Issuu

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

TORCHLIGHT

Spring 2026

Multiplying Kingdom Leaders

Fighting With Hope

Spreading the Word with Words

When Ram Spirit needs a soundtrack, Game Day Choir delivers. 2

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President | Charles W. Smith Jr. Vice President for Marketing and Communications | Lesa Moore Editor | Kathy Dean Graphic Design | Heath Vester, Vannie Bohlen Writers | Kathy Dean, Lesa Moore, Molly Grace Watkins, Caroline Bowers Photographers | Micah Steadham, Camden Jewell, Heath Vester Editorial Office University of Mobile, TorchLight 5735 College Parkway Mobile, Alabama 36613 Phone: 251.442.2215 Email: torchlight@umobile.edu TorchLight is published by the University of Mobile Office for Marketing and Communications and is distributed free of charge to alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Postmaster: send address changes to Office for Marketing and Communications, University of Mobile umobilemagazine.com

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From the President Dear Friends, Welcome to TorchLight, the magazine of the University of Mobile. In the pages ahead, you will find many examples of lives being shaped and sent from this campus to impact the world for Christ. At the University of Mobile, our mission is clear: to multiply Kingdom leaders who leverage their gifts and calling for the glory of God and the good of the world. We want our graduates to excel in their fields, lead with integrity and steward their success in ways that advance Christ’s Kingdom. That conviction shapes everything we do. In the classroom, on the stage, on the field and in the residence halls, we are preparing students to live with conviction, compassion and courage as followers of Christ. Our prayer is not simply that students would graduate, but that they would go into the world ready to lead, serve and shine the light of Christ wherever He leads. This is an exciting season on our campus. God is blessing us with enrollment growth and a hunger for deeper discipleship and expanded global engagement. One example is a historic multi-million-dollar investment that will strengthen our missions mobilization efforts and help send students from every academic discipline to the nations. These opportunities remind us that growth is not merely something to celebrate — it is something to steward. In these pages, you will meet alumni who embody this vision. They are serving Christ in hospitals and courtrooms, classrooms and communities, and even through seasons of suffering. Their stories remind us that true impact is found when men and women faithfully use their gifts, opportunities and influence for the sake of the Gospel. Thank you for praying for the University of Mobile, believing in our mission and partnering with us as we equip the next generation of Christ-centered leaders.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

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

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Multiplying Kingdom Leaders Stories of Impact

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‘A Kingdom leader is a servant-hearted, heaven-focused individual who lives with initiative, joy and compassion. The University of Mobile has developed me as a Kingdom leader by giving me opportunities to step into that calling and honor the Lord. UM has not only opened doors — it has equipped me to walk through them.’ Lana Davis, Communication Honors Program, UM Ambassador, Ram Rush Leader, Residential Assistant, Campus Activities Board

‘The University of Mobile is preparing me to be a Kingdom Leader through the staff and faculty who are committed to helping their students grow. After I graduate, I want to show others that it is possible to grow in your faith while in any workplace and give God the glory for everything I do.’ Will Smith, Computer Information Systems UM Ambassador, Run Club, Intramural Flag Football

‘A Kingdom leader is someone who has died to themselves, picked up their cross, and is now leading others to do the same. UM is preparing me to do this every day by challenging me and making me ask ‘why.’ The more I ask myself why I believe what I believe, the more it strengthens that belief or points me in the direction of Truth.’ Oliver Boyle, Mathematics Men’s Basketball, Residential Assistant

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TORCHLIGHT 2026

On Mission for Eternal Impact “Kingdom leader” is more than a phrase at the University of Mobile — it is a defining outcome of our mission: The University of Mobile exists For Christ & His Kingdom to Multiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World.

goodness (Galatians 5). Kingdom goals include service, witness, stewardship and glorifying God in all things, at all times, forever (Colossians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Every classroom, chapel and campus experience is intentionally designed to shape students who will lead with faith, integrity and eternal purpose. Academic departments, student life events, athletic programs and campus ministries work in concert to develop graduates who are grounded in truth, shaped by faith and equipped to lead with integrity wherever God calls. That intentionality is more than aspirational language – it visibly shapes campus life and is the driving force behind new programs and initiatives marking the second year of UM President Charles Smith’s administration. “Kingdom leadership is the heartbeat of the University of Mobile,” President Smith says. “We want every student to leave here equipped not only with knowledge, but with the faith, courage and character to make a lasting impact for God’s Kingdom.

Dr. Jason Lee ’91, provost and vice president for academic administration, explains:

He cites four keys to creating academic programs that develop Kingdom leaders: • Academic innovation ensures students are receiving superior training marked by creativity, the latest methodologies and high academic standards. • Academic partnerships with businesses, medical providers, ministry partners, schools and government agencies expose students to real situations, contemporary challenges and professional mentoring. • Program efficiency helps students progress through their programs in a timely manner and helps lower student costs and student debt. • A Christ-centered faculty provides God-honoring programs and courses with a commitment to excellence that glorifies the Lord.

“Kingdom leaders are distinct from typical leaders in that Kingdom leaders are defined by Kingdom characteristics and driven by Kingdom goals. Kingdom characteristics include humility, patience, integrity and

“That intentionality in everything from the classroom to chapel ensures students are equipped to lead with wisdom and character long after they leave this campus,” Lee says. (Read more about UM’s new provost on Page 42)

“The true measure of our mission is not how many students walk across the stage at graduation, but how many walk into the world ready to lead with integrity, serve with compassion and make an eternal impact for Christ on whatever path He places before them.”

What is a Kingdom Leader? What exactly does it mean to be a Kingdom leader, and why is it central to UM’s mission?

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Shaping Leaders Through Student Life Leading the overall student experience is Tim Adams, UM’s new vice president for student development and collegiate athletics. He holds a Master of Theological Studies with emphasis in leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Bethel University. His extensive background includes 16 years of pastoral ministry in Liberty and Camdenton, Missouri, as well as leadership roles with Kanakuk Kamps and K-Life Ministries. A former collegiate football player with a coach’s heart for students, Adams brings a clear vision for strengthening a campus community that shapes graduates who leave UM saying their college experience was transformational.

Tim Adams at first Student Leadership Retreat

The Student Leadership Retreat of Fall 2025 kicked off that effort. Faculty and staff identified more than 150 student leaders – sophomores through seniors – from academic, athletic and student life programs across the university. In a week-long intensive experience prior to fall semester’s start, students learned from UM staff and faculty – including President Smith – what it means to be a leader on campus. The first chance students had to practice leadership in the new school year was Ram Rush, a high-energy week of activities designed to integrate the new freshman class

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into the campus community. Ram Rush sets the stage for a new student’s successful college experience. “My vision-cast for the Student Leadership Retreat was that we, as a group, have the opportunity to raise the tide and, with it, all ships in the bay,” Adams says. “For us, that’s the freshman incoming class. We have an opportunity as leaders to make sure these new students have a great experience as they come on campus for Ram Rush. To say to this new group of student leaders that ‘We see you as a person who can help us do that’ was really a rallying point of the retreat.” Spreading Ram Rush energy throughout the school year are events like The Weekender, a jam-packed weekend filled with activities while increasing attendance and excitement at athletic competitions. The Night Before brought students from across the campus community to a dress rehearsal for Christmas Spectacular, giving them a chance to see friends perform at a professional level in a fun environment that includes games and prizes. Game Day Choir put a new spin on fan support when over 100 students in full choir robes became the noisemakers for a men’s basketball game. Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Goodwin ’10 & ’23, dean of the Alabama School of the Arts, the choir responded to specific moments – such as singing “Miss It” to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” when UM’s opponents were shooting free throws. Within athletics, Adams is providing clarity and direction through a vision built on four pillars — character development, excellence, scholarship and competition — helping coaches and student-athletes understand how to pursue success while growing as Kingdom leaders. Nearly 500 student-athletes representing UM’s 21 intercollegiate teams gathered for the university’s first Spring Convocation for Athletics, a chapel-style service focused on spiritual growth and discipleship. Guest speaker Heiden Ratner, a former collegiate basketball player and founding pastor of WALK Church, challenged athletes to anchor their identity in Christ, not competition. Preaching from John 15, Ratner encouraged students to remain rooted in Jesus, reminding them that lasting victory begins with a life built on Him.

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Leadership in Action

Developing Leaders at Every Level

Jared Baria ’09 & ’24, director of student life, says Kingdom leadership is about more than titles or positions; it is about equipping students to live out their faith, to serve and to influence others for Christ in every aspect of their lives.

If Kingdom leadership is to be multiplied efficiently, students must see it modeled effectively by those who teach, mentor and guide them. That starts with recruiting faculty, staff and coaches who embrace UM’s Christ-centered culture and providing them with opportunities for growth, such as the annual Ignite Conference each fall. Dr. Rick Langer, retired professor and co-author of “Mission-Driven Colleges: Keeping First Things First in Christian Higher Education,” joined President Smith for a keynote address and armchair discussion about what it means to be a Christian university at the Fall 2025 Ignite Conference.

“All of our students and all Christians will have an opportunity to lead somewhere in life – that may be leading in the workplace as an employee or employer, it may be leading in your home. Christians are called to live on mission no matter what they do. Our professions do not change the mission,” Baria says. The UM experience is rich with opportunities for students to practice Kingdom leadership. Ambassadors and Presidential Fellows guide peers and represent UM with integrity. Campus Activities Board gives students practical experience in developing and implementing campus events. Student Government Association empowers students to implement innovative ideas to enhance the UM experience. Programs like Make Much Bible study deepen relationships with peers while strengthening personal relationships with Christ. Each month, students gather for Prayer Walk across campus, lifting up the university family. Prayer Room happens each semester, bringing students together for an intense time of prayer and worship. Residential Assistants mentor students in dorms through prayer groups and Bible study. During 2025-2026, University Ministries student teams led worship and Baria preached the gospel to incarcerated men and women at the Baldwin County Correctional Center. Three services at Mobile County Metro Jail – for juveniles, women and men – resulted in 12 professions of faith. Athletics and intramurals are also spaces for Kingdom leadership. Students learn to compete with excellence while reflecting Christ in all they do, whether on the court, in the gym or at a game-day event. “Even a guy playing intramural pickleball can do so for the glory of God and can represent Jesus well in competition,” Baria says.

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Additionally, President Smith has called faculty and staff to embody the university’s core values – to be hungry team members passionate about progress, humble servants eager to put others first, smart leaders who approach both people and projects with wisdom, and happy and hopeful colleagues who are encouraging and optimistic. At the Leadership Project, faculty and staff gather regularly to study influential leadership books through a biblical framework, engaging in thoughtful discussion about how Christ-centered leadership applies to their roles on campus. The initiative fosters shared language, deeper alignment around mission and a renewed commitment to leading with humility, integrity and purpose. Fall semester’s study focused on Patrick Lencioni’s “The Ideal Team Player” and spring semester 2026 is reading “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport. The President’s Cabinet further strengthens the university’s investment in developing a workforce of Kingdom leaders. Bringing together administrative leaders from across the university, the Cabinet provides a forum to hear updates on key initiatives, offer input and ensure collaborative, mission-driven decision-making. The result is not merely administrative coordination, but unified leadership shaped by the same Kingdom principles UM seeks to instill in its students. By intentionally developing leaders at every level, the University of Mobile reinforces a culture where Kingdom leadership is not only taught — it is practiced, modeled and multiplied daily.

Historic Gift Launches Tom Elliff Center for Missions A historic multi-million-dollar investment by generous donors has established the Tom Elliff Center for Missions at the University of Mobile, creating a dedicated hub for missions training and mobilization set to launch in Fall 2026. President Charles Smith called the gift and the establishment of the center “a milestone moment,” noting that while the donors chose to remain anonymous, their faithfulness will have an eternal impact. “At its core, this new center stands at the heart of our mission to equip Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world,” Smith said. Building on the strong spiritual foundation of chapel — where the UM community gathers weekly for worship, biblical teaching and encouragement from leaders across the Southern Baptist Convention — the center will provide intentional pathways for students to translate faith into action through local, national and global mission opportunities. Director Austin Holcomb and senior advisors D. Ray and Amanda Davis bring decades of global missions experience with the International Mission Board to lead this effort to mobilize students for the Great Commission.

Learn more about the Tom Elliff Center for Missions

Tom Elliff

THE TEAM

Austin Holcomb

D. Ray Davis

Director

Senior Advisor

Amanda Davis Senior Advisor umobile.edu

Advancing the Conversation Special campus luncheons welcomed community and church leaders for fellowship and meaningful dialogue ahead of chapel services featuring Dr. Kevin Ezell and Dr. Derek Allen. Each gathering also included a Q&A hosted by Dr. Charles Smith.

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FOR THE GLORY OF GOD & THE GOOD OF THE WORLD Alumni Stories of Impact

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Fighting with Hope By Kathy Dean

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Blog #1: And So It Begins… Our Cancer Story My prayer is that in reading our story

you will run to the one place where unshakable hope and joy are found. Ultimately, our prayer together is that by sharing these stories, we will make the name of Jesus Christ great. Emily has been such a trooper through all of this, but she would be the first to tell you that we are not the heroes of this story, or any story. Jesus is! We are weak and flawed, yet He has been our strength and our hope through it all.

“When we did, that was the first time we had a doctor use the scary ‘C’ word. A few days later we had it officially confirmed that Emily was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at age 27,” Brady recalled. “If you don’t know anything about colon cancer, it is mostly an old person’s disease – it’s not supposed to be something that anyone our age has. But that was the world we were thrust into. We went from this ideal, young married couple life to a world filled with doctor visits and second opinions and chemotherapy treatments.”

- Brady King, The Fighting With Hope Blog Their story began at the University of Mobile. Emily Kolakoski and Brady King were student-athletes – she was an elementary education major on the tennis team while he majored in math and played third base for Rams baseball. They met through Campus Life’s student-athlete ministry and, shortly after graduating with bachelor’s degrees in 2014, they married. Emily started her career as a first-grade teacher at Lee Elementary in Satsuma, Alabama. Brady went on to earn a chemical engineering degree and, with the help of Coach Mike Jacobs, to land a job in his field with Precision Engineering Inc. “For the first four years of our marriage, everything was going incredibly well,” Brady said. “We had an incredible marriage, we loved one another, we were plugged in with an awesome church community and were hosting small groups in our home. We were even part of a core group that was planning to plant a church called Harbor Community Church, where I now serve as one of the pastors. Things were going really well.”

On April 7, 2019, their entire world flipped upside down. Emily had one minor symptom that caused some concern, so they went to the ER to get it checked out.

Along the way, they would learn that while colon cancer rates overall have been declining due to increased screening starting at the recommended age of 45, there is a growing trend of young onset colorectal cancer. By the year 2030, colon cancer is estimated to rise 90% and rectal cancer to rise by a staggering 124% in younger patients, according to a 2020 article “Addressing the Disturbing Rise of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer” in the American Society of Clinical Oncology Daily News. In the article, Dr. Kimmie Ng, Emily’s oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, said, “Each year, more than 16,000 people younger than age 50 are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S., and incidence rates among this population have risen 51% since 1994 with the sharpest increase among those age 20 to 29, upending young lives, families, and their hopes for the future. It’s imperative that we try umobile.edu

to identify new ways to prevent, treat and catch these cancers earlier, at a curable stage – that’s our ultimate goal.”

Blog #4: Make My Name Great A few nights ago, Emily made a profound statement that humbled and wrecked me. In a time of confusion and pain she brought everything clearly into perspective. She described how she was crying and praying to the Lord and asking God what to do. This has been my biggest dilemma as well, what do I do? Surgery, oncology appointments, cancer treatments, this is all new and uncharted territory for us. Do I cry out to God for allowing this to happen? Do I pray constantly for miraculous healing? Do I weep with friends that stop by? Do I skip work? Do I continue my daily routine as much as possible? Luckily, my wife is incredible, and the Lord helped show her the answer. As she cried and asked Him for answers, God laid a simple phrase on her heart, “Make My Name Great.”

The following years were a whirlwind. Chemotherapies, immunotherapies, targeted therapies, clinical trials, surgeries, radiation. Learning the cancer is gone, learning the cancer is back. Three winters of clinical trials in Boston. An endless cycle of hope, fear, anger, peace, exhaustion – all intensified by navigating cancer care during a global pandemic. Through it all, the Lord provided. Emily and Brady had parents and family who loved and supported them, along with a church family that stood by them. They had medical teams that kept fighting,

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researchers that kept finding new treatments, and access to care that kept opening new doors. They had the kind of friends you make at a place like the University of Mobile – friends shaped by faith, loyalty and love – who helped care for their menagerie of farm animals, bring meals, share laughter, cry together, stand with them through dark times and rejoice in victories. Friends who would pray without ceasing and help them cling to faith when trusting God required everything they had.

Still, Emily never forgot that moment: Make My Name Great. “We prayed about how to make God’s name great for around two years as we learned to navigate the cancer world,” Brady said. It was a journey without a road map. Through her own experience and that of fellow patients in the chemotherapy infusion room, Emily learned tips that helped make side effects bearable – like chewing Starbursts to mask the taste of port flushes. She learned that many well-meaning gifts, like coloring books to pass the time, weren’t really all that helpful when you are so fatigued and tired that even coloring can be too much work. An iTunes gift card and an iPad were more practical, providing hours of music and movies that can play in the background as you doze. The more they experienced, the more their mission came into focus. What began as a simple desire to be faithful — to make God’s name great in the midst of suffering — quietly began to take shape. “We didn’t want to be on the cancer road. But God had us there for a purpose, and our job was to be faithful in that,” said Brady. “We finally realized that God had strategically placed us – and uniquely equipped us – to make His name great right where He had put us, in the cancer world. That’s when we started Fighting With Hope.”

Blog #8: Fighting With Hope – Official Launch! They say when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. In our case, when life sends you cancer, you use it to glorify God as best you can. Because of our experiences with everything from multiple chemotherapy regimens to our countless hospitals stays, we have gained some valuable knowledge about navigating the cancer world. We started to realize Emily was becoming a pro at doing chemotherapy (not something you really want to be a pro at). So she started to share some of the tips and tricks she had picked up along the way. Over time, Emily slowly built up a pretty good list of helpful items. When we would meet a new friend starting chemo, she would send them a box full of helpful items. She would include a personal letter in each box as well. Around the same time, we began to feel like we weren’t “doing” much for the Lord because we were isolated and facing our own trials. We wanted to be useful for the kingdom of God, but we didn’t know how to do that as Emily went through chemo in the middle of a pandemic. As we were praying for God to show us how we could serve and honor Him during a season of suffering, close friends and family started telling us about new folks being diagnosed with cancer. Of course, we wanted to send a care package to everyone we heard of, so we did just that. Eventually, the ministry continued to grow, and outside individuals started asking how they could sponsor boxes to support what we were doing. That’s when we really started praying and decided that we needed to make it official and go for it! So we started a non-profit – Fighting With Hope. Our goal is to send a chemo box to every cancer patient who is referred to us. Each box is filled with items Emily has hand selected because they are legitimately helpful for cancer patients dealing with a diagnosis or going through treatment. She knows exactly what is needed because, as I write this, she is hooked up with a pump for her 34th round of chemo. Every item is made with natural and safe ingredients, and each one is something Emily has found helpful. We include items to serve not just the physical but the mental and spiritual as well. Cancer takes a toll on every aspect of your being, so we do our best to combat every angle of that with hope. umobile.edu

The first Fighting With Hope Chemo Box was sent to a 7-year-old boy in Louisiana fighting acute myeloid leukemia – now cancer-free after two bone marrow transplants. Throughout her cancer journey, Emily packed boxes, coordinated volunteers and sourced supplies she found helpful. Friends volunteered to pack boxes that were ordered online and shipped to cancer patients. Women’s, men’s and children’s boxes included items ranging from lip balm, soothing salve and hand sanitizer made locally from natural ingredients to Fighting With Hope customized scripture and prayer cards from Hide and Seek Scriptures. Along with Starbursts were lavender candles for calming, ginger drops for nausea, a blanket prayed over by Brady and volunteers, water bottle for hydration, a journal to record information at doctor’s appointments or write down thoughts and feelings, a tips and tricks paper for the road ahead and “Suffering,” a book by Paul David Tripp that Brady found meaningful (available at The University of Mobile Store, universityofmobilestore.com). Word spread about Fighting With Hope and the young woman with colon cancer who started a ministry to give newly diagnosed cancer patients support, encouragement and practical tips for the journey ahead. CBS News sent a reporter to her home and featured Emily and her Chemo Boxes on the evening news.

In January 2025, the treatments stopped working. “We had to make the really, really, really hard choice to move back home and start hospice care for Emily,” Brady said. After six years battling cancer, Emily passed away on Feb. 20, 2025, just 10 days after her 33rd birthday.

A year after Emily’s death, Brady is learning to grieve with hope. As he continues in his career, Brady also focuses on expanding the Fighting With Hope ministry. Currently, volunteers – many from their UM family – gather once a week at Mobile’s Innovation Portal to pack and mail Chemo Boxes to newly diagnosed cancer patients across the nation. The Colon Cancer Coalition has partnered with Fighting With Hope by providing a grant and some items to include in Chemo Boxes. Brady hopes to build more partnerships with churches, hospital foundations, businesses and individuals. He envisions a Fighting With Hope ministry that offers resources for cancer patients, caregivers and grieving widows and widowers. He continues to post about his journey as a widower on The Fighting With Hope Blog and welcomes opportunities to share their story of faith, hope and love. “One thing we know – and I am living proof of – is you never know what life’s going to throw at you,” he told students recently at UM’s Make Much Bible study on Lamentations. “We all, at some point, are going to face some kind of suffering. What are you going to hold onto when that suffering comes?”

Watch the Fighting with Hope story on CBS News.

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He says 1 Peter 1:3 has been his lifeline over the past few years: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

“My hope in everything I’ve been through is knowing that there’s a coming time when I will be reunited with Emily – with the Lord – in a place where there’s no more sin, there’s no more sickness, there’s no more cancer and there’s no more death. And that’s a hope that gives me peace and joy to walk through even the darkest valleys today. That’s a hope I cling to, and my prayer is that each one of you will cling to that same hope today,” he told UM students.

Each day, approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer – over 2 million each year. Roughly 1,700 people lose their lives to the disease each day. So far, more than 1,500 customized Chemo Boxes – for women, men and children – have been delivered to patients in all 50 states. Each Chemo Box costs $250, which includes $200 in carefully selected contents and $50 for shipping and handling.

Brady King is working to expand the Fighting With Hope ministry by partnering with churches, hospital foundations, cancer centers, ministries and like-minded organizations to ensure more patients receive support when they need it most. To help:

One of the beautiful things about Emily was that when she found something good, she wanted to share it with others. “We used to talk about it all the time – I don’t know how anybody could possibly walk through this season of suffering without the hope of the gospel,” Brady said.“We want to bring a living hope to those in the cancer world. At the end of the day, you can help with nausea, you can help with loneliness, but if you are going to make it through deep suffering, you need a rock-solid hope – an eternal hope that only comes with the resurrection of Christ.”

• Partner with Fighting With Hope ministry • Send a Chemo Box to someone you know who is battling cancer. • Sponsor a Chemo Box for a cancer patient “Moving forward, I have a vision that every cancer patient would have some kind of resource like this when they get diagnosed,” Brady said. Learn more, partner or order a Chemo Box at fightingwithhope.com.

Help Make God’s Name Great Fighting With Hope was born from a simple phrase God placed on Emily King’s heart at the beginning of her cancer journey: Make My Name Great. Although Emily’s journey is complete, the ministry she helped build continues to bring hope, comfort and the love of Christ to cancer patients across the country.

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SPREADING the

WORD with

WORDS By Molly Grace Watkins

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From writing devotionals to editing stories, University of Mobile alumni are pursuing their calling to share words that communicate truth, inspire faith and change lives. Through their books, these UM graduates are spreading the Word with words that are uplifting, challenging and making a Kingdom impact worldwide.

Amanda’s Story: “Is your name really Bible?” This is one of the most-asked questions Amanda Bible Williams receives. With a smile and a nod, she answers with a hearty “yes!” It’s a fitting introduction for someone whose life and work revolve around helping others engage with Scripture. Amanda is co-founder of the global community and lifestyle brand, She Reads Truth. What began in 2012 as a small online Bible study is now a worldwide sisterhood of women who learn and grow together in their engagement with the Gospel. Daily Bible reading plans, weekly podcast, Bible apps and other resources help women build consistent Bible reading habits, grow in biblical literacy and unite with other Bible readers across the world.

Amanda Bible Williams Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & English ’00 Co-founder of She Reads Truth Book: “The Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible” Authors: Amanda Bible Williams & Raechel Myers Publisher: B&H Publishing Group, 2025 About the Book: From Genesis to Revelation, “The Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible” seamlessly intertwines truths found in Scripture. She Reads Truth co-founders Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers created a 66-day devotional that takes you through every book of the Bible, one day at a time. Just like the “She Reads Truth Bible” released in 2016, this devotional helps readers engage with the entirety of the Word. Each day features selected reading passages, personal reflections and connections across Scripture to show the overarching story of redemption.

Today, more than 931,000 people follow the She Reads Truth Instagram account, @shereadstruth. Since its publication in 2016, the “She Reads Truth Bible” has sold over one million copies worldwide. The She Reads Truth series has published hundreds of books — more than 223 study books plus three children’s books — covering topics from devotional and Bible-study guides to full Bible reading plans and children’s faith resources including the She Reads Truth, He Reads Truth and Kids Read Truth brands. As a University of Mobile graduate, Amanda credits enriching relationships with professors and mentors who taught her “to read widely, think critically and value learning as part of a full, rich life.” Today, Amanda encourages others to read and understand the Bible for themselves through her She Reads Truth platform.

Visit shereadstruth.com to access reading plans, books and podcasts. umobile.edu

His role includes stewarding a major English Bible translation – the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – as well as the oldest Bible publishing imprint in North America – Holman Bibles. He was part of a team that launched The Gospel Project, an age-aligned Bible study for churches and small groups used globally.

“As a Bible Publishing house, our focus isn’t to merely print and distribute Bibles — despite that being a worthwhile goal — but rather our mission and strategy is to faithfully curate trustworthy Bibles that help people of all ages engage meaningfully with Scripture,” he said.

Dr. Andy McLean Bachelor of Arts in Religion ’03 Publisher for Bibles and Reference at B&H Publishing Group, Lifeway Christian Resources

Andy recalls how the time and experiences he had at the University of Mobile laid the foundation for what would follow later in his graduate and career opportunities.

Book: “Big Questions: Developing a Christ-Centered Apologetic” Publisher: Lifeway Christian Resources, 2016

“The challenging educational program, the perennial support from faculty and positive experiences from fellow student peers all contributed to my success in pursuing three master’s degrees (MDiv, MA, ThM) and a PhD in post-graduate life.

About the Book: Unless faith is grounded in something more than emotion, believers will struggle to effectively deal with doubts or see them as opportunities to grow in commitment to Christ. “Big Questions: Developing a Christ-Centered Apologetic” is a six-session study – plus a teacher’s guide – that equips students to think biblically about some of the toughest topics relating to the Christian faith. With insights from apologists William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland and Sean McDowell, the study takes students through a deeper way to define and defend their faith.

Andy’s Story: Andy McLean has a unique opportunity to get God’s Word into the hands and hearts of millions. As publisher for Bibles and Reference at B&H Publishing Group, Lifeway Christian Resources – one of the largest Bible publishing houses in the world – he leads a team that publishes Bibles, commentaries and reference books, including works by multiple University of Mobile alumni.

As an author, Andy aims to ensure students can defend their faith. In “Big Questions: Developing a Christ-Centered Apologetic,” teens and young adults are challenged to defend their faith when tough topics are brought up, including doubt, other religions, God’s existence and more.

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“In short, it was an incredibly impactful time and place in my life where I was personally stretched intellectually and emotionally, and a time and place that offered me the space to dream and consider what God might have for me, as I continued to pursue this calling following my time at the University of Mobile,” Andy said. Recently, alongside Lifeway Christian Resources, Andy generously gifted the University of Mobile 500 new Bibles for students, distributed during the first chapel service of the 2024 fall semester.

Jason’s Story: During his college years, Jason Lee learned from University of Mobile professors to “think well, love the Bible and care for others as preparation for all of life.” “Not only did I have great relationships with my professors, but they also instilled in me the importance of having the Gospel be the center of all vocations including healthcare, education and religious studies,” Jason says. In writing “Scripture and Scrubs: A Christian Calling to Healthcare,” Jason used the tools he learned early in his academic career to answer the calling the Lord had placed on his life.

Dr. Jason K. Lee Bachelor of Arts in Religion ’91 Provost & Vice President for Academic Administration, University of Mobile Book: “Scripture and Scrubs: A Christian Calling to Healthcare” Authors: Jason K. Lee, Michael Sherr and Angie Mickle Publisher: B&H Publishing Group, 2025 About the Book: In medical care, the physical needs of patients matter deeply – but so do the spiritual and emotional well-being of the professionals who care for them. “Scripture and Scrubs: A Christian Calling to Healthcare” by theologian Jason K. Lee, social work professor Michael E. Sherr and dean of nursing Angelia M. Mickle offers a thoughtful blend of theological insight, real-life scenarios and practical guidance to help healthcare professionals understand their role as frontline workers for the Lord. Grounded in both Scripture and clinical experience, the book encourages seasoned practitioners as well as students preparing to enter the healing professions.

A professor who served at Cedarville University as director of the Center for Biblical Integration, Jason co-authored “Scriptures and Scrubs” to help current and future healthcare professionals navigate the trials and difficulties that come with demands of their vocation.

“If you are a Christian healthcare professional that needs encouragement for your field of ministry, this book draws on God’s wisdom in 2 Corinthians as timely help for weary souls,” said Jason. “Scripture and Scrubs” is one of the top-ranked books in its niche and was the focus of a recent Jesus Calling podcast (jesuscalling.com/podcast). Among Jason’s publications is the forthcoming “Submitting to Christ Together: Baptist Dogmatics Ecclesiology” set to release this year, and “The Theology of John Smyth: Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, Mennonite.”

Dr. Jason Lee joined the University of Mobile family as provost in the Fall. Read more about Dr. Lee on page 42.

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Mary’s Story: A published author, speaker and associate publisher at B&H Publishing Group, Mary uses the skills she learned at the University of Mobile daily.

“Through the programs at UM, I was prepared thoroughly with instruction in theology as well as how to write in a way that communicates clearly and effectively,” said Mary. “If it were not for my time at UM, I would not have discovered that writing means so much to me. My professors and peers at the university really spurred me to success.” Through her vocation, Mary plays a key role in ensuring God’s Word reaches multitudes. It is her aim and calling to ensure the Gospel is presented accurately through the writings of her authors and extended rapidly through the production and distribution of the printed works.

Mary Wiley Bachelor of Arts in English & Christian Studies ’09 Associate Publisher at B&H Publishing Group Book: “Discovering the Bible: A Kid’s Guide to Reading and Understanding God’s Word” Publisher: B&H Publishing Group, 2025 About the Book: “Discovering the Bible: A Kid’s Guide to Reading and Understanding God’s Word” equips children to explore Scripture with confidence and curiosity. Designed for ages 8–12, this kid-friendly guide teaches young readers how to understand different Bible genres, ask thoughtful questions and apply God’s Word in everyday life. With memory verses, reading plans and practical tools for parents and ministry leaders, “Discovering the Bible” makes learning about God’s Word both accessible and inspiring, helping the next generation build a strong foundation of faith.

“I do not take what I do lightly, and God has been so kind to allow me to serve the Kingdom in ways that I so enjoy,” Mary said. Since her first book, “The Gospel Story” (2015) sold over one million copies, she has written “Everyday Theology: What You Believe Matters” (2020), “Life as a Christian” (2022), “Everyday Theology Bible Study for Teens” (2022), “Our Highest Good” (2024), and most recently, “Discovering the Bible for Kids,” also available as an e-book. Mary hosts a podcast where she dives more into her book study Everyday Theology along with her own series “Questions Kids Ask” where she brings in various guest speakers for each episode.

Listen to the Everyday Theology & Questions Kids Ask podcast at marycwiley.com.

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Scott & Steve’s Story: Getting to collaborate with one of your lifelong friends is something that writers, educators and thinkers dream about doing. University of Mobile graduates Scott Hildreth and Steve McKinion did just that. The result is two popular publications: “Sharing Jesus without Freaking Out” and “Serving Jesus without Burning Out.” The books grew out of countless conversations and a shared passion for seeing lost people come to faith in Christ and serve the Lord throughout their lives. Hildreth

McKinion

Dr. D. Scott Hildreth Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies ’91 Master of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies ’99 Assistant Professor of Missiology, Associate Dean of Ministry Studies, Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dr. Steven A. McKinion Master of Arts in Theological Studies ’97 Professor of Theology and Patristics, Director of PhD and ThM Studies, John L. Dagg Chair of Systematic Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Book: “Serving Jesus without Burning Out: Faithful Ministry for the Long Haul” Authors: Scott Hildreth & Steve McKinion Publisher: B&H Publishing Group, 2025 About the Book: Whether due to emotional exhaustion, poor choices, moral failures or stress and fatigue, church leaders are experiencing high rates of burnout. In “Serving Jesus without Burning Out,” Steve McKinion and Scott Hildreth address some of the most prevalent issues facing men and women in church leadership today. In this book, the authors focus on the need for spiritual holiness and for faith leaders to be rooted in Scripture at all times. “Serving Jesus without Burning Out” helps ministers to survive – even thrive – in the challenges and blessings of Christian ministry.

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As professors and colleagues at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, teaching and writing are part of their calling – and their time at UM laid the foundation.

“I still draw on the foundation of my studies under professors at the University of Mobile who pursued academic excellence but also demonstrated a pastor’s heart and a view to ministry around the world,” Steve said. “The teaching that I received at UM allowed me to be a better professor to my students. I am so grateful to have had such enriching relationships at that point in my life,” Scott said. Both are using their gifts as communicators to speak specifically to church leaders, encouraging ministers to thrive in the challenges and blessings of Christian ministry. In “Serving Jesus without Burning Out,” they address some of the issues church leaders face and show how to combat them through the Word. Scott has several published works including “Together on God’s Mission: How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission,” “A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions,” and the children’s book “God is Great, God is Good.” Steve’s publications include “Words, Imagery, and the Mystery of Christ: A Reconstruction of Cyril of Alexandria’s Christology,” “Life and Practice in the Early Church,” “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Isaiah 1-39,” and “The Person and Work of Jesus Christ.”

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THE UM CONNECTION “I do not think we would be out here (planting a church in Las Vegas) if it weren’t for the University of Mobile connections we had.” - Jack Diven ’15 Church Planter, YOUR Church Las Vegas, Nevada

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3Circle Church - The Launchpad Chris Bell | Fairhope, Alabama

Visiting with Joseph at his newly planted Favor City Church in Las Vegas, Jack felt a pull to ministry in that largely unchurched city. Jack shared his vision with Chris Bell. “What happened after that was really pretty incredible,” Jack remembers. “Not only could I see God calling me to this, but Chris had been praying for years that God would send people from 3Circle to plant churches.” 3Circle continued to invest in Jack while he served on staff in a church planting residency. That gave him the space to craft a vision for a new church and start building a team. When Jack and Kayla moved to Las Vegas, 3Circle kept him on staff while he started a training residency at Favor City Church and laid the groundwork for the launch of YOUR Church in southwest Las Vegas.

Chris Bell

3Circle Church, led since 2012 by University of Mobile alumnus Chris Bell (Class of 2000, Bachelor of Arts in Theology), is a hub for discipleship, worship and community engagement at its main Fairhope campus, with locations in midtown Mobile, Daphne, Robertsdale and Thomasville. Ministries range from youth programs to worship leadership and outreach initiatives, and the church has long invested in equipping leaders and sending them into ministry.

“There is not a single person on this earth that has believed in me more than Chris Bell, and he flung the door wide open for me to have essentially every opportunity I have ever been given to do ministry,” Jack reflects. “That man has changed my life.”

One of those leaders was Jack Diven ’15. While still a student at UM, Jack worked part-time as a worship leader at 3Circle’s Thomasville campus and the main campus youth group. After Jack and wife Kayla ’12 moved to Atlanta, he felt God calling him to step into pastoral ministry. 3Circle opened that door and Jack returned to Fairhope, serving over three years as a youth pastor and starting a middle school youth group that grew to 200 students. Then Jack felt God’s nudge to start a new church. “I called the only person I knew who had ever planted a church before, and it was Joseph Gibbons,” a 2012 UM alumnus who had served at Dayspring Baptist Church when Jack occasionally led youth worship.

Jack Diven

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Favor City Church – The Training Ground Joseph & Kristen Gibbons Las Vegas, Nevada Joseph and Kristen Gibbons felt God calling them to Las Vegas to plant a church where people could belong before they believed. That call became urgent after they led a youth weekend in the city and witnessed firsthand the epidemic of teenage homelessness.

Over the next five years, Favor City grew rapidly. The church now averages 400 weekend attendees in an 18,000-square-foot facility. It offers youth and children’s ministries, outreach programs that provide thousands of meals to hurting families, small groups that meet weekly, and regular community events to share the Gospel. Hundreds have expressed faith in Christ, and over 100 have been baptized since the church’s founding.

“Las Vegas is known as the nation’s capital for teenage homelessness, a reality that broke our hearts and clarified our calling. This statistic became personal when we met a young girl in the city experiencing homelessness. We knew then that only the local church could bring hope and healing to such needs,” said Joseph (Class of 2012, Bachelor of Arts in Theology/M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Kristen ’12 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Favor City was planted through SEND Network, the Southern Baptist Convention’s church planting network model that emphasizes churches, not individuals, plant churches by equipping planters with mentorship, training and accountability. Favor City’s ministry reflects a generational multiplying legacy in Las Vegas, rooted in the work of Hope Church, founded in 2001 by Vance Pitman — now president of SEND Network. Hope Church has long been committed to church planting in the city, including sending planters who launched WALK Church in 2015. WALK in turn partnered with SEND and other networks to raise up new churches across the valley, including Favor City. Favor City embraced this collaborative strategy as part of its DNA and, in turn, provided training and support for Jack and Kayla Diven to plant YOUR Church in southwest Las Vegas. In August 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, they moved with their two children, Cannon and Riley Jo, and five close friends to launch Favor City Church. The church officially began in a local high school with about 90 attendees, a small but faithful start to what would become a thriving community. 32

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“Our years at the University of Mobile deepened not only our understanding of the gospel, but also how to live and share the gospel in everyday life,” Joseph said. “Professors and staff did more than teach us – they discipled us, invested in us personally, and continue to encourage us in ministry today.”

YOUR Church – A Church on Fire Jack & Kayla Diven Las Vegas, Nevada

YOUR Church launched in Las Vegas on Sept. 21, 2024, with Jack as pastor and Kayla as communications director. “God has given us a vision for the city rooted in Psalm 67:1-2. The heartbeat of our church is found in three words from these verses, ‘So That Your.’ We want to attach ourselves to the glory of God So That YOUR Church will see the gospel move in power in Las Vegas,” said Jack, a 2015 UM graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Leadership. Kayla ’12 holds a Bachelor of Arts in humanities and philosophy.

development and a ministry theme called “Church on Fire,” centered on the book of Acts. “We’re setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal for the next three years: develop 120 Upper-Room Ready leaders,” Jack says. “An Upper-Room Ready leader is someone who’s gone through the normal stages of church development — from guest to regular attender, to member, to serving on a team, to leading in ministry. These leaders are actively sharing the Gospel, engaged in community and growing in prayer and leadership.”

The couple credits Favor City Church and the SEND Network, as well as 3Circle Church, for making the launch a success. “I was at Favor City in a residency for about a year and a half. They show you how to plant a church, help you craft your vision, and give you the opportunity to serve in a church to see how church plants operate. You’re in a training mode, engaging the city, beginning to build your team — all while having the cover of Favor City,” Jack said. During that residency, Jack and Kayla began hosting outreach events, launching Bible studies and building a core team. “Our first event, Coffee & Community Night at a local coffee shop, had about 40 people,” Jack remembers. “We bought coffee and pastries, shared the vision for the church and invited people to be part of it. Eventually, a core team started to rise to the top. Once we reached around 50 core members, we knew we were ready to launch the church.” Today, YOUR Church averages 50–75 attendees weekly, with 15 baptisms since its founding. The church maintains small groups, a men’s ministry called Band of Brothers, homeless outreach, community events like Easter egg hunts and block parties, membership courses and has seven volunteer teams led by a staff of five. Looking ahead, YOUR Church is focusing on leadership

Jack says the impact of the University of Mobile and its alumni is immeasurable. Both 3Circle and Favor City continue their support for the Divens’ ministry, and the connection the alumni share continues to deepen. “3Circle is our national-sending church and Favor City is our city-sending church. It’s the combined efforts of both that helped us launch YOUR church in Las Vegas,” Jack said. “I do not think we would be out here if it weren’t for the UM connections we had.”

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CHURC H SPOTLIGH T

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH GADSDEN, ALABAMA By Lesa Moore

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“I love how UM’s mission dovetails so well with the mission of the local church. That’s how it should be.” – Mat Alexander ’08 A Church Rooted in Community Located in the heart of downtown Gadsden, First Baptist Church Gadsden is a historic, multigenerational congregation with a legacy of faithfulness and service. While its history runs deep, its focus remains firmly on meeting present needs and sharing the Gospel both locally and globally. At the core of the church’s ministry is a simple yet powerful calling: to proclaim Christ and love others well.“First and foremost, our desire is to see the Gospel proclaimed in Gadsden and beyond,” Senior Pastor Mat Alexander explains. “Because of our love for Christ and His Gospel, we also love our neighbors through ministries like a free dental clinic and feeding the less fortunate.”

Meeting Needs Through Ministry One of the most unique and impactful ministries of FBC Gadsden is its long-standing free dental clinic. What began decades ago with just two dentists in the congregation has grown into a sustained outreach now supported by a new generation of dental professionals within the church. Each month, individuals in need receive free dental extractions – services coordinated through the church and provided at a nearby dental office. The church also serves as a hub for food distribution in downtown Gadsden. Through partnerships with local businesses, members provide: - Weekend backpacks filled with food for elementary students on free or reduced lunch programs - Holiday meals for approximately 150 families each year Beyond local efforts, FBC Gadsden extends its reach internationally through a partnership with a Baptist dental mission in Honduras. Church members travel annually to provide dental care, lead Vacation Bible Schools and support ongoing ministry efforts. “We want to support the God-given gifts of the people in our congregation. It’s part of our culture. We want to empower and support those who have a heart for these mission opportunities,” says Alexander.

Mat Alexander ’08, Senior Pastor A graduate of the University of Mobile, Mat Alexander earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and Humanities before completing his Master of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2013. His ministry journey began shortly after graduation, serving as college pastor at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile from 2008-2009, followed by his role as pastor at Sunnyside Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, from 2010-2012. Since 2012, Alexander has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Gadsden, leading with a deep commitment to both Gospel proclamation and community engagement. Reflecting on his time at UM, Alexander credits his double major for shaping his ministry. “Being exposed to theology and humanities gave me the ability to think more deeply early on,” he says. “Campus Ministries provided opportunities to lead, and the emphasis on involvement in the local church helped foster my call to serve. “I was blessed to have great friends, excellent professors and meaningful church experiences while at UM. Those still impact my ministry every day. I am very thankful for UM.”

A Strong Connection First Baptist Church Gadsden continues to reflect a meaningful partnership with the University of Mobile through its support of leadership and the cooperative program. - Mat Alexander ’08 – Senior Pastor - Woodie Turner ’02 – Associate Pastor umobile.edu

ALUMNI SHORTS A Kingdom leader measures success differently. Rooted in faith and guided by God’s Word, these University of Mobile alumni lead with purpose — using their gifts, influence and opportunities to serve others and make an eternal impact For Christ & His Kingdom.

By Caroline Bowers

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Living Christ’s Blueprint Teresa Williamson ’90 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Finance From agent to broker and now executive leadership, Roberts Brothers President Teresa Williamson credits her success to the foundation she received at the University of Mobile.

“UM’s professors gave me a foundation I could build on throughout my career,” says Teresa. “Beyond the classroom, the Christ-centered environment helped me deepen my understanding of Scripture and how faith connects to everyday life.” Teresa utilizes that foundation in her ministry as president of a leading real estate organization. She develops the company’s business plan, expands services and drives engagement throughout multiple offices. She sets the tone for how the company operates and focuses on making sure the company’s culture reflects who they are and how they serve, “As Life Happens.” In May 2025, Teresa received the Dr. Lonnie Burnett Alumni of the Year award. This award is given to alumni whose lives reflect Christ-centered values and a commitment to serving the Lord in all they do. Whether it is giving back to her community or helping families navigate the home-buying process, she says it is Christ who guides her decisions. As the first non-family president of Roberts Brothers, Teresa leads her team with integrity, serves others and uses her opportunities to make a real difference in her work and community. From expanding services across three states to mentoring her team, she exemplifies what it means to live For Christ & His Kingdom.

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Faith in the Courtroom Jordan Van Matre ’07 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities & Political Science “Kingdom building is everything. It is central to what we do,” says Jordan Van Matre. “In criminal law, we see it as an opportunity to remind the judges, prosecutors and our community that our clients bear the image of God and are therefore worthy of the dignity the law requires.” As owner and managing attorney of The Van Matre Law Firm PC, he leads his litigation team handling personal injury and criminal defense cases across the state of Georgia. Since opening his firm, he has achieved just over $15 million in settlements for his injured clients. Jordan’s connection to the University of Mobile has deep roots. His father, Jim Van Matre ’79 and his brother, Kory Van Matre ’15, also graduated from UM. From vice president of the Student Government Association to winning awards as a member of the RamTonz barbershop quartet, Jordan continued the family’s legacy.

“The University of Mobile has been a real blessing to our family,” Jordan says. Jordan credits his time at UM for equipping him to see the heart behind every situation. Studying humanities gave him the framework to understand people and approach each case with a balance of justice and compassion. Among the many blessings in his life, Jordan points to his wife, Whitney. “She is an amazing woman of Godly character, whose help and faithfulness have single-handedly made our family the success it is today. Next to my decision to follow Christ, marrying her was the greatest decision I ever made.” Together with their three children, the Van Matres continue to put faith, family and service at the center of everything they do.

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A Heart for God Dylan Miller ’17 Bachelor of Arts in Worship Leadership Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Dylan Miller is no stranger to this. From four open heart surgeries to a scary diagnosis during his wife’s first pregnancy, Dylan never questioned his faith. These challenges only strengthened his relationship with God. “God is always shaping us. It’s a reminder that God is always working in and through us for His good,” he said. As each one of his open heart surgeries became more difficult, the Lord sustained Dylan and his family. The scariest news he received, however, was learning that his son had a birth defect that would require a ventilator at birth, emergency surgery and a long NICU stay. Within days, they found the perfect hospital that had a whole floor dedicated to his son’s medical condition. Today, his son is a healthy and wild three-year-old who has a little brother following in his footsteps. And, Dylan’s latest scan showed great heart function for the first time in his life. “All of these things reaffirmed in me what Jesus said: ‘In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome it.’ It reminded me that the battle is the Lord’s and there’s no other option than to get as close to Jesus as possible and stay there,’” he says. As associate worship minister at Dogwood Church in Tyrone, Georgia, Dylan plays a key role in shaping kingdom builders. “As children of God, we all have the privilege to be His Kingdom builders. The biggest honor I have is getting to help facilitate and disciple other believers to do the work of ministry, build my family and prioritize raising my children in the love and discipline of the Lord,” he says. During his time at UM, Dylan was convinced he would be a traveling musician or rock star. However, the Lord had a different path for Dylan’s life and worked through UM to help guide his calling. Through experiences in the worship groups Exit 13 and Impact, Dylan learned how to work with others in ministry. Then the university connected him to a local church where he led music for its college ministry. He started to wonder, “What if the Lord will lead me to this one day?” umobile.edu

The Boykin Award Stefanie Willis ’15 Bachelor of Science in Nursing “UM instilled a faith-based education in me that has stayed with me and emphasized the importance of treating people the way I want to be treated,” said Stefanie Willis ’15. She is the recipient of the 2026 Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence, an award established in 2019 to honor the legacy of Samuel M. Boykin, the university’s first African American graduate. This medal recognizes outstanding African American alumni who exemplify the ideals of virtuosity, faith and charity. Stefanie began her career at Luverne Nursing Home and Rehab and relocated to Mobile in 1999 to join Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, where she has now served for 27 years. Among her many accomplishments, she led the launch of Infirmary Cancer Care outpatient infusion centers in Baldwin and Mobile counties and served as project lead in establishing an apprenticeship program for nursing and surgical technicians. She also serves as an adjunct nursing instructor in the University of Mobile School of Nursing.

Stand Firm in the Lord Shelby Landrum ’23 Bachelor of Science in Accounting Master of Business Administration No two days look the same for Shelby Landrum, president and owner of Delta South Contracting, a licensed general contractor specializing in commercial site work and concrete. From human resources to finances to business operations, her leadership has quadrupled the business. Business ownership can be scary, and there are a lot of unknowns, Shelby says. She looks to 1 Corinthians 15:58 as a daily reminder to stay grounded in the Lord: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Watch Shelby’s Alumni Story

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A Calling to Care Daniel Gardner ’09 Bachelor of Science in Nursing “Every patient room is an opportunity to share Christ,” said Daniel Gardner. After working in the surgical ICU of a local hospital for six years, Daniel transitioned to an outpatient role as a CRNP at Coastal Allergy & Asthma. For over a decade, he has treated patients for asthma, allergies, eczema and sleep issues. In Daniel’s treatment rooms, scripture and fliers invite people to church. He asks patients, “How can I pray for you?” which in turn opens a door to deeper conversation about Christ.

“I realized what’s important isn’t the length of time on earth, but the impact I make while I’m here,” he says. Daniel says UM is a special place. UM was always his top choice when applying to college. He made the cross-country team his junior year and backpacked through Europe with Youth Hostel Missions. He went on several local mission trips with the school. He met his wife, Taylor Lee ’11, at UM. “Both of us had lost touch with one another after leaving school and reconnected by God’s grace,” he says. Together, they have two children and are raising their family to follow Christ. Daniel encourages future students to enjoy their education and soak in the blessing of being surrounded by so many like-minded believers and to let UM prepare them to stand firm whenever they graduate, and wherever they go.

Connect with us! Share your story and update your alumni information at umobile.edu/alumni

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Provost Jason Lee

Academic Innovation for Kingdom Impact

TORCHLIGHT 2026

When Jason Lee graduated in 1991 from what was then Mobile College, he left campus with a bachelor’s degree in religion and a foundation that shaped his faith, his calling and his future. Now, decades later, Lee returns home as provost and vice president for academic administration at the University of Mobile. He steps into a key leadership role to strengthen and expand UM’s academic programs while positioning the university for a future defined by academic entrepreneurship, innovation and Kingdom impact. “When I was a student at UM decades ago, the faculty and staff made a tremendous impact on my life. I grew spiritually and developed knowledge and skills that continue to shape how I live my life and do my work,” says Lee, who holds a PhD in religious history from The University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.

Creativity & Stewardship As provost, Lee provides a twin emphasis of support – advancing the president’s vision for the university and equipping faculty and deans to build strong academic programs to shape students who lead with wisdom, integrity and purpose. That also means ensuring every academic program at UM — whether healthcare, business, education, ministry, counseling, worship leadership, science or the arts — is a platform for discipleship that prepares students for Kingdom impact. “To have this sort of impact, the academic programs at UM must be marked by creativity and stewardship. New and existing programs should meet goals of marketability and sustainability along with goals of efficiency and effectiveness,” Lee says.

Today, he partners with deans and faculty to provide students with courses and programs grounded in a Christian worldview that result in excellent outcomes for their professional field and academic discipline. “Academic programs at the university are the core for Christ-centered training for future teachers, lawyers, preachers, officers, worship leaders, scientists, counselors, politicians and artists,” Lee says. “The academic training received at UM will leave a God-honoring legacy wherever our graduates go next.”

Guiding the Academic Mission UM President Charles Smith announced Lee’s appointment to the new position of provost at the UM Board of Trustees Oct. 24, 2025, meeting. “Dr. Lee embodies the kind of Christ-centered leadership our university seeks to model. His academic expertise and administrative experience will serve our students and faculty well as we continue advancing the University of Mobile’s mission to exist For Christ & His Kingdom,” Smith said. “I’m equally excited to see Dr. Lee serve alongside our current vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Pamela Buchanan Miller. Dr. Buchanan Miller has served the University of Mobile with distinction and will continue to impact the lives of thousands of students through her faithful leadership. Together, this new administrative team brings both continuity and fresh vision for the next chapter of the University of Mobile.”

Reflecting Christ That focus on academic entrepreneurship and innovation guides efforts to identify new programs that prepare students for in-demand careers, leverage existing resources for maximum impact and efficiency, and develop and deliver programs in creative ways – including online, hybrid, accelerated and interdisciplinary formats. It also considers a program’s return on investment, including its impact on recruiting, retention and job placement rates. These efforts move toward a single purpose: preparing students to reflect Christ in their work, their relationships and the world around them. “Ultimately, Christian higher education is a specialized extension of the work of local churches, which is to display the gospel and to train disciples to live for God’s glory in His world,” says Lee.

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Master Your Next Steps

TORCHLIGHT 2026

Workers with graduate degrees have the lowest unemployment rates and highest earnings. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Something remarkable is happening at the University of Mobile. Across every season of life, adults are returning to UM with a desire to grow, step into new possibilities and follow where God is leading next. Whether it’s a long-held dream finally taking shape or a new direction just beginning to unfold, UM’s expanded graduate programs provide a Christ-centered place to deepen skills and move confidently into the future God is preparing.

Many professionals reach a point where they sense it’s time to grow. Whether that means advancing in your career, shifting directions or building new expertise for the work God has placed in your hands, you realize the next step requires deeper knowledge and preparation. This is often the moment when continuing your education makes the most difference.

They want to take the next step. Recognizing this need, UM developed graduate programs to serve leaders across a wide range of callings. What began as a single master’s program in 1984 has grown to nearly 30 master’s and doctoral degrees spanning business, education, ministry, leadership, healthcare and the arts, with more being added each year.

But they want more than a degree. Today’s graduate students are seeking growth that transforms their skills, their calling and their impact. That positions UM’s graduate programs in a sweet spot – providing not only relevant, quality academic programs taught from a Christian worldview, but also a Christ-centered community where faculty mentor and support graduate students in their journey. The combination equips men and women to serve in a variety of fields for the glory of God and the good of the world.

Where is God leading you next? Every journey toward growth begins with a single step. Explore UM’s graduate program offerings and find the degree that can help you take your next step with purpose, confidence and a heart for God’s Kingdom.

Alabama School of the Arts • Master of Arts in Worship Leadership & Theology • Master of Arts in Musical Theatre • Master of Music in Performance – Piano • Master of Music in Performance – Vocal • Doctor of Musical Arts – Vocal Performance College of Arts & Sciences • Master of Arts in Counseling & Family Therapy • Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling • Master of Arts in History with education concentration • Master of Arts in English with education concentration • Master of Arts in Humanities • Master of Arts in Creative Practice School of Christian Studies • Master of Arts in Biblical & Theological Studies • Master of Arts in Worship Leadership & Theology Grace Pilot School of Business • Master of Business Administration • Master of Science in Leadership & Communication School of Education • Alternative Master of Arts in Education (early childhood or elementary) • Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology (non-certification) School of Nursing • Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner • Master of Science in Nursing Leadership • Post-Master APRN Certificate • Nurse Educator Certificate • Post-Master Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner • Doctor of Nursing Practice School of Health & Sports Science • Master of Athletic Training School of Nurse Anesthesia • Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

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Why Earn a Grad Degree? • Career Advancement – Prepare for leadership and specialized roles. • Higher Earning Potential – Often 20% or more over a lifetime. • Greater Job Security – Increased stability and lower unemployment rates. • Skill Development & Specialization – Deeper knowledge for complex and changing fields. • Professional Networking – Connect with peers, mentors and industry leaders. • Flexibility & Career Pivoting – Change careers or expand current roles. • Fulfillment & Purpose – Clarify calling, integrate faith and refine direction.

Who Are UM’s Grad Students? They are adult learners: 72% are age 25+ They work while they learn: 77% are employed while pursuing their degree. They move at their own pace: 45% take full class loads and 55% take fewer courses per semester. They are motivated professionals: 99% say they are pursuing graduate studies to advance their careers, and 97% report full-time employment after earning their master’s. Faith shapes their calling: 80% develop a deeper commitment to Christian service. They think long term: 1 in 5 master’s students plan to pursue doctoral degrees. They value their UM experience: 99.5% express satisfaction with their program and preparation. (Insights from 2020–2024 Surveys)

TORCHLIGHT 2026

The first graduating class in the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program achieved a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the National Certification Exam.

Master of Athletic Training classes of 2024 & 2025 had 100% pass rates on the board certification exam.

Get Started Now! Thinking about grad school? There’s no need to wait – you can start most programs any semester. View programs and apply at umobile.edu/graduate.

Tip for UM Alumni: It’s easy to pick up where you left off! Your UM transcript is already on file!

The School of Education reports a 100% pass rate on the edTPA and 100% job placement for graduates of the Alternative Master of Arts in Education in early childhood or elementary education.

The School of Christian Studies Master of Arts in Biblical & Theological Studies is among the top 10 most affordable online master’s in religious studies in America.

#1 Nursing Program in Alabama. (RegisteredNursing.org).

Graduate students at faith-based universities say their studies deepen both knowledge and spiritual identity. Over 60% reported growth in faith. — Journal of Faith in the Academic Profession, 2021

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Enrollment Growth Builds Campus Momentum The University of Mobile surpassed its Fall 2025 enrollment target, welcoming a total of 2,092 students — fueled by a 14% increase in new students choosing UM as their college home. This growth continues a positive trend, with total enrollment up 6% and graduate programs seeing a 21% increase. Residence halls are also at capacity, reflecting a vibrant and engaged campus community. Attendance at UM Days for 2025-2026 are breaking records as well, and strong application trends point to continued growth. University leaders cite UM’s mission-driven approach — where academic quality and faith intersect — as a key factor in attracting students seeking a Christ-focused education and community.

Campus Enhancements, Library Updates From refreshed dining and student gathering spaces to upgraded classrooms and enrollment areas, the University of Mobile has completed a series of campus improvements designed to elevate daily student life. Updates to Ingram Dining Hall, Bedsole Commons, Weaver Hall and Martin Hall, along with enhanced outdoor areas, reflect a broader effort to create spaces that foster connection, collaboration and community across campus. The momentum continues with plans to renovate the J.L. Bedsole Library, expanding its physical book collection and adding much-needed study space. The project underscores UM’s investment not only in where students gather, but in how they learn — strengthening the academic heart of campus while enriching the overall student experience.

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Two Spectacular Events Celebrate Talent, Community and Faith Two spectacular annual events — Christmas Spectacular and Spring Spectacular — brought students, families, alumni and the community together for an unforgettable celebration. Christmas Spectacular, held multiple nights each November at Cottage Hill Baptist Church, filled the season with music, drama and festive performances that highlighted the joy of Christ-centered celebration. Spring Spectacular, held on campus in April, has grown into a full weekend event with the energy of homecoming, featuring Ram Ready new student registration, family activities, food trucks and Rams athletics. The Spring Spectacular outdoor concert showcases talented students in the Alabama School of the Arts. The celebration culminates in a dazzling fireworks display on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn.

Catch the Excitement! Rams Athletics unites the University of Mobile community across 21 intercollegiate sports, offering opportunities year-round for students, families, alumni and friends to gather and cheer on the Rams. From packed gyms to competitive action on the field, track and court, game days are about more than the final score — they showcase student-athletes who pursue excellence while representing Christ with character. Whether it’s a weekday matchup or a weekend rivalry, coming to a Rams game means stepping into the energy, pride and shared spirit that define campus life.

In Memoriam: The University of Mobile community mourns the loss of two beloved professors, Dr. Thomas Bilbo and Dr. Peter Kingsford.

Dr. Thomas Bilbo, 81, died Dec. 26, 2025. He dedicated his career to teaching science at the University of Mobile for 36 years, where he inspired countless students with his passion for learning and thoughtful approach to teaching. He took pride in helping others better understand the world around them. Dr. Peter Kingsford, 81, died Nov. 25, 2025. He served as dean of the School of Education at the University of Mobile for 20 years, having previously retired from his position as long-time principal of Augusta Evans Special School in the Mobile County Public School System. A leader in K-12 and higher education, he influenced generations of teachers.

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Golf Classic Raises Historic Support for UM Students The 27th Annual University of Mobile Golf Classic brought together 140 alumni, friends and community partners for a day of friendly competition — and to support UM students through scholarships and The Great Commission Fund. This year’s event at the stunning Magnolia Grove Golf Course, part of Alabama’s world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, raised a historic amount, making it the most successful tournament in university history.

Thank You to Our Sponsors: • Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions • Roy Lewis Construction • Brett Robinson • C Spire • Roberts Brothers • The Baptist Foundation of Alabama • Dex Imaging • Foosackly’s • The Orthopaedic Group • United Bank • Busby Agency • Renasant Bank • Wilkins Miller • Fast Signs • Artcraft • Zest • The Mitchell Company • Aztecas • Ace Hardware

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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. Every dollar you give directly impacts our students through scholarships, student life and their spiritual formation.

Learn more at umobile.edu/gcf

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