USA News Archives | Media Relations

James Contratto, associate director of student activities-university programs in the Division of Student Affairs, raised $2,300 for the American Cancer Society while finishing the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a new personal record time of 4:14:46.

Student Affairs Rep Beats Cancer, Marathon
October 12, 2015

Associate Director James Contratto finishes 'ROCKstrong!' in Chicago while raising $2,300 for the American Cancer Societ ...

This exhibit of Mobile’s Colonial era is one of many that area residents will see Oct. 17 when the USA Archaeology Museum shares Native American games, hunting techniques and a variety of attractions during International Archaeology Day.

Public Invited to International Archaeology Day Events
October 12, 2015

Learn to play chunky, make a necklace and guess the use of artifacts at the USA Archaeology Museum on Oct. 17. ...

Frye Gaillard, writer-in-residence at the University of South Alabama, is the author or editor of more than 20 books, including the acclaimed “Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement that Changed America."

For USA Author, a Career Defined by Civil Rights
October 9, 2015

Writer-in-Residence Frye Gaillard's new book and first novel, 'Go South to Freedom,' will be published next year. ...

Brandi DePineuil, left, a junior mechanical engineering major from Ocean Springs, Miss., works with Dr. Carlos Montalvo, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, on blimp dynamics where she learned to do mathematics modeling and write code.

'High Impact' Experience for USA Undergrads
October 9, 2015

From studying blimps to analyzing negative childhood attachments, students discover opportunities through research. ...

USA SGA President Ravi Rajendra is seen with Troy University SGA President Heath Barton as Rajendra prepares to present the “Battle for the Belt” trophy to the Jaguar football team.

USA Collects 1,456 Books for Rural Library
October 8, 2015

Books donated by students from across the state will benefit a bookstore under construction in Greensboro, Ala. ...

Mitchell Scholars alumnus Dr. Sara Long Jones was one of many former scholars who surprised program benefactor Abe Mitchell at the annual recognition event for Mitchell Scholars freshmen.

Medical School, White Coat ... Finance Degree?
October 7, 2015

A Mitchell Scholarship helped Sara Long Jones earn her business degree. Now she's a third-year medical resident. ...

Superheroes from the Mobile Police Department's SWAT team and a few Mobile Fire-Rescue firefighters rappelled down the side of USA Children's & Women's Hospital to help nine children celebrate the end of their cancer treatment.

Video: Superheroes Rappel Down Hospital
October 2, 2015

Mobile Police Department SWAT team members descend from USA Children's & Women's Hospital to celebrate end of cancer ...

Theatre majors Thomas J. Deen, left, and Cassidy Dangler star in “Boy Meets Girl,” a drama about dating and modern relationships.

Theatre USA Presents "Boy Gets Girl"
September 25, 2015

Modern relationships and concerns about the issue of stalking will open Theatre USA's 2015-2016 season with the production of ...

USA Homecoming 2015: "Building Our Legacy"
September 22, 2015

This year's Homecoming theme, "Building Our Legacy," is being announced by the University of South Alabama students ...

Learn Where Anti-Vaccine Movement Began
September 21, 2015

The first Mobile Science Café of the fall semester is "The Polio Express - Real Talk about Vaccines and the Origins of ...

Dr. Jasmin Arakawa will present her faculty piano recital, “Romantic Journey,” on Sept. 21.

Dr. Jasmin Arakawa to Present Piano Recital
September 18, 2015

The magnetic and musically talented pianist Dr. Jasmin Arakawa will perform her faculty piano recital, "Romantic Journey,&quo ...

Kyle Parrish, a senior education major at South Alabama who served two tours of duty in Iraq, is determined to make a difference for other student veterans as president of the Student Veterans Association. He is grateful to his wife Anna-Lisa, seated, for supporting his endeavors.

Veteran Helps Others Seeking Higher Education
September 17, 2015

Kyle Parrish said the new Student Veterans Resource Study Room is a 'Beacon of Hope' for veterans transitioning to campu ...

Students are invited to “Be Jag Healthy" at the 2015 Jag Health and Wellness Day.

USA Student Health Encourages Students to "Be Jag Healthy"
September 16, 2015

Free physicals and counseling are among the many services that will be available for students at the second annual "Be Jag He ...

cropped image of the Constitution of the United States

Find Out which Supreme Court Cases to Watch
September 11, 2015

Two lectures are scheduled for Constitution Week on the University of South Alabama campus. ...

University ROTC members participate in the 2013 National Day of Service and Remembrance on the USA campus.

Veterans Get New Space; 9\11 Event Planned
September 9, 2015

An open house will be held at the Student Veterans Resource Room following the National Day of Service and Remembrance tribute. ...

USA Board of Trustees Scholar for 2015-2016, Shirley Zhang of Vestavia Hills, Ala., is pictured with her father, Rusheng Zhang, after receiving her scholarship from the USA Board of Trustees.

Vestavia Hills Freshman Named Trustees Scholar
September 4, 2015

Shirley Zhang is the recipient of the second annual Board of Trustees award. ...

University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann will chair the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Athletic Director to Chair NCAA Baseball Committee
September 4, 2015

Dr. Joel Erdmann will serve as chair of the Division I Baseball Committee during the 2015-2016 academic year. ...

Football Stadium Market to be Evaluated
September 4, 2015

USA is gathering additional information regarding the possible construction of an on-campus football stadium. ...

A construction worker is shown on site at the USA Physicians Group Professional Office Building.

Watch 60-Ton Walls Get Lifted Into Place
September 4, 2015

See what happens when a crew has to move 39 concrete walls onto the foundation of a new medical building. ...

USA students at convocation, part of Week of Welcome.

Enrollment, Retention Climb
September 3, 2015

USA enrolled 16,462 students for the fall 2015 semester, an increase of 2.5 percent. ...

The latest fiction by Carolyn Haines, assistant professor of English and fiction coordinator, has been named to the USA Today bestseller list. "Killer Tales" is a digital collection of eight mysteries, including Haines' "Guru Bones." Besides teaching and writing, Haines runs Good Fortune Farm Refuge, a nonprofit animal rescue group serving Mobile County and George County, Miss.

Haines on USA Today Bestseller List
August 31, 2015

A novella by nationally recognized writer Carolyn Haines, assistant professor of English, is part of an e-bundle named to the USA ...

Remembering America's War in Vietnam poster advertising an interdisciplinary symposium

Vietnam Symposium set for Sept 2, 3
August 27, 2015

"Remembering America's War in Vietnam, 1965-2015," will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the USA Marx Libr ...

The first ALISA project cohort faculty members are, from left, Dr. Brad Swiger, Leigh Delaney, Sonna Farmer, Dr. Ed Lomax and, seated, is Dr. Cris Hollingsworth.

USA Launches New Active Learning Initiative
August 27, 2015

The Active Learning Initiative at South Alabama, known as ALISA, has been launched to change the way students engage with course c ...

USA students finished first and second in the recent Airbus Innovation Showdown. Pictured outside the Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile are, from left, Dr. Carlos Montalvo, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Andrew Gumpert, Airbus Innovation engineering intern; Keping Lu, a management major from Beijing, China; Marina Swanepoel, a mechanical engineering major from Wellington, South Africa; Joachim Hehemann, Airbus director of integration; Steven Shettlesworth, a mechanical engineering major from Mobile; Brandi DePineuil, a mechanical engineering major from Ocean Springs, Miss.; Micah Calhoun, an economics and finance major from Mobile; Jonathan Hansert, an accounting major from Semmes; Dan Smithson, an electrical engineering major from Wetumpka, Ala.; Andrew Tindell, a mechanical engineering major from Pensacola, Fla.; and Adam Brown, a graduate student in computer science from Mobile.

USA Team Wins Airbus Innovation Showdown
August 25, 2015

When a new generation of aircraft takes to the skies, it could be that University of South Alabama students will have played a maj ...

Nine USA engineering students earned Tau Beta Pi scholarships for their senior year of study. They are, from left, William Spikes, a chemical engineering major from Mobile; George Moore, a mechanical engineering major from Lucedale, Miss.; Bradley Harris, a chemical engineering major from Mobile; Boni Yraguen, a mechanical engineering major from Roseburg, Ore.; Ryan Hutchison, a chemical engineering major from Seattle, Wash.; Benjamin Burleson, a chemical engineering major from Satsuma; John Mullins, an electrical engineering major from Pensacola, Fla.; and Robert Mines, a chemical engineering major from Pensacola, Fla. Not pictured is Brannon Kerrigan, an electrical engineering major from D’Iberville, Miss.

USA Top in State for Tau Beta Pi Scholarships
August 24, 2015

Nine University of South Alabama engineering seniors have recently been selected as Tau Beta Pi scholars. No other university in ...

Dr. Annmarie Guzy, associate professor of English, has been named one of eight Fellows of the National Collegiate Honors Council.

Dr. Annmarie Guzy Named National Collegiate Honors Council Fellow
August 19, 2015

Dr. Annmarie Guzy, associate professor of English, has been named a Fellow of the National Collegiate Honors Council in recognitio ...

The University of South Alabama Class of 2019 gathered Monday morning for a group photo at the USA Mitchell Center.

Students Greeted with Fun, Inspiring Convocation
August 19, 2015

New students entered the USA Mitchell Center Monday morning to the upbeat sounds and cheers of the Jaguar Marching Band, the begin ...

Student carrying boxes of belongings up stairway in dorm

Week of Welcome 2015 Photo Gallery
August 15, 2015

The University of South Alabama opened the fall semester with its inaugural Week of Welcome, designed to showcase all the places n ...

The Jaguar Marching Band greeted new students as they moved into campus residence halls Saturday during Move-In Day, one of the many events for USA's Week of Welcome.

Move-In Day Kicks Off Week of Welcome at USA
August 15, 2015

The University of South Alabama's faculty and staff greeted students and opened the fall semester with the first Week of Welc ...

Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development, will moderate an Aug. 26 forum focused on identifying problems, issues and challenges facing women.

USA VP to Moderate 'Glass Ceiling' Forum
August 14, 2015

Lynne Chronister, vice president for research and economic development at the University of South Alabama, will moderate a women&# ...

As part of freshman orientation, first-year medical students were introduced to faculty members, attended information sessions and participated in icebreaker activities.

College of Medicine Class of 2019 Introduced
August 11, 2015

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine welcomed new faces last week for the Class of 2019's freshman orientation ...

Travis Davis, a USA history graduate, was one of six students nationally to intern in the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

USA Alumnus Receives Summer White House Internship
August 11, 2015

Travis Davis, a 2011 graduate of the University of South Alabama and native of Mobile, has been spending his summer working at the ...

Singapore's Ambassador to the United States, Ashok Mirpuri, center, met with Congressman Bradley Byrne, left, and University of South Alabama President Dr. Tony Waldrop during the ambassador's visit to the USA campus.

Singapore Ambassador, Congressman Byrne Visit USA
August 4, 2015

Singapore's Ambassador to the United States, Ashok Mirpuri, visited the University of South Alabama on Aug. 4 at the invitati ...

Coffee with a Cop is one of many USA police initiatives building stronger relationships within the University community. USA has been named one of America's Safest College Campuses by BestColleges.com.

USA Named One of America's Safest Colleges
July 28, 2015

BestColleges.com has named the University of South Alabama one of the nation's safest college campuses. ...

Attendees at the 2015 GenCyber Camp held at USA's School of Computing look over the day's assigned task. The camp is sponsored by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. About 30 students and several teachers from Davidson High School are participating.

Davidson High Students Develop Cyber Skills at USA
July 23, 2015

About 30 students are attending the University of South Alabama's School of Computing to learn from the experts during the Ge ...

USA officials display the official certification for the School of Computing as a National Center of Academic Excellence during a recent conference in Las Vegas. From left are Dr. Leonard Reinsfelder, deputy director for education and training, National Security Agency; Dr. David Johnson, USA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; Angela Clark, senior instructor of computing; Dr. Todd Andel, associate professor of computing; Lynne Clark, chief, National Information Assurance Education and Training Program, National Security Agency; and Jacqueline Sullivan, acting program lead, Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity Training and Education Program.

School of Computing Picks Up Academic Excellence Certification
July 23, 2015

The School of Computing at the University of South Alabama received official certification recently from the U.S. National Securit ...

The following were actively involved in the USA Bro Code campaign, which won a national award from the Association of College Unions International. From left are Dr. Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Title IX coordinator; James Contratto, associate director for student activities, University Programs; Leslie Weaver, counselor in Counseling and Testing Services; Kelsey Bryant, student; Katrina Kennedy, secretary, department of foreign languages and literatures in the College of Arts and Sciences; Howard Whitston, instructor, School of Computing; Dr. Carolyn Dolan, professor, community/mental health nursing, in the College of Nursing; FeAunte Preyear, health education and quality improvement coordinator, Student Health, Robbie Durr, area coordinator, department of housing and dining; and Maggie Fields, coordinator of Student Disability Services.

Bro Code Wins National Award
July 23, 2015

The University of South Alabama recently received the Collaborative Program of the Year award at The Association of College Unions ...

Kimberly Williams Pettway, an instructor of social work in the department of sociology, anthropology and social work, has been appointed as director of the University of South Alabama’s Center for Academic Service-Learning and Civic Engagement.

Director of Civic Engagement, Service-Learning Appointed
July 15, 2015

Kimberly Williams Pettway will begin a one-year appointment as director of the University of South Alabama's Center for Acade ...

Members of USA’s team in the 2015 SAE Supermileage Competition display their Design Report Trophy. Shown, front row from left, Chris Hanley, senior, mechanical engineering; Brandon Troub, senior, mechanical engineering; Daniel Mooney, junior, mechanical engineering; back row from left, Lisa Schibelius, senior, mechanical engineering; Taurean Mulkey, sophomore, computer engineering; Ethan Anderson, junior, mechanical engineering; Dalton Dennis, junior, mechanical engineering; Dr. Frances Donovan, faculty advisor, SAE. Team members not showed: Taylor Gwin, senior, mechanical engineering; Glynn Davies, senior, mechanical engineering; Christian Cobb, senior, mechanical engineering; Patrick Rohr, junior, electrical engineering; Christoph Graf, graduate student, communications; Kristen Gilman, senior, accounting.

USA Supermileage Car Heads to Gulf Coast Exploreum
July 14, 2015

The University of South Alabama Supermileage Car, which beat out dozens of universities for the Design Report Trophy at the 2015 S ...

USA Police Department Officer Mallory A. Ambrose, who graduated with honors from the Alabama Advanced Criminal Justice Academy, said “I love that my job includes helping others and serving my community."

USA Police Officer Graduates With Highest Academic Average
July 10, 2015

The University of South Alabama Police Department recognizes Officer Mallory A. Ambrose, who recently graduated with honors from t ...

USA sophomore David Zakrzewski, left, is a recipient of the Davis Leadership Award, established in 2000 by Judge Don Davis, right, and Dr. Beth Davis.

USA Student Honored with Davis Leadership Award
July 10, 2015

David Zakrzewski, a sophomore at the University of South Alabama and the corresponding secretary for the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of ...

Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president, center, talks with Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill, right, and Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bill Sisson at Wednesday's news conference to announce the designation of 12 new Manufacturing Communities. Southwest Alabama received the designation last year.

Waldrop: 'Engage the Community' in Economic Development
July 9, 2015

USA President Dr. Tony Waldrop, speaking at the announcement of 12 new Manufacturing Communities, emphasized USA's role in ec ...

University of South Alabama Initiates Exploratory Process for Football Stadium
July 6, 2015

The University of South Alabama has initiated a preliminary exploration of the financial, logistical and infrastructural requireme ...

USA Study Reveals Labor Shortage Pushing Wages Higher in Gulf Shores and South Baldwin County
June 30, 2015

A shortage of workers for rapidly expanding jobs in restaurants, hotels, condominiums, retail and entertainment industries in Sout ...

Student holding Go Jags sign while standing in front of Colliseum ruins

USA Receives Record Number of Study Abroad Scholarships for 2015
June 29, 2015

The University of South Alabama Study Abroad program has received more than $100,000 in scholarship funds, which have been awarded ...

After two decades of serving only graduate students, the department of marine sciences welcomes its first undergraduate students in the Fall of 2015. The department also adds a master's degree program in marine conservation and resource management.

Marine Sciences Makes Big Splash with New Programs
June 28, 2015

Students at USA can now earn an undergraduate minor in marine sciences, and the department also has added a master's degree i ...

USA MBA Hosts Open House
June 23, 2015

The Mitchell College of Business at the University of South Alabama will host an open house and informational session for its mast ...

Dr. Jack Di Palma, director of the University of South Alabama Digestive Health Center and professor of internal medicine at the USA College of Medicine, said PillCam COLON technology can be used for patients who have an incomplete colonoscopy or for those who cannot tolerate a colonoscopy for screening.

Gut Check: Pill Camera Takes Digestive Tract Tour
June 22, 2015

With PillCam COLON, developed by Given Imaging, physicians are able to visualize the colon to monitor and diagnose disorders of th ...

The White Coat ceremony marks a significant milestone for rising third-year students - the point where they begin their clinical rotations and start interacting with patients on a daily basis.

Medical Student Milestone: White Coats for Class of 2017
June 21, 2015

During the White Coat ceremony, the students were cloaked with the traditional dress of physicians for more than 100 years. The ce ...

USA Physician Assistant Students Host Free Clinic
June 18, 2015

The 2016 Physician Assistant class at the University of South Alabama offered free health screenings and other health-related serv ...