2021 News Archive

Kenneth and Diamond Johnson got married in the chapel at USA Health University Hospital during his recovery after being hit by a pickup truck. Kenneth Johnson, a University police sergeant, has since returned to work. The couple has a 3-month-old daughter, Karis.

Healed for the Holidays
December 22, 2021

Kenneth Johnson, who was struck by a truck in March, will celebrate Christmas at South after recovering from his injuries and returning to work as a University police sergeant. ...

Dr. Michael Chambers, USA associate vice president of research, has been named to the Alabama Innovation Commission board. The Commission was created in 2020 to develop forward-thinking policy recommendations and ideas to create a more robust, inclusive economy that supports entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.

USA's Chambers Named to Alabama Innovation Corporation Board
December 15, 2021

The Commission's goal is to develop forward-thinking policy recommendations and ideas to create a more robust, inclusive economy. ...

University Holiday Schedule
January 15, 2021

Most University of South Alabama departments will be closed until Jan. 3, 2022. Academic classes resume Jan. 10, 2022. ...

University of South Alabama Commencement

'This Is Just the Beginning'
December 11, 2021

Gov. Kay Ivey and USA Health CEO Owen Bailey congratulate South's newest graduates and urge them to use their talents to serve others. ...

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee traces a figure-eight knot with light outside the Mathematical Sciences and Physics Building at the University of South Alabama. 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 also works with middle school students in the Girls Who Code organization. ...

Dr. Jason Strickland, an assistant professor of biology at the University of South Alabama, 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-sucking species. ...

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 book about truth in the ethics of Aristotle. ...

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 campaign. ...

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 personalities in the country. Her trending videos are landing her ad deals, and the basketball program some extra attention. ...

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 careers. ...

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 season. ...

Scotty E. Kirkland, a University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama 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 Alabama has reopened as a magnet school with a focus on world studies. ...

"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 Network. ...

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 Learning award. ...

Former Congressman Jo Bonner, who serves as chief of staff to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, was selected as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama. 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 University. ...

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 the First Year Council. #FreshmanFocus ...

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 University of South Alabama 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. ...

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