USA News Archives

Members of the 小蝌蚪APP Jaguar Marching Band perform the USA fight song together, one-by-one.

South!, in 70 Different Places
June 9, 2020

Members of the Jaguar Marching Band — plus a dog who helps keep time — perform the USA fight song together, one-by-one ...

Caleb Santa Cruz, a communication studies graduate, works as a youth pastor at Summit Church, which is constructing a new church building in Foley.

A Career, and a Church, Under Construction
June 9, 2020

#MyFirstJob: Caleb Santa Cruz, a communication studies graduate, heads back home to begin a job as a youth pastor. ...

PASSAGE USA graduated its first class in 2019. The program's students are now eligible for federally funded financial aid.

PASSAGE USA Students Eligible for Federal Aid
June 9, 2020

PASSAGE USA program gives students with intellectual disabilities opportunities to attend college and experience campus life. ...

Tuition to Remain Level for 2020-21
June 5, 2020

South's Board of Trustees leaves tuition unchanged for the second consecutive year; housing costs will also remain flat. ...

Dr. Miranda Byrne-Steele, at her iRepertoire lab in Huntsville, leads a team of team of researchers exploring coronavirus therapies. “It’s taken years and years of experience and technology development, and we’re applying it in a rapid way,” she said.

South Alumna Explores COVID-19 Therapies
June 3, 2020

Chemistry graduate Dr. Miranda Byrne-Steele leads a team of researchers working on therapies at a Huntsville biotechnology firm. ...

The Student Government Association officers for 2020-21 are, clockwise from top left, Tia Nickens, president; Brantley “Brant” A. Cook, vice president; Jacob Green, treasurer; Allera Padgett, attorney general; Cana Brown, student-at-large; and Sarah Hemelt, chief justice.

USA Announces 2020-21 SGA Officers
June 2, 2020

USA students elect Tia Nickens, a secondary education major, as SGA president. Brantley "Brant" A. Cook is vice presiden ...

Veteran broadcaster Lance Crawford has joined South's Office of Marketing and Communications as director of media relations.

Crawford Named Director of Media Relations
June 1, 2020

Veteran broadcaster Lance Crawford is joining South's Office of Marketing and Communications and will handle media relations. ...

USA Health has been developing its plans for a free-standing Emergency Department since 2018.

Emergency Department Planned for West Mobile
May 19, 2020

USA Health is building a free-standing emergency department at Hillcrest and Old Shell roads. ...

Dr. Joe Gaston, 小蝌蚪APP assistant professor of educational media and technology, demonstrates how to prepare online classes, including the use of QR codes so students can scan and access audio and video lessons.

Supporting 'Rock Star' Teachers
May 18, 2020

COVID-19 has forced K-12 teachers out of comfort zones and into distance learning. That brings new opportunities. ...

Dr. Bob Wood has been dean at the 小蝌蚪APP Mitchell College of Business since 2014.

Wood Named Dean of the Year
May 14, 2020

Dr. Bob G. Wood, dean of the Mitchell College of Business, is recognized by Beta Gamma Sigma. ...

Jack Stover, a summer graduate completing a double major in international business and Spanish, has kept an active schedule during his time at the 小蝌蚪APP. “My extracurricular activities have been just as important to me as my academic work,” he says.

Not Enough Hours in the Day
May 9, 2020

Double major in business and Spanish. Fraternity president. Internships and study abroad. Jack Stover has been busy. ...

Mary Catherine Cazalas conducted research as a graduate assistant in the Swallowing Disorders Initiative Lab in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions. She won the College’s Dean’s Award for her academic and research work.

Dean's Award, Discipline, Determination
May 9, 2020

Mary Catherine Cazalas's pursuit of a graduate degree in speech pathology brought her back to 'the best city in the worl ...

Bryant Baldwin plans to continue his research in biomechanical engineering at the 小蝌蚪APP after spring commencement. “I want to complete the project we’ve been working on,” he says.

'Completionist' Finds Way to Engineering
May 9, 2020

Bryant Baldwin is a problem solver. At South, he discovered a solution to his varying interests: mechanical engineering. ...

Ricky Green, an information technology instructor at the 小蝌蚪APP, uses 3D printers to produce parts that will be put together to make face shields for healthcare workers.

USA DIYers Innovate on PPE
May 8, 2020

South faculty join a nationwide do-it-yourself movement to guard against a shortage of personal protective equipment. ...

Dr. Nycole Oliver, a two-time graduate of the 小蝌蚪APP College of Nursing, practices at Baptist Health Family Clinic in Fort Smith, Ark., and helps staff her town’s coronavirus testing site.

Among Her Roles, Deliverer of COVID-19 Results
May 6, 2020

USA nursing graduate Dr. Nycole Oliver is an instructor, advocate and COVID-19 tester. She also calls patients with the results. ...

Members of the Jaguar Marching Band record a virtual performance of “South,” the 小蝌蚪APP fight song.

Finding Harmony, and a Good Wi-Fi Signal
May 5, 2020

Accustomed to playing together, South faculty and students find creative ways to bridge the distance caused by COVID-19. ...

Chastang-Howard Recognized for Excellence
May 4, 2020

Pamela Chastang-Howard is honored with the National Collegiate Honors Council Award for Administrative Excellence. ...

A few days before they left Peru, where they were in lockdown due to the novel coronavirus, a group of Study Abroad students from the 小蝌蚪APP took a group photo with fellow students from Augusta State, University of Georgia and Lenoir-Rhyne University. The USA students are, top row, Zach McCleery, far left; Laura Thompson, fourth from the left; Laurel Collins, sixth from the left; and Jasmine Furguson, bottom row, far left. Joel Ellzie, an instructor in USA’s department of emergency medical services, is in the top center of the photograph next to Collins.

'This Might Actually Be a Thing'
May 1, 2020

A group of South students were in Peru when the novel coronavirus shut down its borders. This is the story of how they got out. ...

Fall Reopening Planned at USA
May 1, 2020

The University is making plans to reopen campus and resume in-person classes and residential living for the Fall 2020 semester. ...

The 小蝌蚪APP will hold a virtual, online commencement ceremony on May 9 to honor spring and summer degree candidates.

South to Hold Virtual Commencement
May 1, 2020

The awarding of the degrees will take place 11 a.m., May 9. The ceremony will stream on the homepage and social media. ...

Dr. Alvin Williams, chair of marketing and quantitative methods at the 小蝌蚪APP, said "in pandemic mode, supply chains must become even more flexible to accommodate the rapid rate of change."

COVID-19 to Supply Lessons on Supply Chain
April 27, 2020

Dr. Alvin Williams, marketing and quantitative methods chair, offers insight on the novel coronavirus's impact on supply chai ...

Barry Coleman, who endowed a scholarship in grandmother's name, becoming one the youngest major gift donors to the College of Nursing, earlier this semester met the scholarship's first recipient, Jennifer Dowling.

'He Simply Will Not Accept Failure'
April 27, 2020

Barry Coleman endows scholarship in grandmother's name, becoming one the youngest major gift donors to the College of Nursing ...

John Ding, who earned a master's in business administration from the 小蝌蚪APP's Mitchell College of Business, is an aircraft engineer at Airbus and part of a team making medical masks for USA Health using 3D printers. Photo courtesy of Airbus.

Airbus, South Team Up on Medical Masks
April 20, 2020

Airbus, working with the University and USA Health, has put its 3D printers to work manufacturing masks for hospitals and clinics. ...

Sarah Crass is a 小蝌蚪APP graduate and chief of staff at Medical Teams International, which has international experience with viruses including Ebola. "So we know how to do isolation, patient care and hygiene education. We’re trying to figure this out, serve where we can.”

Pivoting to Address a Pandemic
April 17, 2020

South alumna Sarah Crass helps lead Medical Teams International, addressing COVID-19 challenges in the U.S. and abroad. ...

How to Make Working From Home Work
April 13, 2020

USA Mitchell College of Business management experts share ideas on how to make the most from working at home. ...

USA is home to four of the seven Alabama students selected as 2020 Goldwater Scholars. From left, Richard Fu, Hannah Giannini, Samantha Michlowitz and John Pomerat.

Striking Gold: 4 Named Goldwater Scholars
April 9, 2020

USA maxes out Goldwater Scholarship slots and tops the state with four undergraduates in the 2020 class. ...

South Alabama football Coach Steve Campbell leads freshmen in a cheer during the 2019 Week of Welcome for new students.

Application Fee, ACT/SAT Requirements Waived
April 6, 2020

South also offering a $100 credit for virtual visits to connect with prospective undergraduate students. ...

Raed Alsulami, a 小蝌蚪APP graduate in hospitality and tourism management and assistant manager for the main restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, credits his experiences as a student for his current success. “I feel that the program at USA helped me get to where I am today and provided opportunities for me to maximize my goals in the industry,” he said.

Fusing Southern, Saudi Hospitality
March 30, 2020

One of South's first hospitality and tourism graduates, Raed Alsulami works at a top-ranked restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, R ...

Lori Baggett, who graduated from the 小蝌蚪APP in 1998 and played on the women's basketball team, has been named managing partner of Carlton Fields' Tampa, Fla., office.

A Legal Mind, a Basketball IQ
March 27, 2020

As managing partner at Carlton Fields, Lori Baggett is showing the leadership she once brought to the classroom and the court. ...

6 Tips for Distance Learning
March 26, 2020

Distance learning can present challenges for students used to a traditional classroom setting. These tips can make it easier. ...

Andy Vickers, a graduate of the 小蝌蚪APP's Mitchell College of Business, opened two F45 fitness training studios and plans to open a third in Pensacola.

Turning Adversity into Opportunity
March 22, 2020

With dreams of wakeboarding derailed, Andy Vickers is using his entrepreneurial skills to help others reach their fitness goals. ...

South alumna Lucy Gafford worked with other artists and students from several Boys & Girls Clubs in 2014 to paint this mural attached to the facade of the old Gayfers' building in downtown Mobile. The mural depicts life in Mobile County and includes USA's Moulton Tower. Today Gafford is executive director of the Mobile Arts Council.

Encouraging Artists to do 'Big Things'
March 21, 2020

Alumna Lucy Gafford sees opportunity growing in Coastal Alabama. Her goal is to retain young artists in that cultural renewal. ...

Dr. Robert Holm, professor of music at the 小蝌蚪APP, plays on a Steinway recently donated to the department of music through a legacy gift by Dr. Jeanne Sylvestre, an emeritus professor of accounting.

They Shared Chopin, Played on Steinway
March 16, 2020

An accounting professor's legacy gift, the Polish composer's Opus 25, No. 1, and a South pianist took center stage at La ...

USA National Alumni Association honored alumni and supporters at the 16th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards. Those recognized were, from left, William J. “Happy” Fulford III, Dr. Joseph F. Busta Jr., Brian J. Cuccias, Merceria Ludgood, John T. Crowder Jr., William B. Burnsed Jr. and James J. “Jake” Gosa.

University Alumni, Supporters Honored
March 5, 2020

Five alumni, a retired USA employee and a county commissioner are recognized by the USA National Alumni Association. ...

Among the street name changes on campus, Jaguar Boulevard is the new name for the road that runs between the Student Recreation Center and Stanky Field.

USA Announces Street Name Changes
March 5, 2020

New street names and updated signs will help students and visitors navigate South's campus and find major facilities. ...

Courtney Bryson, who is completing her clinical work to become a registered nurse and earn an associate degree from Coastal Alabama Community College, is already taking online classes at the 小蝌蚪APP toward a Bachelor's of Science in nursing.

Getting a Head Start in Nursing
February 21, 2020

South is collaborating with community colleges to speed the time it takes to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing. ...

The third installment of the Annual Songwriter Keynote will feature a performance by Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers. Photo: Andy Tennille

Drive-By Truckers' Hood to Perform
February 21, 2020

The March 2 event will include a performance by Patterson Hood, a presentation on roots music and a roundtable discussion. ...

Dr. Heather Hall, dean of the 小蝌蚪APP College of Nursing, has been elected chairperson of the Alabama Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Nursing Dean to Chair State Board
February 20, 2020

Dr. Heather Hall, dean the USA College of Nursing, has been elected chair of the Alabama Association of Colleges of Nursing. ...

Giving Day Graphic that says: 1,1771 Donors, $534,671 Raised, USA Giving Day 2020, Thank You

USA Giving Day Raises $534,671
February 19, 2020

More than 1,700 donors supported scholarships, research, athletics and USA Health programs during the third annual USA Giving Day. ...

Vanessa Quintana is one of the latest South graduates to work under Steve Mussell, right, designing and building Carnival floats. “Steve tells me to put on my Mardi Gras goggles. He wants me to look at a float like someone would at a parade.”

Bringing Artistry to the Streets of Carnival
February 18, 2020

USA alumni keep a tradition alive by designing and building floats for some of Mobile's most iconic Mardi Gras parading group ...

South Stands Against Violence With V-Day 2020
February 14, 2020

USA joins the global movement aimed at ending violence against women and girls during "V-Day: Until the Violence Stops 2020.& ...

Will Rayner, a professional health sciences major from Hoover, Ala., practices on one of the high-tech patient simulators in the new, 39,000-square-foot Simulation Building. The facility is used by South's nursing, allied health and medical students.

Simulated Conditions, Real Results
February 14, 2020

USA healthcare students begin training in the newly opened Simulation Building using high-tech, low-stress manikins. ...

Dr. Tony Waldrop, 小蝌蚪APP president, talks with Beth Thomas, corporate communications manager for Alabama Power, inside the new Alabama Power USA Coastal Weather Research Center. The center provides weather forecasting to more than 100 clients.

Weather Center Gets New Name, Location
February 11, 2020

The Alabama Power USA Coastal Weather Research Center supports business and serves as a training ground for meteorology students. ...

Author Patti Callahan, winner of the prestigious Harper Lee Award, will conduct a writing workshop and discuss her bestselling novel “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” Feb. 13 at the 小蝌蚪APP.

Author Patti Callahan to Hold Workshop
February 11, 2020

The Stokes Center for Creative Writing will host Callahan, who will conduct a writing workshop and discuss her historical novel. ...

Dr. Tony Waldrop, left, president of the 小蝌蚪APP, and Dr. Jesse Smith, president of Jones College, signed an agreement Friday that will expand access to a four-year degree through the Pathway USA program.

Jones College Joins Pathway USA
February 7, 2020

Mississippi's Jones College is the sixth two-year institution to team up with South to expand access to a four-year degree. ...

Stacey Wellborn, a Ph.D. student in business administration at the Mitchell College of Business, said her education is giving her a new perspective. “I have spent the last 20 years working, building businesses, closing businesses and learning lessons,” she said. “Going back to school to pursue my doctorate gives me the opportunity to learn more deeply about why things work — or don’t work.”

Looking at Doing Business Differently
February 4, 2020

Entrepreneur, marketer and Ph.D. student Stacey Wellborn says using data in decision-making has given her a new way of thinking. ...

Ramsey Willis instructs students during a geometry class at Davidson High School in Mobile. Willis majored in business and worked in industry prior to completing his master’s degree in education from South through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

Called to Teach, Supported by South
February 3, 2020

After working in industry, Ramsey Willis used his real-world experience and a USA education to pursue a teaching career. ...

Grace Richardson, a 小蝌蚪APP freshman from Hoover, holds a painting that was part of her Project Aquarius campaign. She earned the Girl Scouts' Gold Award as a result of her work.

South Artist Wins Girl Scout Award
January 28, 2020

Freshman Grace Richardson earns the Girl Scouts' highest honor with a campaign inspired by a visit to the Dauphin Island Sea ...

Dr. Peggy Delmas, an assistant professor in educational leadership spent two years researching the contributions of Catholic sisters in the field of academics, including science.

Celebrating the Contributions of Catholic Sisters in Academics
January 26, 2020

USA assistant professor's research highlights the contributions of Catholic sisters' careers in education leadership and ...

Julian and Kim MacQeen, center, join South alumni and supporters to cut the ribbon on the MacQueen Alumni Center. The 15,000-square foot-facility is in the center of campus, across from Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

MacQueen Alumni Center Opens on Campus
January 24, 2020

The University's National Alumni Association cuts the ribbon on the center that will serve as home for nearly 85,000 alumni. ...

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