USA News Archives | Media Relations

Photo Gallery: South's Oozeball Tournament
April 18, 2016

The Southerners student ambassador group held its 28th annual Oozeball competition in five volleyball mud pits. ...

South will kick off its environmental observance from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday with a clean-up of trash from three waterways along the Glen Sebastian Nature Trail.

Earth Day: Clean-Up, Trash Audits and Art
April 15, 2016

Students boarded kayaks and canoes to clear trash from waterways on campus along the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail. ...

Two-Faced El Niño on the Run
April 13, 2016

After a mild winter, drought and flooding, observers await a possible La Niña, said South's Dr. Keith Blackwell. ...

Seniors Brianna Bond and Zachary Fitzgibbons will star in "As You Like It," Shakespeare's final and most mature comedy, during a one-week run that premieres at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15, in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on the USA campus.

'As You Like It' Closes Theatre USA Season
April 13, 2016

William Shakespeare's comic masterpiece began a one-week run Friday at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. ...

The USA Wind Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Saenger Theatre. The event will be free and open to the public.

USA Wind Ensemble to Perform at Festival
April 12, 2016

Mentorship and music blend as Alabama's best young musicians arrive this week for the All-State Band Festival. ...

The author of “The Complete Maus,” Art Spiegelman, is a contributing editor and artist for The New Yorker and co-founder/editor of Raw, an acclaimed magazine of avant-garde comics and graphics.

Graphic Novel Selected for Common Read
April 8, 2016

Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, in comic book format, tells of a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe and his cartoonist son. ...

Angelia Bendolph, who is serving on the national AAUW STEM Task Force, will assist with the summer technology conference for middle school girls, which will be hosted by the University of South Alabama.

Doctoral Student Serves as STEM Advocate
April 7, 2016

Angelia Bendolph picked for American Association of University Women panel on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. ...

Allem Sunanon's beliefs on the importance of academics in collegiate athletics were established long before he ever arrived on campus. “It started with my parents because they hold education to a very high standard more than anything else,” he said.

What He Said Made National News
April 6, 2016

'No matter what sport you compete in, it's going to come to an end sometime,' said Jags kicker Aleem Sunanon. ...

Dr. Mary Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president, left, and Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president, sign a commitment for the Pathway USA program.

Pathway USA Expands to Mississippi
April 5, 2016

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students offered a seamless transition to enroll at South after graduation. ...

Margie Friedman, a USA nurse, was recently selected by McDonald’s as one of 24 national heroes who work non-traditional schedules.

Before Sun Rises, South Grad Shines
April 1, 2016

Margie Friedman's firstborn son was a patient at USA Children's & Women's Hospital. Today she is a nurse there. ...

The essay contest was judged by members of USA's Phi Sigma Iota chapter and faculty members. Judges included, from left, Khanh Minh Trinh, majoring in Spanish and biology; Austin Gilchrist, majoring in Spanish and international studies; Eric Smith, majoring in French and psychology; and Dr. Zoya Khan, faculty advisor and associate professor of Spanish.

High School Students Take 'Journey' in Contest
March 31, 2016

More than five dozen participants from seven area schools pen essays in French, Spanish, German and Latin. ...

Frey Gaillard, who worked for newspapers throughout the South before joining the University’s faculty, has written extensively on southern race relations, politics and culture.

Gaillard Receives Eugene Current-Garcia Award
March 30, 2016

USA writer-in-residence's book 'Cradle of Freedom' was chosen as South's Common Read selection for 2015-16. ...

How Women Shaped American History
March 29, 2016

Five USA faculty, staff and alumnae share their own successes and lessons learned from women history makers. ...

Owen Bailey has served as administrator of USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital since 2011.

Owen Bailey Named COO of USA Health
March 28, 2016

Veteran health care executive has served as administrator of USA Children's & Women's Hospital since 2011. ...

Dr. Keith Harrison, dean of the Graduate School, congratulates Maddie Kennedy, left, and Trenton O’Neal, following their presentations during the University’s 3rd Annual 3MT® Competition on Wednesday, March 23.

Start Your Timer: The Three-Minute Thesis
March 25, 2016

Maddie Kennedy, a marine sciences major, won the top prize in USA's 3rd Annual 3MT® Competition held Wednesday, March 23, ...

Dr. Gregory H. Frazer was selected to lead the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions following a national search. He will assume his new role on Aug. 1, 2016.

Dean Announced for Allied Health Professions
March 25, 2016

Dr. Gregory H. Frazer arrives at USA from Duquesne University to become the college's fourth dean. He will begin Aug. 1. ...

'Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Music'
March 24, 2016

The melodic steel drum, an instrument rarely part of a university curriculum, is practiced and celebrated at USA. ...

Leslie Weaver-Martin is a University of South Alabama alumna and a licensed professional counselor.

USA Counselor Wins Top Award
March 23, 2016

Leslie Weaver-Martin, a University of South Alabama alumna and a licensed professional counselor with USA's Counseling and Te ...

South Solidifies Promise with New Brand
March 23, 2016

The University of South Alabama launches a rebranding campaign to align its image with the reality of a USA education. ...

Min Zhu, a University of South Alabama student pursuing her master’s degree in math education, helps 8th-grader Ian Robertson of Mobile problem solve during a weekly Math Circle session at South.

Finding Adventure in the 'Math Magic Kingdom'
March 21, 2016

Math Circle connects middle and high school students with USA mathematicians each week on South's campus. ...

Sean Collins finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships, tying a personal best at 17-10½, becoming South’s first first-team indoor All-American since 2000.

South Vaulter Soars to New Heights
March 21, 2016

Sean Collins, an All American who cleared nearly 18 feet, said USA's track program 'feels a lot like a family.' ...

Major Jackson will speak at the University of South Alabama on March 21 as part of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing Visiting Writers Series.

Poet Major Jackson to Visit South
March 18, 2016

Jackson will speak March 21 as part of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing Visiting Writers Series. ...

Dr. Sytske Kimball, left, chair of earth sciences, talks with senior meteorology student Nick Grondin about their research project during the 2016 SeCAPS meeting at South.

Loving the Weather, Hating the Cold
March 14, 2016

South senior from Connecticut enjoys warmer temperatures and faculty mentoring in USA's meteorology program. ...

University of South Alabama graduate Chris Buchanan, '12, is among the members of a collaboration that reported on the first direct detection of gravitational waves.

South Grad Rides Gravitational Wave
March 10, 2016

Chris Buchanan, an Honors Program alum, contributed to what is being heralded as 'the discovery of the century.' ...

Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of former Alabama governors George and Lurleen Wallace, will speak at USA on March 9 at 7 p.m.

'Standing Separate from the History of Others'
March 7, 2016

Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of two governors, talks forgiveness, change and reconciliation. She speaks Wednesday at USA. ...

Dr. Sam Strada, dean of the College of Medicine, addresses the USA Board of Trustees on Friday after a unanimous vote to name USA's new medical building the Judith Susan and Samuel Strada Patient Care Center.

Medical Building Named after USA Dean, Wife
March 4, 2016

The Judith Susan and Samuel Strada Patient Care Center will open this summer with 153 patient exam rooms. ...

Recipients of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award are, from left, Dr. James E. Laier, associate dean of the USA College of Engineering, and his wife, Diana Laier,'83, retired treasurer and chief financial officer of their company Southern Earth Sciences Inc. Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are, continued from left, Jonathan L. Hursh, '04, founder and president of Included and Utopia; Dr. Mark S. Williams,'80, chief physician executive with Tenet Healthcare/Brookwood Medical Center; James "Jimmy" Shumock, '80, chief executive officer of Thompson Holdings and Thompson Engineering, member of the USA Board of Trustees; and the V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award recipient is Christopher L. Lee, executive director of the J.L. Bedsole Foundation.

Alumni Association Recognizes Excellence
March 4, 2016

Six alumni and friends are honored at the annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards gala for their contributions. ...

This NASA sounding rocket, which included experimental research from the University of South Alabama’s College of Engineering, successfully launched on March 1. The payload flew approximately 115 miles high and preliminary analysis shows good data was received.

Engineering Project Takes Off with NASA
March 2, 2016

Seven South Alabama engineering students develop a research instrument that is launched by rocket into space. ...

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Jay Williams, left, talks with USA Mitchell College of Business Dean Dr. Bob Wood and other administrators during a recent visit to campus.

What Makes the U.S. Globally Competitive?
March 2, 2016

Assistant Secretary of Commerce Jay Williams discusses entrepreneurism and a university's role in economic growth. ...

What to Watch in the SEC Primary
February 29, 2016

Dr. Sam Fisher, associate professor of political science, lists four ways Super Tuesday might prove especially important. ...

Dr. Dennis Fell, USA chair of physical therapy, helps Kadeon stand with assistance from Jennifer Melancon, a USA physical therapy graduate, during a medical mission trip to Trinidad.

On His Own Two Feet, 'He Captured Our Hearts'
February 26, 2016

South students and faculty on medical mission trip to Trinidad help a toddler, with the aid of braces, stand for the first time. ...

Higher Education Day is considered Montgomery’s largest annual advocacy rally, as students and employees from public universities throughout the state come together to remind Alabama’s political leaders of the need to improve appropriations for higher education.

USA Rallies for Higher Education Day
February 25, 2016

Students, faculty and staff join other universities in Montgomery to highlight importance of higher education. ...

Sports journalist Stephen A. Smith will deliver his unique and bold message about “The Legacy, History and Impact of the African American Athlete” at 7 p.m., Feb. 29, at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Center.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith to Speak at South
February 24, 2016

The sports journalist will discuss 'The Legacy, History and Impact of the African American Athletes' at the Mitchell Cen ...

The University of South Alabama will host Yale University's Lucy G. Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History Dr. David Sorkin as the speaker for the 2016 Howard F. Mahan Lecture Series.

David Sorkin to Speak at Annual Mahan Lecture
February 22, 2016

The Yale University professor focuses on the intersection of Jewish and European history; he will give two talks on Feb. 25. ...

USA Voices on Black History: Part II
February 19, 2016

South Alabama students, faculty and staff share their thoughts on how black history is part of America's unfinished story. ...

Miguel Fraga, first secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, said in a visit to the University of South Alabama that 'the United States and Cuba are in the best moments of the last 50 years.'

Cubans 'Don't Want to Lose What We Have'
February 18, 2016

As the island prepares for trade and tourism, a top diplomat visiting South said that growth will have to be properly managed. ...

USA students, from left, Meghan Zuhowski, Blake Waters and Jeremiah Sims star in the musical, 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!' at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

3 x 2 is 6 Performances of 'Schoolhouse Rock'
February 17, 2016

'Schoolhouse Rock Live!,' an adaptation of the popular TV show, begins at USA's Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on F ...

Dr. Marcus Drymon holds SouthJaw for tagging about 20 miles south of Ft. Morgan, Ala., on Aug. 11, 2015.

Follow SouthJaw in the Gulf of Mexico
February 15, 2016

Track the USA-tagged tiger shark's movements — 300 miles and counting — or chat with him on Twitter. ...

male speaker for voices on Black History

USA Voices on Black History
February 12, 2016

South Alabama students, faculty and staff share their thoughts on how black history is part of America's unfinished story. ...

USA hospitality and tourism students participating in a business-education partnership program will gain hands-on experience working alongside frontline staff at the Beach Club in Gulf Shores and Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, shown above.

Students Beach Bound for Summer Work
February 11, 2016

Hospitality and tourism management students will get frontline experience at two resorts as part of a new, innovative program. ...

Historical Photos: Mobile's Carnival Past
February 5, 2016

Images collected by USA's Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library offer a curious glimpse into a bygone era. ...

Alan Tolson, a business graduate and owner of Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co., said the Springhill coffee house is experiencing double-digit growth. One emerging sector: Churches looking to provide parishioners with coffee before or after service.

From Part-Time Barista to Business Owner
February 2, 2016

USA graduate Alan Tolson finds success - and some relief - after planning and preparation to run a Mobile fixture. ...

As an entrepreneur, Trebreh Baaheth, a USA senior majoring in strategic communication, has big plans to grow his graphic design, photography and video business into an advertising and marketing firm, while earning his degree. Here he's photographed with some of his designs.

'I Must Follow My Passion'
February 2, 2016

Living with a creative purpose, USA senior and entrepreneur Trey Baaheth builds his company one design at a time. ...

USA nursing student Sydney Spradlin provides health screenings and education at Project Homeless Connect 2016 held on Jan. 28, at the Mobile Greater Gulf State Fair Grounds.

'This Is a Labor of Love'
February 1, 2016

USA students, faculty and staff volunteer to connect homeless with services. ...

'Family Matters: LGBTQ Youth Perspectives' on Display
January 28, 2016

Powerful and captivating images by Birmingham photographer Carolyn Sherer, will include compelling narratives of the LGBTQ youth, ...

Bishop State Partners on Pathway USA
January 27, 2016

Program with community colleges in Mobile and Baldwin counties expands opportunities for a four-year degree. ...

The new JagTran Tracker app uses GPS technology to show students in real time where JagTran buses are on their daily routes.

How Long Until the JagTran Arrives?
January 26, 2016

Check the JagTran Tracker, a software application created by USA students, to pinpoint the location of the next bus. ...

Kirstin Valdez Quade, an assistant professor at Princeton University, is author of the critically acclaimed short story collection “Night at the Fiestas,” published in 2015 by W.W. Norton & Co.

Stokes Center for Creative Writing Presents Spring Reading Series
January 22, 2016

Author Kirstin Valdez Quade, a rising star of American literature, will be the first guest for the 2016 Spring Reading Series, beg ...

The X-Files returns Sunday evening to Fox after a 14-year hiatus. Fox Broadcasting Company image.

For Some, The Truth is Out There
January 22, 2016

The X-Files is not the only place to search for a conspiracy theory. Why are simple explanations so hard to believe? ...

University of South Alabama graduate student Emily Turner holds a balloon catheter in a lab with her research mentor Dr. Saami Yazdani.

Engineering + Medicine = Innovation
January 22, 2016

Competitive American Heart Association grants highlight collaboration in interdisciplinary training and research. ...