USA News Archives | Media Relations

University of South Alabama Collegiate 100 members attend the 31st Annual 100 Black Men National Conference held recently in New Orleans. From left are Cornelius Madison, senior mechanical engineering major from Montgomery; Broderick Morrissette, junior information technology major from Prichard; Dr. Michael Mitchell, vice president for student affairs and adviser of Collegiate 100; Myles Payton, sophomore communication major from Montgomery; and Adreun Malone, senior professional health sciences major from Memphis, Tenn.

'Prepping for Success:' The Collegiate 100
January 26, 2017

Members of South's Collegiate 100 recently served as delegates at the 100 Black Men National Conference in New Orleans. ...

box filled with donated toiletries and miscellaneous personal items for distribution to tornado victims

Jags Collecting Donations for Tornado Victims
January 25, 2017

South is accepting donations for William Carey University students displaced by a recent tornado at their Mississippi campus. ...

Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie, a 2015 South graduate, used hand-made signs to warn viewers about severe weather when his sound was knocked out.

Sound Knocked Out, Grad Grabs Sharpie
January 25, 2017

Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie of WDAM-TV 7 quickly improvised as a tornado bore down on his viewers near Hattiesburg, Miss. ...

Junior anthropology majors Shaunna Goetz, left, and Antonia Carter recently visited the United Arab Emirates to do preliminary research on ancient bones, which have since been sent to South for a long-term study.

South Archaeologists Travel to the UAE
January 24, 2017

The all-female team led by Dr. Lesley Gregoricka sent back ancient bones for a long-term study on how people lived and died. ...

Dr. Jung-Hyun Kim, Ph.D., left, a post-doctoral fellow, and Dr. Erin Ahn, Ph.D., associate professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, collected and analyzed the clinical features of 20 unrelated patients who shared a developmental delay and intellectual disability, and narrowed down which genes are closely related to brain development.

Cancer Research Leads to Syndrome Discovery
January 23, 2017

The findings by two USA Mitchell Cancer Institute researchers ends a New York family's search for their daughter's diagn ...

R&B singer Jeremih will perform April 8 at the USA Mitchell Center. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Mitchell Center Box Office.

Jeremih to Perform at USA Spring Concert
January 21, 2017

Jaguar Productions and the Student Government Association will bring the R&B singer and songwriter to the Mitchell Center Apri ...

Phiwat Klomkaew, left, a junior chemical engineering major, and Kevin Ingles, a junior math and physics major, will present scientific papers at the 94th Alabama Academy of Sciences annual meeting.

Undergrad Experiences, Ph.D. Expectations
January 19, 2017

Two USA juniors will present papers at the Alabama Academy of Sciences annual meeting next month on South's campus. ...

USA Medical Center Administrator Sam Dean has more than 15 years of health care leadership experience, including in Birmingham and Mississippi.

New Administrator Begins at USAMC
January 19, 2017

Sam Dean is responsible for operations at USA Medical Center, which serves as the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center. ...

Dr. Don Mosley, professor of management in the Mitchell College of Business and executive director of the college’s Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said corporate tax reform, economic stimulation and deregulation would help small businesses thrive.

Good News For Small Businesses?
January 18, 2017

The backbone of America's economy could get a boost if President-elect Donald Trump and Congress do these three things. ...

Ashlyn Cohen, left, and Lydia Turner help lead a session on the Declaration of Independence and equality during Monday's 'teach-in' held in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Freedom, Equality Focus of 'Teach-In'
January 17, 2017

The student-organized forum included a robust discussion and dissection of wording in the Declaration of Independence. ...

University of South Alabama students participate in a clean-up project Monday as part of the MLK Day of Service.

USA Remembers King With Outreach
January 16, 2017

Hundreds of South volunteers participate in MLK Day of Service projects to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ...

South staff recognized in 40 under Forty.

Strong Showing in 40 Under Forty
January 13, 2017

Faculty, staff and alumni representing both academics and health care join Mobile Bay magazine's annual leaders list. ...

Through her job, Kelsey Ramirez finds ways to help teens who are dealing with issues such as substance abuse, emotional illness or criminal charges. The goal is to provide outpatient care so they can continue living with family at home rather than being sent to residential treatment programs or state detention.

Internship Leads to New Perspective
January 11, 2017

Kelsey Ramirez had resolved against working with children. That was until she found her calling at a child welfare agency. ...

During her training at the State Police Academy in Selma, Ala., Ashton Pennington was awarded the prestigious “Leadership Award.”

South Grad's Office Has Four Wheels
January 9, 2017

Ashton Pennington, an officer with South's Police Department, was a javelin thrower and Student Auxiliary officer at USA. ...

The Last Mentsch is considered a beautiful film of friendship and healing. Image captures three individuals in deep discussion with piles of junk equipment and tires in the background. Photo courtesy of Menemsha Films.

Screenings Set for Jewish Film Festival
January 6, 2017

Three films will be shown on South's Mobile and Fairhope campuses as part of the 16th annual Mobile Jewish Film Festival. ...

Karen Finklea, a physician assistant graduate student at South, is one of the recipients of the 2016 National Health Service Corps scholarship.

Committed to Health Care for the Underserved
January 4, 2017

PA graduate student Karen Finklea earns a competitive national scholarship to help those with limited access to health care. ...

SOLD! First Preparation, then the Pitch
January 4, 2017

Business students analyzed local commercial properties and, as part of their grade, presented to Mobile real estate leaders. ...

Pooja Revanna, a junior Honors student, works with her mentor, Dr. Peter Sykora, at a USA Mitchell Cancer Institute lab.

'I Know What They Are Going Through'
January 4, 2017

Diagnosed with cancer now in remission, Honors junior Pooja Revanna is working toward a career as a pediatric oncologist. ...

University Holiday Schedule
December 22, 2016

Most departments will be closed until Jan. 3, 2017; a limited number observe different schedules during the break. ...

Dr. Gary A. Piazza, professor of pharmacology and oncologic sciences at USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, will be inducted as a NAI Fellow on April 6, 2017, at the Sixth Annual Conference of the NAI in Boston.

Piazza named NAI Fellow, a first for South
December 20, 2016

MCI's Dr. Gary A. Piazza, who holds 70 issued or pending patents, has been recognized by the National Academy of Inventors. ...

Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development, speaks at a news conference designating Mobile as a TechHire Community. "Mobile is South’s community," she said, "and we always want to be part of moving this community forward any way we can."

Mobile Designated TechHire Community
December 19, 2016

South helps city earn classification and commits with partners to train and employ 500 information technology job candidates. ...

Yolanda L. Lewis is the court administrator/chief administrative officer for the Superior Court of Fulton County Georgia in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, and 5th Judicial Administrative District.

Bringing Order to the Court in Atlanta
December 14, 2016

Yolanda Lewis '00, '02 manages 300 people and a $24.5 million budget as Superior Court of Fulton County, Ga., administra ...

Elmer Sellers, retired USA Medical Center assistant administrator , unveils the new USA Medical Center sign at Mobile Street. The hospital houses the region's only Level I trauma center and has one of the busiest burn units in the country.

Same Spot, New Address for USA Medical Center
December 13, 2016

Section of Fillingim Street renamed USA Medical Center Drive in a nod to the hospital with the area's only Level 1 trauma cen ...

Dr. Craig Pearce, Ben May Distinguished Professor in the USA Mitchell College of Business, pioneered the management technique of shared leadership after working as a consultant in Great Britain.

Meet 'Mr. Shared Leadership'
December 12, 2016

Dr. Craig Pearce says companies should rethink their management structure to increase efficiency, productivity and profit. ...

Retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral William "Dean" Lee's name was the first called Saturday as he led graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences to receive their degrees, then to shake hands with USA President Dr. Tony Waldrop. Lee graduated in 1979 but did not walk, "something I've always regretted."

'My Job Wasn't to be the Smartest Guy'
December 10, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral William "Dean" Lee '79 conveys to graduates the importance of team work, character and leaders ...

While searching for a teaching job after graduating, Robert Bennie Warren said he will continue to work on his fourth book. Titled “Archetype,” it centers around a female child soldier in Africa with super powers.

Author Writing His Next Chapter — and Book
December 5, 2016

With two degrees and three published books, Robert Bennie Warren plans to teach, write and, perhaps, work on a doctorate. ...

Robin Campbell, who after a little more than two years at South is set to receive her undergraduate degree, plans to pursue her master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology.

From a Challenging Start, a Fast Finish
December 5, 2016

Abandoned in China and raised by her adopted grandparents, Robin Campbell finishes her degree in a little more than two years. ...

Retired in 1998, Dr. Robert Barrow remains a familiar face around campus, where he takes a daily walk with his wife, Margot; daughter, Audrey; and Bucky the Boston terrier.

His Mentorship Led to an Internship, Career
December 5, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral William 'Dean' Lee credits Dr. Robert Barrow with guiding him from mall watcher to homeland protect ...

Retired Vice Admiral William “Dean” Lee, who served as Atlantic Area Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, will deliver the Fall Commencement address on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the Mitchell Center.

Retired Vice Admiral to Address Graduates
December 5, 2016

William 'Dean' Lee '79 will speak at Saturday's commencement, which will be live-streamed from the Mitchell Ce ...

Alexis Atkins, vice president of human resources/principal in co-ownership of Budweiser Busch Distributing, Inc., has been appointed to fill a term that will expire in 2019. She is a past president of the USA National Alumni Association.

Governor Appoints South Alumna to Board
December 2, 2016

Alexis Atkins, a principal in co-ownership of Budweiser Busch Distributing, Inc., of Mobile, is past president of the USA National ...

Engineering student Yousef Omar, right, and Dr. Sumit Arora, instructor in the College of Engineering's Core Facility, examine a silver wire magnified 200 times with the University's scanning electron microscope. Silver nanoparticles are a key ingredient in their research efforts regarding sunscreens and other biomedical applications.

In Search of a Safer Sunscreen
December 1, 2016

Undergrad Yousef Omar describes his 'insanely awesome' research on a more effective sun blocker using silver nanoparticl ...

'Winter Wonderland' set for Mitchell Center
November 28, 2016

USA musicians will perform traditional and modern arrangements of holiday favorites Thursday at a free public concert. ...

South Raises $259,263 for Local Agencies
November 23, 2016

More than 2,600 employees and retirees contributed to this year's United Way Campaign, including 128 who gave $500 or more. ...

Dr. Reid Cummings, director of the Center for Real Estate and Economic Development at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business, the best way to be financially successful during the holidays is to make a good plan, and then stick to it.

Keep Calm and Carry Credit Wisely
November 22, 2016

As the holiday shopping season gets underway, South's Dr. Reid Cummings offers eight ways to survive on a budget. ...

Rebecca Fitz, left, is visiting the United States through a bilateral student exchange program. Patricia Bellido Jara, a South student, attended Fitz's University of Passau in Germany in the spring. "There’s no question the cultures are different – and that can be a shock – but each place I visited was unique in its own way," Bellido Jara said.

7,000 Miles Apart, Two Cultures Cross Paths
November 18, 2016

South's Study Abroad student exchange program is shrinking distances while expanding global experiences. ...

South students in the emergency medical services program load a "victim" onto a helicopter for treatment at a local hospital during an annual disaster drill held Thursday on campus.

Today in Class: Bananas and Helicopters
November 17, 2016

South students learn how to keep a cool head — and suture fruit — during a campus mass-casualty drill. (Fake blood inc ...

Junior Alex Coley, left, and Dr. Glen Borchert are among a growing number of USA undergraduates and faculty members collaborating on research that crosses disciplines. Coley and Borchert use this microscope to look at pancreatic cancer cells.

Finding Ways to Starve Cancer Cells
November 14, 2016

Honors program junior Alex Coley, with the help of a faculty mentor, is researching ways to target vulnerabilities in cells. ...

Seniors Sadie Bell Freeman and Tahj Vaughans star in Theatre USA's production of "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?"

'A Thrill Ride Not to be Missed'
November 14, 2016

Contemporary drama 'When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?', set in a 1960s diner in New Mexico, runs at Theatre USA unti ...

Dr. Thomas Shaw, director of the USA Polling Group/Survey Research Center, said representative sample-based polling remains the most accurate way to obtain information about what large groups of people think, feel and do.

Toss Out the Polls? Not So Fast
November 9, 2016

South pollster Dr. Thomas Shaw said there remains much value in political polling. Just don't forget that margin of error. ...

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Reduce That Stress
November 8, 2016

With the election over, South psychologist Dr. Elise Labbé-Coldsmith offers seven ways to return balance to your life. ...

Theatre majors Thomas Deen IV and Abigail St. John will star in Theatre USA’s upcoming production of “Our Town.”

"Our Town" Heads to USA
November 7, 2016

The critically acclaimed classic American drama will open Nov. 10 at Theatre USA. Tickets are available. ...

Following their Sun Belt title victory with two second half goals, the Jags will enter the NCAA Tournament with a 15-5-1 overall record.

Four-peat! Jags Take Sun Belt Title
November 7, 2016

South's soccer team becomes just the second program in league history to win four consecutive tournament crowns. ...

University of South Alabama Collegiate 100 members gather with their mentors from the 100 Black Men of Mobile Inc. From left are Dr. Andre Green, mentor and associate dean in the College of Education; Broderick Morrissette; Marlon Jones; Collegiate 100 mentor and adviser Dr. Michael Mitchell, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students; Jerod Coleman; Derek Pickett and JuWan Robinson.

'It's Important That We Are Visible'
November 2, 2016

South mentors offer support, friendship and hope through the Collegiate 100 and the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. ...

South students Thanh Nguyen, left, and Joel Dawson, right, meet with Dr. Todd Andel, associate professor of computing and principal investigator for a $4.1 million grant awarded to the School of Computing.

On the Front Lines of Cyber Defense
November 1, 2016

South students take advantage of a $4.1 million grant that covers tuition and places them in internships with federal agencies. ...

Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president, left, and Dr. Christopher Puto, Spring Hill College president, announced a collaboration Thursday that will allow undergraduate students to register for courses at either institution.

USA and Spring Hill Announce Collaboration
October 27, 2016

Students will be able to register for courses at either institution, increasing access to education and flexibility in planning. ...

Nathaniel Mackey, the Reynolds Price Professor of Creative Writing at Duke University, will speak Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at South's Archaeology Museum. The event will be free and open to the public.

Poet Nathaniel Mackey to Visit South
October 26, 2016

The leading African-American poet, writer and scholar will speak Nov. 1 as part of USA's Stokes Center for Creative Writing. ...

South students and faculty participate in the USA in Russia Study Abroad program in the summer of 2015.

South Recognized for Global Engagement
October 24, 2016

The University is set to quadruple its number of Study Abroad students and also has increased international student enrollment. ...

South Writer-in-Residence Frye Gaillard's latest book is "Go South to Freedom."

South Author Pens Children's Book
October 21, 2016

'Go South to Freedom,' by Frye Gaillard, is the story of a family's journey to escape slavery that ends unexpectedl ...

Meteorology majors Daniel Martin, left, and Mark D. Smith, right, assist Dr. Sytske Kimball, chair of earth sciences and professor of meteorology, with the USA Mesonet station on USA's main campus. Martin and Smith are both mesonet technicians.

The Answer Isn't Blowing in the Wind
October 19, 2016

But it may be in South's network of weather stations that collects data, available to the public, along the northern Gulf Coa ...

#USAHOCO16: 'Let the Good Times Roar'
October 18, 2016

Homecoming week kicks off Oct. 24 and culminates five days later when the Jags face the Georgia State Panthers. ...