USA News Archives | Media Relations

Martin J. Heslin, MD, MSHA has been named director of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. A renowned surgical oncologist is the former associate director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Heslin Named Director of USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
January 1, 2021

Heslin leaves the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB to take over the reins at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. ...

Temple James, left, and Yavaniy Garraway have been named winners of the "I Belong" essay contest hosted by the Department of English, Honors College, Student Academic Success, and Counseling and Testing Center.

This Is Where I Belong
December 30, 2020

Winners chosen in for the first, "I Belong" essay competition describing each students' journey that led them to So ...

Les’Lee Gilberry, left, and Cassandra Kellum were inspired to start a pair of annual scholarships for student-athletes at South. The awards will be called SWAG, short for Student With Athletic Grit.

On a Fast Track to Giving Back
December 29, 2020

Former USA runners Cassandra Kellum and Les'Lee Gilberry get a jump start on two scholarships to support student-athletes. ...

Louis and Melinda Mapp donated land this summer to USA Health for a Baldwin County medical campus. “Communities can’t make it without good healthcare,” he said. In all, the Mapp Family Foundation has given away more than $6 million, including several six-figure donations to USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where Louis has volunteered in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mapps Offer Direction to Success
December 29, 2020

Louis and Melinda Mapp believe quality healthcare is critical for progress. They fuel its advancement through humble philanthropy. ...

University of South Alabama street sign.

University Holiday Schedule
December 18, 2020

Most University of South Alabama departments will be closed until Jan. 4, 2021. Academic classes resume Jan. 19, 2021. ...

Briana Morris, the Sun Belt Conference's 2019-20 Female Student-Athlete of the Year, is scheduled to play in the spring 2021 season for Danish soccer team Aarhus Gymnastikforening Kvindefodbold, more commonly known as AGF. Photo courtesy of Briana Morris.

From South Alabama to Scandinavia
December 18, 2020

Accounting graduate student, alumna and student-athlete of the year Briana Morris readies to take the field in Denmark. ...

Dr. Mara Kozelsky, professor of history, is leading the effort to develop a digital history lab planned for a fall 2021 opening.

South Building Digital History Lab
December 17, 2020

A U.S. Department of Education grant provides $20,000 in seed money to develop and build an on-campus digital history lab. ...

Since 1998, the University and USA Health have raised over $5.5 million for the United Way of Southwest Alabama through its annual campaign.

Annual Campaign Raises $224,316 for United Way
December 16, 2020

More than 1,700 University of South Alabama and USA Health employees and retirees contribute to the United Way annual campaign. ...

Dr. Claire Cage, associate professor of history and gender studies is one of 13 USA Office of Community Engagement and Service Learning Program Faculty Fellows.

Faculty Fellows for Community Engagement Program Named
December 15, 2020

The inaugural class of 13 full-time assistant and associate professors from six colleges were chosen for the program. ...

The University of South Alabama holds the easement to 60 acres adjacent to Historic Blakeley State Park along the Tensaw River. The property, in addition to more than 30,000 acres throughout rural Alabama and Mississippi, can be used by South faculty for research and teaching.

Land Newly Available for Research, Teaching
December 15, 2020

Collaborations with The Conservation Fund and the J.L. Bedsole Foundation open access to properties across Alabama. ...

Kane Wommack is a finalist for the Broyles award given annually to the nation's top assistant coach and at 33, becomes the youngest head coach on the FBS level.

Kane Wommack Named Head Football Coach
December 12, 2020

The Indiana defensive coordinator returns to South, where he served in the same capacity for the Jags during the 2016-17 seasons. ...

Dr. Neil Schwarz, an associate professor of exercise science, has three active externally funded, industry sponsored projects in which he is serving as the principal investigator.

Studying the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements
December 10, 2020

Dr. Neil Schwarz, an associate professor of exercise science, is leading three externally funded industry sponsored projects. ...

From L-R; Dr. Lesley Gregoricka, associate professor of anthropology, was selected as Scholar of the Year, Dr. Joseph Hair, professor of marketing and quantitative methods, receives Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Thomas Rowell, professor of music, was selected as Artist of the Year.

Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2020-21 Award Recipients
December 10, 2020

USA's Phi Kappa Phi Chapter has been recognized for excellence nationally, while three faculty members earn individual awards ...

From L-R; Jennifer Henderson, Amanda Ledet, Emory Serviss combined to win Best Paper in the Business-to-Business track as well as the Steven J. Shaw & Joe Hair Overall Conference Best Paper awards in November.

Business Doctoral Students Excel at Marketing Conference
December 9, 2020

A trio of USA doctoral students collaborate to win multiple awards at the Society for Marketing Advances annual conference. ...

Former South student Benjamin Pelham outside of his trailer on the set of the film "Embattled."

Playing the Role of Trailblazer
December 8, 2020

Former PASSAGE USA student Benjamin Pelham continues to overcome challenges and appears in the film ‘Embattled.’ ...

From L-R, Margaret Sullivan, USA vice president of development and academic affairs, Dr. Andre Green, USA associate vice president of academic affairs and president of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Glyn Agnew, AT&T regional director for external and legislative affairs, Dr. Errol Crook, 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile.

AT&T Contributes to Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship
December 4, 2020

AT&T's contribution will total $20,000 through dollar-for-dollar matching by the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative. ...

Lexie Gibson is a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Medical Student to Present Findings at National Symposium
December 4, 2020

Lexie Gibson found a link between diabetes and significantly higher hospitalization and death rates for COVID-19 patients. ...

Jake and Pat Gosa pledged $5 million to the University of South Alabama. The gift will be split between the Mitchell College of Business and the College of Nursing.

Gosa Family Makes $5 Million Gift
December 3, 2020

The donation from Jake and Pat Gosa will be split between the Mitchell College of Business and the College of Nursing. ...

A Life Well Lived
December 1, 2020

University of South Alabama Writer in Residence, Frye Gaillard's latest book is deeply personal memoir of his late wife Nancy ...

Bailey Trout Stephenson, a 2018 graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, worked in a Brooklyn hospital in the spring, taking care of COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit. The work, like the virus, could be unforgiving. “I was there to help save the life of each patient I cared for, and that didn’t happen,” she said.

At Their Bedsides With Care, Compassion
November 30, 2020

College of Nursing graduate Bailey Trout Stephenson confronted the pandemic in a New York hospital. The battle continued at home. ...

The 3-year, $493,244 grant will provide support for USA and a campus interprofessional team to increase awareness and establish a campus-wide outreach program for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.

Empowering Sexual Assault Survivors
November 30, 2020

South receives a federal grant to develop highly skilled nurses to serve as a resource and support for sexual assault survivors. ...

USA's engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi is named the nation's most outstanding chapter for the second year in a row.

A Winning Tradition
November 24, 2020

South's Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society named outstanding chapter for second year in a row. ...

Dr. Ronald Baker, assistant professor in the department of marine sciences co-authored a paper on salt marshes that was published in Science magazine's November 6, 2020 issue.

DISL Researcher's Work Published in Science Magazine
November 24, 2020

A November 2019 meeting at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab led to a report on salt marshes published in esteemed scientific journal. ...

$160.9 Million Raised in Upward & Onward
November 19, 2020

South exceeds fundraising goal with more than 23,000 donations to support academics, research, athletics and healthcare. ...

Dr. Kelly Dorgan, an associate professor of marine science at the University of South Alabama, studies worms and their impact on marine sediment.

The 'Important, Poorly Understood' Worm
November 18, 2020

Dr. Kelly Dorgan studies worms and marine sediment, creatively piecing together what she calls the 'puzzle of science.' ...

Land Newly Available for Research, Teaching
November 17, 2020

Faculty and students will have access to more than 30,000 acres, including land along the Tensaw River in the Mobile Delta. ...

Dr. Kevin White, professor and chair of USA's department of civil, coastal and environmental engineering leads a pilot program addressing wastewater treatment in Alabama's Black Belt region.

USA Leads Program to Address Wastewater Treatment
November 17, 2020

South lands a Columbia World Projects grant that will help improve wastewater treatment in Alabama's rural Black Belt region. ...

From left, University of South Alabama students Crystal Pitts, Josh Yang, Aaron Mattox, Muhammed Mubasshir Hossain and Associate Professor Dr. Saeed Latif meet to discuss the SWARM-EX project that will lead to small satellites being launched into the atmosphere.

Small Satellites, Big Learning Opportunities
November 17, 2020

A USA engineering professor and his students are building light-weight satellites in an out-of-this-world research project. ...

University of South Alabama Assistant Professor Dr. Krista Mehari and Professor Dr. Phillip Smith were awarded a $1.8 million grant to research strategies to reduce gun-related suicides and homicides. The project will last three years and will focus on better understanding the perspective of people who possess and own guns to improve public health strategies.

Grant Seeks to Reduce Gun Deaths
November 17, 2020

Firearm safety measures often focus on access. Two South professors aim to take a different approach with buy-in from gun owners. ...

From left, University of South Alabama President Dr. Tony Waldrop, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile President Dr. André Green, Hancock Whitney Business Banker Tramaine Perry, Alabama Market President Guy Helmsing, Middle Market Banker Angela Dunn, and USA Vice President for Development Margaret Sullivan at Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

Hancock Whitney Gives to Social Justice Scholarship
November 13, 2020

Hancock Whitney Bank pledges $20,000 to the University of South Alabama Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship. ...

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne signs the Deed of Gift as Dr. Tony Waldrop, president of the University of South Alabama, looks on. The University now houses the congressional records of four Alabama District 1 representatives spanning 56 years.

Byrne Donates Congressional Record to USA
November 13, 2020

Rep. Bradley Byrne becomes the fourth consecutive representative from Alabama's 1st Congressional District to gift his record ...

Dr. Jeremy Fletcher, a major in the Army Reserves and assistant professor of physical therapy in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health, will speak at Wednesday's Veteran's Day event.

South Recognized for Military Student Support
November 10, 2020

Office of Veterans Affairs offers support for veterans and their families, including certification for G.I. Benefits. ...

University of South Alabama Arts and Sciences faculty members were recognized for their achievements at the 39th Annual Dean’s Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony, including, clockwise from top left, Dr. Joseph Currier, Dr. Krista Mehari, Dr. Amy Sprinkle, Dr. Robert Holm, Joel Borden, Mischa Armstrong, Kristy Britt, Dr. David Durant and Dr. Alexandra Stenson.

College of Arts and Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Faculty
November 10, 2020

Nine faculty members are recognized for their achievements during the 39th Annual Dean's Lecture and Faculty Awards. ...

Morgan Cross scored two goals in the final 5:39 to lead the Jaguar women's soccer team to its second straight Sun Belt Conference championship and its seventh in the last eight years.

A Fall Tradition: Jags Clinch Soccer Title
November 9, 2020

South's women's soccer team rallies late to beat Arkansas State 2-1 to win another Sun Belt Conference championship. ...

University of South Alabama Police Officer Roy Mendenhall, sitting in front of the Humanities Building where he once took classes, earned a degree in criminal justice in 2016. He's one of three officers at South who graduated from the University that same year.

Now in Boots, He Walked in Students' Shoes
November 9, 2020

Roy Mendenhall, like most officers in the USA Police Department, graduated from South. He found a career, and a wider world. ...

University of South Alabama students and their parents can learn the most effective way to apply for federal financial aid by attending a FAFSA Frenzy virtual workshop.

Applying for Federal Financial Aid Made Easy
November 6, 2020

USA Schedules "FASFA Frenzy" a free virtual financial aid workshop to simplify the application process for federal aid. ...

Dr. Thomas Shaw, associate professor of political science and director of the USA Polling Group, said public opinion surveys will remain a useful tool for gauging opinion. “I think what we will probably see is a continuation of traditional survey research that needs to adapt itself to the new landscape, and then augmented with other ways of trying to look at public opinion,” he said.

Polling 'Vital,' So Are Fixes
November 6, 2020

USA Polling Group Director Dr. Thomas Shaw reflects on General Election polling and why public opinion surveys still matter. ...

Nila Clardy took part in South's first commencement in 1967, beginning a long family connection with the University.

A Jaguar Legacy
November 2, 2020

A move to Mobile changed Nila Clardy's college plans and began a generational connection to the University of South Alabama. ...

Honors student and freshman Samuel Blankenship's Eagle Scout project was “Unpack Hunger,” a food collection and distribution program. “Once quarantine hit, it turned into delivering packs to the school counselor, so kids could keep getting them. We were able to do 25 packs for 10 weeks,” he said.

Tackling Hunger, Trivia on Random Things
October 27, 2020

#FreshmanFocus: Honors student and former quiz bowler Samuel Blankenship focused his Eagle Scout project on hungry students. ...

2009 South graduate, Jaysum Hunter completed a 21-day, 1,000-mile bike ride from his home in Chicago to his hometown of Mobile.

The Ride of a Lifetime
October 26, 2020

Looking to inspire others, South alumnus Jaysum Hunter put his career on temporary hold to take an epic bicycle journey. ...

South student receives tutoring at USA's Center for Academic Excellence.

At South, Student Success is a Team Effort
October 21, 2020

Support programs at South, from housing to financial aid, are helping students succeed even during the most trying of times. ...

Dr. Kern Jackson, USA's African American Studies chair, is part of a documentary film examining the origins and evolution of blues music in Alabama's Black Belt region.

Alabama's Black Belt Blues
October 20, 2020

USA assistant professor Dr. Kern Jackson is featured in an Alabama Public Television documentary on Alabama's blues music his ...

David K. Akridge, chief information officer for the Mobile County Public School System, said support from faculty, determination and a music scholarship led to his degree in computer and information sciences from the University of South Alabama.

An Eye for Coding, A Voice for a Scholarship
October 19, 2020

New technology in the 80s intrigued David Akridge, a chief of information officer who sang his way through college. ...

USA Health and University leaders hold a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a new freestanding emergency department adjacent to South's academic campus. “In addition to providing advanced emergency care, this facility also will support our mission to train the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Dr. Tony Waldrop, University president.

USA Health Celebrates West Mobile E.D.
October 14, 2020

The freestanding emergency department adjacent to campus will provide advanced care and training for healthcare providers. ...

Kaylee Williams, a freshman from Biloxi, said the coronavirus kept her from visiting South Korea, but she hopes to learn how to speak the language as well as Spanish.

Biloxi Student Turns to South
October 14, 2020

#FreshmanFocus: Kaylee Williams follows an interest in global affairs (and Korean hip-hop) to major in international studies. ...

USA mascot SouthPaw shows off the new Hancock Whitney Jaguars branded debit card.

USA and Hancock Whitney Expand Partnership
October 13, 2020

Hancock Whitney named "Official Bank of the University of South Alabama" and sole provider of the USA Jaguars debit card ...

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). NCSAM is a month out of the year in which the cybersecurity professional community comes together to focus on cybersecurity and encourage others to exercise proper cyber hygiene.

Take Care, Be Cyber Aware
October 12, 2020

USA's Information Security Office has important cyber security topics for each week in October, National Cyber Security month ...

United Way Campaign chairs. From L-R, Dr. Andre Green, associate vice president academic affairs. Lisa Mestas, CNO, USA Health, Dr. Stephen Kayes, professor of medical education, retired.

The Giving Season
October 9, 2020

Faculty, staff and retirees continue to show their generosity during the USA-United Way of Southwest Alabama annual campaign. ...

New grant money will allow the PASSAGE USA program to expand, including offering a new four-year option for students.

Major Grant Fuels PASSAGE USA Expansion
October 8, 2020

The College of Education and Professional Studies has been awarded a $2.3 million grant to expand its PASSAGE USA program. ...

Freshman Thanh Haas said the Marx Library is her favorite location on campus at the University of South Alabama. “I like the view from the second floor. You can sit next to the big windows and look out over the lake,” she said.

Move Brings Adventure, New Direction
October 6, 2020

#FreshmanFocus: Thanh Haas was raised in Vietnam and has a German last name. Now she's getting a South education. ...