USA News Archives | Media Relations

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee traces a figure-eight knot with light outside the Mathematical Sciences and Physics Building at the 小蝌蚪APP. Her research in quantum topology earned a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Tied Up In Knots
December 7, 2021

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to continue her research in knot theory. She als ...

Dr. Jason Strickland, an assistant professor of biology at the 小蝌蚪APP, and senior India Hughes helped identify two new snake species — the Tricolor Snailsucker and the Poppyfield Snailsucker — by sequencing snake DNA.

Long Known to Snails, New Snake Species ID'd
December 7, 2021

A South researcher and his undergraduate research assistant, along with a team of researchers in Mexico, identify two unique snail ...

A World of Good
December 7, 2021

Fellowships from Harvard University Press and the Institute for Advanced Study help Dr. Samuel Baker spend a sabbatical writing a ...

Since 1998, the University and USA Health have raised more than $5.7 million for the United Way of Southwest Alabama through its annual campaign.

USA raises $205,676 for United Way of Southwest Alabama
December 6, 2021

More than 1,700 employees and retirees contributed $205,676 to support the 2021 United Way of Southwest Alabama's annual camp ...

A tutor works with another USA student on the 2nd floor of the Marx Library. A five-year, $2.25 million grant will help Student Academic Success institute a new program dedicated to the "Second Year Experience." The goal is increasing retention rates between year two and year three.

USA Lands $2.25 Million Grant To Help Second Year Students
December 3, 2021

The five-year program will focus on the second year experience to help increase retention rates from year two to year three. ...

Dr. Sean Powers, professor and director of the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, walks the halls of the school's renovated 20,000-square-foot facility. “We have an international reputation. We want to bring new students to South,” he said.

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Dedicated
December 2, 2021

New academic and research programs are expected to follow as South increases opportunities for students and faculty. ...

College of Education and Professional Studies students will now have help with the Praxis teacher preparation test thanks to a recent donation from PowerSchool.

PowerSchool Donates to College of Education and Professional Studies
December 2, 2021

The cloud-based software company for K-12 education makes an $80,000 donation to help students in teacher preparation programs. ...

Casey Ferguson, a forward for the South Alabama women's basketball team, has been able to benefit monetarily from her popular social media posts following a rule that allows student-athletes to profit off their name, image or likeness.

FergNation Forward
November 29, 2021

A Tik Tok video of Casey Ferguson boiling crawfish helped make her one of the most popular college sports social media personaliti ...

AT&T Alabama contributed $40,000 to support K-12 STEM Hands-On Learning Lab Activities at USA. From left, front row - Lizbeth Stanton, fiber executive, gulf coast region, AT&T; Chris Pennington, southeast regional sales manager, AT&T; Dr. Harold Pardue, interim dean, School of Computing; C. Wayne Hutchens, state president AT&T Alabama; Nikki Donald, CFITS outreach coordinator, School of Computing; Keith Lynn, systems administrator, School of Computing; back row - Matt Coker, client solutions executive II, state of Alabama, AT&T; Glyn Agnew, regional director AT&T Alabama legislative & external affairs.
Photo credit: Mike Kittrell

AT&T Gives $40K For STEM Outreach Program
November 19, 2021

The School of Computing's K-12 STEM Outreach Program strives to motivate and encourage students to pursue STEM related career ...

Dr. Alvin Willams, interim dean of the Mitchell College of Business, stands in front of the college.

Global Interruption
November 19, 2021

Dr. Alvin Williams describes stress on the global supply chain that is causing shortages and delays during the holiday shopping se ...

Scotty E. Kirkland, a 小蝌蚪APP alumnus, is the coordinator of exhibitions, publications, and programs at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. He will give a lecture about Alabama civil rights history at the Marx Library December 2, 2021.

Marx Library Hosts Alabama Historian Scotty Kirkland
November 17, 2021

USA and Mobile Museum of Art welcomes Alabama historian Scotty Kirkland for a lecture on state and local Civil Rights history. ...

South is the only university in Alabama that offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio glass. The glass studio is a state-of-the-art facility for glassblowing, casting and kiln formed glass.

Holiday Art Sale Scheduled
November 17, 2021

Hand-crafted glass ornaments, jewelry, prints and more created by USA students and faculty available for sale December 3rd. ...

Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese has been named an early-career fellow by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The fellowship comes with a $76,000 award that Kiel Reese plans to use to support graduate students and provide paid internships for undergraduates.

USA Associate Professor Named Gulf Research Program Fellow
November 17, 2021

Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese becomes the second South faculty member honored by the Gulf Research Program in as many years. ...

Barton Academy Principal Amanda Jones, a 小蝌蚪APP graduate, stands in front of the new magnet school.

Old School, New Start
November 17, 2021

South graduates, including Principal Amanda Jones, are remaking history this fall at Barton Academy. The first public school in Al ...

"The illustration depicts the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by pathogenic bacteria ("yellow balls”) coming into contact with the plant cell. In his study, Dr. Tuan M. Tran found that OMV insertion into the plant plasma membrane is dependent on membrane nanodomains (regions highly enriched of sterol and phospholipids). This OMV insertion could alter the dynamics of the plasma membrane and also prime plants for better immune defense responses upon infection by pathogens."

Plant Health Research
November 15, 2021

South's Dr. Tuan Minh Tran is the lead author of an article published in the prestigious scientific journal, The Plant Cell. ...

Dr. S. Raj Chaudhury, ILC executive director, far left, along with associate professor Dr. Lisa LaCross, assistant director of faculty development, and Dr. David S. Williams, assistant director of course development at USA, are the recipients of the prestigious Robert J. Menges Award from the Professional and Organizational Development Network.

Innovation in Learning Center Team Recognized with Research Award
November 15, 2021

ILC receives award for Outstanding Research in Educational Development from the Professional and Organizational Development Networ ...

Abritty Abdullah has been named a Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning award winner. The Honor Society is the nation’s oldest and most selective for all academic disciplines and the Love of Learning Award is one of the most prestigious awards for post-baccalaureate study given by the society.

USA Doctoral Student Recognized with Prestigious National Award
November 11, 2021

Phi Kappa Phi awards Abritty Abdullah, a doctoral student in the College of Education and Professional Studies, its Love of Learni ...

Former Congressman Jo Bonner, who serves as chief of staff to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, was selected as the fourth president of the 小蝌蚪APP. He will be introduced formally at the Board of Trustees' next regular meeting, scheduled for Dec. 2.

Bonner Named President
November 10, 2021

Jo Bonner, chief of staff to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and a former congressman, will become the fourth president to lead the Universi ...

Charbel Mawad is majoring in accounting in the Mitchell College of Business.

Fresh Start
November 9, 2021

Charbel Mawad, a Mobile native and Mitchell Scholar, begins his business education at South with plans for growth and a spot on th ...

Through a combination of donor and institutional support, the South CARES emergency fund has supported students unexpected needs with more than $298,000 since launching in January 2020.

South Awarded $25,000 PATH Grant
November 5, 2021

Funds will be distributed to students in financial need to help cover unexpected costs and allow them to remain enrolled at USA. ...

The 小蝌蚪APP College of Arts and Sciences hosted it’s 40th Annual Dean’s Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony November 3, 2021. Seven faculty members were recognized for their achievements. Clockwise from top left: Dr. Sinead Ni` Chadhain; Thu Olsen; Dr. Philip Carr; Dr. Susan McCready; Dr. Kelly Urban; Dr. Jeremiah Henning; and Dr. Brian Whitener.

College of Arts & Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Faculty
November 4, 2021

Seven faculty members recognized for their achievements at the 40th Annual Dean's Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony. ...

Kaylyn Cordrey, an exercise science freshman from Delaware, said the injuries she suffered as a tap dancer has led her to consider a career in physical therapy.

Untapped Talent
November 3, 2021

A former tap dancer won a Distinguished Young Women scholarship to South. Now she's studying exercise science with plans to b ...

Stacy Wellborn, a PhD student in the Mitchell College of Business, hosts "Mitchell Moments," a weekly podcast featuring faculty and students about how to best navigate a PhD program.

Podcasting 小蝌蚪APP MCOB's PhD Program
November 2, 2021

"Mitchell Moments" podcast help potential PhD students by offering advice and tips on how to choose and thrive in a Ph.D ...

South and USA Health raised $26,147,447 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, the largest total in its 58-year history. This record comes on the heels of the nearly $161 million raised during the University's 5-year Upward & Onward fundraising campaign.

USA Celebrates Record Fundraising Year
November 1, 2021

Nearly 4,500 donors help achieve a one-year fundraising record and supporting a wide range of USA and USA Health's missions. ...

South and the national "It's On Us" organization will host Sexual Assault Awareness/Consent Education 101, Bystander Education 101, and Survivor Support 101 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12, at the Student Center Terrace.

USA Offers Sexual Assault Training Sessions
October 29, 2021

South's HEART Project and Title IX office partners with the national nonprofit organization "It's On Us" to ho ...

小蝌蚪APP Professor Dr. Joseph Currier, seated at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Mobile, where is is a member, said he has felt drawn by his belief in God to psychology, theology and mental health counseling. He is leading a national project that seeks to integrate religious and spiritual competencies in training mental healthcare providers.

Faith in Counseling
October 28, 2021

Dr. Joseph Currier, a psychology professor at South, is leading a national project to integrate religious and spiritual competenci ...

Cooper Forsyth, a geology major from McCalla, Alabama, has plans to go to graduate school and earn a Ph.D. Field research and travel pique his interest.

Down to Earth
October 26, 2021

After working construction, Cooper Forsyth can't imagine having a desk job. He plans for field work and a Ph.D. after earning ...

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announces at an October 15, 2021 press conference that $41 million dollars from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 will fund 17 separate projects around the State. South’s project, the Healthy Ocean Initiative, will receive $2,018,880 of that total.

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Receives $2 Million Grant
October 25, 2021

Governor Kay Ivey's office and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources distributes the federal funding. ...

A full slate of activities will highlight South's homecoming week, October 25-30.

USA Ready For Homecoming 2021
October 22, 2021

South will celebrate homecoming week October 25-30, culminating with the Jags' football game against Arkansas State. ...

From left: Priscilla Agyemang, Kennedy Reese and Amiyah Kelly have been awarded the first Leaders in Social Justice and Perseverance scholarship established by the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile.

Leaders in Social Justice
October 19, 2021

Three USA seniors are awarded the first Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship, established by the University a ...

John Archibald, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and columnist of Alabama Media Group, will be the keynote speaker at the 小蝌蚪APP College of Arts and Sciences Communication Career Day event to be held Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the USA Student Center.

Speakers Set For Communication Career Day
October 19, 2021

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist John Archibald will be the keynote speaker for the event which is open to all majors. ...

The Jaguar Marching Band performs during South's football game against Georgia Southern at Hancock Whitney Stadium, October 14, 2021.

South to Host Inaugural Marching Band Championships
October 18, 2021

More than 2,000 high school musicians will perform in the inaugural South Alabama Marching Band Championships at Hancock Whitney S ...

Logan, left, and Mallorie Collins, twin sisters from Satsuma, Alabama, share a residence hall suite, a major in mechanical engineering and a spirit for cheering on the Jaguars.

Engineering South Spirit
October 14, 2021

Logan and Mallorie Collins, twin sisters from Satsuma, share a major, a residence hall suite and a passion for cheering on Jaguar ...

The new exhibit celebrating 50 years of archeology at South showcases a variety of artifacts year round from the Gulf Coast that covers more than 12,000 years of prehistory and history.

Celebrating 50 Years of Archaeology at South
October 11, 2021

The "50 Years of South Alabama Archaeology: 1970- 2020" exhibit will be on display at the museum until spring 2022. ...

Dr. Kern Jackson specializes in African American and Southeastern United States folklore and oral narrative. He is currently working on a book project titled “Masters, Servants and Mardi Gras: Listening to the Wise Ones’ Personal Narratives.”

Jackson to Present at 19th Annual Hamner Lecture
October 8, 2021

Dr. Kern Jackson, director of South's African American Studies program, will speak at the event in the Marx Library Auditoriu ...

The 小蝌蚪APP Board of Trustees have announcced three finalists for president. From left; Dr. Damon Andrew, Dean and Professor, College of Education, Florida State University; Mr. Jo Bonner, Chief of Staff to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey; Dr. Michael Tidwell, Immediate Past President, The University of Texas at Tyler.

President Finalists Announced
October 7, 2021

The USA Board of Trustees will welcome three candidates to interview as part of the search for the University's fourth presid ...

Saltwater flooding in a busy intersection in Oahu, HI is the result of sea level rise causing higher tides that back up the stormwater system. This type of flooding is known as "high tide flooding," "sunny day flooding," or "nuisance flooding." It's an example of how sea-level rise is affecting everyday life in coastal regions.

Studying Sea-Level Rise
October 6, 2021

South is part of a research group looking to develop more resilient coastal infrastructure and enhanced coastal ecosystems. ...

Chris Hites, a junior majoring in communications, works as a replay operator with other members of the student ESPN+ broadcast team in the control booth during Saturday's game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Lights, Jaguars, Action!
October 5, 2021

A student production team brings South sports to a nationwide audience on the ESPN+ network. Some of the crew members are communic ...

From L-R, Paul Sledge and Delmas McCryndle are interviewed by Dr. Kern Jackson and USA student Ruby Staten about growing up on the Five Rivers delta. A $453,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will help make interviews like this one available to the general public. At the same time, create a structure for courses and internships through which students and faculty can continue to build relationships with the community through oral history.

Huge Boost for the Humanities
October 4, 2021

$453,000 NEH grant is the largest South has ever received for the humanities and will support multiple programs on campus. ...

Dr. Shenghua Zha, assistant professor in the USA College of Education and Professional Studies has recently written a grant to help future teachers learn how to integrate computer science in their K-12 subjects.

Future Teachers to Introduce Computer Science Foundations to K-12 Students
October 1, 2021

NSF grant will help future elementary school teachers improve their subject knowledge, computational thinking and design skills. ...

At Thompson High School, Carter Mandy was on a state championship esports team. He's joined South's team and is majoring in radiologic sciences.

Game Time at South
September 30, 2021

Carter Mandy is a soccer referee, computer builder and esports gamer. At South, he's majoring in radiologic sciences and navi ...

Current Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technology and Practice graduate student Micah Mermilliod’s work will be on display at the upcoming art show. Mermilliod works as a curatorial assistant at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technology Art Show
September 28, 2021

Department of Art and Art History will exhibit works of current and former Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technology and Practice ...

小蝌蚪APP Director of International Education & Study Abroad Dr. Bri Ard has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award for 2021-2022. The Fulbright Program is considered the largest and most prestigious educational exchange program, providing recent college graduates, graduate students and young professionals the opportunity to continue their education or professional development through research and study in a foreign country

Ard Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
September 27, 2021

Dr. Bri Ard will teach American Studies at the University of Bucharest and conduct a qualitative research project on Romanian stud ...

Keon Farmer, a nursing major from Pass Christian, Mississippi, says he's learning to play volleyball at the Student Recreation Center. “Whoever comes, comes, and we’ll play from 6:30 to 11 o’clock closing at night. It’s hard core.”

Pass Forward
September 23, 2021

Keon Farmer, a nursing major from Pass Christian, Miss., starts his career at South with a new sport, part-time job and spot on th ...

The pumpkin patch sales are scheduled for Friday, October 1, and Friday, October 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Glass Art Building. Glass pumpkins will be priced between $15 to $100, and purchases can be made via cash, check or credit card.

South Students to Host Glass Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
September 22, 2021

Art students will showcase and sell their work raising funds to help maintain equipment for future glass students. ...

A vase manufactured with a small 3D printer in South’s chemistry building. Larger projects will now be possible after South landed an Economic Development Administration grant. The funding will be used to renovate the Science Laboratory Building and purchase mid-sized 3D printers. The University and local manufacturing companies will now be able to collaborate on research projects, in turn strengthening the local economy and providing students with the skills to work in a booming industry.

Grant To Fund Science Lab Upgrades
September 20, 2021

The Economic Development Administration awards $644,045 to improve South's 3D printing capabilities, including a metal printe ...

Anita Nguyen, an Honors College freshman, says a lot goes into an on-field marching band routine. The experience is energizing.

Up-Tempo
September 17, 2021

Honors College. First Year Council. Jaguar Marching Band. Anita Nguyen, a biomedical sciences major, says managing her busy schedu ...

FeAunte’ Preyear has been promoted to Coordinator of Title IX in the division of Student Affairs at the 小蝌蚪APP. She says her goal is, "to create an environment that is welcoming, accessible, inclusive and free from discrimination.”

FeAunte' Preyear Named Title IX Coordinator
September 16, 2021

Preyear, a South alumna, will be responsible for overseeing the University's compliance with Title IX regulations. ...

Dr. Haidee Custodio, an infectious disease pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics at USA Health, is enrolled in the 小蝌蚪APP Spanish for Healthcare Professionals Graduate Certificate Program, hoping to become proficient in Spanish to better serve her non-English speaking patients.

Breaking Through the Language Barrier
September 15, 2021

A new graduate certificate program prepares current and future healthcare professionals to serve Spanish-speaking patients. ...

Zuleima Russell, a senior majoring in biology, attends the 小蝌蚪APP with her daughter, Erica Howell, and son, Randall Russell.

Jaguar Mom
September 13, 2021

Zuleima Russell, a senior studying biology, shares the South campus with a son in computer science and a daughter studying mechani ...