breathtaking photographs of stained-glass windows from 75 churches across Alabama. Since its release in October 2024, Alabama Faith has been featured by media outlets, including The Alabama Baptist and AL.com.

David makes it a point of pride to note he is a University of Mobile graduate and tell you about a group of friends they call “House 12,” named for the campus residence they all lived in or near. “About 12 years ago some of us reconnected on Facebook and set the ball in motion to get together in Nashville, and we have been meeting yearly ever since. Our time at UM connects us all and has led to such deep love and affection for one another,” David says.

Signed copies of “Alabama Faith” are available through The University of Mobile Store at universityofmobilestore.com.

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Litigator, Lecturer, Leader

briefing. He represented multiple clients in appeals before the Alabama Supreme Court, the federal Eleventh Circuit and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Texas trial and appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court. He served as appellate counsel for clients in major trials in Alabama and Texas and was the youngest chairman ever elected to the Alabama State Bar’s appellate-practice section. He also is experienced in defending personal-injury, business-litigation, construction-defect and professional-malpractice cases and has published on Alabama legal-malpractice law for the American Bar Association’s Professional Liability Litigation Committee.

From representing clients in lawsuits concerning charter schools to arguing before the Alabama Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal, Aaron McLeod ’04 puts the lessons he learned as a humanities major at the University of Mobile into practice. Now, the Birmingham attorney is a partner in the firm Adams and Reese LLP and member of the Litigation Practice Group and the Appeal Team. Aaron regularly returns to UM, most recently as a guest lecturer at the Literary Talk with Teachers seminar hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences and sponsored by The Alabama Humanities Alliance. “My visits to UM are highly rewarding, because they give me the chance to impress on students how valuable their time in college is and should be to them. I understood in part as a student, and now more fully, that the undergraduate years should open the mind to the best that has been thought and said in our culture, teaching us how little we know and how much we have to learn. I’m so grateful to have studied literature and philosophy and history and music while I was at UM, because they mattered then, they matter now, and they will matter long after I retire from the practice of law,” he says. Aaron earned his J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2008 and focused on appellate litigation and dispositive-motion

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Alumni Quilt Warms Hearts Jonathan Harding and wife Emmy are wrapping up their college memories in a special way. A quilt crafted by Jonathan’s grandmother, Sandra Blakeney, made from UM t-shirts the couple wore as students, is keeping them warm and reminding them of their alma mater in the chilly northern winters of Utah. Emmy ’20 is pursuing a PhD in school psychology at Utah State University while Jonathan ’21 is handling contractor sales and logistics for Lowe’s Home Improvement. The Harding family has long-time connection to UM through Jonathan’s father, Chris Harding ’96 and grandfather, Lowell “Brother

Dave” Blakeney ’70. Sandra’s father, the late Carl Griffin – Jonathan’s great-grandfather – was a donor to then-Mobile College. Other family members with UM ties include Jonathan’s mother, Kym Blakeney Harding, who attended UM in the mid-1990s; his aunt and uncle, Robyn ’97 and Trey Cates ’98; uncle Donald Blakeney ’04; and Brother Dave’s brothers James Blakeney ’68, Walter Blakeney ’78, and sister and brother-in-law, Helen Blakeney Moseley ’73 and Walter Moseley ’78. Jonathan graduated with a B.S. in integrated marketing communications while Emmy holds a B.S. in criminology and a B.S. in Psychology.

graduation requirements. He would go on to earn a MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and DMin from San Francisco Theological Seminary; have a distinguished military career as a chaplain and colonel in the U.S. Army; and serve in the Pentagon in the office of the Chief of Chaplains, among many accomplishments as a pastor, psychologist and chaplain. He passed away on Jan. 13, 2020.

“In Memoriam to Clayton, Who Loved Mobile College So Much”

In Memoriam

The newspaper clipping is yellowed with age, but the memories Mary Hoffman carries of her late husband, Dr. W. Clayton Hoffman ’67, are as vibrant as the Mobile College friendships he cherished.

Mary’s gift not only preserves his legacy but also ensures future students can experience the same transformative sense of belonging that meant so much to Clayton.

Dr. William “Bill” Lucas, 102, the last remaining UM Life Trustee, died Feb. 10, 2025. His career spanned the early days of the U.S. rocket program through the foundation of the Space Station, including Redstone Arsenal in the Guided Missile Development Division under Dr. Wernher von Braun and as director of Marshall Space Flight Center (1974 – 1986). Freddie Herman Jones, a member of the Mobile College Charter Class of 1967, died Nov. 17, 2024. He played baseball at MC, retired in 2009 from a career as a banking executive, and was a leader in Mobile area civic and professional organizations.

Mary sent a donation during UM’s Day of Giving in October 2024, with a note: “I’m giving this in memoriam to Clayton, who loved Mobile College so much. Even though he was an older student, he felt such a part of the college. His rapport with the class of ’67, which had several older students, was one of genuine fellowship which he enjoyed. The friendships lasted until his death.” The article features Hoffman with founding president Dr. William K. Weaver Jr. and noted his distinction as the first student to complete the new school’s

Robert (Bob) B. Culver II, ’79, Mobile College Class of 1967, died Feb. 18, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Anderson Culver; son, Robert (Rob) B. (Jennifer) Culver III; and grandsons, Anderson and Mitchell. At MC, Bob was president of Circle K service organization. He went on to have a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, in economic development and as a church and community leader. Emily Jayne King ’14 died Feb. 20, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Emily and husband Brady King ’13 created a nonprofit, Fighting With Hope, that sends a “Chemo Box” of practical, helpful items to people fighting cancer (fightingwithhope.com).

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Calling to Teach Mission to Serve How do you know when you’re exactly where God wants you to be – using your gifts, following His calling, and making an impact that reaches beyond yourself ? For Brinkley Hearn, a University of Mobile 2024 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, confirmation didn’t come in a single moment, but in the quiet, daily victories of her first year as a fourth-grade teacher at Saraland Elementary School. Just a year ago, Brinkley stood on the graduation stage in front of Weaver Hall and accepted the university’s highest honor for a graduating female senior, the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Award. Today, she is seeing the impact of her University of Mobile education come to life in her own classroom – an education that prepared her not just to teach, but to lead with faith and purpose. “I feel an undeniable sense that I am exactly where I am meant to be. Every day, I have seen my students not only grow academically but also personally, and it feels like I am a part of something bigger than myself. The challenges and triumphs have become moments where I can feel God’s presence guiding me, strengthening me, and using me to make a difference in their lives. It is more than just a job – it is a mission – and I know I am fulfilling my calling.” - Brinkley Hearn ’24

The Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award is presented annually to the most outstanding graduating female senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the University of Mobile. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. Named for B Weaver, the university’s first “First Lady,” it is considered the highest recognition possible for a University of Mobile female senior. The 2024 William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award for outstanding graduating male student was presented to Luke Killam.

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Nationally Recognized for Excellence The University of Mobile School of Education is nationally recognized for preparing teachers like Brinkley. Inspirational professors, 100% pass rates on teacher exams and collaborative partnerships throughout the community are just a few reasons UM is recognized for national excellence by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The school maintains a 100% pass rate on the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) for graduates, and 100% of Early Childhood and Elementary majors exceed the minimum passing score on their first attempt. A job placement rate of 100% means most education students have a teaching position lined up before they graduate.

K-12 schools have already been in session a few weeks, pre-service student teachers don’t have the opportunity to experience those hectic early days of a new school year. The Beginning of School Experience let UM students volunteer to work side-by-side with veteran teachers – before college classes even started. “We’ve had classes already about classroom management, and so we’ve done plans like first day of school scripts and how to set up a classroom and things like that. But it’s really neat to be in a classroom and see how that works hands-on,” says senior Bethany Kilgore.

Key to UM’s success is a team of experienced faculty who know first-hand what it takes to do the work – manage a classroom, nurture students with a variety of needs and abilities, hold parent-teacher conferences, develop lesson plans that work. “The amazing faculty in the School of Education works as a cohesive team to ensure that our students are prepared for a career in teaching. The collaborative partnerships we have established with local schools, educational organizations and the community is vital to the success of our students,” says Dr. Ashley Milner, dean of the School of Education.

Collaborative Connections UM faculty collaborate with public and private school systems across lower Alabama to provide students with extensive experience throughout the community. Starting in the sophomore year, students have over 200 hours in the field at various schools, grade levels and school systems. One example is last fall’s “Beginning of School Experience” partnership with nearby Saraland Elementary. Because UM’s fall semester starts after

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UM alumna Allison Nelson ’06 was one of those veteran teachers showing the ropes to UM student teachers. “These student teachers having the opportunity to see all of what happens is one more aspect that sets apart the education department at UM compared to other universities. It is one more step UM is taking to help these future educators WIN in the world of teaching,” says Allison.

Innovative Partnerships The mission of UM’s School of Education extends into the future, embracing new technologies and skills. In partnership with Pine Grove Elementary in Bay Minette, Alabama, UM students are engaging in a robotics learning initiative led by Dr. Jessica Freeland,

instructional design and technology graduate program coordinator. Freeland is passionate about empowering classroom teachers with the knowledge and skills to provide the computer science and digital literacy instruction required for elementary schools by the Alabama State Department of Education. A grant from the North Baldwin Community Foundation – an affiliate of The Community Foundation of South Alabama – provided Pine Grove Elementary and UM with robots designed to introduce early coding and problem-solving skills to elementary students in engaging, age-appropriate ways. “Too often, teachers shy away from technology like robotics because they find terms like ‘coding’ intimidating. Through this project, I want to demystify those concepts and show how robots can be seamlessly integrated into everyday lessons. By empowering educators, we’re ensuring that students will be exposed to critical 21st-century skills in a fun and engaging way,” says Freeland. She envisions her TE 405 students at UM partnering with Pine Grove teachers to co-teach robotics lessons, further reinforcing the collaboration between the two institutions and enhancing the educational experience for all students.

‘Passionate About Teaching’ As she prepares to graduate in a few weeks, senior Bethany Kilgore says she is fully prepared to pursue her calling to teach, her mission to serve. “I have always been passionate about teaching students, whether that be in a Sunday School class or teaching swim lessons during the summer. Teaching students something new and then seeing them understand it is one of the best and most rewarding feelings in the world. I believe it is so important for students to have teachers who are passionate about teaching them in developmentally appropriate ways, and I am learning how to do that to the best of my ability at the University of Mobile,” Bethany says.

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GOSPEL GENEROSITY By Dr. Nathan Harris Vice President for Institutional Relations

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“I first began to understand the power of gospel generosity when I saw how it transformed lives — not just those receiving, but those giving. The realization that generosity isn’t about obligation but about glorifying God changed everything for me.” -Dr. Nathan Harris

When I came to the University of Mobile, I saw the perfect place for this vision to flourish. Here, we believe God calls His people to radical generosity, and when we answer that call together, the impact is extraordinary. We see it every day in students preparing to serve the Lord through whatever vocation He has given them – men and women who will leave UM with a Great Commission passion to make a difference for the glory of God and the good of the world.

A Gospel Foundation As Christians, we often think that when we give our lives to Christ, He takes hold of everything except our money. But when God calls us to faith in Christ, the entirety of our lives is given over to God. Not one aspect of us is left outside of God’s sovereignty. As we are baptized, every part of us, including our pocketbooks, is cleansed and finds transformation in the gospel. This gospel of Jesus Christ – this very gospel that saves, redeems and restores – is our foundation for living a life of radical generosity.

Transformed by the Gospel Giving is a tangible way we can proclaim to those around us that we have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It shows a change of heart and reorientation of resources to be used in honor of God and for His glory. When the gospel is the foundation for generosity, then giving is first and foremost about proclaiming and portraying the saving work of Christ.

We proclaim the gospel through generosity because it’s the gospel that calls us to life radically different from the world (Rom. 12:1-2). Generosity is nothing but a vehicle to proclaim the goodness of God and the saving work of Jesus. As we give, we get to be living examples of what Christ has done in our lives.

Rooted in the Gospel Generosity is rooted in the gospel, sprouts from the gospel, and bears fruit because of the gospel. We give generously because of the gospel, and only because of the gospel. If we confess the gospel, then generosity should naturally follow it. As we practice generosity, God is working through us, enabling us to give. Giving, above all else, is about the testimony of the gospel. Gospel generosity is the Christian’s joyful awareness of what Christ has done for us and how we are privileged to participate in proclaiming that work through giving and advancing the gospel.

Go, give generously, and glorify God! Nathan W. Harris, PhD, is the author of “A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity: Giving as an Act of Grace,” published by B&H Publishing and available on Amazon.com and through The University of Mobile Store at universityofmobilestore.com.

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Since 1961, the University of Mobile has equipped students with the knowledge, faith and skills to make a lasting impact for Christ in their communities and around the world. The Great Commission Fund is a vital resource that provides scholarships to deserving students, supports key university initiatives and meets critical needs at the University of Mobile. It is a powerful and effective way to change lives and transform futures through Christ-centered higher education. Your gift to The Great Commission Fund is a demonstration of gospel generosity in action. Partner with us to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world. Make your tax-deductible gift today.

Join the Mission & Give Today!

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Online umobile.edu/give

Mail 5735 College Parkway Mobile, AL 36613

Phone 251.442.2913

Every Student Matters; Every Gift Matters The University of Mobile’s Fall Day of Giving broke records as alumni and supporters came together to raise $129,985 to impact our students through scholarships, student life and spiritual formation. The total amount raised surpassed the goal of $100,000 and will make it possible for students like Travis to have the life-changing experience of a UM education.

Travis Grimes

Once a Ram, Always a Ram! University of Mobile Alumni Association Support Your Alma Mater Update Your Information Keep Up with Alumni Events Request a New Diploma or Transcript Access Career Services

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Senior, 5-Year Accounting/MBA Student Government Association President Coming to the University of Mobile was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s where I felt the love of Christ for the first time and met people who poured into me, and it’s what inspired me to seek and give my life to God. The summer after my sophomore year was a turning point in my life. I was in a car accident – I woke up in the hospital and knew if I hadn’t woken up, I would be in hell. It put everything in perspective, that it’s not too late until it is. I told my pastor I was ready. My salvation gave me purpose and a passion for showing the love of Christ through service to others. I wouldn’t be at the University of Mobile if it wasn’t for scholarships. My mom is a single parent, and we struggled a lot. We had an unstable home life, and it’s my goal when I graduate to get my mom a home. Thank you for being willing to donate and help students have a chance in college to change their life and their family’s life.

Mark Your Calendar President’s Inauguration May 1, 2025 umobile.edu/inauguration Spring Day of Giving May 14, 2025 umobile.edu/dayofgiving Alumni & Friends Golf Classic Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Fairhope, Alabama Oct. 23, 2025 umobile.edu/mobileclassic Giving Tuesday Dec. 2, 2025 umobile.edu/giving Alumni & Friends Dinners umobile.edu/alumni

Stay Connected! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @umobilealumni umobile.edu

U N I VER SI TY N E WS

Photo by UM President Charles Smith

Historic Snowfall The University of Mobile campus was blanketed with a record-breaking 7.5 inches of snow Jan. 21, 2025. The last time the Mobile area had nearly this much snow was 6 inches recorded in 1895. Students played in the snow, made snowmen, threw snowballs and were joined in sledding down a hill by President Charles Smith. Scan the QR code for drone footage by Michael Zona ’21 & ’23.

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CHAPEL AT UM

‘More Than We Ask or Think’

Chapel on Youtube

Chapel Podcast

Students pour into Ram Hall, filling the auditorium and spilling into the adjacent cafeteria. They come ready to pray, worship and be challenged by God’s Word in the energized atmosphere of weekly Chapel. The Worship Collective student ensemble opens Chapel with prayer and worship. Students, faculty and staff prepare their hearts for an inspiring and challenging message that expands on the year-long Chapel theme drawn from Ephesians 3:20: “More Than We Ask or Think.” Speakers include seminary presidents, leading authors, prominent pastors and missions leaders. “Each speaker embodies the heart of servant leadership, equipping and challenging our campus community to grow in faith and boldly impact the world for Christ.” - UM President Charles Smith.

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CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR By the Numbers The University of Mobile’s Christmas

6,476 audience members 63

137

choir members

orchestra members

Spectacular is more than a concert – it’s a masterpiece of collaboration and creativity, a dazzling display of artistry and excellence. Most of all, it’s a joyous celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, presented for 22 years by students, faculty, staff and alumni from the Alabama School of the Arts, with support from across the

production tech students

56 pre-production meetings 292

university. This year, we’re taking you behind the scenes of Christmas Spec 2024 with some eye-opening numbers that reveal the hard work, ingenuity and teamwork it takes to create this spectacular celebration.

Watch Christmas Spectacular 2023 and check back for Christmas Spectacular 2024. Scan the QR code.

hours of load-in

hours of rehearsal

105 5 miles of cables

microphones

1,320 yards of gaff tape 3,776,512 pixels of LED

176 14 137

audio channels Follow the Alabama School of the Arts on YouTube for songs uploaded throughout the year. youtube.com/@alabamaschoolofthearts

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cameras

light fixtures

30 pizzas consumed 100,000+ oz of Starbucks

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Announcing the Celia Wallace College of Health Professions

“Celia Wallace is a tireless advocate for quality, caring and compassionate healthcare, and a strong supporter of Christian higher education. Naming our College of Health Professions in her honor is a fitting recognition of her immense contributions to our campus and community.” - Dr. Charles Smith, President For more than 50 years, Celia Wallace’s contributions in healthcare, business and philanthropy have shaped the medical field in Alabama and beyond. The University of Mobile honored the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame inductee by naming the College of Health Professions in her honor. The College encompasses the School of Nursing, School of Nurse Anesthesia, School of Health and Sports Science and Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice. “I’m definitely honored by this recognition,” said Wallace, noting UM’s drive to excel in healthcare. Wallace co-founded Southern Medical Health Systems

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that owns Springhill Medical Center, Springhill Rehabilitation and Senior Residence, Springhill Physician Practices, The SSI Group, and more. Her longtime support of UM includes leadership of the 2018 Weaver Hall Renovation Project that created the state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Weaver Hall. She served on the UM Board of Trustees, established the Gerald L. Wallace Tennis center in honor of her late husband and created endowed student scholarships.

#1 BSN Program in Alabama 100% BSN NCLEX Pass Rate (3 consecutive years) 100% BSN Job Placement 100% ADN NCLEX Pass Rate 100% FNP Certification Pass Rate 100% DNAP National Certification Exam Pass Rate #1 NCE Pass Rate in Alabama 100% DNAP Job Placement

The Song that Honors God: Roger Breland’s Enduring Legacy

Dr. Roger Breland has enjoyed a remarkable career in Christian music and higher education. In nearly 55 years he traveled more than 4 million miles across 50 nations, presented over 12,000 concerts and produced 100 albums. From the early days as founder and director of TRUTH, one of the first internationally successful contemporary Christian recording groups, to joining the University of Mobile in 2002 and leading a major expansion that became the Alabama School of the Arts, Roger Breland is credited with raising up generations of successful leaders in the music industry and churches around the world. Now this legendary leader is retiring as executive director emeritus of the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts in the Alabama School of the Arts and joining his wife, Linda, in the next chapter of their lives. He leaves an enduring call to excellence, authenticity and a faith that doesn’t just perform – but transforms.

“There’s really only one song to sing, and that is the song that will honor God. We want to do that with excellence. -Dr. J. Roger Breland Join Roger and Linda Breland in launching generations of successful artists, church and music industry leaders, and educators serving around the world with a tax-deductible gift to the Roger and Linda Breland Endowed Music Scholarship for students in the Alabama School of the Arts.

Scan the QR code to give online or call the Office for Institutional Relations at 251.442.2913 to learn how you can make an impact.

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Miss University of Mobile Celebrates 60 Years Chesed Turner, a junior musical theatre major from Niceville, Florida, was crowned Miss University of Mobile 2025 on Jan. 31, 2025, as the competition celebrated its 60th year. Her platform, “Created to Create,” focuses on bringing different outlets of expression and creativity to the campus and students. “We know that God is our Creator, but we often forget that He is creative,” says Turner. “And to have Him as our Creator, to be created in His image, means that we are creative ourselves. That is a part of His very nature, and therefore, it’s a part of ours.” To schedule a Miss UM appearance at a church, school or community event, contact Hali Givens, assistant vice president for enrollment services, at hgivens@umobile.edu.

Boar’s Head Festival A beloved Mobile College tradition, the Boar’s Head Festival returned for two performances in December 2025. The themed dinner recreated an era of grandeur and tradition as students dressed in medieval costumes, sang madrigal songs and presented a short performance of “The Second Shepherd’s Play” as the audience enjoyed dinner. The Boar’s Head Festival was performed annually from 1971 to 2000 under the direction of beloved music professor Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt.

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Experience the Ram Spirit! With 21 competitive sports and over 350 student-athletes from around 20 nations, there’s always something to cheer about when the Rams compete. Home games are jam-packed with action on the court or field, and there’s always something happening for fans, from tailgates and RamCorps shows to white-outs and red-outs and food and prizes.

Honoring Kaiden On Nov. 19, 2024, freshman basketball player Kaiden Francis collapsed on campus. Despite the quick and heroic efforts of students and medical professionals, Kaiden never recovered and passed away. The University of Mobile campus community gathered in Ram Hall with Kaiden’s family to pray, grieve and support one another. As the season continued, the men’s basketball team honored Kaiden in a number of ways, including wearing warmup attire with the word “Ramily” on back, and adding a number “0” patch on each jersey, the first collegiate number Kaiden wore.

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Meet Our Senior Leadership Team

MRS. JENNA GOODWIN Chief of Staff

DR. NATHAN HARRIS Vice President for Institutional Relations

DR. PAMELA BUCHANAN MILLER Vice President for Academic Affairs

MRS. LESA MOORE Vice President for Marketing & Public Relations

MR. LYNN SMITH Vice President for Business Affairs & Chief Financial Officer

MRS. CHARITY WITTNER Vice President for Student Affairs

Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center The university’s former College Woods Center is now the Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center, named by the UM Board of Trustees in honor of UM’s 5th president and first lady. The Burnetts worked side-by-side to refurbish the facility that now provides performance space for the Alabama School of the Arts, as well as meeting and banquet space for university, community and corporate events.

Happy Birthday to You, ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

Scan to watch the video

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The 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” was celebrated with the world premiere of an original arrangement for jazz band under the direction of Kenn Hughes, associate dean of the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts. Featured pianist was Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, director of piano studies and internationally acclaimed Steinway Artist.

Dance Education Integrates AI, 3-D & Global Collaboration A revolutionary approach to dance education made its debut at UM this spring semester, thanks to the international collaboration of dance instructor Barbara Haines. Haines participated in project development for higher education in dance as part of “Dance and Method” by the Hungarian Academy of Arts, Research Institute of Art Theory and Methodology. The focus was on benefits of virtual reality in art and pilot preparations research for 3D dance curriculum. Drawing from her recent presentation at the AI Transformation & Innovation Summit in Budapest, Hungary, Haines brought 3D dance educational material that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), Benesh Movement Notation (BMN), and motion capture technology into the classroom.

The Kennedy Center Honors Alabama School of the Arts faculty and students were honored with prestigious awards from The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, a national program recognizing excellence in university and college theatre programs across the United States.

Young Artists at Carnegie Hall The Young Artists Program made its Carnegie Hall debut March 4 with “Young Artist Spotlight: A Collaborative Night of Music with the University of Mobile.” The program provides UM students with specialized training, high-profile performance opportunities and intentional mentorships.

Onalbayeva Honored, Album Released UM’s Fisher-Brewer Recording Studio played a central role in the creation of “Unseen Paths, A Tribute to Lawrence K. Moss.” The collection celebrating the legacy of composer Lawrence K. Moss was released by Navona Records. It features Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, professor of music, who was recently award a prestigious artist fellowship by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Q&A with Steve Dunn: Music Professor and 3-Time Editor’s Choice Award Winner In the world of band music, recognition by J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice awards is a mark of excellence, and UM music professor Steve Dunn achieved this honor for the third consecutive year with his latest composition, “Steel Driving Man” based on the legendary tale of John Henry and premiered by high school students in the UM Honor Band.

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New Master’s Degrees in English and History The College of Arts and Sciences invited area high school teachers to “A Literary Talk with Teachers” to rekindle their love for reading and thought-provoking discussion and introduce UM’s new Master of Arts in English and Master of Arts in History degrees. The event was sponsored by The Alabama Humanities Alliance.

Senior Bowl Experience The Reese’s Senior Bowl held each January in Mobile is a practical training ground for School of Health and Sports Science students in the Master of Athletic Training program. Students assisted players during practice sessions and worked side-by-side with seasoned athletic trainers on injury evaluations and treatments.

Over 3,000 Summer Campers at UM Each summer, UM partners with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for “Super Summer Alabama,” and with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Lifeway Christian Resources for MFUGE camps, bringing over 3,000 young students to campus for a deep encounter with God’s Word.

UM is #1 in Alabama! The University of Mobile leads the state as the #1 Safest College Campus in Alabama with the #1 Best Dorms in the state in the 2025 Niche Best Colleges ranking.

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SHOP ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY RAM! UNIVERSITYOFMOBILESTORE.COM

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5735 College Parkway Mobile, Alabama 36613

For Christ & His Kingdom Where your students go to college matters! There’s something different about the University of Mobile, and it’s a difference that matters. You want a Christ-centered education that prepares them to pursue God’s calling for their lives. At the University of Mobile, we believe every vocation is a calling from God. We train your students to leverage their gifts for the glory of God and the good of the world in a culture of caring, faith and academic excellence that we call Know & Be Known.

Visit umobile.edu/calling or scan the QR code today to learn more! 52 TORCHLIGHT 2025