Arts and Sciences News

Thomas “Reid” Nelson credits South’s Ph.D. program in marine sciences with having the resources and range of expertise in faculty to support his research interests and education. He works in a National Marine Fisheries Service lab with other scientists from UC Santa Cruz.

#MyFirstJob: Thomas 'Reid' Nelson
July 22, 2019

In a lab along the California coast, Reid Nelson researches ways to improve survival rates of juvenile salmon migrating to sea. ...

Dr. T. Grant Glover, seated, demonstrates an early-stage prototype of the next-generation carbon dioxide scrubber being developed for the International Space State. Colleagues Dr. Matthew Reichert, from left, standing; Dr. James Davis and Dr. Kevin West are colleagues on the research project, which is financed by a $1.1 million grant from NASA.

South Awarded $3.8 Million for Ionic Liquids
July 18, 2019

USA researchers are leading the way in developing liquid salt as an environmentally friendly solvent, on Earth and in outer space. ...

Dr. Sarah Koon-Magnin, associate professor of political science and criminal justice, works with volunteers who act as advocates for sexual assault victims. The work is done through Lifelines Counseling Services of Mobile.

Examining the 'Disclosure Experience'
July 18, 2019

The #MeToo movement has brought focus to sexual assault. Dr. Sarah Koon-Magnin works to make talking about it less traumatic. ...

Zane Patterson's official title at Shipshape Urban Farms is account manager. But working at a start-up means pitching in wherever he's needed, and Patterson said he thrives on that culture. "I enjoy the flexibility of entrepreneurship,” he said.

#MyFirstJob: Zane Patterson
June 17, 2019

An account manager at Shipshape Urban Farms, Zane Patterson thrives on start-up culture. 'I get to help shape this business.' ...

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from the University of South Alabama in 2017, was named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others'
June 13, 2019

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from South in 2017, is named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year. ...

Dr. Ken Heck, professor emeritus, and Alex Rodriguez, a technician in Heck's lab, look at seagrass samples from near Port St. Joe, Fla., as part of their research to find ways for replenishing the grasses.

Protecting the Gulf's Underwater Nurseries
May 31, 2019

Propellers, hurricanes and even sea turtles pose a threat to Gulf of Mexico seagrass. South researchers aim to reverse its decline. ...

Dr. David Meola, the Bert and Fanny Meisler Assistant Professor of History and Jewish Studies and director of the Jewish and Holocaust Studies Program, will research the involvement of Jewish Germans in the German liberal and democratic movement of the 1830s and 1840s as a Fulbright Scholar.

South Professor Awarded Fulbright
April 5, 2019

Dr. David Meola, director of the Jewish and Holocaust Studies Program, will conduct research in Germany for two summers. ...

Grand Rapids, Mich., Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, standing in front of the skyline of Michigan's second-largest city, graduated summa cum laude in 1997 with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. “When I was going through my undergraduate studies, I did not imagine I would be running for office someday,” she said.

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City
March 13, 2019

At South, Rosalynn Bliss '97 wasn't considering a career in politics. Then she became Grand Rapids' youngest mayor in 132 years. ...

Dr. Kate Brown, professor of history in the science, technology and society department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will be the speaker at the 2019 Mahan Lecture on March 14. The lecture is free and open to the public.

MIT Professor to Speak on Nuclear Power
March 6, 2019

Dr. Kate Brown will address questions about nuclear power and its potentially catastrophic effects on humanity and the environment. ...

Dr. Kern Jackson is an assistant professor of English and the director of USA's African-American Studies Program.

Highlights in African-American Studies
February 26, 2019

From the "Black Experience" course to a 2016 teach-in, here are nine moments in USA's African-American Studies Program. ...

A photo of the Jan. 20 "blood moon," taken shortly before 11:15 p.m. using a Canon EOS 5D in west Mobile.

Top 7 Astronomical Events This Year
February 22, 2019

This year's blood moon captured the public's attention, to space and on social media. South's expert lists what's next. ...

Associate professor Dr. John Lanicci, whose research focuses on extreme weather events, placed 36 rain gauges around the area of the Kennedy Space Center. He found the amount of annual rainfall varied as much as 16 inches over an area approximately one-eighth the size of Mobile County.

What's the Rainfall Count? It Depends
February 21, 2019

Dr. John Lanicci's research suggests rainfall measurements can vary widely, a potential vulnerability for stormwater infrastructure. ...

Senior chemistry students Madison McBroom, left, of Huntsville and Amanda Tanner of Cantonment, Fla., listen as Dr. William Richert talks about their research with ionic liquids in the field of 3D printing.

Developing a Printer Worth Its Salt
February 5, 2019

Ionic liquids, or liquid salt, may one day be used in 3D printing. Dr. Matthew Reichert is exploring the possibilities. ...

Dr. Thomas Shaw, director of USA Polling, and Dr. Jaclyn Bunch, associate director, have conducted surveys on everything from health care and public policy to schoolchildren’s summer vacations.

Survey Says ... USA Polling Group
January 25, 2019

In a lab in South's Humanities Building, pollsters blend art and science to get accurate answers from the other end of the phone. ...

Jessica Gwinn, a Ph.D. student at South, samples herbivorous fish and algae on a rig south of Dauphin Island in July 2018. Gwinn's work was part of an international research project of ciguatera lead by the University of South Alabama.

No Taste, No Smell and No Effective Treatment
January 25, 2019

A USA marine scientist is leading an international research study of ciguatera, the world's most prevalent seafood-toxin illness. ...

A nearly $500,000 grant awarded to USA will strengthen and help expand existing programs in international studies and modern and classical languages and literature. “This is the first time South and the College of Arts and Sciences have received this type grant," said Dr. Christine Rinne, associate professor of German and the principal investigator on the grant.

South Wins Grant to Expand Global Studies
January 7, 2019

The nearly $500,000 grant will enhance language offerings and global health and international studies opportunities. ...

It's the Most Wonderful Time
November 30, 2018

South will host its free holiday concert, open to the community, on Dec. 6 at the USA Mitchell Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ...

Sam Sangster, Peyton Barlow and Dillon Blount, senior meteorology majors at USA, were awarded American Meteorological Society scholarships.

USA Meteorology Students Receive Top Awards
October 17, 2018

Peyton Barlow, Dillon Blount and Sam Sangster were awarded American Meteorological Society scholarships. ...

Graduate student Yvonne LeBrun prepares to hang the art for the Cross Connections 2018 International Exhibit of Design & Illustration.The exhibit runs through Oct. 31.

International Art Exhibit Opens at South
October 16, 2018

Works of students from 10 institutions of higher education around the world will open Oct. 18 and continue through Oct. 31. ...

Maj. Christopher Dyke, USA alumnus and an aerial weather reconnaissance officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters,” reviews weather data collected during a storm flight. The Hurricane Hunters fall under command of the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes
October 8, 2018

Hurricane Hunter and South alum Chris Dyke heads into the storms that others flee as a major in the Air Force's 403rd Wing. ...

Amanda Watson, left, joins fellow University of South Alabama students Parker McGee and Asia Smith to rehearse the musical “Godspell,” which opens Saturday, Sept. 29.

Theatre USA Opens Season With 'Godspell'
September 26, 2018

The production will run Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 4-6. All performances will be at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. ...

Dusty Norris, a graduate of the University of South Alabama’s anthropology program, is using an archaeology tool to record information about one of the artifacts found at the sites of the shotgun houses in areas of downtown Mobile. This preliminary work is being done as plans for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project moves forward.

Modest Homes, Rich History
August 14, 2018

A USA archaeology team is conducting fieldwork at the site of several shotgun houses; 'These tend to be the forgotten people.' ...

Cataloging the Past for Future Growth
July 12, 2018

A USA archaeology team is doing field work at the future site of the proposed Mobile River bridge and Bayway expansion. ...

Researchers and volunteers are hanging lime-green sticky traps in citrus trees near the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to try and catch bugs that are threatening the trees' existence. Dr. David Battiste, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of South Alabama, teams up with Daniel Forbes, a student at Mobile's Davidson High School.

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus
July 10, 2018

USA chemist Dr. David Battiste and his citrus soldiers are on the hunt to capture the destructive Asian citrus psyllid. ...

University of South Alabama graduate Dana Faye Housch moved to Dresden, Germany, in 2009 and founded a nonprofit organization called German Lessons for Refugees. Photo courtesy of Dana Faye Housch.

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance
June 27, 2018

South graduate Dana Faye Housch found her home in Dresden, Germany. She's now helping refugees do the same. ...

Arts and Sciences News Archive

#MyFirstJob: Thomas 'Reid' Nelson July 22, 2019

South Awarded $3.8 Million for Ionic Liquids July 18, 2019

Examining the 'Disclosure Experience' July 18, 2019

#MyFirstJob: Zane Patterson June 17, 2019

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others' June 13, 2019

Protecting the Gulf's Underwater Nurseries May 31, 2019

South Professor Awarded Fulbright April 5, 2019

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City March 13, 2019

MIT Professor to Speak on Nuclear Power March 6, 2019

Highlights in African-American Studies February 26, 2019

Top 7 Astronomical Events This Year February 22, 2019

What's the Rainfall Count? It Depends February 21, 2019

Developing a Printer Worth Its Salt February 5, 2019

Survey Says ... USA Polling Group January 25, 2019

No Taste, No Smell and No Effective Treatment January 25, 2019

South Wins Grant to Expand Global Studies January 7, 2019

It's the Most Wonderful Time November 30, 2018

USA Meteorology Students Receive Top Awards October 17, 2018

International Art Exhibit Opens at South October 16, 2018

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes October 8, 2018

Theatre USA Opens Season With 'Godspell' September 26, 2018

Modest Homes, Rich History August 14, 2018

Cataloging the Past for Future Growth July 12, 2018

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus July 10, 2018

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance June 27, 2018