SPRING 2015
Volume 5, Issue 1
Dr. Ben Carson On Living The American Dream
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SPRING 2015 Volume 5 Issue 1
President | Dr. Mark Foley Vice President for External Affairs and Information Services | Mr. Brian Boyle Editor | Lesa Moore Copy Editor | Kathy Dean Graphic Designer | Jay Adcock, JWACreative.com Staff Writers | Renee Busby, Matthew Hicks, Shannon Mason, Trey Taulbee Staff Designer | Amanda Pritchard Class Notes | David Cagle Photographers | Dan Anderson, G.M. Andrews, Denis Bancroft, Marc Dupont, Matthew Hicks, Bill Starling, Sharon Steinmann, Trey Taulbee Cover Photo | By G.M. Andrews Editorial Office University of Mobile Magazine 5735 College Parkway Mobile, Alabama 36613 Phone: 251.442.2210 Fax: 251.442.2512 www.umobile.edu Email: umobilemagazine@umobile.edu University of Mobile Magazine is published by the University of Mobile Office of Marketing and Public Relations, and is distributed free of charge to alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university. Issues may be viewed online at umobilemagazine.com Postmaster: send address changes to Office of Institutional Advancement, University of Mobile, 5735 College Parkway, Mobile, AL 36613.
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COVER STORY
28 No Limitations Dr. Ben Carson
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
40 A Unique Mission Field
4 President’s Message
50 Years of Miss UM
6 University News
48 Called to Compose
The Music Ministry of Steve Dunn
20 Giving 80 Vice President’s Message
54 Legacy 62 Planting Practical Seeds 66 Prism Music 72 Defining Success
ALUMNI 77 Campus Corner 79 Throwback 82 Alumni Stories
Baseball Alumni Game Basketball Alumni Game Dr. Brooke and Michael Lenz Nicole Eubanks-Lambert Chandra & Justin Martin Kingstone Govati
99 Best Prank Poll Results 100 Class Notes 102 Honor Roll of Donors Photo by G.M. Andrews
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president’smessage
By Dr. Mark Foley President, University of Mobile
“Influence” is something we emphasize at the University of Mobile. We want our students to understand that everyone has influence; it is how one chooses to use that influence which defines your character. Through service, academics, campus involvement, athletics and the many opportunities available at our university, we aim to teach and motivate our graduates to use their influence in appropriate and effective ways to change the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Our students are blessed to have excellent role models, many of whose names are inscribed on buildings across campus. They are men and women who used their influence during their lifetimes to be part of a great work – establishing Mobile College and contributing to its growth and development as the University of Mobile. What is even more noteworthy is that, while many of these role models have passed away, their influence continues. Take, for example, our first chairman of the Board of Trustees and a major benefactor – Mr. J.L. Bedsole. A businessman and director of First National Bank of Mobile for over 50 years, Joseph Linyer Bedsole had a lifelong interest in education and economic development. This led to the formation of The J.L. Bedsole Foundation in 1949, which was fully funded after his death in 1975 at age 94. Today, The J.L. Bedsole Foundation awards grants to organizations throughout southwest Alabama and provides scholarships through The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program for students with leadership potential who demonstrate financial need, many of whom have earned degrees from the University of Mobile. In April, the Foundation notified us that they are awarding our school a generous donation that will result in vastly upgraded facilities for the School of Nursing. The university has an agreement to purchase the College Park Baptist Church facility adjacent to campus, and the School of Nursing is expanding into a portion of that building. The J.L. Bedsole Foundation grant will assist us with the first phase of renovation, thereby providing much-needed instructional space and faculty offices. Think about it – 40 years after his death, Mr. J.L.’s passion for making a difference in the educational and economic life of the community he loved continues to have influence. How will we each use our influence today? Hold on tight,
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ONLINE NO W O F FERED ONLINE • • • •
Associate of Science in General Studies Bachelor of Science in Marketplace Ministry Bachelor of Business Administration Master of Arts in Education
For more info, go to learnonline.umobile.edu or call 251.442.2222 umobile.edu 5
universitynews
New York Yankees Hire Former Ram as Third Base Coach By Matthew Hicks The New York Yankees hired former University of Mobile baseball player Joe Espada as their new infield and third base coach for the 2015 season. Espada served as a special assistant to general manager Brian Cashman last season in the Yankees’ organization. A two-time NAIA All-American and second round pick in the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft, Espada previously worked in the Miami Marlins’ organization, serving as third base coach from 2010-13 after several years in their minor league system as a hitting coach and infield coordinator. “His knowledge of the game is incredible in all aspects,” UMobile Head Coach Mike Jacobs said. “Even as a player here, he knew where to be and where everyone else should be, and he knew how to play the game, and always played the right way. He was an ideal coach’s player.” Espada’s UMobile playing career spanned 1994-96. He posted the two highest single-season batting averages at the school, hitting .468 in 1995 and .446 in 1996, and his .442 career average still stands as the best in school history. He is third all-time in hits with 212 and third all-time with runs scored with 159. He was first-team All-Conference each season, second-team NAIA All-American in 1995 and 1996 and two-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Photo by Denis Bancroft
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several occasions. In 1999 he was a Texas League All-Star. He compiled 811 hits, 108 doubles and 172 stolen bases for the Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. m
Espada also continues to make his mark on the program, long after his college playing days are done. “He continues to give back to the program every year, donating money and equipment, and helping us recruit in Puerto Rico,” Jacobs said. “He is
very interested in this program being successful and still tries to find ways to help us. This school is important to him and it did a lot for him.” Espada’s minor league/independent league career spanned 10 seasons where he reached the Triple-A level on
Entrepreneur A.J. Niland Recognized for Leadership in ‘40 Under Forty’
University of Mobile RN-to-BSN Program Named a Best Value in the South
Each year, Mobile Bay Magazine recognizes 40 of the top individuals younger than age 40 who demonstrate leadership, professional excellence and a commitment to the Bay area community. The 2014 Class of 40 Under Forty includes 30-year-old A.J. Niland, who started his career as a student at the University of Mobile. According to Mobile Bay Magazine, “By following his passion and entrepreneurial instincts, A.J. has proven himself as an innovative leader in the live entertainment arena of the Gulf Coast and beyond. A.J. cofounded HUKA Entertainment, an industry-leading event planning company that has grown to include four offices and 40 full-time employees in only 10 years. He has also cofounded numerous music festivals, including Gulf Shores’ wildly successful and award-winning Hangout Music Fest.” The son of UMobile Athletic Director and head Men’s Basketball Coach Joe Niland, A.J.’s first job was as clubhouse manager for the Mobile BayBears. He told the magazine that his love of music “is the sole reason I work. My talents were not lending themselves to being on stage. Now, I get to contribute behind the scenes.” He attributed HUKA’s success to “A little bit of luck and hard work. Not to mention doing the right thing no matter the cost,” according to his profile at MobileBayMag.com. m
The University of Mobile School of Nursing has been ranked in the 30 Best Value RN-to-BSN Degree Programs in the South based on quality and affordability by Best Value Schools. The University of Mobile was the only private university in Alabama included in the list. Of the 30 schools listed, UMobile was ranked 12th in quality and 27th in affordability. Only two Alabama schools were listed. UMobile ranks alongside University of Alabama, University of Texas, University of North Carolina, Clemson University and Louisiana State University, Dr. Jan Wood among others. Best Value Schools is a comprehensive online resource guide that helps college students to locate the best accredited learning options that will provide the highest overall value for their educational dollars. The survey of nursing programs in 14 southern states considered net price, freshman retention rate, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, percentage of courses taught by teaching assistants, admissions requirements, flexible class format and NCLEX pass rates. The RN-to-BSN Program enables registered nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing while continuing to work full-time. Courses are offered in a day-long Friday format through
the Christian university’s Adult and Professional Studies Program. “We are pleased that our RN-to-BSN program has been recognized as a best value for affordability and quality,” said Dr. Jan Wood, dean of the UMobile School of Nursing. “Our students have the advantage of small classes, a new nursing lab, and a flexible class schedule that allows them to continue working full time
“We are pleased that our RN-to-BSN program has been recognized as a best value for affordability and quality.” while earning a bachelor’s degree that will expand their opportunities for career advancement. They also have the advantage of a Christian university where professors teach compassionate nursing from a faith-based perspective,” Wood said. According to Best Value Schools, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice now recommends that at least two-thirds of the nursing workforce hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing. For information about the UMobile RNto-BSN Program, contact UMobile’s Adult and Professional Studies at 251.442.2491, email dbchancey@umobile.edu or visit the UMobile website at umobile.edu. m
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UMobile Receives $140,000 Grant to Provide Scholarships for Women from Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation The University of Mobile has received a $140,000 grant from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc. to provide scholarships for women attending the Christian university during the 2015-2016 academic year. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation is a charity dedicated to the support of women in nine southeastern states. The Foundation provides scholarship grants to schools and colleges for deserving female students. In addition, the foundation supports selected nursing homes and hospices serving the needs of elderly women. “The Lettie Pate Whitehead
University of Mobile Selected Among ’America’s 100 Best College Buys’ Foundation provides significant scholarships for women who, because of financial limitations, would have otherwise been unable to further their educational dreams. This grant expands opportunities for many students who want a quality, Christian higher education at the University of Mobile, and we thank the Foundation for its investment in our students,” said Claude Bumpers, development officer for foundations and grants at the University of Mobile. m
University of Mobile Accreditation Reaffirmed by Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges has reaffirmed accreditation for the University of Mobile for the next decade during its annual meeting in Nashville, TN. The Christian university’s reaffirmation came without recommendations for improvement from the accrediting body. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. Its mission is to assure the educational quality and improve effectiveness of its member institutions. Member institutions must go through an extensive self-examination and reporting process every 10 years to demonstrate their compliance with SACSCOC standards. The review culminates in an on-site visit from a SACSCOC Reaffirmation Committee that can make recommendations for improvements that institutions must
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address in order to move forward in the process. UMobile President Dr. Mark Foley said the university was among a select few institutions that received no recommendations following a site visit in February 2014 by the reaffirmation committee. “The Reaffirmation Committee’s report of no findings is an anomaly, almost unprecedented,” Foley said. “We have just joined a unique group of schools, and it happened because we work hard every day to excel. Our constant work of self-examination and adjustment in light of the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation has produced a good and stable institution.” The University of Mobile is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. m
The University of Mobile has been selected as one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” for the sixth consecutive year. The University of Mobile is one of only four colleges in Alabama to receive the 2014-2015 “Best Buy” designation and the only private university in the state selected through the annual survey administered by Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc. Lewis T. Lindsey Jr., president of IR&E, says, “Consistent with its mission, and as a guide by which institutions may be compared, each year Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc. identifies the 100 American colleges and universities providing students the very highest quality education at the lowest cost.” The IR&E conducted its 24th Annual National College Survey between April 1 and July 31, 2014. UMobile was selected for the top 100 list from among 1,143 accredited U.S. colleges and universities surveyed. To be considered for the designation “America’s 100 Best College Buys,” an institution must be an accredited, four-year institution offering bachelor degrees and full residential facilities including residence halls and dining services. It must have had an entering freshman class in the fall of 2013 with a high school grade point average or SAT/ACT score equal to or above the national average for entering college freshmen. It must have an out-of-state cost of attendance in 2014-2015 for three quarters or two semesters below the national average cost of attendance, or not exceeding the national average cost by more than 10 percent. m
University of Mobile’s Vice President and CFO Steve Lee Remembered for Humor, Kindness Steve Lee, vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer at the University of Mobile who oversaw the Christian school’s recent $7 million campus renovation, died March 17 following an extended illness. University of Mobile President Dr. Mark Foley said Lee will be remembered for many things – a deep love for his family, an unwavering faith in God, an abundant sense of humor and even temperament in any situation, and a genuine interest in and care for everyone he met. “Steve lived a life of purpose, making a difference,” Foley said. “The difference he made at the University of Mobile as vice president for business affairs is evident the moment you turn down PollockAltmayer Drive on campus and see the results of our recent campus renovation project. Steve’s conservative fiscal management enabled us to undertake a $7 million campus enhancement project, and he led the department charged with making it happen. He was so proud of this university, and of his part in helping it grow. “Most of all, Steve was proud of the people he worked with, and he was genuinely loved by so many here at the university and beyond,” Foley added. Brian Boyle, vice president for external affairs and information services, described Lee as “a Southern gentleman.” “He loved life. He loved a good meal. He loved a good football game. He loved his family. And he loved his work,” Boyle said. Lee was recently honored by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which awarded him the Meritorious Service Award during its annual meeting Dec. 6-9 in Nashville, TN. The prestigious award was presented
in recognition of Lee’s “untiring service on 19 committee visits, and as a member of the Accreditation Process Project and the Finance Subcommittee,” according to SACSCOC President, Belle S. Wheelan, Ph.D. “We appreciate your support of the work of the Commission and all that you have contributed to ensuring quality among our accredited institutions.” SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. Following the presentation, Foley said Lee was widely recognized as one of the foremost financial resources for schools accredited by SACSCOC. “I am delighted Steve Lee is being recognized in this way. It is among the highest honors of recognition that SACSCOC provides, and it is certainly fitting,” Foley said then.” Lee has served as vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer for the University of Mobile since 1995 and was a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to that, he was audit manager at Wilkins Miller CPA from 1988-1995, and was president and co-owner of Paulk Moving & Storage from 1974-1986. Most recently, Lee oversaw the university’s $7 million campus enhancement project, the most farreaching campus-wide renovation effort in the school’s history. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers, where
Photo courtesy AL.com /Bill Starling
he served on the audit committee. His service with SACSCOC included visiting committees, special committees, criteria and reports committees, and witness at appeals hearings. He has been a presenter for concurrent sessions at the annual meeting. Lee was a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Mobile and has served as Board treasurer. He was a member of the West Mobile Rotary Club, where he has served as president. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of South Alabama and has been a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Alabama since 1990. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, of Mobile; son Ryan Lee ‘04 of Mobile; daughter Rachel Lee ‘09 of Mobile; two sisters, Sue (Ted) Bell and Linda (Joe) Phillips of Mobile, and one aunt, Lucy (Bob) Chiesa of Mobile. The family requests that memorials be made to the Steve Lee Endowed Scholarship at the University of Mobile, 5735 College Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36613. m
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Oxford Scholar and Author of ‘Planet Narnia’ On Campus to Discuss C.S. Lewis and Narnia The University of Mobile presented a free lecture by one of the world’s pre-eminent scholars in C.S. Lewis studies, Michael Ward, Ph.D. on March 13 in Weaver Auditorium. Ward is a senior research fellow at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and author of the groundbreaking study of Lewis’ writings, “Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis.” He is the presenter of the BBC television documentary “The Narnia Code.” Ward spoke on “C.S. Lewis on Imagination and Reason in Science and Religion.” The talk focused on “The Magician’s Nephew” book in the Narnia series, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of its publication. The lecture was sponsored by the University of Mobile Honors Program. Dr. Stephen Schuler, UMobile’s assistant professor of English, said Ward’s book, Planet Narnia, was a major advance in the
understanding of the Narnia books. “It’s hard to find someone with a fresh perspective on C.S. Lewis, but Ward’s work has been revolutionary. A lot of people read Lewis’s fiction without any clear sense of the ideas that the books are based on. Ward’s work uncovers
those ideas and present them in a very accessible way,” Schuler said. Ward lectures internationally on Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Christian apologetics, and has co-edited “The Cambridge Companion to C.S. Lewis.” He has been described in the 2009 “Times Literary Supplement” as “the foremost living Lewis scholar.” As an Anglican clergyman, he served as chaplain of St. Peter’s College in the University of Oxford from 2009-2012, and as chaplain of Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge between 2004 and 2007. He was resident warden of The Kilns, Lewis’s Oxford home, from 1996 to 1999. He holds a Ph.D. in divinity from University of St. Andrews, a Master of Arts in theology from University of Cambridge, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English language and literature from University of Oxford. m
10th Anniversary Billy G. Hinson Lecture Series Brings Historian to Campus The University of Mobile presented award-winning historian Dr. Elizabeth Varon as speaker for the 10th anniversary of the Billy G. Hinson Lecture Series at the History Museum of Mobile on March 19. Varon is the Longbourne M. Williams Professor of American History at the University of Virginia. The program, titled “Legacies of Appomattox: Lee’s Surrender in History and Memory,” included a lecture, a reception, and a book signing. According to Dr. Lonnie Burnett, professor of history at the University of Mobile and director of the lecture series, the topic is particularly timely as this spring marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the war. “Dr. Varon examined not just the closing events of the American Civil
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War that led to the surrender, but also explored the meaning of the war in historical memory,” Burnett said. Varon received her Ph.D. from Yale University after finishing her undergraduate work at Swarthmore College. Her 2014 work, “Appomattox: Victory, Defeat, and Freedom at the End of the Civil War,” won the 2014 Library of Virginia Literary Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for the Jefferson Davis Award and the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice. Her 2003 book, “Southern Lady, Yankee Spy,” was named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the “Five Best books on the Civil War away from the battlefield.” Varon speaks at conferences across the nation and has made several
appearances on C-Span. The Billy G. Hinson Series was established by the University of Mobile College of Arts and Sciences to present academic programs dealing with topics in southern history. The series is named in honor of Dr. Billy Hinson, long-time history professor at the university. m
Belief is the foundation of University of Mobile. A belief that a higher education that focuses on academics and spiritual growth prepares you to make a real difference in this world. We instruct and nurture your mind, body, and spirit so you can achieve something you know and feel is meaningful and impactful with your education.
EARN A $2000
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September 18 October 16 (overnight) December 4 January 29 March 18 (overnight)
800.WIN.RAMS • 251.442.2222
umobile.edu *A $2000 scholarship is available to new traditional undergraduate students who attend a UMobile Visit Day, apply for admissions, and enroll at UMobile. This scholarship awards $250 per semester for 11 up to 8 consecutive semesters, excluding the summer semester. Only one UMobile Visit Day Scholarship is available per person.
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Christmas Spectacular
2014
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More than 250 students, faculty and staff presented the 12th annual University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular in November 2014 at Dauphin Way Baptist. With audiences totaling over 8,000, Christmas Spectacular is the largest Christmas concert along the Alabama, Mississippi and Florida panhandle Gulf Coast region. The show is taped and an hour-long special is televised worldwide by satellite and aired locally during the season by the Trinity Broadcast Network on Channel 21. For many years the University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular has been the background music in homes across the Gulf Coast during an hour-long special broadcast Christmas morning on WALA Fox10. The entire show is available on DVD for $25. A CD recorded in UMobile’s own Fisher-Brewer Studio features many of the favorite musical moments from Christmas Spectacular. The CD is $10. Or, purchase both DVD and CD for $30. Order online at umobile.edu/ christmasspectacular, or call the Center for Performing Arts at 251.442.2383. m
Photos by Dan Anderson
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Summer Rain in August was one of many landscapes included in the exhibit.
Artist Lenda Baxter-Simonic Returns to Alma Mater to Exhibit Work at Marilyn Foley Art Gallery University of Mobile graduate Lenda Baxter-Simonic ’00 returned to her alma mater for an artist’s talk and to share her art work in an exhibit call “Landscapes: Be Still and the Earth will Speak” at the Marilyn Foley Art Gallery. Her work was on exhibit March 2 through April 10, and she discussed her work at an artist’s talk on March 19. A native of Alabama, she received her Bachelor of Arts from UMobile and went on to further her education by earning a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. As the gallery director for Fontbonne University, she brought in a variety of art exhibitions, workshops, and lecturers to the gallery and started the Up & Coming Artists competition for high school students in the area. She has competed and exhibited in various art venues for a number of years, and has taught for the past 12 years in the private sector and publicly. She currently lives in Fort Walton Beach,
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FL, where she is an adjunct art faculty member at Central Texas College – Eglin AFB, in Fort Walton. Her artwork has been displayed in a number of exhibitions and competitions in Alabama, Arizona and Missouri. Many of her paintings and drawings are in private collections, and on public display at Cochise College in Sierra Vista, Arizona; Benson Hospital in Benson, Arizona; and the offices of the dean of undergraduate studies at Fontbonne University. Gallery director Phillip Counselman ‘01, associate professor of art, said, “Lenda Baxter-Simonic’s landscapes communicate many different emotions, but mainly a feeling of peace and serenity. Travel and a love of nature are also important aspects in Lenda’s works. I think the viewer will find these paintings to be very sincere, as they offer an inspiring view of nature.” Baxter-Simonic said the words of the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” comes to her mind when she thinks about the inspiration for her artwork.
“There has always been inside me an appreciation of the landscapes that surround me, which I would suppose, comes from being taught to respect the land, and also its Creator,” said BaxterSimonic. “Along with this appreciation and respect there is added a deep admiration for the beauty that I have experienced in the deserts and mountains of the western United States, and along the banks of rivers and bays of Alabama, as well as the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. “In my way, painting ‘Landscapes’ is my hymn of praise to the Creator for all He has given,” Baxter-Simonic said. “I feel compelled to record the places where I have found solace, and if I can share this with others in hopes that they, too, will experience the peace and serenity that is there. It is a way of passing on to others the blessings given to me, also a way of expressing my gratitude and paying homage to the Creator for these blessings,” she said. m
University of Mobile Earns National Marketing Awards, Best of Show The University of Mobile earned nine national awards, including a “Best of Show,” in the 30th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, the largest educational advertising awards competition in the United States. UMobile was among 14 institutions recognized by the judges as a “Best of Show” winner in the competition sponsored by Higher Education Marketing Report. This year, over 2,000 entries were received from over 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries. The university’s “Belief in U” total advertising campaign, created with Hummingbird Ideas in Mobile, AL, was named a Best of Show. The campaign focuses on belief as the foundation of the Christian university, and the university’s belief that a higher education that focuses on academics and spiritual growth prepares graduates to make a real difference in the world. “Our ‘Belief in U’ message captures so well what is unique about the University of Mobile experience,” said Lesa Moore ‘07, executive director of marketing and public relations. The university’s marketing department worked with Hummingbird Ideas Founding Partner and Creative Director Johnny Gwin to produce the awardwinning advertising materials, from brochures and billboards to television ads and social media. “Creating effective advertising and design is so much easier when you get to work with a client that knows their product,” said Gwin. “ The University of Mobile Marketing Department guided and challenged us to create work that would stand out in a crowded category, but still ring true to the uniqueness of their university. The ‘Belief in U’ campaign inspiration came directly from President
Mark Foley’s published essays and new student visitation presentations. Our team just helped them uncover what they were already preaching.” The university also worked with Jay Adcock of JWA Creative in Atlanta to design award-winning materials including the University of Mobile Magazine (umobilemagazine. com), newsletters and the annual Leadership Banquet banners and advertising. In addition to Best of Show, the university earned the following awards: • Gold Award – Newsletter: Charitable Estate Planning (Lesa Moore, JWA Creative) • Gold Award – Total Advertising Campaign: Belief in U (UMobile Marketing, Hummingbird Ideas) • Silver – Publication: University of Mobile Magazine (UMobile Marketing, JWA Creative) • Silver – Total Public Relations Campaign: Oliver North Leadership Banquet (UMobile Marketing, JWA Creative) • Bronze – Single Magazine Advertising: Belief in U (UMobile Marketing, Hummingbird Ideas) • Bronze – Outdoor Advertising: Belief in U (UMobile Marketing, Hummingbird Ideas) • Bronze – Total Integrated Campaign: University of Mobile Enrollment Marketing Campaign (UMobile Marketing, Hummingbird Ideas) • Merit – Imprinted Materials: UMobile
Belief in U Specialty Items (UMobile Marketing, Hummingbird Ideas) The UMobile Marketing and Public Relations Office is under the direction of Lesa Moore, executive director. Team members include Kathy Dean, Hali Givens ‘05, Garrett Hughes ‘13, Shannon Mason, Amanda Pritchard and Trey Taulbee ‘08. For a complete list of Best of Show winners, go to educationaladvertisingawards.com/ winners-list/best-of-show-2015. For a complete list of EduADAward recipients, go to educationaladvertisingawards.com/ winners-list/winners-list-2015. m
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NFL’s First Full-time Female Game Official is UMobile’s Sarah Thomas By Matthew Hicks Sarah Thomas, who played basketball at UMobile from 1992-95, made international news with the NFL’s announcement that she will be a line judge for the 2015 season. She will have the ability, based on performance, to move into other roles, including the highest position of referee. The NFL made the formal announcement April 8, capping days of speculation by major sports media outlets. Athletics officials at Thomas’ alma mater said this 1995 graduate and former Lady Ram has always performed at the highest levels and shown the determination to succeed at anything she undertook. “We are honored that one of our former athletes is achieving the highest level in her profession,” UMobile Athletic Director Joe Niland said. “We’re extremely proud of what she has accomplished.” During Thomas’ three seasons at the University of Mobile, the Lady Rams won 61 games, including two seasons with a 13-3 record in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. Thomas helped guide the 1992-93 team to a District 30 Championship and a berth in the NAIA National Championship. She was a two-time GCAC All-Academic selection and a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 1995. For her career, she totaled 779 points, 411 rebounds, 108 assists and 192 steals, currently sitting at fifth all-time in steals. Martha Gore-Algernon ‘93, an assistant coach with the UMobile women’s basketball program during Thomas’ playing career, praised her former player’s work ethic. “I’m not surprised she’s made it this far,” Gore-Algernon said. “She didn’t set out to do this, but she just worked hard at it
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and they took notice of her. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person. She was a great player to coach.” Thomas decided to become an official in the 1990s after attending a coaching meeting with her brother. Then, in 1996, she became the first female to officiate a Division 1-A high school football game in Mississippi. In 2007, she became the first female to officiate college football games, and in 2009, she became the first female to officiate a bowl game. Having former athletes succeed in the professional sports world isn’t new for the University of Mobile. Former UMobile baseball players J.C. Romero, Joe Espada, Saul Rivera and Kyle McPherson have all reached the
Major Leagues, while Espada currently serves as the New York Yankees’ 3rd base coach. In 2008, five current and former softball players competed in the Summer Olympics for the Venezuelan National Team. Former UMobile men’s soccer player Michael Azira plays for the Seattle Sounders of the MLS and former Ram Deshorn Brown was recently transferred from the Colorado Rapids to Valerenga. Former women’s soccer players Anne Stangeland-Horpestad and Danielle Small faced each other in the 2007 Women’s World Cup, playing for Norway and Australia, respectively. For more information about athletics at the University of Mobile, visit umobilerams.com or call 251.442.2278.m
New York Times Bestselling Author Bob Goff Speaks To UMobile Students By Trey Taulbee Bob Goff is an anomaly. The New York Times bestselling author of “Love Does” is an attorney by trade, sharing leadership in a Washington law firm, Goff & Dewalt. He is the founder of human-rights organization Restore International, which fights for freedom and improves educational opportunities in Uganda, India and Somalia. He serves as the honorary consul for the Republic of Uganda to the United States. He has shared meals with countless world leaders in his own home and built schools for the needy in countries across the world. He is also an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School and Point Loma Nazarene University. On April 1, he was the guest speaker for Chapel on UMobile’s campus. Students were skeptical as Goff stepped on stage sporting an eye patch that April Fool’s day. But what the students didn’t know was that just a week prior, Goff had been in Iraq building a school when he woke up with a detached retina.
“I think He wants us to live right on the edge of ‘yikes’ – because you’ll actually need Him.” Bob Goff “I’m telling you – if I get a glass eye, let’s go play marbles!” Goff quipped. In quick-witted and engaging fashion, Goff continued to share several of his unbelievable life adventures, taking students from belly laughter to pin-drop whispers. With each story, he challenged students out of a life of comfort and into a journey of abandonment with Jesus. “Comfortable people don’t need Jesus,” Goff said. “I think He wants us to live right on the edge of ‘yikes’ – because you’ll actually need Him.” Moments before he prayed, Goff simply charged to “Love everybody, always.” “Our job: lift people up – right to the feet of Christ,” said Goff. It was an extraordinary address, and as Goff walked off the stage he received
a unanimous standing ovation. Each student that signed up received a copy of his bestselling book, “Love Does.” Through the book purchase profits, UMobile will play a part with Goff in building a school in Mongolia. This year’s chapel also featured speakers Gabe Lyons, co-founder of the Catalyst Conference; Joy Eggerichs, director of Love and Respect Now; Dr. Denny Burk, associate professor of Biblical Studies and Ethics at Boyce College; Mike Donehey, lead singer of Dove-Award-winning band Tenth Avenue North; Christopher Yuan of the Moody Bible Institute; Dr. Jeff Van Duzer, provost at Seattle Pacific University; and Trillia Newbell, author of “United. Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity.” m
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UMobile’s Kathy Dean Awarded Grand Prize from Baptist Communicators Association The University of Mobile Marketing and Public Relations Office received seven national awards, including the grand prize award for feature writing, during the 51st annual Baptist Communicators Association meeting in April. Founded in 1953, BCA is a professional development association for Southern Baptist communicators. This year, BCA handed out 182 awards in numerous categories, including public relations and development, news and feature writing, website design and more at the conference held on the campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in San Francisco. Kathy Dean, director of media relations, received the grand prize for feature writing – the Leonard Holloway Award for exceptional achievement in feature writing – for a UMobile magazine article titled “Making Rhymz with Grace.” “This is just a great piece of writing from start to finish — funny, insightful, creative and lively... The end ties in beautifully with the beginning... Great work!” wrote a contest judge. Dean also swept the single article category for feature stories of more than 1,500 words. She earned first place for “Making Rhymz with Grace,” second place for “Question Me an Answer” about UMobile professor Dr. Ted Mashburn, and third place for a story about founding president Dr. William K. Weaver Jr., “To See Uniquely.” The articles were published during 2014 in the University of Mobile Magazine. The magazine itself won third place in the total package division, print publication category. Judges complimented the clean design, imagery, typography and color, adding that the piece had an “overall dynamic feel.”
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Photos by Trey Taulbee
UMobile Creative Director Trey Taulbee ‘08 and Digital Content Specialist Garrett Hughes ‘13 were awarded second place for the new University of Mobile website in the adapted template category. The awardwinning website is www.umobile.edu. Judges praised the UMobile website for “visually pleasing design and easy to navigate…love the design and creativity of the site.” Project Serve, UMobile’s annual day of service, received second place in the public relations and development division, special events category. Judges said the event had a “well researched
and thought out plan…implementation was excellent…nice print materials…the magazine write-up and photos are great.” The national competition is designed to encourage professional excellence among association members and to recognize those members who have done exemplary work. The UMobile Marketing and Public Relations Office is under the direction of Lesa Moore ’07, executive director. Team members include Kathy Dean, Hali Givens ‘05, Garrett Hughes, Shannon Mason, Amanda Pritchard, Trey Taulbee and Jay Adcock of JWA Creative. m
WoMen’s soccer Schedule
Volleyball Schedule Date Aug. 29 Aug. 29 Sept. 4-5 Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 12 Sept. 18 Sept. 19 Sept. 22 Sept. 25 Sept. 29 Oct. 2 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 17 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 27 Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Nov. 3 Nov. 6 Nov. 7
Opponent Location Xavier University TBA Wayland Baptist University TBA Faulkner University Tournament *Faulkner University Home *Dalton State College Home Tougaloo University Home *Brewton Parker College Away *Coastal College of Georgia Away Spring Hill College Away *Brenau University Home Loyola University Away Xavier University Home *Martin Methodist University TBA *Bethel College Away *Brewton Parker College Home *Coastal College of Georgia Home *Brenau University Away Bryan College Away Truett-McConnell Away *Martin Methodist University Home Bethel College Home *Loyola University Home Philander Smith College Away Tougaloo College Away Spring Hill College Home * Faulkner University Away Dalton State College Away
Nov. 12-14 SSAC Tournament Away T.B.A. NAIA National Tournament Away * denotes Southern States Athletic Conference match
Time TBA TBA TBA 7:30 TBA TBA TBA TBA 7:00 7:30 TBA 7:30 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 7:30 7:30 7:30 TBA TBA 7:30 TBA TBA T.B.A. T.B.A
Aug. 2 Aug. 22 Aug. 28 Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 12 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 24 Oct. 29 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 12 Nov. 14 Nov. 30
John Brown University Home Thomas University (GA) Home St. Thomas University (FL) Away Northwood (FL) Away St. Thomas University (TX) Away Univ. of Houston at Victoria Away William Carey vs. Olivet Nazarene University Away Cumberland (TN) Away William Carey vs. Cumberland (TN) Olivet Nazarene University TBA University of Georgia Gwinnett Home *Martin Methodist College Home *Bethel University (TN) Home *Brenau Universtiy Away *Auburn Univ. Montgomery Home *Middle Georgia State College Away *Brewton-Parker College Away *Faulkner University Away *William Carey University Home SSAC 1st Round Game SSAC Semi-Finals SSAC Championship Game NAIA National Tournament Round of 16
5:00 5:00 TBA 4:00 TBA 11:00 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 7:00 5:00 5:00 5:30 5:00 5:00 TBA TBA 5:00 TBA TBA TBA TBA
Men’s soccer Schedule Aug. 21 Aug. 22 Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 6 Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 18 Sept. 22 Sept. 25 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 24 Oct. 29 Oct. 31
Florida Memorial University John Brown University Louisiana College SWCU Univ. of Houston at Victoria St. Thomas (Texas) Northwestern Iowa Thomas University (GA) West Florida LSUA *Martin Methodist College *Bethel University (TN) *Dalton State *Auburn Univ. Montgomery *Middle Georgia College *Brewton-Parker College *Faulkner University *William Carey University
Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Away Home
7:30 7:30 5:00 TBA 1:00 5:00 7:30 7:30 7:30 4:30 7:30 7:30 TBA 7:30 TBA TBA 7:30 7:30
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Edna Olson
20 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Making
Edna Proud
Olson-Barnes
Endowed Scholarship
By Kathy Dean
There was no doubt in Otis Brunson’s mind that his Murphy High School English teacher thought he was special. Miss Edna Olson had even picked out a girl she thought he ought to marry — something she would confess in later years to his wife, Jacquelyn, as they attended First Baptist Theodore together. “You don’t want to disappoint a person like that. If you have a teacher like that who shows she really cares for you, you don’t want to go down the hall and do something wrong to mitigate that,” said Brunson, now retired after a career in the Mobile County Public School System that included 22 years as assistant superintendent, heading up the human resources department in the state’s largest public school system. Burroughs Elementary in Theodore, AL, also has a teacher like that – 2014 Teacher of the Year Nina Bolar ’06. Although the two teachers never met, Edna Olson is the reason Nina Bolar graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science in education. An endowed scholarship established from the estate of Edna Olson provided Nina with the funds that would make her future success possible. “I know without that scholarship, I wouldn’t have graduated. I didn’t have
any more money left. That scholarship helped me with my future,” Nina said. Olson died in 1999 at the age of 94, after living in the same small house in Theodore, AL, since 1907. As she neared the end of her life, Olson asked Brunson to assure that her estate went to the places and causes she cherished. Following her wishes, Brunson worked with the University of Mobile Development Office to establish the Olson-Barnes Endowed Scholarship. “Miss Olson was a teacher who loved her profession and wanted others to have an opportunity to be a teacher, and she wanted to help them. I think she would be pleased to know there are recipients who have benefitted from it,” Brunson said. A Full Life From the age of two, Olson lived in the little house on a farm her parents had on Swedetown Road in Theodore. Her longtime neighbors paint a portrait of a woman who was active in the community, loved to travel, liked to garden, and was outgoing and kept up with the times throughout her long life. According to neighbor Rebecca Smith, the Olson family emigrated from Sweden to the United States and first settled in Chicago.
“At one time, satsumas were a big crop here. Some of the Swedish people bought from a land bank in New Orleans and settled here in a little colony. Some of Miss Edna’s dad’s friends settled here first and persuaded him to come because he liked to farm. He made their living off the farm, and they sold a lot of produce, including to the Catholic schools here. Her mother made the best baked goods you’d ever eat,” Smith said. Olson graduated from Barton Academy in 1921, then from the University of Alabama. She returned home and began teaching in Wilmer, AL. Her career spanned over half a century. She lived with her parents in the same home in which she grew up, continuing to live with her mother after her father died. Marilyn Browder Ross remembered moving to the neighborhood at the age of four. “When we moved here, she and her mother lived here in the community close by. As little girls, we were allowed to go visit occasionally. I remember her mother as being a very, very old lady, which I am now. They would invite us into their kitchen and give us cookies. (Olson) would have probably been in her late 20s,” Ross said. Years later, Ross would recall Olson’s love of animals. “She, of all things, loved the Kentucky Derby. She would watch it every year, and for years I would go watch the Kentucky Derby with her. I think she would have liked to have had a horse in her life.” Smith said Olson was always feeding birds and stray cats, and the family had ducks and chickens. “She had raised a turkey from a baby and it fell in love with her. When she would drive in the driveway, it would sit in the middle of the driveway, wanting
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her to pick him up and put him in the car and drive him to the house,” Smith said. Although Olson never married, she told Smith there were plenty of opportunities. “She loved where she lived. She told me she had several proposals of marriage, but when she thought of leaving the farm where she lived, she just couldn’t do it,” Smith said. Olson’s sister, Helen Olson Barnes, lived up north with her husband, a boat captain on the Great Lakes. After he passed away, Helen developed brain cancer and Edna moved her sister home to Theodore, where she passed away. “Her sister was very wealthy,” Smith said. “When her sister died, she left her estate to her mother. When her mother died, Miss Edna inherited it.” But the inheritance didn’t change Olson’s way of life. “She was a very frugal person,” Smith said. “To meet her, you would think she didn’t have money. She would refrain from using her air conditioning to save money. One time we were over visiting and Alabama Power had occasion to come into her house for some reason. They asked if she had air conditioning – they were going to get her one.” When Olson asked Brunson to handle her estate, she told him,
Helen Olson Barnes
22 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
“I may have a bit more than people think I have. I want someone to take care of my estate on the basis of what I want done. I want you to do it.” Making Wishes Come True As executor of her estate, Brunson’s role was to make Olson’s wishes come true. She was putting the responsibility not only in a fellow church member’s hands – she was relying on a former student from her English class at Murphy High School in the mid-1950s. Brunson said he always knew he was one of Olson’s favorites, and he thought he knew why. Nina Bolar “Edna was a Swede. She thought Brunson was a Swedish name. It was her idea that anything with a ‘son’ on it was a Swedish name. Also, my father was a dairyman. She had been raised in a rural setting, and I think she valued the way I was raised,” he said. Their connection continued as members of First Baptist Theodore, and Brunson’s mother-in-law and Olson often traveled with a retired teachers group. Olson’s trips included Cuba, Sweden and Otis Brunson and Dr. Mark Foley the Holy Land, among many other including the Salvation Army. She gave adventures. to organizations protecting animals. Her When Olson passed away, Brunson property went to her church and was discovered just how much work it was to sold to the Mobile County Public School be an executor of an estate – especially System, becoming part of the campus of for someone who had wide interests, lots Theodore High School. of compassion, and a significant estate. The remainder of her estate went to “She gave almost every service the University of Mobile to establish the organization in Mobile County Olson-Barnes Endowed Scholarship to something,” Brunson said. Her financial assist students from her neighborhood gifts went not only to First Baptist who wished to pursue a major in the Theodore, but also to churches of field of education. The $258,400 gift various denominations in Wilmer and is invested and the interest provides Grand Bay, and the Catholic diocese scholarships available first to students in Mobile. She gave to organizations majoring in education from Alma Bryant, that helped underprivileged people,
Photo by Dan Anderson
Mary G. Montgomery and Theodore high schools. One of those students was Nina Bolar. Teacher of the Year Bolar credits the University of Mobile School of Education with teaching her not only how to be an educator, but also how to work as a team. “I wouldn’t know how to be a teacher without the University of Mobile. Just watching (the faculty) and seeing them communicate with each other and the teamwork they had, that helped me a lot. I knew I would have to work with a lot of different personalities,” Bolar said. Her principal, Dr. Julia Nelson, said Bolar has taken a leadership role as the school’s math coach, leading a learning community that involves peer-to-peer training and side-by-side coaching. She is continuing her education, graduating in May with an Education Specialist degree Her peers selected her as their school’s 2014 Teacher of the Year. “I would say that Edna Olson would be proud,” Brunson said. m
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2014 Endowed Scholarship Luncheon By Shannon Mason
The 2014 University of Mobile Endowed Scholarship Luncheon was held Nov. 13 in Ram Hall on the UMobile campus. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of good food and music from the Center for Performing Arts group “Welsh Revival.� Students Kei Martin and Andrew Cunningham spoke about the impact the University of Mobile has had on their lives and how thankful they are for the donors and their contributions to the university. The luncheon closed with Bruce Earnest, associate dean and associate professor of music/musical theatre, who spoke about the importance of giving back and being a mentor to these students. Thank you again to all who have been a part of creating an endowed scholarship. Each scholarship is impacting lives. For more information about creating or adding to an endowed scholarship, visit giving.umobile.edu or call 251.442.2223. m
24 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Photos by Trey Taulbee
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Teamwork: Crossing the Finish Line By Kathy Dean Whatever your goal, wherever you set your finish line, you probably had some help getting there. Maybe you have your own personal pit crew who refuels you for the next lap, helping you fine-tune your engine so you can keep moving ahead. Or you are blessed with friends and family who believe in you enough to stand beside the road on a hot summer day, ready to hand you a bottle of water as you run your first 5k. The University of Mobile has a team of supporters as well. With the fiscal year end finish line just ahead, those supporters are more important than ever in helping the school meet its budget by June 30, 2015. “Year-end giving is critical to what we are able to do at the University of Mobile. We count on our donors in order to do everything from provide university scholarships to deserving students, to keeping the lights on,” said Bill Hart, associate vice president for development. Carol Camp, associate vice president for business affairs, said year-end giving is the boost that “brings us to the finish line.” As a private Christian college, UMobile doesn’t have state or federal funding. That puts the school in the category of “tuition-driven,” meaning it relies primarily on tuition to meet the budget. But tuition alone can’t cover the cost of a college education. “You can successfully execute a
26 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
limited education on tuition and fees, but you can’t progress and expand,” Hart explained. In order to keep the cost of tuition competitive, tuition-driven schools must rely on donations to make up the difference between what the school can
charge for tuition, and what it actually costs to provide a college education. Private grants and endowments help by funding certain scholarships or programs, but they can’t make up the entire difference. That’s where supporters – donors – are so important. In fact, if it weren’t for the annual
contributions of supporters and gifts designated for specific programs or construction of buildings, there would be nothing on the UMobile campus except for the first building, Weaver Hall. Even that wouldn’t exist, nor would the university, as much of the school’s land was donated. Weaver Hall itself was built through gifts from Alabama Baptists wanting Christian higher education to be available to the next generation. Each gift is important. Whether the gifts are large or small, designated for
a particular area or unrestricted for the university to use to meet pressing needs, each donation adds to the growth and development of the University of Mobile. “The people on the University of Mobile team give because they see value in the Christian higher education the school provides. Maybe they received a scholarship while they attended and know first-hand how that helped them, and they want to pay it forward and help a current student. They may want to honor a loved one by creating or adding to an endowed scholarship. Or they have a particular interest and the ability to make a major donation to purchase or construct a building,” Hart said.
Hart said any time is a good time to consider a tax-deductible gift to the university. Gifts received by June 30 will count toward contributions received during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. For information about giving opportunities or to make a donation by credit card, call Bill Hart in the Development Office at 251.442.2223, or go online to giving.umobile.edu. Donations may be mailed to Development Office, University of Mobile, 5735 College Parkway, Mobile, AL 36613-2842.m
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W
hen Dr. Ben Carson spoke at the 10th annual University of Mobile Leadership Banquet just four days before announcing his candidacy for president of the United States, he said the university has something the nation needs. “I want to talk a little bit tonight about our nation. It would be in good shape if the whole nation had the values of this school and the young people I have met here today, and the president and the professors,” Carson said. The renowned pediatric neurosurgeon who has become an influential national leader shared the inspiring story of his rise from poverty to the heights of his profession, during the gala that raised more than $163,000 for university-funded scholarships. Performances by Voices of Mobile, RamCorps and Welsh Revival ensembles from the UMobile Center for Performing Arts entertained the audience of more than 1,200 who had gathered April 30 to support the university and hear from a man then-speculated to be just days away from throwing his hat into the ring Carson followed in the footsteps of previous high-powered influential leaders that have shared their insights and experiences at the Christian university’s leadership banquet. Previous speakers have included former President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
By Kathy Dean Photos by G.M. Andrews
28 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015 2015
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“Be courageous. Be willing to stand up for what you believe in.” Ben Carson Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Arkansas Gov. and current presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, retired Col. Oliver North, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, former Georgia Gov. and retired U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews. Carson touched on a variety of topics: self-sufficiency and hard work, investing in others, the individual’s responsibility to be well-informed, the importance of education, faith, government inefficiency and waste, the economy, the environment, national defense, and the potential
30 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015 2015
Americans have to solve a myriad of problems by using the complex, wonderful brains that God created. “With those amazing brains that He has given us, we also have the ability to solve the many problems that plague us today and that threaten our future and the future of our children,” Carson said. Be Courageous Prior to the banquet at the Mobile Convention Center on Mobile’s waterfront, Carson met privately with UMobile student leaders and UMobile President Dr. Mark Foley. During their 45-minute conversation, UMobile students gave Carson a glimpse of what they thought made the university special. Incoming Student Government Association President Kayla Litton said the university “does a really excellent job of preparing us for the real world…academically pushing and at the same time spiritually preparing us.” A student asked whether it was more important to represent one’s faith or one’s constituents when the two are at odds. “I always go with my faith,” Carson said, adding that he aspires to be a leader, not a politician. Asked what advice he would give to the next generation of leaders, Carson responded, “Be courageous. Be willing to stand up for what you believe in.” On his way to a private reception with many of the university’s major donors, Carson spoke briefly with media. Responding to questions about the nation’s challenges, he cited a lack of leadership that results in a nation
like “a third-grade classroom with no teacher.” “There are all kinds of skirmishes breaking out. That’s what tends to happen when you don’t have leadership,” he told reporters. He added, “I believe that the country is in big trouble right now. We need to become a people of principle once again.” A Success Story Carson’s resume is impressive – made even more so as he told stories during the evening of growing up in poverty and his mother’s determination to be self-sufficient. The recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, Carson is an emeritus professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for 29 years. Career highlights include the first and only successful separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Carson holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees and has received hundreds of awards and citations. He sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Corporation, the Academy of Achievement and is an Emeritus
‘We Prepare Track-Layers for a Nation’ By Kathy Dean How do you turn a moving train? What if that train is the American culture and the track is unstable, the foundation has eroded, and all the people you love are aboard? Is the only outcome a horrible train wreck? That was the scenario posed by University of Mobile President Dr. Mark Foley as he addressed more than 1,200 UMobile supporters at the 10th annual Leadership Banquet on April 30. The answer, he said, lies in the mission and purpose of the University of Mobile. “You can gather a group of clear-thinking, committed, talented people; move well out in front of the train; repair the eroded foundation; and lay new track that gently leads the train in a new direction,” Foley said. “We prepare track-layers for a nation – men and women who have mastered a body of knowledge according to the degree they seek; who know what they believe and why they believe it; who possess the willingness and the skill to use their influence in appropriate and effective ways to change the world in which they live and work – track-layers,” he said. ‘We Will Serve the Lord’ Foley said it is an interesting time in American history. “Whether viewed from the perspective of economics or social policy or international engagement or spiritual condition, we have moved to a critical pivot point upon which our nation will turn for better or worse,” he said. He asked: • What is it in which you believe? • What is it to which you hold so tightly that you will not be shaken from it? • What is it that you seek so desperately that you will sacrifice anything to hold it? “I think that when a great nation arrives at a point such as that we now face, a point upon which the matter of greatness swings in the wind, these are the kinds of questions we must Continued on page 33
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Fellow of the ale Corporation, the governing body of Yale University. He was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics. He has spoken twice during the President’s National Prayer Breakfast, in 1997 and 2013. In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and TIME magazine as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal, which is the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February 2008, Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House. In June 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the President, which is the highest civilian honor in the land. In 2009, the award-winning movie, titled “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson
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Story,” starring Cuban Gooding Jr. as Carson, premiered on TNT and is based on his memoir. Carson is president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Fund is currently operating in 50 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $6.2 million dollars to more than 6,200 scholars. The program also establishes Carson Reading Rooms to encourage young students and their families to discover the pleasure to be found in books and to recognize the true power of learning. His first four books, Gifted Hands; THINK BIG; The Big Picture; and Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose and Live with Acceptable Risk, provide inspiration and insight for leading a successful life. A fifth book, America The Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, was released in early
Track-Layers Continued ask ourselves,” he said. He answered the question for himself and his wife, Marilyn, with a borrowed phrase: “As for us and our house – as for the university for which I hold responsibility – we will serve the Lord, and we will seek to expand the influence of God in this land by any and every means possible. “For there is no greatness apart from that.” The president thanked the audience for joining with the university in providing a portion of the more than $10 million in university-funded financial aid awarded to UMobile students each year. Each scholarship makes a significant impact in the life of a student. “There are 1,600 students at the University of Mobile, and there are 1,600 stories. Some of those stories would move you beyond words,” he said. Honoring the Track-Layers To mark the 10th anniversary of the annual fundraiser, Foley presented awards to students selected by professors in their academic areas Criteria included demonstrated responsibility to God and others, and a self-sacrificing spirit; leadership and academic achievement. The top leadership award, the Dr. Ben Carson Leadership Award, was presented to Kaysie Meacham, a junior in the School of Education double majoring in elementary and early childhood education. Meacham received a $5,000 award from the university. “Kaysie has a heart for helping others,” wrote UMobile education professor Dr. Sue Gober in her nomination. Kaysie has worked as an emergency medical responder for Atmore Ambulance while attending school full time, has taught English as a Second Language through the Mobile Baptist Association, served on three mission trips with UMobile teams, and with husband Alex is working with the nonprofit Hope of the Nations ministry with a goal of starting churches for 66 nationalities in the Mobile area. Presidential Leadership Award winners received $1,000 awards. Award recipients are: John T. “Tad” Borowski, nominated by the School of Business. A junior double majoring in music and accounting who plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration, Tad creates opportunities for ministry through his music and the business world, such as starting Zero Hour Entertainment for event planning and entertainment booking with Christian musicians. Richard DeShields, nominated by Adult and Professional Studies. Richard is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration while raising a family, working a full-time job in a management position, and starting a new Continued on page 35
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“I rapidly came to understand that the person who has most to do with what happens to you in life is you – it’s not somebody else.” Ben Carson 2012 and made The New York Times Best Seller List in 2013. His sixth book, One Nation: What We Can All Do To Save America’s Future, was released in May 2014 and has also made The New York Times Best Seller List. His seventh and latest book, One Vote: Make Your Voice Heard, was released in September 2014. Carson has been married for over 39 years to his wife, Candy; is the father of three adult sons and has two grandchildren. ‘A Dismal Existence’ Carson said his mother, Sonya, was one of 24 children growing up in rural Tennessee. She never had a stable home and received bits and pieces of education up to the third grade, then nothing more. She married at age 13 to escape that life, and moved with her husband to Detroit in search of a future. Once there, she discovered that her husband was a bigamist with another family, so she was left as a single parent with two young sons to raise. She moved the family to Boston to live with an older sister and brotherin-law. “It was a typical tenement,” Carson recalled, “a large multi-family dwelling, boarded up windows and doors, sirens and gangs, murder. I remember seeing people lying on the ground with bullet holes and stab wounds. Both of my older cousins, whom we adored, were killed. “I remember as a nine-year-old… thinking about my future, thinking I probably wouldn’t live past 25 years 34 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
of age, because that’s what I saw. “It was a very dismal existence.” His mother worked two, sometimes three jobs. She would take her sons to the country on the weekend and knock on a farmer’s door, offering to pick four bushels of whatever was growing – three for the farmer and one for her, which she would can. She saved her nickels and dimes, and was so thrifty that “I’m convinced if my mother was secretary of the treasury, we would not have a deficit situation,” Carson quipped. “The reason she worked so hard was that she didn’t want to be dependent. She was very observant and she noticed that most of the people who went on Welfare never got off it,” he said. His mother realized her goal of becoming independent and moving
back to Detroit, but she had another challenge – two sons who were terrible students. “I thought I was really stupid, and everyone else agreed,” Carson said. His mother insisted her sons become well-informed and educated, but didn’t know how to accomplish that. “So she prayed to God and asked God to give her the wisdom to know what to do. That’s the wonderful thing about God; you don’t have to have a Ph.D. to talk to Him, you just have to have faith. “She had the faith that He would give her the wisdom, and He did – at least in her opinion. My brother and I didn’t think it was wise at all – turning off the TV – what kind of wisdom is that? Making us read two books from the Detroit Public Library every week and submit to her two written book
Track-Layers Continued church, Victory in the Word Ministry. Richard served with the United States Army for six years. Abbie George, nominated by the School of Worship Leadership. Abbie is a freshman double majoring in English and worship leadership with a concentration in church ministry. In addition to being involved in the Honors Program, Abbie was a featured soloist in the university’s Christmas Spectacular concert and the school’s 8Eighty Records live worship recording, and has an original song featured on the latest song writers’ project by 8Eighty Records. Tinsley Griffin, nominated by the College of Arts and Sciences. A junior political science major, Tinsley is incoming SGA vice president, was instrumental in forming the Mock Trial Club, and helps lead events in the Honors Program. She has won awards for her role as attorney at the American Mock Trial Association tournament two consecutive years. Nathanael Hicks, nominated by the School of Music. Nathanael is a freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Music in voice. He was selected to be a young artist with Mobile Opera and sang in both of their full productions, along with other concerts. He has had significant roles in university concerts and opera productions, and was a featured soloist in the school’s recent production of “Saviour.”
reports – which she couldn’t read, but we didn’t know that.” Carson said between the covers of those books he found he could escape the poverty he hated; he could go anywhere, be anybody, do anything – there was no limitation as long as you could read and had an imagination. Within a year and a half he moved from the bottom of his class to the top. “I rapidly came to understand that the person who has most to do with what happens to you in life is you – it’s not somebody else. And that meant I didn’t have to live in poverty. That meant I could have any lifestyle I wanted. “That’s why Candy and I stress education so much. It is the great divide in our nation. It doesn’t matter what a person’s ethnicity or economic background; if they get a
good education, they can write their own ticket. That is still the case in America. There are no victims if one avails oneself of those opportunities,” he said. My Brothers’ Keeper Carson wove into the story of his life the ideas that he is championing at the national level. Among those is the idea of investing in people to break the cycle of poverty. “In the ’60s, Lyndon Johnson and his cohorts said ‘we’re going to have a war on poverty, we’re going to fix all these things,’ and they started throwing money at it. But what did those trillions and trillions of dollars do that they threw at the problem? In 1969, 1.4 percent of the population was on food stamps. Today it’s over 14 percent, a 10-fold increase. There’s
Austin Lovette, nominated by the School of Christian Ministries. A junior theology major, Austin volunteers between 20-30 hours per week at Chickasaw High School where he helps at-risk teenagers with transportation, tutoring and encouragement. He is team leader for the SCM Chickasaw Outreach Team and started a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Chickasaw High School that averages over 50 students per week in attendance. Courtney Rhinehart, nominated by the School of Nursing. Courtney is a junior in her first year of clinical nursing courses. She is an officer in the student nursing association and is involved in student government. She works three jobs during the summer, and volunteers at local recreational parks and schools.
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“You cannot be free if you’re not brave…”
Ben Carson
36 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015 2015
more poverty, more broken families, more incarceration. Everything this Welfare was supposed to do made things worse, not better. “So what do intelligent people do? They don’t sit around and just demonize the people that created the failing programs. They use the intellect God has given them to say, ‘what works?’” he said. Carson described a variety of programs that help people get off the streets, off drugs, into drugs and moving in a positive direction. “I’m talking about people investing in people,” he said. “This is a way we will solve our problems in this country. We will never solve it with the government just throwing money at it; that will always make the situation worse. What will save us is when we recognize that we are our brothers’ keepers and it is the personal relationships, not just the money, that makes the difference and can save this nation.” Carson said that doesn’t mean withdrawing all support from everyone, but it does mean that, over the course of time, less people will need that support. Following are more highlights from the address that had audiences responding with applause or laughter throughout. On Faith “There’s no need to be ashamed of our faith in God,” he said, adding that the phrase “In God We Trust” is on the nation’s money, “Under God” is in the Pledge of Allegiance, and our nation’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence, talks about certain inalienable rights given
to us by our Creator, a.k.a. God. “Why do we have to be ashamed? We need to be able to stand up for who we are. Our president says we are not a Judeo-Christian nation, but he doesn’t get to decide that. We get to decide what kind of nation we are,” Carson said. On Education Our system of governance is based upon having a well-informed and well-educated populace, and that is a reason our founders were adamant about education, Carson said. “They recognized that people who are uninformed would not be able to decipher the truth from a lie, and they would be easy to manipulate – they would fall easy prey to dishonest politicians and biased news media. Unfortunately, we see plenty of that today. It’s reached a point where the deception and lies that come from our so-called leaders are expected by the people. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s that way because we accept it…It is time now for the people to re-establish themselves by becoming well-informed and to stand up for what they believe in. That’s what will save America.” On Political Correctness “First of all, recognize that we the American people are not each others’ enemies. Those purveyors of division have been very successful in silencing us, in keeping us from talking about issues through the imposition of political correctness, while they change the very fabric and underpinnings of our society, and we’re not even supposed to talk about
Veritas
Has ‘Incredible Opportunity’ When the contemporary-classical vocal group Veritas sang at a conference in Houston early this year, they impressed a future presidential candidate who was also on the conference agenda. But it still was a surprise when the campaign manager for Dr. Ben Carson called in April with a request: would they sing on May 4 when Carson announced his candidacy for president of the United States? “It was unreal,” said Scott Lawrence ’10, one of four University of Mobile graduates in the five-member group. “It was a pretty incredible opportunity.” Scott said the announcement was being streamed live and more than a million people were expected to be watching it, and over 2,000 people were at the Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts where Carson made it official. There were over 40 media outlets covering the event, and several carried the musical performance. Veritas sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “An American Anthology,” a trilogy of patriotic songs on their latest self-titled album. It’s an album that Lawrence has been told is a favorite of Carson and his wife. “He told us our CD was on ‘repeat’ in his car,” Scott said. While this was their first performance on the political stage, it may not be their last. “The very first time we met him, he smiled and said ‘if we make it to the White House, you guys will definitely be singing at the inauguration,” Scott said. Veritas also includes Andrew Goodwin ’10, James Berrian ’10, Jordan Johnson ’11 and Jeff Anderson. For more information about this group that got its start at the University of Mobile, visit veritasfive.com.
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We have a lot of people who denigrate our nation, talk about how evil it is, how we’re behind all the problems in the world, and the things that we’ve done in the past. And yet, we have a lot of people still trying to get in here and not too many people trying to escape. That should tell you something.”
it. Don’t say anything against whatever is decided to be the politically correct way of saying things. “There were a lot of people who gave their lives so we could say what we want to say in this country. Are we going to let their sacrifices go to naught and just cower and be silent? I can tell you for sure that’s what the secular progressives want. They don’t care whether you agree with them or not, as long as you keep your mouth shut. And as long as you keep your mouth shut, they can continue to change the fabric of society.” On the Economy “We have the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world, and our secretary of the treasury criticizes American companies for doing business overseas. He says ‘you’re trying to avoid our taxes, you’re unpatriotic.’ What an idiotic 38 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
statement. It means you know nothing about business, you know nothing about capitalism. “People don’t go into business to support the government. They go into business to make money. So a wise government would obviously do the things that create an environment that’s conducive to entrepreneurial investment, capital investment, risk-taking. Those are the things that created this dynamic economic engine.” On the American Dream “America is still a land of dreams.
On Freedom “There is no single leader who can solve our problems. ‘We the People’ are at the pinnacle of power in our nation… “Now the question is what are we willing to do for those who come behind us, because the baton of freedom now resides within our hands. We are the ones who will make the determination. “Will we capitulate to secular progressivism, to those who feel that the government is the answer to everything, or will we preserve this as the beacon of freedom for the world, a place where the people are the central focus, where their rights are the central focus, a place where we allow the values and principles that put us on the pinnacle of the world to be the continuing guide for the people we are? “We must remember, freedom is not free – you have to fight for it every day,” he said. Remember the last stanza of our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner – land of the free and home of the brave. “You cannot be free if you’re not brave,” he concluded. m
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40 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015 2015
By Trey Taulbee
Almost everyone has seen “the face” – the face of outright surprise when a young woman hears her name called and her head is donned with the coveted crown. There is no amount of feigned shock or surprise that can accurately depict the emotion of that moment. Miss UM 2015 Emily Danforth Photo by Marc Dupont
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Crowning of Miss UM 2013 Ember Langley
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“It is about learning to be confident in who you are as a woman and, for us here at the University of Mobile, it is being confident in who we are in Christ.” Abby Pressley
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t is, essentially, as “surreal” as it gets, reflects Miss UM 2010 Sarah Becky Spain ’11. “It was like it wasn’t happening at all,” says Spain. “Then it did and I had to walk around the stage and try to smile through the uncontrollable tears!” Pageants combine the essential blend of beauty, intelligence, fashion, and fitness in an often nerve-wracking display of courage in front of a live audience. The contestants must impress in all facets to win the crown. Months of hard work come down to one moment. For any woman that has worn the crown of Miss UM, the hard work has resulted in far more than a sparkly headpiece – it changed a life.
Celebrating 50 Years The first Miss UM pageant was called Miss Mobile College and was held soon after the school admitted its first class in 1963. Fifty years later, the pageant has grown into a preliminary for the Miss Alabama pageant – en route to Miss America. This allows Miss UM to provide scholarship money as well as other awards and incentives for winners. Aside from competing for the crown, women compete for honors in other categories including talent, swimsuit, Miss Congeniality, and the People’s Choice award. This year, the pageant included a live band and featured former Miss Mobile College 1990 Julie Hatcher Ralph ‘92 as an emcee. Marilyn Foley has been involved
Miss MC 1968 Karen Meader Slaughter and Miss MC 1967 Elsie Williams Yates
with Miss UM since 1998, providing mentorship and guidance to each of the girls participating. “I am always extremely impressed by the commitment these young women make to this endeavor,” says Foley. “It requires time, probably some financial resources, an emotional investment and a whole lot of nerve!” This commitment entails many nights of hard work, exercise and
honing talent – with only one young woman walking away with the crown. Self-Improvment Given American culture’s obsession with beauty and sex appeal, it would be easy to write off the pageant as “just another beauty contest.” But current Miss UM Director Abby Pressley ‘14, sees it differently. “It is not about being the most umobile.edu 43
Miss MC 1967 Elsie Williams Yates and her court
Miss MC 1974 Angela Fidler Sigler and her court
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beautiful, or the skinniest, or the fittest,” she says. “It is about learning to be confident in who you are as a woman and, for us here at the University of Mobile, it is being confident in who we are in Christ.” Pressley believes the commitment to compete is beneficial for each participant, no matter who wins. “It gives these girls the opportunity to meet people they probably never would have had contact with, step outside of their comfort zone, exude confidence, and compete for scholarship money,” she says. Miss UM 2000 Christen Kelly Bumstead ‘01 competed for two years, and believes the risk and commitment of the pageant pushed her in ways other experiences had not. “It challenged me to sharpen my interview skills, work harder on building my platform and get in better shape,” says Bumstead. In her years of seeing countless Miss UM contestants walk across the
“It challenged me to sharpen my interview skills, work harder on building my platform and get in better shape ...” Christen Kelly Bumstead
Miss MC 1980 Terry Megginson Walton and her court
stage, Foley considers beauty to be a vague term, choosing instead to focus on the maturity and inner character that makes each girl special. “Miss UM develops a sense of style and taste that best enhances her appearance and responsibilities,” says Foley. Platforms In addition to character building, the pageant seeks to instill a serviceoriented approach to leadership. Each Miss UM contestant chooses a platform, or cause, that they will support by fundraising, promotion and public speaking. This gives contestants the opportunity to use their influence and role as ambassador for UMobile for greater good in the community. Spain’s platform, “Honoring Veterans,” and partnership with the Honor Flight Network took her to Washington, D.C. as a tour guide for three World War II veterans. These men experienced the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the WWII memorial
Miss UM 2012 Addison Garner
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Miss MC 1982 Evelyn Amacker Ward and her court
Miss University of Mobile 2010 Sarah Becky Spain
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– both life-changing experiences for the men and Spain. “Having the opportunity to honor members of our military, both past and present, was one of the most precious things that Miss UM afforded me,” says Spain. Recently crowned Miss UM Emily Danforth will spend her year of service raising money and awareness for the National Scoliosis Foundation. Danforth was diagnosed with scoliosis in elementary school and underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2008 at the age of 15. “With the reliance on the surgeons and doctors to make my back straight and my reliance on God to make my paths straight, I had both a successful surgery and recovery,” says Danforth. Each Miss UM has used their platform to not only make an immediate impact in their community, but also leave a lasting legacy.
Legacy Bumstead always had a special place in her heart for senior citizens. Since the age of 13, she had volunteered in nursing homes. When she began competing for Miss UM, she chose to use this love for senior citizens as her platform, titled “Amazing Grays.” It was through this platform that she promoted volunteerism in nursing homes and senior centers, while also gaining a career as marketing director and admission coordinator at a local nursing home. “I truly believe that the crown, itself, is merely a dust collector, but what you do with it is what matters,” says Bumstead. “The title of Miss UM not only allowed me to speak to numerous groups of people about my passion for the elderly, but it opened up doors to share Jesus with audiences I may have never known otherwise.” Pressley’s involvement as pageant director gave her a newfound respect for the women that compete, as well as UMobile’s approach. “The Miss UM pageant gives a unique mission field to one girl as she journeys to Miss Alabama,” says Pressley. “It takes Isaiah 6:8 to a very different place than most would think.” Regardless of who walks away with the crown, contestants are reminded that lasting memories are grounded in the relationships they developed and effort they gave. “I want EVERY girl to be a winner, whether they continue on to Miss Alabama or not,” says Foley. “Hopefully, the girls finish the experience with new friends, closer relationships, knowing themselves better, and extending themselves beyond what they knew they could accomplish.” m
1965 Sally Holmes 1966 Susan Lavinghouze Hines 1967 Elsie Williams Yates 1968 Karen Meader Slaughter 1969 Patsy Jackson Boone 1970 Noel Peavy Connell 1971 Brenda Murfin Marchman 1972 Joanie Munger Glisson 1973 Anna Lee Bright Dunn 1974 Angela Fidler Sigler 1975 Cheryl Ellis Barrow 1976 Janet Thompson Wilson
1977 Pam Merritt Caldwell 1978 Twila Presley Darnell 1979 Denise Hartmann Echterling 1980 Terry Megginson Walton 1981 Bettina Carter Ebersold 1982 Evelyn Amacker Ward 1983 Elizabeth Grow Trammell 1984 Melissa Yarber Barnes 1985 Gigi Lovoy Lee 1985 Kathy Perkins Lee 1986 Jan McGukin Bergdolt 1987 Mary Reeves Shirey 1988 Letitia Jones Avery 1989 Sharee Kemp Romine 1990 Julie Hatcher Ralph 1991 Stacey Wilson Riddle 1992 Lori Gaston Haight 1993 Tiffany Young Vaughn 1994 Marci Keyes Shirley 1995 Shannon Simmons 1996 Keri Campbell Dailey 1997 Marie Bedwell Bishop 1998 Joy Dickson Lockwood 1999 Donna Wells Saliba 2000 Christin Kelly Bumstead 2001 Erin Oelshlaeger Gautney 2002 Candice Bryant Peters 2003 Sarah Wilkerson Walley 2004 Christy Wynn Williams 2005 Dayna Schaumann 2006 Scarlette O’Hara 2007 Jaye Herrod Durkin 2008 Alana Swindler O’Leary 2009 Kylie Watkins Threadgill 2010 Sarah Becky Spain 2011 Cierra Giles Windle 2012 Addison Garner 2013 Ember Langley 2014 Brooke Sanders 2015 Emily Danforth Miss UM 2014 Brooke Sanders
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48 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015 2015
By Trey Taulbee Photo courtesy AL.com/Sharon Steinmann
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“I have students that come to my office and just need to talk about life. It is very exciting and fulfilling for me.” Steve Dunn
A
young Steve Dunn may have never imagined himself teaching a college course. After all, he was too busy composing, arranging and orchestrating to see that far into the future. But several years and church ministry positions later, Dunn is the much-loved assistant professor of music and director of symphonic winds at the University of Mobile. An Early Start Dunn grew up in a musical family. His mother was a school music teacher and the church pianist. His uncle was a music professor, and his aunt was a professional musician. He began taking piano lessons at the age of six and began writing music at the age of eight. As he expanded his musical proficiency, he garnered several opportunities to compose and direct multi-instrumental ensembles. His first instrumental arrangement was for the church orchestra – as an 8th grader. Dunn also arranged for his high school band. From borrowing church orchestra scores to studying accomplished composers, it was soon evident that his musical proficiency and ambition would lead to a calling to music ministry. “I was having a lot of unusual opportunities to develop a broad range of skills and interests at an early age,” Dunn said. Dunn went on to earn his undergraduate degree in trombone performance. Then, he spent the next
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27 years in full-time music ministry, serving as an instrumental director at multiple churches. He received a call in 2012 from Assistant Professor and Director of Instrumental Studies Kenn Hughes. There was a position available at the University of Mobile. Although Dunn had taught seminars and music conferences, he had never been responsible for a syllabus, grades, or the oftunpredictable ways of the young college student. “My wife asked me, ‘Do you really want to be a band director?’” said Dunn. “Normally, I would have to say ‘no’ – but in this environment and setting, this would still be music ministry.” In summer 2012, Dunn left his 27 years of church work behind to begin a new journey at the University of Mobile. Transitions There was a significant learning curve transitioning from church work to academia. From learning the lingo to creating daily lessons and syllabi – Dunn often found himself at the administrative assistant’s desk asking for help. Pacing and depth of rehearsal time also changed drastically. There was no longer a weekly service for which to prepare. Musicians were no longer volunteers, but paying consumers hoping to expand their musical palette and expertise. “In the church world you have to do things faster because of the weekly
Photo by Dan Anderson
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nature of services,” Dunn said. “In academia, it’s learning how to get beyond dealing with surface-level rehearsal issues.” Dunn picked up the reins quickly, learning that his preparation and thorough approach earned him respect in the classroom. But at UMobile, he had the added bonus of being a valuable resource outside of the classroom. “It needs to be more than just ‘come to class and leave,’” he said. “You can add value to their life in small ways – stopping and talking in the hallway, seeing how they need encouragement for the day.” His intentional approach represents both years of church ministry and the heart of the UMobile faculty. “Students that are in my classes, I can meet their needs on a deeper level,” he said. “I have students that come to my office and just need to talk about life. It is very exciting and fulfilling for me.” As for his ministry – Dunn may have left the church setting, but his focus has shifted to reproducing and developing students like himself – and like Christ. “I moved from addition to multiplication, as I pour into the lives of the next generation of teachers, church musicians and community leaders,” he said. Ministry all over the world Dunn’s personal portfolio is an impressive accomplishment. To date, he has written well over 1,000 pieces, while over 200 have been published. In 2014, one of his arrangements was featured during Steven Curtis Chapman’s performance of “For the Sake of the Call” at Carnegie Hall. But perhaps more impressive is his arrangements being used in worship 52 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
“There’s something really humbling and rewarding to know that on any given Sunday, somebody, somewhere is probably using something that I’ve written in a worship service.” Steve Dunn
Photo by G.M. Andrews
Photo courtesy AL.com/Sharon Steinmann
services at churches all over the world. “I got a phone call from a friend who was in Amman, Jordan at a Baptist school. He was telling me how he heard something familiar and wanted me to hear it,” Dunn said. Over the phone, Dunn heard his own arrangement being played by an orchestra in Amman, Jordan – some 7,000 miles away. Other days, Dunn reads messages on Facebook from church leaders in different parts of the world – some he
can’t even understand. “There’s something really humbling and rewarding to know that on any given Sunday, somebody, somewhere is probably using something that I’ve written in a worship service,” he said. “I really have the opportunity to participate in ministry literally all over the world.” Watch Steve Dunn’s Concepts + Convictions video as he answers the question: “Is Art Eternal?” here: umobile.edu/stevedunn.m umobile.edu 53
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Legacy
(leg-uh-see) n. pl. leg·a·cies 1. something handed down by a predecessor 2. a student at a school that was attended by his or her parent By Kathy Dean
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he first thing Dr. Dwight Steedley thought when he saw Delaney Grizzle sitting in his math class was, “Gee, I’m getting old.” The second thing that came to mind was that the University of Mobile must be doing something very well for a family to send its third generation to the school. The professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences knew Delaney’s grandparents, Jerry Grizzle ’86 and Elizabeth Jones Grizzle’ 73 – in fact, they were classmates during the 1960s at what was then Mobile College. It didn’t seem so long ago that Delaney’s parents, Eric and Shirley Culwell Grizzle, both ’91, were students taking introductory math in Steedley’s class. “I’ve taught here in the neighborhood of about 40 years. It’s
hard to believe that much time has gone by – but it must have, if I’m on the granddaughter,” Steedley said. When the birth of a college is something that still seems like a not-so-long-ago event for students who entered that first class in 1963, the idea that several generations have followed in their parents’ – and grandparents’ – footsteps still comes as something of a surprise. Just as the twigs once planted along the Pollock-Altmayer Drive onto campus have grown into mighty oaks, the university has grown up, adding buildings, academic and athletic programs, residence halls – and more graduates. That many of those long-ago graduates are bringing their children to enroll at their alma mater still catches Kim Leousis ’86 and’89 off guard. As vice president for
The Hollingsworths: Josh, Jerry Randall, Kathy and Jerry Raymond Photo by Trey Taulbee
enrollment and campus life and a 25-year employee of her alma mater, she often greets alumni and their children who arrive at Weaver Hall for a campus tour. “Sometimes I walk out and I see the parents, and it seems like they never left,” she said. “I think it’s a different place for every generation, but at the same time, it’s the same. Alumni say it looks different, but yet, they walk in here and it’s the same warm, comfortable, ‘I’ve come back home’ kind of feeling.” Shared Experiences Jimmy ’86 and Debbie Baker Preachers ’84 were college sweethearts who met at the Baptist Student Union’s “Welcome Back” event in 1982. New students were divided into “family” groups of six to 10 “children,” with seniors serving as
Rhymz With Grace was featured on WALA FOX 10 TV’s Studio 10 show. Photo by Kathy Dean
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“There were no other thoughts or questions in my mind – this is where the Lord wants me for my academic career.” Lindsay Mohney
“parents” to help them get acclimated. (Think of today’s Ram Fam, where groups of freshmen and transfer students led by upperclassmen spend much of the first week of school involved in service projects and activities during Ram Rush.) “Debbie and I were ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ in our ‘family.’ We prayed together, had Bible study together,” Jimmy said. Campus life included movie nights at the Student Activities Center (now the Boothe Athletic Training facility), weekly chapel, dorm activities where dorm mothers were a special part of college life, Student Government Association, and many music recitals. Debbie, a psychology major, took an interest in music and started attending music major Jimmy’s recitals. Their shared college experience “has given our marriage a strong foundation,” Jimmy said. Debbie said she came to college as a reserved person, and her four years were transformational. “I was able to blossom while I was there,” she said, becoming president of the senior class, a class favorite, and earning the area award in psychology at graduation. When their eldest daughter, Lindsay, started looking at colleges to attend, the family was living in Granite Falls, NC. Jimmy, associate pastor for music and worship at Concord Baptist Church, and Debbie, first grade teacher and reading specialist at Hickory Christian Academy, had suggested during Lindsay’s junior year that she consider the University of Mobile. Debbie recalls her daughter’s immediate reaction: “I’m not going
Lindsay and John Michael Mohney, with Parker
where y’all went!” But college visit after college visit at other schools just never seemed to feel quite right. Lindsay recalls her college decision this way: “We lived in North Carolina, and there are all sorts of elite universities in North and South Carolina. I visited them, and I just prayed the Lord would give me an overwhelming feeling of His Holy Spirit where I was to go. “I was pretty well into my senior year and I didn’t feel like any college was quite right. We got a pamphlet in the mail for a Preview Day” at UMobile. Debbie brought the pamphlet to Lindsay’s attention, and said she was ready to throw it away unless her daughter wanted to consider the school. “I said, ‘wait a minute, what the heck,’” Lindsay recalled. Her mother wanted to be sure she wasn’t just angling for a free trip to Mobile to visit her grandparents, but Lindsay said to sign her up for the visit day. “I was a little hesitant as we drove up,” Lindsay said. She visited Dr. Ted Mashburn’s philosophy class, Dr.no Mark Foley, president and “there were other thoughts or questions in my mind – this is where the Lord wants me for my academic career.” Like her parents, Lindsay ’12 met her future husband on campus, John Michael Mohney ’10. Also like her
Jimmy and Debbie Preachers
parents, the Mohney’s careers mirror the Preachers’ – Lindsay is a substitute teacher and is now completing a master’s in special education, and John Michael is worship and youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Ashland, AL. A few months ago, Jimmy and John Michael had occasion to visit campus together. They walked past classrooms and recalled their different experiences in those same rooms. John Michael said he sees a benefit to having shared experiences — both those that span a generation and new ones they share together such as that recent campus visit. And if the Mohney’s 18-month-old daughter Parker decides one day to enroll at UMobile? “We’ve actually talked about that. We would love for one of our children to go there,” Lindsay said.
“We understand the importance of taking good care of that which we have inherited from those who have gone before us. “
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What’s Yours is Mine Kim Leousis said some prospective students initially visit campus to placate their alumni parents, and others are eager to visit the school their parents have told stories about all these years. “Some students are very interested
Joni Morris Grissom, back row, fourth from left
enough that it isn’t set in its ways,” Kim said. “It’s still young enough that it can be molded, and students who attend here can definitely leave their impression.”
Joni and Jordan Grissom
because this is the place their parents talked about. Others are more reluctant, but when the student gets here and they look around for themselves, they end up coming to school here. It’s neat to see the parents’ school become the student’s school,” she said. Kim, whose daughter Nikki is in her freshman year and son Collin will be in the online early enrollment program this summer, said the university “is a different place for every generation, but at the same time, it’s the same place. The buildings may change, we may have new traditions, but the core of the university – the experience, the relationships, the heart of the university – those things remain over time. These are the things that create a unique bond across generations.” Dr. Cassidy Cooper, assistant professor of sociology, said students
Photo by Matthew Hicks
shouldn’t be concerned that following in their parents’ footsteps to the same college means they are just repeating their parents’ college experience. “It’s possible that your mother was a social butterfly, and if you’re an introvert, you’ll have different experiences,” she said. “I tell undergrads that you’ll have the experience you want. If you want to be introspective and spend a lot of time reading and writing, you can do that at this university. If you want to be at the center of campus life and do an event every night, you can. And each is a worthwhile experience.” Kim said it’s been fun to watch the influence current students have in creating new traditions, including how BSU Welcome Back becomes Off to College Week becomes the Welcome Back Luau becomes Ram Rush. “This university is still young
The Campus Visit When junior exercise science major Jordan Grissom practices with the women’s tennis team at the Gerald L. Wallace Sr. Tennis Complex on campus, she’s just a few steps away from a photo on display in the tennis center of the first women’s team in 1986. Her mother, Joni Morris Grissom ’89, stands back row, fourth from left. “She’s proud of me for going here, and I’m glad I got to play tennis. I love it. I’m kind of sad I don’t have more semesters left,” said Jordan, who will graduate in December 2016 and plans to continue to graduate school in speech pathology. Jordan had several offers to play tennis at other colleges in Florida and Alabama when her mom suggested she visit UMobile. “I came here and the first day after hitting with the girls (on the UMobile tennis team), I knew it was for me,” Jordan said. Joni, an accounting major who later earned a graduate degree in education, taught school for a decade, and now is a Realtor, regularly travels from Navarre Beach, FL, to cheer on her daughter and the team at tennis matches across the region. “When we started looking at different schools, my opinion was, ‘let’s see what’s the best school for you umobile.edu 57
“I knew they would get a quality education with academic rigor and be taught by professors who could integrate their faith with teaching.” Dr. Randall Dupont to go to, and we’ll know it when you get there. As soon as Jordan walked on campus, it was like ‘click, this was it.’ She felt like she belonged,” Joni said. Paul Munger ’75 recalls his first campus visit, and it occurred before there was even a campus. His father, Roy Munger, worked for a lumber company, and Paul would accompany him to help mark timber on the property that would later become the University of Mobile campus. Both his father and mother, Meron Munger, served at one time or another on the school’s Board of Trustees. Four of the five siblings in the Munger family graduated from the school. “It was a good experience. I was married and working full time, trying to get in and get out as quickly as I could. When I went there, we didn’t have a gym. We had a main building, a library and a few dorm rooms, and that was it. The gym was built while I was there,” recalled Paul, who graduated with a business degree and now owns Munger Insurance Agency Inc. in Mobile. He is proud that daughter Alisha Munger Jenkins ’98 graduated with top honors and a degree in accounting, and particularly pleased that she was able to pay for her own education through a presidential scholarship, student loans, and part-time work. Several of Alisha’s cousins also were her classmates, as the family legacy continued. Jordan Van Matre ’07 was living in Georgia with access to a free college education through that state’s Hope Scholarship when his father, Jim Van Matre ’79, suggested he take a look at UMobile. “I liked it. I liked the people who showed me around. I really liked the small feel. And I felt like it would be 58 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Marc Dupont Dr. Randall Dupont
Luke Dupont
really neat to go to the same college as my dad,” said Jordan, who recently opened a law practice in McDonough, GA handling bankruptcy and criminal defense. He said there was a benefit in the familiarity of going to a college his father attended. He and brother Kory, who just graduated in May with a major in worship leadership, were involved in ensembles in the Center for Performing Arts. They share a love of music with their father, who graduated with a degree in music education and now is minister of music and administration at First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, AL. “When I was there, I had some of the same professors as my dad, and the same thing with Kory and me. We
had a lot of the same experiences, and we get to laugh at a lot of the same things,” Jordan said. Kory said his brother was one of the students who petitioned to have sand volleyball courts, “so it’s really cool to play on them and know that my family had a hand in it.” Although many experiences are shared, Kory found it easy to leave his own mark, which included appearing with classmates Seth Brasher ’14 and Harrison Hughes ’15 on The American Bible Challenge television game show and winning $45,000 for Home of Grace, a local Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for women. Jessica Henderson “I was Photo in thebymusic group RamCorps for four years and traveled
Tell Us About Your
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Tara Jones, Barbara Greene and Bobbie McGuff
and played music in Jamaica and Sochi, Russia for the Winter Olympics. I’ve met my best friends that I will keep around the rest of my life,” Kory said. Investing Yourself Some alumni love the university so deeply that they invest themselves on a daily basis in helping students and their alma mater succeed. For alumni such as Dr. Lonnie Burnett ’79 and wife Lynne Thomas Burnett ’96, there is pride in seeing daughter Lauren Burnett Wetzel ’09, now a pharmacy tech in Andrews, TX, walk across the stage at graduation. The associate vice president for academic affairs is also proud of seeing students earn degrees whom he taught over his more than 23 years as an adjunct then full-time history professor. They aren’t just faces – they are people he knows. “That’s our niche, that small school, face-to-face contact with professors.
We have a personal touch,” Burnett said. Associate Professor of Business Dr. Randall Dupont ’94 earned a master of business administration from UMobile, and his wife, Sadie, graduated from the adult program in 2006, earned a master’s in elementary education in 2007, and now teaches fourth grade in George County, MS. As a graduate and professor, Dupont wanted his sons Luke ’10 and Marc ’14 to attend because “I knew they would get a quality education with academic rigor and be taught by professors who could integrate their faith with teaching. Furthermore, I wanted them in an environment where homeschoolers are valued. I knew this was the place. “From our common experience of attending UMobile, I believe we are closer as a family, creating a legacy whereby we can pass along our Christian values to our children and future grandchildren. An education from the University of Mobile
Is it time to start your family legacy at the University of Mobile? Here’s how:
• Let us know you have a child or grandchild who could benefit from a UMobile education. It’s never too early to prepare for college! Tell us about your future ram at umobile.edu/futureram. • Bring your high school junior or senior, or college transfer student, to campus for a Visit Day. RSVP for a Visit Day at umobile.edu/visit.
Upcoming Visit Days September 18, 2015 October 16, 2015 December 4, 2015 January 29, 2016 March 18, 2016
• Schedule a private campus tour for your student at umobile.edu/visit. Private campus tours are available Mondays through Fridays at 9:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. • Apply for an Alumni Association Scholarship. Download the application form at umobile.edu/alumnischolarship. Want to know more? Call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222 or 800.WIN.RAMS.
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“When I drive onto campus, I still remember the excitement of that first year, when I drove on campus as a student the first time.” Elizabeth Grizzle
The Grizzle family shares memories with Dr. Dwight Steedley at UMobile.
develops and strengthens those values for the whole family,” Dupont said. The Dorsett family is another example of multi-generational investment in the school. Pat Dorsett ’81 returned to school and graduated after son Dr. Wayne Dorsett ’76 and before granddaughter Erin Dorsett Vaughn ’00. Both she and son Martin Dorsett have served on the UMobile Board of Trustees, and Martin currently serves on the board’s finance committee. Now, Ross Dorsett, Martin’s son and Pat’s grandson, is enrolled. Pat continues to support the school through the establishment of the George and Patricia Dorsett Scholarship for Religion and Nursing, an endowment in memory of her 60 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
husband. The Bruns family includes five nurse anesthetists, all graduates of the UMobile School of Nursing: John Bruns ’78, Alex Bruns ’00, Johnathan Bruns ’02, Maryann Bruns Dean ’04 and Amanda Rouse Bruns ’03. John’s wife Cindy remains involved in university life as assistant to the vice president for external affairs and information services. Tara Greene Jones ’02 who is serving with her husband and three children with the International Mission Board in Takasaki, Japan, said attending the same school as sister Bobbie Greene McGuff ’95 and mom Barbara Greene ’04 brought a family that was already close even closer. “All three of us have always been
close and talked a lot, so having this in common, too, gave us even more opportunity to spend time together,” Tara said. Bobbie, who is financial service manager at SSAB Alabama, said her involvement in the Student Government Association gave her confidence and experience in leadership that has helped her succeed in her career. The Hollingsworth family will have three generations graduate when Josh receives his bachelor’s degree and MBA in 2016 through the university’s 5-year integrated MBA program. His mother, Kathy ’87, majored in business with a concentration in accounting, worked for a few years in the university’s business office, then stayed home to raise children.
Husband Jerry Raymond and father-in-law Jerry Randall enrolled in the Alpha 1 first group of adult students in what was then the Degree Completion Program. They graduated together in 1994, then Jerry Raymond earned an MBA through UMobile in 2005. Kathy returned work in the university’s business office and Josh, who initially attended two other schools on baseball scholarships, transferred back to UMobile on a baseball scholarship during his junior year. “When I graduated from high school, the last thing I wanted to do was go to college in my hometown,” said Josh, who had spent time as a child on the UMobile campus in the Oakdale Children’s Center, then playing pool with UMobile students in the student activities center. Now as a UMobile student, he loves the close-knit community – and that Dr. Jane Byrd has taught all of his family members. “We’re very family-oriented, so it’s nice to stay close to home and be involved in your son’s education,” Jerry Raymond said. “Since I got my MBA, it’s really helped me advance in my job, and we hope the degree Josh gets helps open the door to a quality lifestyle for him.” An Amazing School Elizabeth Grizzle said she never could have imagined the Grizzle family legacy – that three generations of her family would one day graduate from the school she entered as a freshman in 1963, during its first year of existence. Sometimes, founding president Dr. William K. Weaver Jr. “would remind us we were part of something historical, being part of that first class. It was like we were part owners of the
school, we felt that much ownership,” said Elizabeth, who later was an adjunct instructor in the School of Education. “When I drive onto campus, I still remember the excitement of that first year, when I drove on campus as a student the first time.” The Grizzle family legacy at UMobile includes Elizabeth and Jerry; their son Jeffrey ’89, son Eric and his wife Shirley, daughter Amy Grizzle Lowe ’11 and her husband Sean ’10. Amy said she had always felt like the odd one out in her family, having earned her bachelor’s degree at another school. “When I did go back to school for my master’s, I wanted to be part of having a degree from the University of Mobile like everyone else in my family,” she said. Delaney, who is majoring in math with teacher certification, said she didn’t intend to go to UMobile, mainly because of the family legacy. “My family has been at UMobile for so long. Everybody wanted me to go there. I ran away from that, I wanted to go out of state, to go where my family hadn’t been before,” Delaney said. She visited a school in North Carolina and planned on enrolling, but because her parents wanted her to go to UMobile so badly, she said she would go to a visit day to see what it was like. “When I stepped on campus, I knew that was where the Lord wanted me to be. I was overwhelmed with the Lord’s presence there. There was just
Some current and future UMobile students started their college career early by attending student activities their alumni parents help organize. Pictured from left at a student fiesta are incoming freshman Savannah Boyle, daughter of Brian ’94 and Mandy Shoemaker Boyle ’90 and ’95; and Nikki and Collin Leousis, children of Kim Leousis ’86 and ’89.
no going anywhere else,” she said. Now, when the family gets together, three generations have stories to tell about the different times at the same place. They will share how Dr. Steedley uses examples in class about hunting and fishing, how the School of Education has shaped their approach to teaching in ways that incorporate their faith. “I love the University of Mobile. It’s an amazing school,” Delaney said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to get to major in an area I love, to learn about things I love in an atmosphere centered on why we do what we do, and making everything we do pleasing to the Lord.” As for future generations of Grizzles? “I may not live to see it, but I hope I have a great-grandchild go to the University of Mobile, to carry on that family tradition,” Elizabeth said. m umobile.edu 61
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hen Dr. Sevints Nuriyeva met Dr. Jane Finley, dean of UMobile’s School of Business, while representing her college at a conference last year, she knew it was “definitely an answer to prayer.” Originally from Kazakhstan, Nuriyeva has experience teaching college students there as well as in South Korea and the United States. She was interested in moving back to the United States when she and Finley began discussing a position at the University of Mobile. Nuriyeva is now the assistant professor of global business and management for UMobile’s School of Business. She has joined an interesting and diverse faculty who are teaching life-changing business concepts to UMobile students both on campus, and now online. Nuriyeva is excited to be a part of this Christian university. “One of the biggest advantages that students have at UMobile is the opportunity to share their faith openly in the classroom,” said Nuriyeva. “My experience in other countries has been that it is not always possible. It is good to be able to have discussions about how faith affects business.” Teaching global business and ethics
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Dr. Randall Dupont assists students Photo by Marc Dupont
Planting Practical Seeds Business Degree Now Available Online By Lesa Moore When Dr. Sevints Nuriyeva met Dr. Jane Finley, dean of UMobile’s School of Business, while representing her college at a conference last year, she knew it was “definitely an answer to prayer.” Originally from Kazakhstan, Nuriyeva has experience teaching college students there as well as in South Korea and the United States. She was interested in moving back to the United States when she and Finley began discussing a position at the University of Mobile. Nuriyeva is now the assistant professor of global business and management for UMobile’s School of Business. She has joined an interesting and diverse faculty who are teaching life-changing business concepts to UMobile students both on campus, and now online. Nuriyeva is excited to be a part of this Christian university. “One of the biggest advantages that students have at UMobile is the opportunity to share their faith openly in the classroom,” said Nuriyeva. “My experience in other countries has been that it is not always possible. It is good to be able to have discussions about how faith affects business.”
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classes in both the traditional and adult programs, Nuriyeva says “it is fun to watch the students’ faces – the ‘ah ha moments’ – when it now makes sense.” She also says the personal experiences that adults bring to the classroom allow different perspectives and provide a good basis for discussions. “I want my students to think from a practical standpoint,” she said. “To think, ‘how would you apply this concept to real life?’ I encourage them to find a practical seed in everything they learn.” Taking It Online For over 20 years, the University of Mobile has offered a variety of adult degree programs on campus, including the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Beginning Fall 64 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
2015, this program will also have a completely online option. Dr. Randall Dupont ‘94, associate professor of business in the University of Mobile’s Adult and Professional Studies, believes the online BBA program will give adult students a broader opportunity to finish their degree while providing the same support given to those on campus. “Online BBA students will have the same professors, the same course material, and the same opportunity to interact with others,” he said. “Furthermore, the online option will allow adults to better balance the demands of work, family and school.” Brenda Lyndall is a current student in the on-campus BBA program. She said she chose UMobile because of its size, program offerings and Christian worldview.
“My favorite thing about UM is that the students are not just a number,” she says. “The staff truly cares about your education and helps you be the best that you can possibly be. The staff also challenges you to go above and beyond to prepare you for employers’ expectations in a job and beyond the job for life in general.” “The emphasis of the BBA program is on equipping students with a broad understanding of all of the business functional areas, and bringing that understanding into an integrative experience at the end of the courses of study,” says Finley. “Students improve their skills in communication, critical thinking and analysis, with a common thread of ethical decision-making and ability to apply appropriate technology to aid business decisionmaking.”
Photo by Marc Dupont
Nuriyeva believes the online option will give adults greater flexibility with time management. “Students should realize that the online program is not an easier degree,” she explains. “You have to invest time, be self-disciplined and learn to work with online teams as well as independently. I encourage students to be intentional about their studies. Ask where do you see yourself after completing the program?” Making the Big Bucks A million dollars. That’s the difference in career-earning potential for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree, according to Dupont. “In Alabama, high school graduates earn $25,851 a year while those with a bachelor’s degree earn $46,556,”
he explains. “That’s a difference of $20,705 annually or nearly a million dollars over one’s working career.” These potential career benefits are why he strongly encourages working professionals and adults to finish their business degree. “According to the latest census data from the American Community Survey, 30 percent of Alabamians 25 years and over have attended college but did not finish their bachelor’s degree,” Dupont continues. “Not only does a degree provide more earnings potential, but it also provides greater employment security. Last year the unemployment rate for those with some college but no degree was 6 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree.” Statistics show that more adults are now continuing their education. According to a New York Times article referencing data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of full-time adult learners has increased to over 2.5 million nationwide in 2011 (the last year for which statistics were available). “The most compelling reason that led me to finish my business degree was to lead by example for my son and step-daughter,” says Lyndall. “I decided after high school to get married and start a family right away instead of going to college. Both my son and step-daughter did, also. So I want them to know that it is never too late to get a college education.” The UMobile Advantage Like the on-campus programs, the online BBA program has specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and
Dr. Sevints Nuriyeva
Photo by Trey Taulbee
Programs. This accreditation provides accountability with a focus on learning outcomes and continuous improvement in curriculum and how it is taught. UMobile’s BBA program is designed to uniquely meet the needs of working adults. “We understand that adults learn differently,” Dupont says. “They are looking for real-world application of what they are learning and to share work experiences.” Learning to solve complex issues in the workplace in practical ways is a large part of the academic program. “We are teaching basic skills everyone should know,” explains Nuriyeva. “How to manage your life, career, company and finances; how to market yourself and your company; and how to approach life and business ethically. “I am encouraging my students to be open-minded and be prepared to succeed in the age of globalization. Also, never make assumptions about the world around us but do the homework.” “They (adults) are in the prime of their career,” says Dupont. “My advice to them would be to just get started. The rewards are enormous, and the online BBA program at UMobile can make it a reality.” m To learn more about online programs at UMobile, visit learnonline.umobile.edu. umobile.edu 65
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By Kathy Dean Photos by Dan Anderson
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usic that will soon be performed by church choirs across the nation, including two songs by a University of Mobile student and graduate, were introduced to more than 200 worship pastors in Mobile in April. The music ministers came to Mobile for “The Retreat,” a conference presented by the University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts, the Fisher-Brewer Worship Institute and Prism Music Publishing. The conference included two free concerts open to the public. A highlight was the release of “How Excellent,” a book of music for choir, praise teams, church orchestra and worship from Prism Music Publishing in Nashville, a leading publisher of Christian church music. The music was
premiered publicly for the first time by the UMobile Center for Performing Arts choir and orchestra in concert April 21 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church. “How Excellent” composer and arranger Bradley Knight, worship leader at the Plano, TX campus of Prestonwood Baptist Church that has more than 40,000 members, directed the university’s 200-member choir, 65-piece orchestra and ensembles including Voices of Mobile. Dr. Roger Breland, executive director for the UMobile Center for Performing Arts, said the school’s music program was selected by Prism Music to make the live concert CDs that will accompany the book. Those recordings were made during the Tuesday night concert, with additional recordings made on the university’s campus in the Fisher-Brewer Recording Studio. Two songs selected for the music book, “My Savior My King” and “Song of Grace,” have Photo by Dan Anderson University of Mobile
connections. UMobile senior Ryan Jackson of Crestview, FL wrote “My Savior My King” two summers ago, and it was initially included in the album “Hymns and Worship” released last year by the university’s record label, 8Eighty Records, available at www.8eightyrecords.com. The university submitted several works by students and alumni for consideration in the Prism project. Jackson’s song, along with another by alumnus Jarod Espy, was selected. “I’m blown away by the opportunity and the goodness of the Lord,” said Jackson, who will earn royalties from the song that has the potential to be performed worldwide. Jackson, who majored in worship leadership, graduated this May. He plans to head to Nashville to pursue songwriting. (For more, see Official Music Video of “My Savior My King” at umobile.edu/msmkvideo. See also Writer’s Room: Story behind “My Savior My King” umobile.edu/ msmkstory. Jarod Espy, a 2008 graduate with a bachelor of music in church music,
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“The initial spark of it was the idea that even when we bring our best, even then, we’re still in need of His grace.” Ryan Jackson also has a song selected, “Song of Grace.” Espy is music ministry assistant worship leader at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, SC. Espy said “Song of Grace” is a corporate worship song written in the style of a hymn as a response to God’s grace. “The initial spark of it was the idea that even when we bring our best, even then, we’re still in need of His grace,” he said. Espy said he wrote songs as a student and now writes music for his church – something UMobile
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CPA Dean Dr. Al Miller knew. Miller called Espy last fall and asked if he had a composition to submit for consideration by Prism. Espy said he is humbled and excited that his song was chosen for publication. “My prayer is that, through this, God will receive the glory and the Church will have another way to respond to Him and respond to His grace,” Espy said. A demo of his song is at https://m.youtube.com/ watch?v=H2qrykFRYCY.
Conference workshops were held at the Center for Performing Arts on the University of Mobile campus. The workshops covered topics such as multi-generation worship, finding and keeping balance in ministry, ways to grow a worship ministry, opportunities to share ideas and experiences for effective ministry, and more. m
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By Trey Taulbee Photos by Trey Taulbee
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hat does it take to be successful? While the classroom is a major part of the college experience, there are “soft” skills that students must learn in order to have a successful career. In fact, many students who aren’t “exceptional” in their classes can still be successful in their careers with the right combination of skills. The University of Mobile Student Success Center (SSC) provides students with opportunities for personal growth, academic success coaching, counseling and career development. The SSC also ensures that students with disabilities have appropriate access according to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Julia Lucy, Student Support Services coordinator, explains the need for a solid support system outside of the classroom. “Students are often not prepared for the rigorous course load and the various delivery methods employed by professors,” she says. “Coupled with the responsibility of organizing their schedules and managing umobile.edu 73
“Part of this generation’s problem is that we’ve fought so hard to make sure they have self-esteem that we’ve overdone it.” Brenda Davis their time wisely – students often get discouraged or give up.” Lucy provides academic counseling and support for students with disabilities. In addition to counseling and success coaching, students have access to private tutoring, someone to help process documentation and selfadvocacy training. “With the services we provide, we are able to see ‘ability’ not ‘disability’,” she says. Brenda Davis, coordinator of Career Development, believes the SSC prepares students beyond the books for success in real life experiences. “How are you going to integrate what you’ve learned academically in the real world?” Davis asks. “Our job is to take them beyond the classroom and do as much as we can to make things practical.” The First Year Experience Students begin their freshman year by going through Freshman Seminar, described by Davis as the “bridge class from high school to college.” This class immerses students in the UMobile experience, from introducing students to MyUM (student portal) to studying personal finance, study skills and time management. Students are placed in classes based on their Ram Rush (new student orientation) families, so camaraderie already exists in the class. Early in the semester, students are required to take the StrengthsFinder and Focus2 assessments. These assessments help students by improving their self-awareness and identifying potential career opportunities they may not have considered. Additionally, Davis wants to build “emotional intelligence.” “I think the freshman year is so important because it’s that self74 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
awareness time,” Davis says. “The more we know ourselves, the more we are able to understand others.” Often, students declare a major as they enter college without having a clear career direction. Lawrencine Mason, career counselor, encourages students to begin the career exploration process as early as possible. “I strongly advise students to begin their search for volunteer opportunities, externships (shadowing), and internships for hands-on experiences in different areas to determine whether they would enjoy working in a particular field,” Mason says. Mason encourages students to attend career development workshops provided by the SSC beginning their freshman year. This guarantees that students will understand how to practically apply for jobs and conduct themselves in interviews. Students are also given internship opportunities, as well as on-campus jobs through the Student Workforce. This on-the-job training develops basic skills in time management, organization and punctuality. Through the combination of workshops and hands-on learning, UMobile students have an edge in job training by the time they graduate. “The purpose of a degree is to receive the necessary knowledge to help prepare them for their career of choice,” Mason says. “Our job in the SSC is to equip them with skills for cover letter writing, resume writing, networking and interviewing so they will be hired.” Failing Safely Students entering college today have grown up in a culture leaning heavily on the importance of self-
esteem. Trophies and ribbons are given more generously in an effort to make everyone feel like a “winner.” But what about adulthood? At what point does this drive for self-esteem in today’s youth actually harm their perspective? “Students need to be put in situations where they fail,” Davis says. “I love the fact that students set themselves up for failure.” While this may seem harsh, UMobile is a place where students can fail safely – and learn from it. “Failure is highly important and humbling,” Davis says. “Part of this generation’s problem is that we’ve fought so hard to make sure they have self-esteem that we’ve overdone it.” This fear of failure keeps students on the sidelines and away from taking risks. The collegiate experience is defined by self-discovery and adventure, but many students miss out on opportunities simply because they are afraid to try. Davis believes the SSC must constantly encourage students to face their fears and take risks. UMobile provides the right environment for those risks to happen safely, without ruining a career or academic opportunity. “How do we help alleviate that fear, but make that fear healthy?” Davis asks. When students share a failure or defeat involving their goals and dreams, Davis offers a gentle, but stern reminder. “What are you going to do after you toss your mortar board?” she asks. “Take a different path, but don’t give up on your dream.” Career Reflections Davis’ career trajectory gives her a unique perspective on vocation.
Student Success Center Staff
She was a high school English teacher for 25 years. After retiring at the age of 50, she went snow-skiing and whitewater rafting for the first time. Then, she started graduate school. Next, she served as the college minister in a local church for 10 years.
Photo by Trey Taulbee
This experience shaped her passion for teaching and molding students in a new way. “I think God put me in college ministry to REALLY give me a love for this age group,” Davis says. When she was approached with an opportunity to lead UMobile’s career
development initiative in 2011, Davis was at first resistant. “I did not want to leave – but He called me out,” she says. “Dr. Foley gave me a charge of wanting our graduates to stand out above other graduates,” she says. Now, with two career changes – AFTER retirement – Davis believes that each experience has shaped her for this season of pouring into UMobile students. “I love college students because I think they have so much to offer.” Because of caring staff like Davis, and the SSC’s vision of holistic development, UMobile students can offer their gifts and talents as agents of change in today’s culture.m
Wishing God’s blessings on the University of Mobile! Teresa and Willard Simmons
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SPECIALIZING IN CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
WWW.MCFADDENENGINEERING.COM
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Lyon Chapel By Shannon Mason Lyon Chapel, formerly known as the historic St. Stephens Baptist Church, was acquired by Mobile College in April 1987. The church was relocated to campus from St. Stephens, AL and restored as much as possible to its original state. During restoration, the chapel’s tin roof was replaced with a cedar shingle roof, pews were replicated from the original model, the original pulpit and communion table were restored, and a pump organ dating back to the turn of the century was donated. The bell tower was restored and a bell was installed. A
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back porch with a ramp was added in order to accommodate the needs of the disabled. Lyon Chapel was named in memory of Mrs. Willie Mae Lewis Lyon, a founding trustee of the University of Mobile. This chapel stands as a tribute to the woman who inspired and aided many UMobile students during her life. Today, students, faculty and staff gather at Lyon Chapel for prayer, meditation, Bible study and even to
rehearse for Center Performing Arts events. The chapel has been the site for many weddings, and is a visible reminder of the Christian faith that is at the heart of the university.
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2002 Soccer Fans If you would like to share a throwback photo from your college years at MC/UMobile, email it to umobilemagazine@umobile.edu
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Belief in U
Belief is the foundation of our university.
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hat’s a statement you are seeing on much of our current “Belief in U” marketing campaign. We looked for a concise way of describing who we are as a university to prospective students and their parents who may never have heard of the University of Mobile. The more we looked, the more that word – Belief – kept cropping up. But how do you let people know that what we say we are – really is who we are? You show them. You show them our students. You show them our faculty. You show them our graduates. You let our students, faculty and graduates tell their own personal stories of how transforming Belief has touched their lives. It’s what our university’s creative director, Trey Taulbee ’08, has done in a series of videos you can see at umobile.edu/watch. The most recent video, “Belief in Influence,” opened our 10th annual University of Mobile Leadership Banquet. More than 1,200 people heard Mario Butler, a sophomore majoring in political science, say that no matter where you are, God can use you for His kingdom, for His glory. They met Amanda Gaster ’15 who graduated just a few weeks ago from the School of Nursing and is heading to the mission field in Uganda to help open a medical clinic in a village. In “Concepts + Convictions,” our professors provide a glimpse into what learning at UMobile is all about. Assistant Professor of Music Steve Dunn explains how “music is forever” when it is used for God’s purposes, to bring people to the eternal. Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries Dr. Robert Olsen discusses how 2,000 years of church history is still deeply relevant today. I hope you will take a few moments to see how today’s students and faculty are experiencing Belief through their college experience. I think you will be proud that your university really is who we say we are – a place founded on Belief.
Brian P. Boyle ‘94 Vice President for External Affairs and Information Services 251.442.2497 bboyle@umobile.edu
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I
have really enjoyed getting to know more of our alumni this year through visits to campus, events, phone calls and emails. It truly is a great feeling to see the strong connection that so many of our alumni still have to their alma mater. One of my goals is to see new Alumni Association Chapters formed to continue these connections outside of the Mobile area. We realize that it is sometimes difficult for everyone to be able to travel to events and reunions on the University of Mobile campus. Creating new alumni chapters would give alumni across the country the opportunity to network and develop friendships while remaining connected to UMobile at the same time. We are also looking for individuals that would be willing to partner with other alumni to help coordinate events once or twice per year in their area. These can be as simple as sharing a meal at a local restaurant or attending a local event as an alumni group. If you are interested in starting a new alumni chapter or helping with events for existing chapters, please contact me at dcagle@umobile.edu or 251.442.4407. If you are not receiving our monthly Alumni E-Newsletter, sign up at umobile.edu/alumni-update to stay informed with what’s happening in our alumni association. Also be sure to “like” our Facebook page (University of Mobile Alumni) for great stories on graduates, events and more. Go Rams! David Cagle ‘05 Alumni Coordinator 251.447.4407 dcagle@umobile.edu
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Baseball Alumni Game
Hits a Home Run By Shannon Mason The second annual Baseball Alumni Game was a success, with 40 people coming back to campus for an evening and fun and games. The game was held Nov. 1, 2014. The evening started with a welcome from Coach Mike Jacobs and a pizza dinner, followed by a Homerun Derby and then the Alumni Baseball Game. Alumni also had the chance to meet the current UMobile baseball team. Planning is underway for the next baseball alumni event. Look for updates at umobile.edu/alumni. m Photos by Dan Anderson
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alumnistories UMobile Men’s Basketball Alumni Day Was a
Slam Dunk
By Shannon Mason
The 2014 Men’s Basketball Alumni Day was filled with many fun activities as former players and families came back to enjoy the day and visit the campus. The day started out with a meet and greet in Pharr Gym followed by a tour of the campus to show off the new additions and renovations. Afterward, everyone enjoyed lunch in The Caf. The afternoon began with the alumni game, then alumni and families attended the men’s basketball game and a post-game reception. Be looking for information about the next alumni event at umobile.edu/ Alumni. We hope you can join us! m Photos by Dan Anderson
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Practicing the Good Life Dr. Brooke Lovett Lenz ’00 Michael Lenz ’00 By Renee Busby
Dr. Brooke Lovett Lenz ’00 starts her day early helping her husband, Michael ’00, dress their three children before she heads off to work as an OB-GYN doctor at Bay Area Physicians for Women in Mobile. Her work day usually begins around 6:45 a.m., when she checks on patients in Labor and Delivery at Springhill Medical Center, located next to her physicians’ office. Then there are rounds at the clinic to see patients from 9 a.m. to lunch, when it’s back to the hospital for scheduled surgeries and deliveries. She usually leaves the office between 5 to 5:30 p.m. She said she’s blessed to have five other doctors in her group so she has time with her husband and children before the day ends. “I’m fortunate in my practice because I have a great call schedule,” said Brooke. Juggling a demanding career and a busy family life also requires scheduling. On days when surgeries are scheduled for later in the morning, Brooke and Michael split duties taking the two oldest children to school. Their oldest child, 10-year-old Sam, is a student at UMS, while Ryland, four, is in pre-school at Ashland Place. Their daughter, 1-year-old Maggie, who is adopted, stays at home with Dad, who has a real estate business that makes it flexible for him to be home. “Our careers have evolved around our family,” said Brooke. Brooke was 13 years old when her family moved to Bay Minette in the 1990s for her father to become Bay Minette’s police chief. She graduated from Baldwin
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County High School in 1997, then began her studies at the University of Mobile. “I was looking for somewhere that was far enough from home and I could live on campus, but not too far that I couldn’t see my family,” said Brooke. Plus, she was awarded a full-tuition University of Mobile Board of Trustees Scholarship. While touring the campus, she decided she wanted to try out for cheerleader. She made the squad for the Rams and cheered during her four years at the University of Mobile. Brooke said she had a “great relationship with all my professors there.” Another advantage, she said, was that the science classes she needed for medical school weren’t large lecture classes. “You had one-on-one attention with your professor. And they knew your name,” she said. Attending the University of Mobile
“was just good life preparation for me.” The combination of chemistry and cheerleading also had a life-changing impact. Michael, a Murphy High School graduate who played for the high school’s baseball team, was offered a baseball scholarship to play for the University of Mobile Rams. But after two years at the college level, he hurt his shoulder and stepped away from baseball to focus on his chemistry degree. With two years left on his scholarship eligibility, Michael joined the cheerleading squad and was partnered with a girl from Baldwin County he didn’t know – Brooke. It wasn’t until later, when Michael was tutoring Brooke in chemistry, that they started dating. They graduated from the University of Mobile in May of 2000, married and started a family. Brooke, who had graduated magna
cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology, took some time off to become a nanny. During this transition period, “I decided I wanted to go into medicine because I was drawn to science and healthcare,” said Brooke. Plus, she said, “I truly liked the idea of taking care of people.” Brooke was accepted to University of South Alabama Medical School, where she graduated in 2007. It was during her third year at USA’s Medical School she discovered that she liked taking care of female patients and wanted to be an OB-GYN doctor. She did her Ob-Gyn internship at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital from 2007-2008 and completed her residency there in 2011. She especially likes seeing the different stages of her patients’ lives. “One thing I like about the medical field is you do a lot of different things. I never get bored,” said Brooke. In addition to a busy profession, and raising three children, she is also involved in the family’s church, Cottage Hill Baptist, and community activities. She is president of the Mobile Bay OBGYN Society and a member of the Junior League. “We just make it happen,” said Brooke. “Michael’s the support system of our family. He keeps me going and keeps the kids going and is the chef in our house. “We both grew up in Christian homes but feel that our time at UMobile definitely helped us grow in our Christian faith. It brought us not only to each other, but to many other of our friends that we will have for life,” said Brooke. m umobile.edu 87
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Managing a Challenging Career Nicole Eubanks-Lambert ’86 By Renee Busby As a child, Nicole Eubanks-Lambert surprised her mother when she said she would never be a teacher. Her mother, then an elementary school teacher, never forgot her daughter’s words. Nicole’s mother, Dr. Audrey Eubanks, is now vice president of Academic Affairs at the University of Mobile. So it’s no surprise that Nicole enrolled at UMobile. True to her word, she didn’t start out following her mother into the education profession. In 1986, Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science with majors in chemistry, math and biology. Academics weren’t the only things she learned at the school. “My time at UMobile built on the moral foundation my parents and immediate family instilled in me,” she said. Those foundations had roots in her family’s involvement in Southern Baptist and United Methodist traditions. “When I came to UMobile, I found myself studying with Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals and more,” she said, adding, “I was able to see the breadth of the Christian faith.” UMobile helped build her work ethic, and the diversity of academic offerings allowed her to explore her artistic side and dive into religion courses. “We worked hard at whatever we were doing, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have fun,” she said. Nicole was in Mobile College Singers and had roles in a number of plays. “I was able to explore my passions for music and drama, as well as have the opportunity to study religion with men and women who would go on
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Nicole Eubanks-Lambert, left, meets with her site director, Faith Bornoff.
and become ministers or leaders in their churches,” she said. “I believe my experience is an example of the great gifts of a liberal arts education.” Her years at UMobile helped Nicole gain self-confidence, which ultimately helped her land management jobs with nationally recognized companies. “Being self-confident, but still willing to learn and work hard, has been a great asset for me in my career and home life,” she said. Her educational background in chemistry and biology brought her to the attention of The General Electric Company, and she joined their Plastics Division in 1990 as manager of Elastomer Laboratories at GE Silicones in New York. A highlight of her career was being chosen for the GE Pinnacle Award, which is given to the top 1 percent
of employees for their outstanding leadership of company initiatives. Among those initiatives was a partnership between local industries and schools, and Nicole took part in a program to tutor at-risk high school students in math. The experience foreshadowed what would become a passion in later years. She left GE to be part of the largest IPO of 2004 – Genworth Financial. She accepted a critical role leading the rebranding effort for the Retirement Income Business. While at Genworth, she was highlighted in the Annual Report for her role in the education of financial planners in the tools and techniques of planning for retirement income. After leaving the corporate world, Nicole founded Keiko Company for the purpose of owning and operating
Groundbreaking for new Rainbow Station. Nicole Eubanks-Lambert, right, with husband Jim and daughter Hanna
“When I came to UMobile, I found myself studying with Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals and more, I was able to see the breadth of the Christian faith.” Nicole Eubanks-Lambert Rainbow Station franchises. Rainbow Station is a recognized leader in early childhood education, after-school recreation and care for mildly ill children. She was honored in 2007 by the International Franchise Association as a Franchisee of the Year. These awards are given to member companies to honor outstanding performance and contributions to the growth and development of the nation’s franchising industry. Rainbow Station at Wyndham was honored with the Spirit of Excellence award in 2010, with a Quality Award in 2012, for achievements in social media engagement for 2012 and 2014, and celebrated as the Top Producer for 2013. Now after nearly a decade of success with Rainbow Station, Nicole is entering the realm of multi-unit franchise
ownership. On Feb. 6, 2015, exactly nine years after the groundbreaking for her school in Wyndham, Nicole broke ground on her second school, Rainbow Station at Charter Colony in Midlothian, VA. Today, she lives in Glen Allen, VA with her husband, Jim. They have two young adult children, Ryan and Hanna. When Nicole left the chemistry field and became a Rainbow Station owner, her mother didn’t let it go unnoticed. “She reminded me of that childhood statement when I said I never wanted to be a teacher,” Nicole said. In whatever challenge she takes on, from the corporate boardroom to a business owner, from a mother and wife to a teacher, Nicole draws on her experiences at UMobile.
“There is an atmosphere at the University of Mobile where students are encouraged to be curious and study things, learn things and seek and learn how to think. Every day I try to bring that with me to school, to nurture my students’ curiosity and help them be excited to learn,” she said. m
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On Mission: From PB&J to Portland Chandra Barton Martin ’04 Justin Martin ‘04 By Renee Busby Chandra Martin can still hear the words University of Mobile President Dr. Mark Foley told her and other graduates including her husband, Justin Martin, at the university’s 2004 commencement. “Go change the world,” Foley challenged. Those four words describe the couple’s mission – one they began long before they graduated. “While we were students at the University of Mobile, the Lord really burdened our hearts for the nations to know and worship Jesus as Lord and Christ,” said Chandra. That desire has taken them to North Carolina, South Asia, back to Alabama and now to Portland, OR working to make disciples and plant a church through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Love and PB&J Chandra Barton was a sophomore and Justin was a freshman when they met, and a friendship formed through their common interest in serving others. Chandra and a group of UMobile students had started a homeless ministry. The students would gather in dorm rooms and make
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peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Kool-Aid. They would meet and pray together outside of Ingram Hall before heading out on their mission, and then carpool to Bienville Square in downtown Mobile where they would pray again in the Square. “We would usually split up and go in groups and just pass out sandwiches and Kool-Aid and get to know the homeless people with the intention of planting seeds of the Gospel,” said Chandra. They met many people who called the streets of downtown Mobile their home, and relationships grew as students came weekly to share food and conversation, and specifically the hope of the Gospel message. Their PB&J mission was popular, both with the people they were serving and with student volunteers. As classes began in for fall semester 2000, Campus Ministry held a “Ministry Fair” at a skating rink in Saraland where freshmen could learn how they could get involved in community services. The homeless ministry set up a table to recruit more students One of those students was Justin Martin. As he became involved with the ministry, something sparked between the couple, and they soon started dating. They married during Christmas break two years later, on Dec. 14, 2002. Hearing the Call “Before we ever started dating, we both knew God was calling us to serve Him through missions,” Chandra said. Justin was a summer missionary in Montgomery, AL, with NAMB during college, and heard missionaries from India speak at his home church, Dalraida Baptist, about how they needed people to come serve under the business
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platform. When he returned to UMobile for fall semester, he declared a business major. Chandra said her first international experience was a mission trip through UM Missions to Namibia, Africa. She sensed the Lord moving her heart toward serving Him vocationally, primarily through reaching the nations. At the time they wed, Justin was serving as the youth and children’s minister at Smithtown Baptist Church. They lived in the church parsonage and commuted to UMobile, remaining involved in activities. The interest in missions that brought them together continued to be a passion in their lives. Justin said the couple has adopted a quote from 16th century missionary John Falconer as their life quote: “I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.” They took mission trips together, including a University Missions trip to Edmonton in Alberta, Canada in March 2003 that was led by Dr. Doug Wilson, now dean of the School of Christian Ministries.
“We did a lot of things there – evangelism and volunteered with a Chinese church there in Canada,” Justin said. Justin, who says he came to the University of Mobile via Montgomery from Dothan, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Chandra, who is from Mobile, earned a Bachelor of Science in religion. After graduating, the married couple lived in Bedsole Hall where Chandra was a resident coordinator for two years. Next, they headed to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, where Justin enrolled in the 2+2 program that required two years on campus and two years on the mission field through the SBC’s International Mission Board. The Martins, who had three daughters by that time, were appointed to serve in South Asia. “We were doing church planting work in the Himalayan Mountains,” said Justin. The work involved training local pastors or leaders on how to start new churches.” It was a life-changing experience. “Our lives have been forever changed as we were able to experience and enjoy
“While we were students at the University of Mobile, the Lord really burdened our hearts for the nations to know and worship Jesus as Lord and Christ.” Chandra Martin another culture,” said Justin. Chandra still has fond memories of their neighbors in South Asia who took them in as a family. “Community life was so beautiful,” she said. But it wasn’t always easy adjusting to a different lifestyle. “They didn’t have the comforts and luxuries we have here, like hot water to wash dishes,” said Chandra. Their term was unexpectedly cut short a year due to a daughter’s severe health conditions, plus visa issues. “We found ourselves back in Alabama and not a clue what to do next,” Chandra said. A New Mission Field “The Lord was gracious in giving us exactly what our hearts needed, a position at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, where Justin became the associate pastor of missions and discipleship,” Chandra said. It was an established church with a desire for church planting. Over the next three years, the Martins felt that the Lord was preparing both them and their church for that work. “NAMB has ‘Send’ cities that they are highlighting as greatly needing church plants, so we began narrowing down where we would go. We chose Portland because of the great need for church, it has a local seminary where we could be involved with training up young folks for ministry, and the climate was great for our daughter who has an inability to
sweat,” Chandra said. Justin said they are utilizing many of the same principles in Portland that they were teaching in South Asia. The concept is based on Luke 10, where Jesus sent out many followers to declare the kingdom of God and to meet physical needs. Chandra explained, “The way they were to carry out their task was through a person of peace. Justin trained church planters in South Asia to pray for and identify people of peace in order for the Gospel to advance as people come to faith in Jesus and new churches are started. When you identify a person of
peace, it is a clear sign that God is at work. As followers of Jesus, we want to join God where He is at work. “This strategy of praying for and identifying people of peace is the same strategy we are using in Portland as we seek to declare the Gospel of Jesus and meet practical needs through service with the ultimate hope that disciples will be made and a church planted.” They are starting the church plant with a new addition to their family, son Luke. He joins sisters Catharine, Elizabeth and Madelyn. Justin will graduate in May from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Updates on
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alumnistories “I had professors who were good teachers and also took an interest in students.” Justin Martin their church plant can be found at BridgeCityChurchpdx.com. A Launching Pad for Life The couple said their time at UMobile was a launching pad for many experiences in their lives. “My time at the University of Mobile was so transformational,” said Chandra. “All of my religion classes helped me to have a foundation in life, spiritually speaking,” she said. “I had so many opportunities to go on mission trips and serve with so many people.” She said those people were staff and professors, and included Marilyn Foley, wife of UMobile’s president. “I came from a humble background, and she had me in her home and served me peach tea. She took a genuine interest in who I was as a person, as well as encouraging me along in who the Lord was shaping me to be,” recalled Chandra. Justin said his years at the university
prepared him for a life of Christian service. “I had professors who were good teachers and also took an interest in students,” said Justin. He said School of Business students had opportunities to learn in class, and also have one-on-one sessions after class with professors about things in life. “It could help you bridge the gap between classroom and what you can do in life,” said Justin. Experiences such as Urban Plunge also bridged the gap between what students learned in the classroom and how they could apply that in the world. Urban Plunge, a part of the Campus Life program, sends teams of students to six cities in the southeast United States for an intense weekend of service. Chandra said her group served at a food pantry, a clothes closet for people who can’t afford clothes, a battered women’s home and served food to
homeless people. That experience served as a launching pad for their homeless ministry in downtown Mobile. “It kept our eyes open to the larger world around us and gave us opportunities for service,” said Justin, who also volunteered with Urban Plunge. While they live far away from the University of Mobile, they still keep in contact with professors, former classmates and their Mobile church family. College Park Baptist Church across the street from campus, where Chandra and Justin attended while they were married and finishing college, will be sending a short-term mission team to Portland this July to assist the Martins. College Park’s pastor is Mike Bedford, who also serves on the university’s Board of Regents and as an adjunct professor. The UMobile connections continue, whether graduates are across the world across the continent. “It’s so full circle for us,” said Chandra.m
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From Malawi to Mobile Kingstone Govati ’10 By Renee Busby When Kingstone Govati ’10 left home to pursue a college degree at the University of Mobile, it was especially difficult leaving his family. He lived in the Republic of Malawi, a country in southeast Africa, thousands of miles away from the University of Mobile. The distance meant Kingstone couldn’t go home on weekends or holidays to see his father and mother and eight siblings – a close family that was not accustomed to being separated. “When I came here to the University of Mobile, it was just like there was another family waiting for me,” said Kingstone. “I fit right in.” “It didn’t take me long to find my new family,” he said, adding that within the first two months at the school he “had so many friends.” Kingstone credits evangelist Terry Veazey of Terry Veazey Ministries International in Montgomery, AL for helping him discover UMobile. Their friendship began in the summer
of 1997 when Veazey went on a mission trip to Malawi with his church’s youth minister. The Americans went to train pastors and church workers in that area of Africa. They partnered with Kingstone’s father, Alex Govati, a local pastor in Blantyre, Malawi. During his initial stay in Malawi, Veazey met Alex’s son, Kingstone, for the first time and was immediately struck by his “sweet spirit.” Veazey recalled driving up to the Govatis’ small house for the first time where 13-year-old Kingstone was standing outside, smiling and greeting the two men from America. “I was so impressed with him,” Veazey said of the teenage boy. “He was a wonderful young man.” Before leaving Malawi, Veazey appointed Kingstone’s father as the national coordinator for Terry Veazey Ministries. Veazey frequently traveled to Malawi to do mission work with the Rev. Govati. Through the years, he became close to Kingstone.
In 2005 Veazey’s son, Luke, completed his freshman year at the University of Mobile. Veazey thought the school and Kingstone would be a good fit. “The Lord put it in my heart to see if Kingstone might be interested in coming to the United States and attend the University of Mobile,” said Veazey. Kingstone had played soccer since he was three years old, and Veazey thought
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“When I came here to the University of Mobile, it was just like there was another family waiting for me. I fit right in.” Kingstone Govati he was good enough in the sport to get a college scholarship. Due to a shortage of universities in Malawi, Kingstone said it is difficult to get into a college. “The University only takes 2,000 people out of 30,000 because they don’t have enough colleges,” he said. Kingstone was not one of the few who had been accepted to the university. Instead, he went to a smaller alternative college for one year in Malawi, majoring in accounting. But his available college funds ran out and there seemed to be no other options in Malawi. The Lord worked out all the arrangements from there, Veazey said. Upon returning to the United States, he asked University of Mobile President Mark Foley to prayerfully consider a scholarship for Kingstone. Veazey heard back one month later from Foley and the soccer program at the university. They offered Kingstone a scholarship that covered nearly all his expenses. Though he was nervous about moving to another country, Kingstone said he was grateful for the offer and accepted the athletic scholarship and moved to Mobile. “God opened the door for me,” Kingstone said. Overall, he said he adjusted well to living in a different country. But he did have problems with some things. “For me it wasn’t very easy eating American food,” he said, adding, “My first year I got sick a lot.” While he only played soccer for one year, Kingstone was able to remain at the school as a result of an academic scholarship. He was involved with Campus Life,
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helping international students thrive at the school. He helped plan and organize events for international students and ensured their needs were met. Kingstone is still a member of All Nations Community Church in Mobile, where he found a church home that was particularly attuned to ministering to internationals. “I am involved in the refugee ministry at the church and help out in serving the international students and refugees,” said Kingstone. He graduated from UMobile’s 5-year Integrated MBA Program, where he earned two degrees in five years – a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. He received the Area Award in finance during graduation ceremonies. He is currently employed as an accountant at Altapointe Health Systems in Mobile. Kingstone said the University of Mobile definitely prepared him for his job at Altapointe. Kingstone said his accounting professors, Rusty Roberts, Kathy Dunning and others “cared so much for me to learn that they went beyond the classroom to help me.” Roberts, an assistant professor, said Kingstone knew some English but it was very broken, which made it difficult for Kingstone to keep up in class. Roberts spent time with Kingstone after class, helping him work on accounting and the English language. “He’s really good with numbers,” said Roberts. “It was just getting the concepts and how American businesses do accounting as opposed to Malawi, which did accounting under the British way.” Away from the classroom, Roberts also helped Kingstone learn how to purchase
a car and work on his resume and job interview skills. “He really wanted to work on his career,” the professor said. That wasn’t all. “He didn’t know how to get insurance so I went with him, just so no one would take advantage of him,” said Roberts. Roberts met Kingstone’s mother this past Christmas, when she came to Mobile for three months to spend time with her son. When Roberts was deciding about pursuing a doctoral degree, Kingstone called his parents in Malawi and asked them to pray for Roberts. Kingstone told Roberts that his family and people the professor didn’t even know in Malawi were praying and fasting for him over his decision about a doctoral program. It was a humbling experience for Roberts and another reflection of Kingstone’s kindness and desire to help others. In the future, Kingstone wants to start his own business. “I would like to be able to do something to help non-profit organizations that cannot afford to hire their own accountants in doing their accounting services,” he said. Kingstone said while the transition was difficult in the beginning, he had so many people who helped him make it through college. “People made the biggest difference,” said Kingstone. “I had so many friends. Students were so awesome.” From professors to administration and staff, “everybody was like my mother or father.” “I was a spoiled kid on campus,” Kingstone said. “I don’t think I could have ever graduated without all the help of these people.” m
Best Prank Poll Results By Lesa Moore
You voted and the official results are in!
In our Spring 2014 issue, several past UMobile pranksters came clean with details on their “crimes.” We asked you to vote for your favorite prank on umobilemagazine.com. The title of Best Prank Ever on the UMobile campus goes to… (drum roll please)… the
Room Makeover Revenge! Here’s the results: Room Makeover Revenge – 45% The Fountain Head – 28% Whistle While You Work – 12% Take the First Step – 8% Paintball Posse – 3% The Cricket Invasion – 2% Sowing Seeds of Discontent – 2% To see stories on these pranks, along with the voting results, visit http://umobilemagazine. com/2014/05/07/pranksters-tell-almost/ . If you have a prank you’d like to confess, email us at umobilemagazine@umobile.edu.
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classnotes ‘60s
Tom Holmes ’67 recently moved to Mobile, AL. As of this past year, Tom has retired from being the CEO/executive director for the Arc of Alabama Inc. Tom has also served in the following roles: volunteer board member, Mobile Arc; member, AL Council on Developmental Disabilities; volunteer chair, Governmental Affairs Committee, The Arc of Alabama; volunteer member, Policy and Positions Committee, The Arc of the United States.
‘70s
Kay Taylor Williams ’79 and her husband, Scottie, live in Spanish Fort, AL. Kay is the operations manager at Point Clear Insurance Services. Danny Chancey ’79 and his wife Debra Harmon Chancey ’80 & ’86 are both on staff at the University of Mobile. Danny is the director of Adult and Professional Studies, and starting in May of this year Debra will be director of Institutional Effectiveness. They live in Spanish Fort, AL.
‘80s
Rev. Paul Conrad ‘80 retired to Sylvester, GA from First Baptist Crestview where he ministered for 25 years. He has faithfully served the Lord in ministry for 45 years. David Coleman ’85 and his wife, Donna, live in Mauldin, SC. David is the senior manager/VP, Event Intelligence, Advanced Fraud Analytics at TD Bank. Tony Higginbotham ’86 and his wife, Carol, live in Fairhope, AL. Tony serves as the worship pastor for Eastern Shore Baptist Church.
‘90s
Major Jim Fisher, Ph.D., BCC ’94 is an instructor/writer/small group leader for the Captain Chaplains’ Career Course (C4) at Fort Jackson, SC. Michael Walters ’98 and his wife, Mary Walters ’99, along with their two children live in Somerville, AL. Michael serves as the minister of education and students at Shiloh Church.
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Jennifer Magnoli Alberstadt ’96 and her husband, Joe, live in Daphne, AL with their two children, Miles and Ben. Jennifer is a kindergarten teacher for the Baldwin County School System.
2000s
Laura Highlander ’02 lives in Chattanooga, TN where she serves as the executive administrator for Bayside Baptist Church. Dwayne Norman ’00 and his wife, Amanda Drews Norman ’00, live in Troy, AL with their four children. Drew serves as the senior pastor at Bush Memorial Baptist Church; he’s also pursuing his doctorate through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Lucinda Driver Parmer ’05 and her husband, Gregory, live in Cincinnatti, OH. Lucinda is the assistant professor of business technology at Miami University. Lee Harper ’09 and his wife, Laura Ashley Harper ’09, are serving with the International Mission Board in London working with immigrants. Joy Brewer Antoine ’03 and her husband, Jason, live in Daphne, AL. Joy is the bookkeeper for Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman & Rouse P.C. Kelli Eubanks Glasscock ’03 and her husband, Jason, live in Semmes, AL.
2010s
Jared Carter ’11 and his wife, Lauren Tidwell Carter ’12, live in Arab, AL. Adam Morris ’11 and his wife, Nicole Morris ’13, live in Covington, LA where Adam serves as the associate pastor of family ministry at Bogue Falaya Baptist Church. Adam plans to graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with his M.Div. this May. Patrice Griffin Corbin ’12 and her husband, George, live in Mobile, AL. Patrice is currently enrolled in the graduate program at UMobile and will obtain her master’s in nursing administration and education in May of this year.
Daniel Doak ’12 and his wife, Candace Early Doak ’13, live in Maplesville, AL. Daniel serves as the student and music minister at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Franck Injili Nshamamba ’12 and Alexis Barnard Nshamamba ’13 live in Santa Maria, CA. Alexis works at the Good Samaritan Shelter. Brady King ’13 and his wife, Emily Kolakoski King ’14, live in Mobile, AL. Brady is an intern for Precision Engineering Inc., and Emily is teaching 4th grade at Rockwell Elementary. Rashmi Tandukar Bhaulkaji ’12 and her husband, Arbin, live in El Sobrante, CA. Rashmi is a nurse specialist for the Regional Center of the East Bay.
Births
Richard Kelly ‘06 and his wife, Megan, welcomed their first child, Jackson Richard, Oct. 25, 2014. He was 20.75 inches and 7 lbs. 9 oz.
Ronald Mason ’14 and his wife, Erica Thompson Mason ’14, welcomed Ronald Russell Mason III (Rusty) into the world Nov. 9, 2014. He was 6 lbs. 3.5 oz. and 19 inches. Landon Robertson ’06 and his wife, Lindsey, are proud to announce the birth of their third child, August Lane, Dec. 10, 2014. August was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches. August was also welcomed by her two big brothers Skylar (5) and Asher (3). Brad Johnson ’04 and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their second child, Margaret Ellen, into this world March 8, 2015. Margaret was 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 inches. She was also welcomed by her big brother, Gray (3).
We want to hear from our Alumni! Jordan Pinkston ’13 and Shannon Powers Pinkston ’15 were married Dec. 6, 2014. They live in Spanish Fort, AL.
Josh Taylor ’06 and Rachel Geoghagan Taylor ’06 & ’08 welcomed their firstborn son, Hagan Noble, March 21, 2015. He was 20.5 inches and 7 lbs. 8 oz. Ryan McPhail ’12 and Amanda Roach McPhail ’12 welcomed their firstborn, Grayson Lane, March 25, 2014. He was 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 20.7 inches. They also just found out that they are expecting again. Steven Kelley ’06 and Morgan Custred Kelley ’05 are proud to announce the birth of their second child, James Nash. Nash was born Nov. 5, 2014 and was 9 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 inches. He was also welcomed by his big brother Kypton (4).
Garrett Hughes ’13 and his wife, Melyssa, were married March 20, 2015. Garrett is the digital content specialist at UMobile. They live in Daphne, AL.
Would you like to be included in a future edition of Class Notes? Just send us the latest information on you and your career accomplishments, weddings, births, and/or adoptions. High resolution (300 dpi) photos may be emailed to umobilemagazine@ umobile.edu; please include your contact information in the email. Class Notes are printed on a space-available basis. Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss Dr. Name____________________________ Maiden Name_____________________ Spouse Name_____________________ UMobile Graduation Year____________ Major____________________________
Marriages
Deaths
Degree Earned_ ___________________
Kimberly Goza Glass ’13 and Cole Glass were married July 12, 2014. They live in Murfreesboro, TN where Edwin attends Middle Tennessee State University.
Mary Elizabeth Andry ’97 went home to be with the Lord Oct. 28, 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mobile when she was 55 years old. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and the St. Katherine Dexel Society.
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Charles Monroe Rush passed away Dec. 2, 2014. He was a former student at Mobile College and a graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He served as pastor for over 30 years and was ordained a bishop in the Church of God in 2000. He was a member of the Thomasville Church of God.
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Dr. Charles L. Richards ’69 went home to be with the Lord Jan. 7, 2015. Richards received his undergraduate degree from Mobile College and graduate degrees from Samford University and Luther Rice Seminary. He served numerous churches as pastor and, for a number of years, was the director of missions of the William Carey Baptist Association in Fayetteville, TN.
Other Information: _________________
Anita Sue King Dees ’92 died at Providence Hospital March 5, 2015. She graduated from Mobile College with a teaching degree. She taught high school math at Leroy High School for more than 25 years, retiring in December of 2014.
University of Mobile Alumni Office 5735 College Parkway Mobile, AL 36613
Sarah Calhoun Peoples ’14 and Jordan Peoples were married July 12, 2014. They live in Pensacola, FL where Jordan is preparing to go back to college next fall at Northwest State College. Michele Gardner Dyson ’06 and Brett Dyson were married July 16, 2014. The Dysons live in Valley Grande, AL. Kayla Brooke Diven ’11 and Jack Diven were married Sept. 7, 2014. They live in Mobile, AL where Jack is continuing his education and Kayla is on staff at UMobile. Rachel Jones Romine ’14 and Jay Romine were married Sept. 27, 2014. They live in Athens, AL.
Home Address City_ ____________________________ State_ _______ Zip_________________ Country__________________________ Home Phone______________________ Cell Phone________________________ Email Address Employment Information: Company_ _______________________ Title_____________________________ Address__________________________ ________________________________ Work Phone_ _____________________
________________________________ ________________________________
Please list any news you would like to share with us. Copy and fax this form to 251.442.2512 or mail to:
Or submit the online form at www.umobile.edu/ClassNotes
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Torch Society
$25,000 and above
Crampton Scholarship Endowment Trust First Baptist Church of Odessa, Texas Fisher Construction Florence Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Allen Fonde Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Dr. Elma Grace Pilot National Management Resources Corp.
Trustee’s Circle
$10,000-$24,999
A. S. Mitchell Foundation Mrs. Barbara Barnard Mr. David S. Barringer, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joel Bullard Ms. Lynne Burkart Mr. and Mrs. James E. Daniel First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores First Baptist Church Jacksonville Dr. and Mrs. Mark R. Foley Mr. Kenneth Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ingram Dr. and Mrs. Fred G. Lackey Mr. Danny Manning Mrs. Elizabeth Megginson Merrill & Grace Hanks Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Dean N. Parker, Jr. Pathway Ministries Mr. and Mrs. W. Davis Pilot, Jr. Scott Bridge Co., Inc. Sherwood Baptist Church Mr. Wayne Sirmon Mr. and Mrs. Benny C. Snow State of Alabama, Dept. of Finance Mr. and Mrs. W. Sandy Stimpson Dr. and Mrs. Larry Turner Ms. Celia A. Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Wilson
Founder’s Society $5,000-$9,999
Abilene Baptist Church Alabama Association of Independent Colleges & Universities Baptist Foundation of Alabama BB&T Bellevue Baptist Church Central Baptist Church Christ United Methodist Church Crossroads Baptist Church 102 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Boyle, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Bramlett Mr. William M. Breland Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Brown Buhl Church of God Bullard Automotive Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. Burnett Camden Baptist Church Mr. Kenneth Carlson Mrs. Mary Lorna Carpenter Cave Spring Baptist Church Central Baptist Church Centreville Baptist Church Century Bank Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Chancey Mrs. Loyce D. Chancey Chapel Hill Baptist Church Charity Chapel Church Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Chick-fil-A, Inc. Mr. Boyd E. Christenberry Cloverdale Baptist Church Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Mrs. Kadisha Onalbayeva Coleman Community Foundation of South Alabama Mr. David J. Conner Mr. and Mrs. Kamal Constantine Mr. Stuart A. Cook Coosada Baptist Church Cornerstone Foundation Cottage Hill Baptist Church Coumanis Allen, LLC Crawford Baptist Church Cullman First Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Daniels Dauphin Way Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Randall M. Davis Decatur First Baptist Church $1,000-$4,999 DEX Imaging of Alabama, LLC Agape Baptist Church Dothan First Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ahrens East Memorial Baptist Church Alabama Power Company Eastern Shore Baptist Church Allied Mortgage Corporation ECM Home Health Services, Inc. American Rental & Power Equipment, Inc. Mrs. Paige Talley Ellison Aramark Mr. Matthew Esser Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union Dr. Audrey C. Eubanks Atmore First Assembly of God Eufaula First Baptist Church Autauga Baptist Association Mr. Bob Evans Ms. Raychel F. Bartek Rev. and Mrs. Rick Evans Beallwood Baptist Church of Columbus, GA, Inc. Family Ministries Center Mr. Nolan Beech Fellowship In The Pass Mr. Bryce B. Blades Fellowship of Christian Athletes Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Blake First Assembly of God Butler, AL Mr. W. Frank Bondurant First Baptist Church Atlanta Ms. Janet K. Booth First Baptist Church Blakely, GA Boque Falaya Baptist Church First Baptist Church Bonifay, FL Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Davis, Jr. Mrs. Patricia H. Dorsett First Baptist Church of Jonesboro First Baptist Church Nettleton, MS First Baptist Church Waynesboro G. A. West & Co., Inc. Mr. R. Kenny Harris Hickory Hammock Baptist Church HopeLine from Verizon Immanuel Baptist Church Joseph Treadwell Charitable Foundation Liberty Baptist Church Chelsea, AL Linden Baptist Church Linden, AL Luke 4:18 Fellowship Manning Trucking, Inc. McFadden Engineering, Inc. Mr. Rocky McGarity Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. McGinley Mr. and Mrs. Pat Nelson New Song Ministries Mrs. Pat Northrop Oakland Baptist Church Phil Waldrep Evangelistic Association Mr. and Mrs. Juan C. Romero Shoal Creek Baptist Church Simmons Mineral Trust Mr. Roswell Sloan, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith Smith, Dukes & Buckalew, LLP Southern Nuclear Operating Co. The Island Baptist Church Ms. Sherry Turner Dr. Joseph F. West Willis North America, Inc.
President’s Club
First Baptist Church Collierville, TN First Baptist Church Houston, MS First Baptist Church Joelton, TN First Baptist Church Mansfield, TX First Baptist Church McComb, MS First Baptist Church Montgomery First Baptist Church Moultrie First Baptist Church of Cantonment First Baptist Church of Crestview First Baptist Church of Fairhope First Baptist Church of Loxley First Baptist Church of Mount Dora First Baptist Church of Naples First Baptist Church of Tanner First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls First Baptist Church of Wilmer First Baptist Church of Zachary First Baptist Church Ridgeland First Baptist Church Scottsboro First Baptist Church Tillman’s Corner First Baptist Dallas First Baptist North Mobile First Presbyterian Church
Maj. and Mrs. James F. Fisher, Jr. Mr. Chris Fletcher Foley First Baptist Church Ms. Jennifer M. Ford Dr. and Mrs. Roderick S. Fox Ms. Carolyn B. Freeman Fruit Cove Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Inc. George/Greene Baptist Association Mr. Thomas Gober and Dr. Sue Gober Mr. Leslie Wayne Gordon Grace Baptist Church Grand Bay First Baptist Church Green Valley Baptist Church Greene & Phillips Greenville First Baptist Church Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Hancock Bank Hand Arendall, LLC Hargrove Engineers & Constructors Mr. Willie F. Hart Harvest Baptist Church Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman & Rouse
Heritage Baptist Church Heritage Church of God Mr. Patricia D. Hicks Highland Colony Baptist Church Hillcrest Baptist Church Enterprise Hillcrest Baptist Church Pensacola Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Holladay Holt Baptist Church Dr. and Mrs. R. Michael Huddle Idlewild Baptist Church Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church International Performing Arts Institute, LLC Island Winds East 406 Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Jackson, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy Jackson Jackson First Baptist Church Jasper First Baptist Church JDS Construction, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Johnson Rev. and Mrs. David M. Johnson Johnson, Slaughter, Driver & Northcutt, P.A. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Johnston Mr. and Mrs. Larry Keeton
At Smith Dukes, we deliver dynamic ideas, proven services, and difference-making solutions that drive the growth and prosperity of our clients, team members and community. Serving the Mobile Gulf Coast community for more than 80 years, we have a rich history serving small and mid-sized businesses, community organizations, families and individual clients. We can trace the roots of Smith Dukes to the firm of Rosson & Smith in the early 1900’s. Today, we’ve grown to be one of the oldest and largest independently owned CPA firms in the Mobile Gulf Coast community.
Assurance Services
Technology Consulting
Tax Solutions Client Accounting Business Valuation & Litigation Support Management Consulting Peer Review
Visit us at www.smithdukes.com to learn more! Mobile Office 3800 Airport Blvd., Ste. 101 Mobile, AL 36608 251-343-1200
Daphne Office 6475 Van Buren St., Ste. 200 Daphne, AL 36526 251-621-9608
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Ms. Barbara N. Kelley KTM Industrial Contractors, LLC Mr. and Mrs. William Bibb Lamar, Jr. Mr. William H. Ledbetter, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leousis Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Lomax Mr. Charles A. Ludwigson Lyco Corporation Mr. Gregory Mangum Mr. J. F. Marchiano Marine & Industrial Supply Co., Inc. Dr. Charles Scott Markle Mars Hill Ministries Mr. and Mrs. Roger E. McConnell McDowell, Knight, Roedder & Sledge, LLC Mr. and Mrs. W. Kenneth McElhaney, Sr. MCG Business Solutions Middleton Construction Mobile Rock & Gem Society Laurence S. & Julia M. Morgan Morningside Baptist Church Columbus Morningside Baptist Church Tallahassee Dr. and Mrs. David Kent Mosow Mr. Roger Lee Mott Mount Carmel Baptist Church NAF Financial Services New Hope Baptist Church New Zion Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Billy Nichols North Jacksonville Baptist Church, Inc. North Shelby Baptist Church Northcrest Baptist Church Oakland Heights Baptist Church Olive Baptist Church Opp First Baptist Church Orange Beach United Methodist Church Orchard Assembly of God Oyster Bay Baptist Church Parkview Church of God Peoples Church of Jacksonville Mr. and Mrs. Frank Person Dr. Hazel A. Petersen-Walter Mr. W. David Petty Platinum Holdings, Inc. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church Postlethwaite & Netterville Ms. Glenda A. Presley Mr. Neal A. Presley Mr. Conrad J. Ratajczyk Red Bank Baptist Church Mr. Albert Richard Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Rigney Riverland Hills Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. William T. Robinson Mr. Rodger Roth
104 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
S J & L Inc. Ms. Julie Salmon Sand Hill Baptist Church Santa Rosa Baptist Association Sarasota Baptist Church Mr. David E. Sartin Mr. William B. Scales Mr. David P. Shepherd Ms. Miriam P. Smith Snow Road First Baptist Church Soma Church South Coast Church Southern Visions, LLP Southside Baptist Church Fayette Southside Baptist Church Greenville Spanish Fort United Methodist Church Springhill Memorial Hospital State Farm Companies Foundation Mr. Fred T. Stimpson Summer Grove Baptist Church The Brooklyn Tabernacle The Ernestine L. Lenoir Charitable Trust The Julia and Albert Smith Foundation The Town of Butler The Walker School The Wilcox Foundation Thomasville Baptist Church Mr. E. Gene Thrasher Mr. and Mrs. Bobby E. Tidmore Trussville First Baptist Church Valley Baptist Church Vessel Holdings, LLC Village Baptist Church Mr. Jason Wadibia Mr. Heath Wallace Wanda Barnett Charitable Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Debbie R. Ward Weaver’s Monument Company, Inc. West End Baptist Church Valley, AL West Mobile Baptist Church West Side United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. William E. Whitfield, III Rev. and Mrs. Kevin C. Wilburn Ms. Beth A. Williams Mr. Gary L. Wiseman Mr. C. Chad Witcher Woodlawn Baptist Church Woodridge Baptist Church Mr. Michael P. Woolley Scott and Sarah Wright Xante Corporation
Dean’s Circle $500-$999
Alabama Power Company Foundation Mrs. Cindy Allen Andalusia First Baptist Church Ms. Carol T. Annison Ms. Arlene N. Bailey Baldwin Baptist Association Mr. Wayne Batte Bay Chevrolet Bayou Sara Baptist Church Ms. Cynthia W. Brannon Dr. and Mrs. Roger Breland Brookwood Companies, Inc. Cathedral of Praise Ministries Mr. Nick T. Catranis Christopher Mullenix, DMD, MD Chunchula Baptist Church Ms. Selma T. Collier Ms. Dana West Cooley Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick P. Counselman Cropwell Baptist Church Mrs. W.C. Dobbs Douglas K. Dunning, PC Ms. Marti Dunton East Pointe Baptist Church Eastern Hills Baptist Church Emmanual Baptist Church First Baptist Church of Gillis First Baptist Church of Screven First Baptist Church Purvis First-Trinity Presbyterian Church Fulton First Baptist Church Gacek Ear and Sinus Center, LLC Marylon Glass Mr. Jason Allen Goodroe Grace Baptist Church Grace Memorial Baptist Church Gulf Coast Hearing Balance CNS, LLC Mr. Mike Hall Mr. William C. Hannon, II Hardy Street Baptist Church Ms. Kathryn O. Hawsey Hebron Baptist Church Ms. Phyllis Hollingshead Howardtown Baptist Church Hughes Cremation Center and Funeral Services Mr. and Mrs. A. Pharr Hume J & A Services, LLC Joseph N. Langan Charitable Trust K M Busby Insurance Kathleen Baptist Church Ms. Frances Kelley Kempke’s Music Mr. and Mrs. R. Don Kennedy
Lakeview Baptist Church Legatus of Mobile Mr. David Liles Ms. Oletta C. Lord Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Lowery, Jr. Magnolia Springs Assembly of God Church Ms. Doralie T. Maize Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Manning Marlboro Friends Meeting Mary G. Montgomery High School Mr. and Mrs. Weston Mason Mrs. Cathy A. Matthews Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast McNeil, Ahrens & Lambert Financial Group, LLC Meadowbrook Baptist Church Mr. Leslie Mims Mobile Baptist W.M.U. Mobile Forest Products & Biomass Inc. Moffett Road Baptist Church Ms. Joyce A. Mollerup Mr. Stephen B. Morgan Mr. Steven Narbo National Christian Foundation of Alabama National Christian Foundation South Florida Orchard Baptist Church Outback Ministries-Mobile Mrs. Julia Dawn Owen Palmetto Baptist Church Dr. and Mrs. W. Rick Payne Peacock Enterprises, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Brian P. Person Pineview Baptist Church Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Bill Prentiss Mrs. Denise C. Privette Providence Baptist Church Rev. and Mrs. Keith H. Pugh, Sr. Rechoboth Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Redmon Ms. Conni L. Reece Ms. Kristen Rupert Saraland United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Seaborn, Jr. Shades Mountain Baptist Church Mrs. Melanie M. Sharpless Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Shouppe Mr. Brian M. Smith Mr. and Mrs. William S. Smith Stemley Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Clifford M. Street, Sr. Mr. Mitch Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Lawson Swearingen, Jr. The Church at Chelsea-Westover Theodore First Baptist Church Tompkins Baptist Church Mr. Thomas B. Traylor
Trinity Baptist Church Victory Health Partners Ms. Carol Walker Ms. C. A. Wallace Wal-Mart Foundation Mr. Harry W. Whitten, III Dr. Janith C. Wood World Outreach Church Mr. David S. Wright Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wynne
Benefactor $150-$499
Ms. Sandra Akers Alabama Wildlife Removal Mr. Chase Alford Aliceville First Baptist Church Altapointe Mr. and Mrs. Billy Anderson ASMS Foundation Ms. Beverley A. Baker Mr. John J. Baker Ms. JB Baltz
Mr. Scott Batley Mr. and Mrs. Edward Baxley Bay Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry Bayside Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. George M. Beck Mr. Darrell W. Bedgood Ms. Sonja C. Bennett Mr. Kermit J. Bishop Mr. and Mrs. Billy Black Ms. Katherine Blanton Mrs. Mary A. Boresky Mr. Jeff Boulton Mr. James B. Boyett Ms. Mary Evelyn Broadway Dr. and Mrs. Charles Brown Rev. and Mrs. Cleveland C. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Franklin D. Brown Ms. Dawn Brunson B-Team, Inc. Mrs. Mistie Burkes Rev. and Mrs. Art Burroughs Mr. James D. Butler Mr. Robert M. Butler Mr. C. Robert Calhoun
G.A. WEST was formed on March 18, 1987 and has steadily grown to become one of the largest direct hire industrial construction companies in the Southeast. G.A. WEST is constantly changing and evolving with an eye toward the future needs of our clients and employees. We know that our world is ever changing and the industrial needs of an expanding world will provide new opportunities to match our world class employees with world class clients.
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Mrs. Carol M. Camp Mrs. Deborah Camp Mr. Theron A. Cantrell Ms. Susan Cappar Ms. Pamela D. Capps Mr. Kenneth D. Cascarella Cedar Grove Baptist Church Ms. Celie Chapman Chickasaw First Baptist Church Chickasaw High School Chick-fil-A - Dauphin Street Mr. J. Bruce Childress Ms. Carrie L. Chipman Christ Anglican Church Cloverdale Baptist Church Ms. Kelley R. Cogdell Ms. Emily Coker Mr. Louis A. Cook Ms. Nicole Cooley Mrs. Pat Counselman Country Gables Assisted Living Mrs. Elise Craig Mr. Terry Crane Mrs. Donna A. Crouse Daphne United Methodist Church Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Ms. Brenda Davis Mrs. Patricia H. Davis Dayspring Baptist Church Mr. Jeff Deakins Ms. Virginia S. Dean Ms. Cheryl L. Deupree Dexter Avenue United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Clifton W. Downey Downtown Fellowship Church Ms. Jill Dozart Dr. and Mrs. William E. Dumas Mrs. Patricia L. Dunn Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Dunning Ms. LeeAnn Dupuis Ms. Janet Easterday Mr. Cody Elliott Ms. Sharon Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Watson E. Ellzey Mrs. Logan H. Elmore Emmanuel Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Emmons Mr. Charles D. Enfinger Mr. James R Eubanks, Jr Ms. Ann F. Evans Mr. Merle B. Fee Mr. Thomas Frank Finch Mr. Bruce Finley and Dr. Jane Finley First Baptist Church of Laurel First Baptist Church of Destin First Baptist Church of Winter Park
106 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
First Baptist Church on Fifth Ms. Kimberly Floyd Mrs. Shirley J. Foley Mrs. Angela S. Frego Ms. JoAnne B. Galbreath GCS Building Solutions Mrs. Abigail A. Gerding, PhD Gleaners Sunday School Class Andrew and Jenna Goodwin Mr. Randy R. Gorham CPA Mr. Darryl D. Gresham Mr. Franklin J. Griffeth Ms. Virginia D. Griner Mrs. Kathryn T. Grissom Mr. Robert T. Gruschin Ms. June Gruver Mrs. Lindsey Gurley Mrs. Tonja Hagamaker Ms. Elizabeth W. Hamilton Ms. Kay Hampton Mrs. M. E. Harrell Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Harrison Ms. Kim N. Harrison Mr. Robert A. Hayes Mr. H. Andy Hepburn Mr. Charles P Hewes Mr. Will Higginson, Jr. Mr. Gregg Hodges Mr. Jim S. Holland, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Holland, Jr. Hope Baptist Church Mr. Wayne Huddleston Mrs. Gayle M. Hudson Ms. M. Jane Humphries Jacksonville College Jo Ann Green Tax Service Ms. Christi D. Johnson Mr. Clayton E. Johnson Mr. Jerry Johnson Mr. Patrick Judge Ms. Clydie Keefe Mrs. T. O. Kelley Ms. Nannette P. Kendall Ms. Lori Kessler Rev. and Mrs. J. Ed Keyes Dr. and Mrs. Gary Kilgo Ms. Amy Kilpatrick Ms. Natalie R. Kimble Mr. Roy E. King Dr. and Mrs. Peter Kingsford Mr. John A. Kinney Mr. Gene Klinkerman Ms. Peggye Hart Knight Kushla-Bethany Baptist Church Lagoon Baptist Church Mr. Robert Landry
Langley Colonial, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Josh Lanier Mr. Jim Lawson Mrs. Geneva C. Lesueur Liberty Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Locke, Jr. Mrs. Anita Long Dr. and Mrs. William R. Lucas Mrs. Julia Loretta Lucy Mr. Robbie Mantooth Ms. Kei L. Martin Mr. Sanders Hartwell Mason, III Ms. Deborah H. Mathews Mrs. Lisa Larue McAuley Mrs. Carla McGill Mrs. Lisa H. McKinney Rev. and Mrs. Dusty McLemore Ms. Gail M. McMillon Ms. Debbie M. Meadows Mrs. Joyce McCown Melville Mr. John R. Mills Mrs. Stacey Milner MNL Enterprises, LLC Mr. James Lee Mobley Monroe Academy Anchor Club Dr. and Mrs. Troy L. Morrison Dr. Rebekah Morrow Ms. Erlene K. Mullins Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Nap Mr. Carlos Navia Mr. Donald C. Neal Ms. Kandy W. Negus Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher R. Nelson Mrs. Sue D. Nixon Norton Lilly Ms. Susan Obi Mr. William R. O’Brien Ms. Ann O’Connell Ms. Wanda W. Ogletree Mr. Andrew Michael Onderdonk Ms. Lisa Diane Owen Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Owens Mrs. Phyllis R. Page Parramore, Inc. Ms. Sherry Patrick Mr. Justin Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Jim Patterson Ms. Tracy P. Paul Miss Elaine Perry Mr. and Mrs. Tony C. Phillips Mr. Curtis F. Pilot Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Pilot Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Plugge Ms. Terri Pope Presbyterian Retirement Corp., Inc. Mr. Tebly Presley
Proudly serving the University of Mobile since 1987.
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Ms. Sally Prouty Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pruett Mr. David Quinnelly Ray Hunter & Associates, Inc. Ray’s Paving, Inc. Mr. Caleb M. Reed Mrs. Lesa Reed Mr. Douglas S. Reynolds Mr. John M. Rhoades Ms. Alison Richardson Ms. Sandra Risinger River Region Student Ministries Ro Con, Inc. Ms. Carol E. Roberts Mr. Russell D. Roberts Ms. Friederike Robertson Mrs. Melanie S. Robinson Ms. Sandra S. Rogers Royalty Products, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Saad Ms. Tara L. Said Saks First Baptist Church Ms. Carrolyn Salvatierra Mrs. Sheila A. Saucier Ms. Milbra Schweikeri Mr. Toby C. Seay Shelton Beach Road Baptist Church Mr. John V. Sims Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Skelton Mr. Otis A. Slack Ms. Deborah L. Smith Ms. Dorothy Jean Ellen Smith Mr. & Mrs. J. H. Sorrells Ms. Sarah Becky Spain Mr. John Speigle St. Paul’s Episcopal School Ms. Stacey S. Stanford Mr. William E. Steber III Dr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Steedley Mr. Brandon Stephens Mr. Gary B. Steward Ms. Mary M. Stewart Ms. Elaine Stockdale Strayhorn Baptist Church Mrs. Cathy M. Street Mrs. Kathy Stutts Successful Life Resources, LLC Mr. Troy L. Tanner Mrs. Susan Taylor Ms. Pam Teague Mrs. Helen Tew Mrs. Sharon D. Tharp The First Baptist Church of Bratt Ms. Amy Theabolt The Rodgers Firm, PLLC Ms. Elaine Thigpen
108 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Bobby and Judith Mr. Everage Thomas, III Thorington Road Baptist Church Mr. Jay Tillman Town of Silverhill Truck-All Depot, Ltd Mr. Jay Tynes Mr. James P. Van Hoose Victory Christian School Dr. and Mrs. Richard G. Vinson Walnut Hill Baptist Church Mr. Arthur W. Walton Mr. and Mrs. Turner Ward Ms. Susan E. Wasserman Mrs. Linda Watson Ms. Nettie E. Weber Mr. Steven E. Weeks Mrs. Sheryl P. West Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Westover Ms. Linda H. White Mrs. Mary Ann Whitehead Mr. and Mrs. Azar Williams Mrs. Janna Williams Mrs. Beth R. Wilson Mr. Darryl Wilson Mr. John W. Windley Winter Haven Baptist Church Witherington Construction Corp. Mrs. Sarah B. Witherspoon Rev. and Mrs. James A. Wood, Jr. Woodrow Reynolds & Son Timber Co., Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Wright Ms. Shelia Young Yulee Baptist Church
Mrs. Julie Christina Allen Ms. Gracie H. Allmond Ms. Kristen J. Anders Ms. Joyce Anderson Mr. Taylor M. Anderson Mr. R. Thomas Ankerson, Jr. Mrs. Judy Ard Mr. and Mrs. Jim Arendall Ms. Ann Armstrong Ms. Shana N. Arrington Ms. V. L. Ashby Ms. Judy Aucoin Mrs. Sheryl L. AuCoin Mr. Marion J. Ayers Mark Savalla and Deborah Baber Ms. Emily Baggett Mr. Bruce Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Owen Bailey Mr. William Baird Ms. Christian Faith Baker Rev. and Mrs. John E. Baldwin Ms. Deborah C. Ball Ms. Mary L. Balogh Ms. Gail Bare Mrs. Mary Jill Barfoot Mr. David M. Barnes Ms. Shirley Barnes Mr. Frank W. Barnett, Jr. Ms. Jimmie Lee Barr Ms. Carrie Barrett Ms. Lois Barrie Ms. Michelle P. Barrow Ms. Beverly H. Bartlett Mrs. Jo Ann Bass Ms. Maria M. Bastin Ms. Joyce Bates Mr. Gary D. Batley Mrs. Marie Batson $20-$149 Ms. Cynthia Dianne Baxter 3 Circle Church, Midtown Ms. Melanie W. Beard Ms. Selma L. Aceti Mr. William Beasley, II Mrs. Judith H. Acker Ms. Carol J. Beason Mr. Antoin B. Adams Ms. Kristine C. Beattie Mrs. Belinda L. Adams Miss Holly Bell Ms. Kia S. Adams Mr. John C. Bell Ms. Jean E. Adcock Mr. Scott A. Bell Ms. Svenja Adriance Mr. and Mrs. Ted W. Bell Mr. Claude Agee Mrs. Kathy V. Bender AHI Corporate Housing Ms. Sandra Benigno Alabama Association of Student Financial Aid Ms. Mona L. Bennett Ms. Beverly B. Aldridge Mr. Ryan Bennett Ms. Jan Aldridge Ms. Pam Bermudez Ms. Tina M. Alexander Mrs. Cynthia Berry Ms. Tracie Lynn Alexander Ms. Jada Beverly Ms. Ashley Barden Alfaro Mr. Lewis Edward Beville Ms. Wendy Alford Ms. Dorothy Biggers
Friend
Mr. Kenneth Billings Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bingaman Mrs. David T. Bishop Mr. and Mrs. David M. Black Ms. Carrie L. Blackmon Mrs. Debbie Blackmon Mrs. Nancy J. Blackwell Mr. Michael Blakely Ms. Carollynne Blakney Mr. Jackie J. Blanchard Ms. Amy Blankenship Mr. Pierce Blankenship Ms. Regina Blankenship Mr. Rudolph Blanks Mrs. Kimberlee Blaxton Mr. Joshua R. Blaylock Mr. and Mrs. James C. Bledsoe Ms. Joan H. Bogdan Miss Reagin Boggs Ms. Jade Bolton Mr. Dewey Bondurant, Jr. Mrs. Sheila C. Booker Mrs. Doris Renee Boone Mr. Frank Borror
Mr. Everett Boswell Mr. Elton Bouldin Ms. Jane Bourne Mr. Wayne Boutzale Ms. Brooke A. Bowman Ms. Deborah Bowman Ms. Jennifer R. Bowman Mr. Ashley Boyd Mrs. Dolores G. Boyd Ms. Sherri Boyd Ms. Jennifer J. Boykins Ms. Linda E. Bozeman Ms. Brittany L. Bradford Ms. Susie Bradshaw Mr. Joseph S. Brady Ms. Carolyn B. Brakefield Ms. Lasheta L. Brand Mrs. Angel N. Brannon Mr. Jared M. Brannon Mr. Landon C. Brantley Mr. Seth A. Brasher Mr. Ellis Brazeal Mr. James Brazell Ms. Laura L. Brazell
Ms. Cynthia Brewer Ms. Crystal P. Bridges Ms. Kalyn H. Bridges Ms. Twila Bridges Mr. Jay Briggs Bright Morning Star Bed & Breakfast Ms. April M. Brooke Ms. June B. Brooks Ms. Patti Brooks Ms. Mary E. S. Browder Mr. and Mrs. Glen R. Brown Ms. Joyce M. Brown Ms. June Brown Mrs. Kristy P. Brown Ms. Linda D. Brown Ms. Marcelle D. Brown Ms. Rebecca M. Brown Mr. Rodney Brown Mrs. Sharon Brown Mrs. Brenda Bryan Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Buehler Ms. Molly C. Bull Ms. Annie L. Bumpers Ms. Tammie P. Bunch
FOR THESE ALBUMS AND MORE, VISIT 8EIGHTYRECORDS.COM
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Ms. Nancy Buntin Ms. Elizabeth Burden Mr. Mark S. Burge Rev. and Mrs. Stephen D. Burgett Mr. and Mrs. Greg Burgin Ms. Wendy S. Burke Mr. Regis A. Burkhardt, III Ms. Amy L. Bush Ms. Mabis A. Bush Mrs. Sara E. Buster Mr. and Mrs. W. Gary Butcher Mr. Eric Butler Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Butler Mr. Willie Butler Ms. Kelly Byram Mr. Herbie Byrd Mr. Lon Byrd Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Byrd Ms. Nancy W. Calhoun Ms. Sarah C. Calhoun Mrs. Cheryl F. Campbell Ms. Katherine Canaday Ms. Joanna J. Canning Ms. Dakota L. Cantrell Mrs. Karron Cantrell Miss June S. Capell Mrs. Barbara L. Carlson Mr. Harry Carlton Mr. Joshua Carpenter Ms. Rhonda Carpenter Mr. Charles Chris Carr Ms. Jessica Carr Ms. Sue Ann Carreon Ms. Jennifer Carroll Ms. Nan Carroll Ms. Anita M. Carter Mr. Sammie R. Carter Mrs. Virginia L. Carter Mr. Jacob A. Carver Ms. Kay B. Cassady Mr. Trent Catchpole Mrs. Anna Gigicos Catranis Ms. Ashley R. Cerda Ms. Kelcei Wood Chamberlain Mrs. Carol O. Chamblee Mr. Jordan G. Chancey Ms. Beth Chandler Ms. Beatrice Charles Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Chastain Mrs. Debra F. Chastang Mr. Jim Chatom Mrs. Steve S. Cheatham Imao Chen Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Cheney Chevron Humankind
110 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Matching Gift Program Chickasaw Chiroptractic Center Ms. Stacy Chiotakis Mrs. Marietta M. Chisolm Ms. Jo Ellen Christman Christy Canady, LLC Mrs. Liana C. Clanton Ms. Pamela J. Clark Ms. Stephanie Clay Mrs. Julie Clayton Ms. Karen H. Clements Mrs. Mary S. Clements Ms. Kelly G. Clifton Ms. Linda Coaker Coastal Accounting of NW Florida, PA Mrs. Ashleigh Coats Mr. Rodger C. Cobb Mr. Joseph C. Cochran Miss Joyce E. Cody Ms. Rhonda Cofield Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod K. Coggin Ms. Donna A. Cole Ms. Lauren S. Cole Ms. Remigia T. Coleman Mr. Dennis A. Colgan Mr. Aaron J. Collier Ms. Jennifer L. Collins Ms. Tracy A. Colquett Mr. David A. Coltrane, Jr Mr. William J. Colvin, III Mrs. Pamela Compton Mr. R. A. Compton Ms. Betty B. Cook Ms. Sarah I. Cook Ms. Christina F. Cooley Miss Halie B. Cooper Ms. Hollie L. Cooper Ms. Karley Cooper Ms. Kimberly Cooper Mr. Carey E. Copeland Mr. Cecil Copeland, III Mr. Ty M. Copeland Ms. Sandra Corcoran Mrs. Janna Michelle Corley Mr. William Corley Ms. Marla H. Corts Mr. Ken Cottingham Ms. Rebekah S. Counce Mrs. Joan D. Covington Ms. Machaela Cowart Ms. Anna J. Cox Ms. Elaine H. Cox Ms. Nina S. Cox Crawford & Sons Farms Ms. Tonya M. Cresswell
Mrs. Deborah B. Crews Ms. Brenda Cribbs Ms. Tina Crigger Ms. Charlotte Crigler Ms. Sheila B. Crim Ms. Valeria S. Crisologo Mr. John L. Croft Mr. Walter L. Cromer Mr. Matthew Crosby Mrs. Joyce Kerr Crouch Ms. Michelle K. Crouse Mr. Tim Croxdale Ms. Tracy L. Cullum Mr. Houston Cunningham Mrs. Shelby A. Cupp Mrs. Valencia D. Butler Mr. Austin G. Curtis Ms. Pamela A. Czerwinski Ms. Alexa M. Da Rosa Mr. Thomas Dampier Mr. H. E. Daniel Ms. Elizabeth M. Darby Ms. Annette Daugherty David & Paige Hembree Family Living Trust Ms. Jacqueline L. Davidson Ms. Carol Davis Mrs. Dora H. Davis Ms. Elisabeth M. Davis Mr. Gerry Davis Ms. Glenda Davis Ms. Linda M. Davis Ms. Lynette Davis Ms. Mary B. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davis Mr. Michael G. Davis Mrs. Patricia D. Davis Ms. Amy J. Deakle Ms. Brittini Deal Mr. Gary M. Dean Mrs. Louise Deason Ms. Frances C. Dees Ms. Morgan Delcuze Mr. Matt Dellinger Ms. Ann Deloney Mrs. Rebecca L. Destin Ms. Janice O. Deuel Ms. Sharron Deuel Ms. Nancy Dew Mr. Paul Dewberry Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Dewine Mrs. Stephanie H. Dial Diane M. Porter, CPA, PC Dian’s Decision, Inc. Ms. Chantel Kennedy Dickson
Ms. Sara Dismukes Mrs. Deborah Lang Dixon Ms. Lana R. Dixson Ms. Sandra Dodd Ms. Rhonda D. Dodge Ms. Charlie Donald Mr. and Mrs. William L. Donaldson Ms. Lounell Dorminey Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. Dorsett Ms. Cheryl Dosher Ms. Kristen Douglas Mrs. E. C. Downs Ms. Lori B. Dozier Mr. Will J. Drake Mr. Chris Drescher Ms. Gwendolyn L. Dreyer Mrs. Margery L. Driesenga Ms. Linda R. Dudley Ms. Susan Duhe’ Ms. Kendra M. Duhon Mr. Barre C. Dumas Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Dumas Ms. Melanie Dumas Ms. Elizabeth S. Duncan Ms. Cynthia V. Dunn Rev. and Mrs. H. Haskell Dunn Ms. Holly L. Dunnam Mr. and Mrs. Seth Dunnington Ms. Brittany D. Dunson Mr. Marc P. Dupont Dr. and Mrs. Randall Dupont Mr. David Brian Dye Ms. Cindy Dyer Mr. Donald E. Dyrda Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Eady Mr. and Mrs. James K. Easter Mrs. Anna Edgar Mrs. Matthew A. Edgar Mr. David L. Edge Ms. Regina T. Edwards Mr. Parker W. Elkins Mr. Jeff Ellison Mr. Eric Raymond Elmore Mr. Robert W. Elmore Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Elrod Ms. Rosalind Eskew Ms. Pauline S. Essary Ms. Jennifer C. Estes Ms. Victoria D. Estopinal Ms. Chaketta Ethridge Mr. Glenn Eubanks Ms. Katheryn Eubanks Ms. Nancy Evans Ms. Zeonobia T. Evans Mrs. Laura B. Everett
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Evers Explosives Signs and Graphics, LLC Mrs. Karen Fail Ms. Gayle Faircloth Ms. Lorna M. Faircloth Faith & Hope, LLC Mr. Byron Farlow Ms. Joanne B. Farmer Mr. Paul W. Faulkner Ms. Codi M. Feltman Ms. Marsha F. Fendley Miss Courtney C. Fenwick Ms. Cynthia A. Ferrell Ms. Jennifer M. Fetner Ms. Anna Angeli Filliben Mrs. Joe R. Fincher First Baptist Church Las Vegas First Baptist Church Picayune Ms. Mary Ann Fisher Ms. Toni Fitzgerald Mrs. Patricia A. Flanagan Mr. and Mrs. Mark Fleming
Ms. Dawn M. Fletcher Mrs. Cheryl E. Flores Mr. Benjamin M. Folse Ms. Elizabeth Folsom Dr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Fontenot Mrs. Patsy V. Forbus Mrs. Kristyn L. Ford Mrs. Lynn M. Forrester Mr. M. M. Forrester III Ms. Beverly A. Foster Mr. John N. Foster Mrs. Tracy Fouche Mrs. Casie Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Carter Fowlkes Ms. Brydon H. Fox Ms. Connie K. Francis Mr. Glenn D. Franklin Mr. Charles B. Frazer Ms. Emy J. Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Mike Fricke Mr. Jeffrey K. Friend Mr. Kenneth E. Fritts Mr. Marion T. Frizzell
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Ms. Rhonda L. Fryer Ms. Maxine Fuller Mr. Bartow Funderburg Mrs. Leah S. Funderburk Ms. Laura H. Gafford Ms. Anne B. Gamble Mrs. Ginger C. Gammon Ms. Cheryl D. Gangl Mr. Cleveland D. Gantt Ms. Addison R. Garner Ms. Jordan Garner Ms. Amanda L. Gaster Ms. Judith Gaster Ms. Donna L. Gatlin Ms. Kim Gatlin Ms. Rachel Gavin Ms. Ruth T. Gavin Ms. Kiara Banine Gay Genesis Sales, LLC Mr. Michael A. Gerrells Mr. Daniel J. Giaritelli Mrs. Dawana G. Gibbs Mr. Elijah Gibson Ms. Jenny Gibson Ms. Debra S. Giddens Ms. Elaine Gigicos Ms. Deborah J. Gilbert Ms. Vickie W. Gill Gill HTG, A/C & Refrigeration Ms. Rebecca J. Gillham Mr. and Mrs. Brian Gilliland Mr. Bruce Gilliland Ms. Virginia R. Gilmore Mrs. Diana Jean Ginn Ms. Doylene Girourd Mrs. Opal Givens Mr. James T. Glasscock Ms. Juana Gobea Ms. Leslie C. Gober Mrs. Steffani M. Gonzales Mrs. Jennifer L. Gonzalez Mrs. Carolyn Goode Ms. Jill Goss Government Street Baptist Church Ms. Terri Graben Ms. Susan T. Grace Mrs. Amanda Grage Ms. Kimberly Graham Mr. and Mrs. Tim Graham Mr. Benjamin N. Granberry Ms. Donna Kay Granberry Mrs. Lori Granberry Mrs. Beth G. Granger Mr. Keith Granger, II Ms. Holly Graves Mr. George L. Gray
112 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Mr. Kenneth Green Ms. Laurel Green Mr. Thomas Green Ms. Linda E. Greenwald Mr. Gerald K. Greenwood Ms. Mildred N. Griffeth Ms. Jennifer D. Griffin Mr. Rick Griffin Ms. Kathleen A. Griffis Ms. Cheryl Grigg Ms. Carolyn T. Grizzard Ms. Margaret P. Guice Mr. and Mrs. David Gunter Ms. Sandra A. Gunter Mrs. Cathy Gurganus Ms. Rachel M. Gutierrez Ms. Tamara Hadley Mrs. Suzanne C. Hagan Ms. Melinda Hagood Mr. Myrt T. Hales, Jr. Mrs. Janice G. Hall Ms. Sandra O. Hall Mr. William M. Hall Ms. Eleanor S. Hallman Mr. Donald Hammock Mrs. Cami Hammond Mrs. Lenora Hamrick Mr. John C. Hancock Mrs. Rebecca Handcock Ms. Linda Butler Hannah Ms. Natalie Hannon Ms. Tommie A. Harding Mr. Denson A. Hardy Ms. Evelyn Hare Ms. Katie Hare Mrs. Julie E. Harper Ms. Kelli D. Harrell Mr. and Mrs. Brian Harris Ms. Jennifer W. Harris Mr. William E. Harris Ms. Cindy Harrison Mr. Dale Harrison Ms. Karla H. Harrison Ms. Paula M. Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Harrison Ms. Catherine Hartsock Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hatfield Ms. Faye R. Hatton Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hawk, Jr. Mr. Denver L. Hawsey Ms. Diana A. Hawsey Ms. Kelly Hay Ms. Cathy J. Hayes Ms. Kimberly K. Hayes Ms. Mary Ann Hayes Ms. Tammy L. C. Headrick
Ms. Mary C. Heard Mrs. Marilyn Hearne Ms. Glenda A. Heath Mr. Jan Richard Heier Mr. Mark Helton Ms. Jewel Henderson Mr. Samuel A. Henderson Mrs. Sondra Z. Henley Ms. Joann F. Henningsen Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Henry Mrs. Sherman Hensley Ms. Lealane Herndon Mrs. Mona Herren Ms. Dolores D. Herricks Mr. W. B. Herring, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Allen Herrod Ms. Rebecca L. Herron Mrs. Beverly Hicks Ms. Tonya Hicks High Five Graphics, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. C. Bradford Hill Mr. Ernest Hill, Jr. Mr. Christian T. Hilley Dr. Carla J. Hinds Ms. Wendy M. Hodges Mr. and Mrs. Ken Holdbrooks Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Hollingsworth Mr. Aaron F. Holloway Mr. Thomas B. Holmes Ms. Lucille G. Holsemback Mr. Chris S. Hoppe Mrs. Jayne Hornsby Ms. Jennifer Horton Mr. Don W. Howard Mr. Jonathan L. Howard Ms. Kathryn A. Howard Ms. Patricia T. Howard Mr. and Mrs. Mark Howell Ms. Joi W. Hudgins Mrs. Tonya B. Hudson Ms. Bailey N. Huett Mrs. Harris C. Huggins Mrs. Donna Hughes Mr. Harrison Hughes Ms. Jessica L. Hughes Ms. Christie Hull Ms. Linda B. Huntchinson Ms. Tchelinda C. Hunter Ms. Donna Husbands Ms. Kay Hutcheson Ms. Alice Hwang Ms. Mildred Hyden Rev. and Mrs. Michael J. Ingram Ms. Landrum M. Isaacson Mrs. Billie R. Isbell Ms. Judith J. Island
Mrs. Deanna Jackson Ms. Mary McCall Jackson Ms. Sandra Jacobs Mr. Chris James Mrs. Eitwanda D. James Mr. Ryan James Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jarman Mrs. Connecyt P. Jenkins Mrs. Janice Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Barry Jenkins Ms. Sybil W. Jenkins Ms. Glynda Roberts Jennings Ms. Denise D. Jernigan Ms. Rebecca L. Johns Dr. and Mrs. Howard M. Johnson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Johnson Mr. Joshua W. Johnson Ms. Julie Taylor Johnson Ms. Julie M. Johnson Ms. Linda D. Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Randy Johnson Mrs. Richard T. Johnson Mrs. Sandra W. Johnson Mr. Clifton H. Johnston, Jr.
Mr. Britton Johnston, Jr. Mrs. Rita M. Johnston Mr. Terry L. Johnston Mrs. Amanda B. Jones Ms. Amy G. Jones Ms. Carola R. Jones Mr. and Mrs. Todd Jones Ms. Kara Jones Ms. Marsha H. Jones Ms. Stacy Jones Jones Accounting, LLC Mr. Charles H. Joplin Mr. Chase Jordan Mr. Gary Judd Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Judd Ms. Stephanie C. Jurek Mr. Lane Keeton Ms. Roberta K. Kellan Mr. Michael Kelley Ms. Sharol R. Kemp Ms. Penny B. Kent Mrs. George J. Kergis Ms. Sharon Kersey Ms. Virgie Kifer
Ms. Kay M. Kilgore Mrs. Lynn Kilgore Ms. Margaret R. Kilgore Mrs. Ann Killough Mr. Ben H. Killough Mr. and Mrs. B. Franklin King, III Mr. Brady D. King Ms. Carolyn E. King Ms. Charleen King Mr. J. Tom King, Jr Ms. Jennella H. King Mrs. Lisa C. King Ms. Cheyenne A. Kinzer Ms. Lauren S. Kirkland Mr. Jonathan Knight Mr. Edwin Knowles Ms. Dorothy T. Koehn Ms. Rachel Koltan Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kyser Ms. Patricia Labbe Ms. Brooke N. Lakatos Ms. Dakota D. Lancaster Ms. Sarah Jane Lancaster Ms. Janace Land
FROM THE DUST EXIT 13
Exit 13’s new album, From the Dust, is a bluesy, southern rock styled album that points to Christ in each piece. Including organ solos and steel guitar riffs, this album has a classic feel with a modern twist. Featuring Kayla Litton and Cooper Bascom on lead vocals and a stellar band of four other UMobile students, this album showcases a uniquely styled group from the Center for Performing Arts.
8eightyrecords.com UMOBILE.EDU • 251.442.2553
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Ms. Robbie Landry Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Landwehr Mr. Paul D. Lane, Jr. Ms. Ginny Langham Mrs. Mary A. Langley Ms. Shirley Langley Mrs. Shirley Langley Mrs. Becky Langston Ms. Vicki L. Lankford Ms. Elaine M. Lanthier Mr. Robert Larrowe Mr. Eric Latham Mr. John J. Latiolais, Jr. Ms. Beth Laughlin Ms. Courtney L. Lavender Mrs. Sherika W. Law Ms. Demetria Lawrence Ms. Kelly Lawson Ms. Sarah LeCroy Mr. Edwin L. Lee Mr. John T. Lee Ms. Sandra L. Lee Mr. Richard A. Leedy Mr. Tyler Lega Mrs. Suzanne Leimer Mrs. Tami Lenning Mr. David Lepchitz Ms. Renee Levins Mr. Billy L. Levitt Ms. Michele M. Lewis Ms. Charlotte Lightsey Mr. Kevin W. Lilly Ms. Nancy A. Lilly Mr. Russell Lindley Ms. Marie Lindsay Ms. Mary E. Lindsey Mr. Wendell Lindsey Mr. D C LionBerger, III Ms. Sarah Liska Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Little Ms. June V. Littlepage Ms. Jessica D. Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Lofton Ms. Carmen G. Long Mrs. Christy Long Mr. Hugh Long Mr. Derek M. Louch Ms. Carneshia C. Love Ms. LeeAnne Lovelady Mr. Mike Lovelady Mrs. Virginia W. Lovering Ms. Elizabeth Love Lowe Ms. Tarrah D. Lucas Lucedale Tire Co., Inc. Mr. Jesse Wayne Luker Mr. Kevin L. Luker
114 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Ms. Donna T. Lundy Mrs. Laurie A. Lynch Ms. Victoria S. Lyon Ms. Jannah Lyons Mr. and Mrs. David J. Machefsky Ms. Shashann MacKnight Ms. Anna I. Maddox Ms. Melissa J. Maddox Ms. Natalie Maddox Ms. Charlotte B. Madison Ms. Emily Ackley Maeng Mr. and Mrs. Marc Mahan Mr. and Mrs. John Mantegna Ms. Maria Maples Mr. Nicholas Maragos Ms. Margaret A. Markley Ms. Sherry L. Marks Mr. Clint Martin Mr. and Mrs. John S. Martin Ms. Lizzie V. Martin Ms. Patricia Martin Ms. Robin Y. Martin Mrs. Sharon Martin Ms. Sherrelle Martin Ms. Tahnea Martin Ms. Susan I. Mason Mr. Billy L. Massey Ms. Morgan Nicole Mathison Mr. John D. Matthews Dr. Robert H. Maxwell Mr. Steven J. Mbamba Ms. Robin McCall Mr. Donald Ray McCalla Mr. Charles Dennis McCann Ms. Marcia G. McCants Ms. Sara Grace McClain Ms. Karen B. McClendon Ms. Megan McClendon Ms. Joyce A. McCord Ms. Laura B. McCormick Ms. Dawn McCorry Ms. Tammy R. McCoy Ms. Tonya McCoy Mr. William Brett McCoy Ms. D. Marsha McCrea Ms. Terri McCreadie Mr. James Chandler McCulloch Mr. Matthew Logan McCullough Ms. Alana A. McDaniel Ms. Emily McDaniel Mrs. Gail Pittman McDaniel Mr. Robert C. McDaniel Mr. Damion McDonald Ms. Rhnea McDonald Mrs. Shannon Crystal McDonald Ms. Rosetta F. McElreath
Mrs. Jenelle Lynne McElroy Ms. Wanda McElveen Ms. Janice Carolyn McFall Ms. Jill C. McGee Ms. Courtney McGill Ms. Michie McGraw Ms. Cindy McGriff Ms. Lauren Boggs McHugh Mrs. Shanna McIntosh Ms. Marci Ann Mcintyre Mr. Ben M. McKibbens Ms. Ann McLeod Ms. Glenda McNair Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. McNellage Mrs. Sally Ann McNider Mrs. Judy Meadows Mrs. Shaylee Meadows Ms. Karen A. Meanor Ms. Kathleen B. Meanor Mr. Ronald I. Meanor, Sr. Mrs. Cleo Medders Ms. Beverly J. Melder Ms. Donna L. Melton Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Merkl Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Messick Ms. Amber Mikkelsen Mr. and Mrs. R. Kevin Miller Mr. Drew J. Miller Mrs. Frances T. Miller Mr. Jack R. Miller, Jr. Ms. Jane T. Miller Mrs. M. Kathleen Miller Ms. Melanie Miller Ms. Dorothy Milligan Mrs. Keena G. Milligan Ms. Elizabeth Milner Ms. Casey Mims Ms. Logan J. Mitchell Ms. Alice B. Mobley Ms. Norma C. Mobley Ms. Tracy Money Mrs. Tiffany M. Monk Ms. Judy Montgomery Mrs. Annie B. Moore Ms. Ashley D. Moore Ms. Evelyn B. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Jay Moore Ms. Mary E. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Moorer Ms. Sandra D. Morgan Morgan Stanley Mrs. Evelyn C. Morris Ms. JoAnn S. Morris Ms. Jynger N. Morris Ms. Brooke Morrison Ms. Crosby L. Morrison
Ms. Gloria Morrison Mr. Greg Morrison Mrs. D. L. Morrow Mr. John Morrow Mr. and Mrs. Randy Morrow Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Morton Morton Christian Ministries, Inc. Ms. Wendy C. Moses Ms. Helen L. Mosley Ms. Martha C. Moss Ms. Tammy R. Motes Ms. Brenda C. Moulder Mrs. Lenore M. Moulton Ms. Samantha L. Mowdy Mrs. Melvia R. Moye Mr. Jason G. Mullins Mr. Randall Mullins Ms. Melanie M. Munlin Mr. Kyle O. Murphy Mr. W. Allen Murphy Mrs. Donna Harrell Murray Ms. Jan Murray Mr. Billy R. Musgrove Ms. Allison L. Nash Mrs. Bobbie R. Nash Mr. Thomas F. Nash Nash Construction, Inc. Mr. Ray Neeley Mr. Ronnie Nelson Ms. Susan K. Nelson Mr. William N. Nelson New Hope Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Newsome Ms. Alice T. Newton Mr. Elna F. Newton Mr. Brett Nichols Ms. Jessica Nichols Ms. Britni Carver Nicholson Ms. Vanessa Nimmons Ms. Linda Nixon Ms. Carol S. Nobles Ms. Ann H. Nolen Mr. James Norman Ms. Allie B. Normand Mr. Robert S. Norton Dr. Sevints Nuriyeva Ms. Barbara Nutini Ms. Heather Oaks Ms. Sunny Kay Odom Ms. Faye N. O’Grady Mrs. Barbara Olive Mr. Mike Olive Ms. Casey J. Oliver Mr. Samuel Oliver Dr. and Mrs. Robert Olsen Mr. Gregory A. O’Neal
Dr. and Mrs. Bill O’Neal Mrs. Nancy K. Orr Mrs. Lysandra Osterkamp Mr. J. L. Overall, Jr. Ms. Faye R. Owens Mrs. Sandra Padgett Paint Party Studios, LLC Mr. Nolan Palmer Mrs. Pam Palmer Ms. Tracy W. Panczyszyn Mrs. Belinda B. Parker Rev. and Mrs. Michael H. Parker Ms. Wendi C. Parker Ms. Dawn Parks Mr. Cecil H. Parmer Ms. Debbie Parmer Mr. and Mrs. Brantley Parsley Pats Industrial and Auto Supply, Inc. Ms. Juanita C. Patterson Ms. Maud Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Rick Patterson Mr. William L. Patterson Ms. Jordan Paul Ms. Courtney L. Payne
Ms. Regena B. Payne Ms. Debra J. Peacock Mr. David C. Peck Ms. Rhoda F. Peddycoart Pediatric Physical Therapy, LLC Ms. Syble Michelle Pennington Mr. James W. Perkins, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jack C. Perkins Mr. Chris Perry Dr. Paul Petcher Ms. Tracey Y. Phelps Ms. Jessica M. Phillips Ms. Katie Phillips Mr. Richard Philpot Ms. Deborah C. Pierce Ms. Rebecca Pierce Ms. Tabitha Pierce Ms. Joleigh E. Pigott Mr. Joshua P. Pike Mr. and Mrs. Don Pippin Mr. James W. Pippin Mr. Billy Pittman Ms. Henrietta J. Pittman Mr. John P. Pledger
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Ms. Mary Jane Pointer Ms. Bonnie Pope Ms. Louise L. Pope Mr. Matthew Pope Ms. Mary E. Porter Ms. Shannon I. Porter Mrs. Joy Powell Mr. Charles J. Prachar Mr. Justin Prater Mrs. Ed Preskitt Mrs. Patti L. Presley Mrs. Shirley Presnall Miss Abigail E. Pressley Mrs. Frances Pressnell Jordan Price Ms. Sharon Prince-Kidd Ms. Reba J. Proctor Dr. Pamela S. Pruett Mr. Jason Pugh Ms. Xiaoqing Qian Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Quinn R. L. Carnes Logging Contractor, Inc. Ms. Emily Bray Rachiele Ms. Salinda M. Ragsdale Mr. Jake Rainwater Mr. William Ralston Mr. and Mrs. David J. Ramey Mr. Richard Ramheld Ms. Jaime D. Rawden Rev. and Mrs. Allen M. Ray Ms. Jannifer E. Ray Ms. Suzanne Ray Ms. Kaye Reach Ms. Elizabeth Redding Mr. Bob Reed Ms. Virginia C. Reed Ms. Debbie Reid Mrs. William O. Respess Miss Jessica C. Rexrode Mr. Chuck Reynolds Ms. Louella Reynolds Mr. Dale E. Rice, Jr. Ms. Judith M. Rice Ms. Kim Rice Rev. and Mrs. Billy J. Rich Mrs. Susan Richards Ms. Eleanor Richardson Ms. Kathy Richardson Ms. Jean Ricketts Mr. Steven Riggins Mrs. Danielle M. Riley River City Church Ms. Magdelena R. Rivera Ms. Paula LaVette Rivers Ms. Heather Robbins Ms. Jessica Robbins
116 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Mr. Shane Roberts Mr. Vernon S. Roberts Ms. Alicia R. Robertson Mr. Morris Gene Robertson Ms. Shannon Robertson Ms. Brenda Robinson Ms. Carrie W. Robinson Ms. Dorothy T. Robinson Ms. Amy Robers Mr. Gregory A. Rogers Ms. Laura Rogers Mrs. Rachel J. Romine Mr. Dennis Rommel Mr. Eldred B. Rommel Ms. Linda C. Roquemore Mrs. Joni W. Ross Mrs. Kim Ross Rotary Club of Mobile Capt. and Mrs. John T. Rouse Ms. Rebecca S. Ruhland Ms. Cedrina M. Runderson Ms. Norah M. Rupert Ms. Shelley R. Rupert Mrs. Ruby M. Rush Mr. Dustin Russell Russell Robbins Mr. Brodrick Ryans S. L. Brown, LLC Ms. Alexa R. Samry Ms. Courtney M. Samry Mr. and Mrs. Pete Sanchez Ms. Charis B. Sanders Ms. Rachel J. Sansing Ms. Cornelia Savage Mr. Larry Savell Ms. Phyllis S. Saxton Mr. Gregory K. Sayler Mr. Richard P. Schaffer Ms. Mary Helen Schell Ms. Sandra L. Schindler Mr. George G. Schneider Mr. Hans Schneider Ms. Darlene Schreyer Ms. Linda D. Schriemer Ms. Ailene W. Schulte Ms. Amanda Hodges Scott Ms. Geraldine M. Scott Ms. Karen H. Scott SEF, Inc. Ms. Dianne Sellers Ms. Rhonda W. Senkbeil Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Setser Ms. Stephanie M. Shaner Mr. Gregory Brent Shaw Mr. and Mrs. Danny R. Shaw Mr. Michael F. Sheahan
Mrs. Elizabeth Sheffield Ms. Joan M. Shelley Ms. Rebecca W. Shelley Mr. and Mrs. Byron E. Sheppard Mr. William Sherer Ms. Catharine C. Sherman Ms. Drucilla F. Shinn Ms. Darlene Shirley Mr. and Mrs. John R. Shirley, Jr. Ms. Shirley Shirley Ms. Jourdan K. Shockey Mr. and Mrs. Herman R. Shoemaker Mrs. Mallory Shook Ms. Julie Short Mrs. Martha Sikes Silveira Farms Mr. William L. Silver, III Ms. Levitia B. Simmons Ms. Tamela T. Simmons Mrs. Judith L. Simpson Ms. Kathryn L. Singer Ms. Audrey D. Singleton Ms. Jean R. Singleton Ms. Melanie D. Singleton Mr. Phillip Andrew Sirmon Ms. Roberta F. Slay Ms. Wanda K. Sligh Ms. Marilee Smiley Ms. Alison Smith Ms. Amber R. Smith Ms. Beth A. Smith Mr. Charles D. Smith Ms. Cheryl M. Smith Ms. Dana W. Smith Ms. Emily S. Smith Ms. Geralyn W. Smith Mr. James E. Smith Ms. Jennifer E. Smith Mrs. Katherine Yolanda Smith Mrs. Lynn D. Smith Ms. Milissa Smith Mrs. Pamela R. Smith Mr. Ricky Smith Mrs. Sarah C. Smith Mr. Stephen Z. Smith Mrs. Waurice Smith Smoothie King, Saraland Mr. Mark Douglas Smothers Mr. and Mrs. Jayme B. Snellgrove Mr. and Mrs. Phillip A. Snodgrass, Jr. Ms. Faye F. Snow Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Snow Mr. and Mrs. Roland D. Snyder Mr. Joseph Solano Mr. A.W. Sorensen Southeastern Press, Inc.
Mr. Michael A. Southerland Mrs. Helen Thomas Mrs. Dana Sowell Miss Melissa Gail Thomas Mr. John Spears Mr. Perry Thomas Mrs. Yvonne Spencer Thomas Home and Auto Store Ms. Cindy L. Spieth Thomas Leon Laton Trucking Mr. Adam Spinieo Ms. Julia Thomason Ms. Teresa J. Spivey Mr. Joe Thompson Mr. Earl Spratlin Ms. Monsenya Thompson Ms. Tara Sprewell Ms. Betty P. Thornton St. Martin’s in the Pines Thronson, Inc. St. Paul’s Episcopal School Tibbie Baptist Church Mr. Ryan L. Staats Mr. Chris A. Tibbs Ms. Nichole Stabler Mr. Dontavius M. Tidwell Mr. William R. Stanton Ms. Karen Tidwell Ms. Carolyn P. Stapleton Ms. Katie Rachel Tillman Ms. Cheryl R. Stephens Mrs. Melanie N. Tingle Mrs. Gail M. Stephens Ms. Vicki P. Tingle Mr. Sam Stephens Ms. May A. Tittsworth Mrs. Rhonda B. Stevens Mr. Robert Tomlinson Ms. Theresa J. Stevens Toner Realty Ltd. Mr. Eldridge Stewart Ms. Courtney Torrence Ms. Frances R. Stewart Ms. Tonya Tousignant Ms. Trudy S. Stewart Ms. Elizabeth Towey Ms. Joy Stiles Ms. Shelby Townsend Ms. Elissa R. Stillings Ms. Michelle A. Stinnett Mr. and Mrs. Zac Storey Mr. Grady F. Story Street’s Exquisite Plants & Aquatic Gardens, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Strickland Ms. Tara V. Stringfellow Ms. Dorothy Jordan Stryker Mrs. Natalie C. Stuart Ms. Thelma K. Styles Mrs. Kathleen A. Sulver Ms. Cynthia G. Summersgill Ms. Karri Sumrall Ms. Melissa Sutton Mrs. Diane L. Swales Mr. Clay Swanzy Mr. and Mrs. Mark Swanzy Ms. Linda H. Swinney Mr. David Talley Mr. Tyler Tarvin Ms. Lori Tate Ms. Catherine H. Taylor Ms. June G. Taylor Mr. Kyle Taylor Ms. Tamara Shena’ Taylor Mr. Terry Tew The Irwin Group, LLC The Trust Co. of Sterne Agee, Inc. The William R. and Sandra J. Kopcho Revocable Trust Ms. Savannah J. Thigpen Mr. and Mrs. John Lloyd Thomas
Ms. Maudine H. Trammell Mrs. Martha Jane Trawick Ms. Lori S. Tucker Ms. Whitney Tucker Ms. Abby Turberville Mrs. Vicki Turner Mr. & Mrs. John Turrentine Uli’s European Hair Studio, Inc. Mrs. Terri Underwood Mrs. Michael Ussery Ms. Melody Utsey Mr. Joseph P. Valenti Mr. and Mrs. Marco Valenzuela Rev. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. Vanlandingham Ms. Erin Vargas Mr. Barry D. Vaughn Ms. Linda L. Vaughn Ms. Paula Joy Vaughn Ms. Lynn G. Veillon Mr. Jesse Verdin Ms. Laurel A. Vermillion Mr. James L. Vining Ms. Katherine D. Waddell
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Ms. Vickie F. Waddell Ms. Magan Wade Ms. Paddy Wainwright Ms. Kathryn Walden Mr. David B. Walker Mrs. Debra Rainer Walker Ms. Judy E. Walker Ms. Larissa Parsley Walker Ms. Shirley Walker Mr. Steven E. Walker Ms. Renee Wallace Mr. Christopher J. Walsh Ms. Elizabeth Walsh Mrs. H. Sam Walter, Jr. Mrs. Amanda L. Ward Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Ward Mr. George W. Ward Ms. Jamille B. Warren Ms. Laurie T. Washington Mrs. Carol J. Washington-Clark Mr. Robert M. Waters Ms. Glenda Watson Ms. Joann S. Watson Mrs. Lisa F. Watson
Mr. Jonathan Watts Mr. Thomas D. Watts, Sr. Mr. Michael S. Weathers Ms. Melissa R. Weaver Mr. William Paul Webb Ms. Jeannine B. Weeks Ms. Peggy E. Weeks Mr. Samuel Weeks Ms. Cindy Weldon Ms. Mary Nell Weldon Mr. Sean Weldon Ms. Joy P. Wells Mrs. Christie Wendt Ms. Farita M. West Ms. Patricia T. West Mr. Stephen E. Westbrook Mr. Robert L. Westly Ms. Donna J. Wetzel Ms. Donna Whatley Ms. Erin R. Wheeler Ms. Abby Whigham Ms. Shelley Whisenant Ms. Natalie V. Whitehead Mr. Jordan C. Whitfield
www.intship.com
Dr. and Mrs. William E. Whitfield, Jr. Mr. Palmer G. Whiting Mrs. Dawn C. Whitmore Ms. Barbara E. Wick Ms. Angela Wiggins Ms. Valli Wiggins Mr. Thomas N. Wilbanks Ms. Michelle L. Wilder Wildwood Baptist Church Mr. Myron H. Wiley Mr. and Mrs. Ray Wilkins Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Wilkins Mr. Ronald E. Wilkinson William Alton Nutt Trust Mrs. Carol Ann Williams Mr. George Williams Mr. Jeffrey L. Williams Mr. Landon W. Williams Ms. LaToya P. Williams Ms. Lisa M. Williams Ms. Millie P. Williams Ms. Stephanie Williams Ms. Tella Williams
Ms. Heather D. Williamson Ms. Janis C. Williamson Ms. Joan W. Williamson Ms. Sandi Williamson Ms. Vickie Wills Ms. Jami Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Tallie Wilson, Jr. Mr. George R. Wimberley, III Ms. Sharon E. Wincey Mrs. Amy B. Windham Mrs. E. Charline Wingate Mrs. Leslie Winters Wiregrass Trucking Mr. Eric A. Wohlwend Mr. S. Wolstenholme Ms. Elizabeth J. Wood Mrs. Jetta Wood Ms. Joy Wood Ms. Michelle R. Woods Ms. Tara Woods Mr. Johnny Work Ms. Julie Worley Mrs. Alyssa L. Wright Mrs. Betsy B. Wright Ms. Charity S. Wright Ms. Elizabeth L. Wright Mrs. Jamie R. Wright Ms. Kimberly L. Wright Wyatts Auto Sales, LLC Mrs. Gail B. Yance Ms. Charlene Yarzieh Ms. Kate M. Yates Ms. Joyce L. Yocum Ms. Deborah L. York Dr. and Mrs. Dale Younce Ms. Kim Koury Young Ms. Willenia V. Young Zebra Marketing Ms. Gail Zeigler Mr. Robert Zeilenga Mrs. Sue A. Zundel
Campus Closeup
Answers: 1. Ram Hall palm tree trunk 2. Garner building lobby 3. Tubing in nursing lab 4. Library columns 5. Science lab specimen
118 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015
Belief is the foundation of our University. A belief that a higher education that focuses on academics and spiritual growth prepares you to make a real difference in this world. We instruct and nurture your mind, body and spirit, so you can achieve something you know and feel is meaningful and impactful with your education.
#beliefinu
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120 University of Mobile Magazine | SPRING 2015