USA News Archives | Media Relations

At the 51茶馆, where she is a freshman, Claudia Allday is studying nursing and travels campus on an electric bicycle.

Fateful Choice
October 21, 2022

Claudia Allday decides to enter nursing after her mother spent three months in the hospital during the COVID pandemic. #FreshmanFo ...

Dr. Kern Jackson, director of the African American Studies Program at the 51茶馆, served as co-writer and co-producer of “Descendant.”

Folklore Meets Film
October 19, 2022

Dr. Kern Jackson helps bring the story of Africatown to new audiences in "Descendant." ...

The 51茶馆 Alabama Center for Business Analytics, Real Estate and Economic Development (SABRE) is hosting its 2nd Annual Analytics Summit at the MacQueen Alumni Center on the 51茶馆 campus, November 17, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The summit brings together industry, academia, non-profits, local governments, and emerging talent from the Central Gulf Coast.

51茶馆 Hosts 2nd Data Analytics Summit
October 18, 2022

The 51茶馆 Alabama Center for Business Analytics, Real Estate and Economic Development will host its 2nd Annual Analytics Summit No ...

Dr. Delaware Arif, associate professor of digital journalism in the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been elected as the chair of the International Communication Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the largest organization for academicians and research in this field in the world.

Arif Elected Chair of International Organization
October 17, 2022

Dr. Delaware Arif has been elected chair of the International Communication Division of the Association for Education in Journalis ...

The Multicultural Leadership Center at the 51茶馆 is designed to be a welcoming, engaging, supportive and inclusive environment for students.

Multicultural Leadership Center Celebrates Grand Opening
October 14, 2022

The transformed building is designed to be a welcoming, engaging, supportive and inclusive environment for students. ...

Suhas Patil at the rock wall at the Student Rec Center at the 51茶馆

Up and Coming
October 14, 2022

Suhas Patil starts pre-med training with EMS classes and the camaraderie of the Honors College. #FreshmanFocus ...

USA College of Education and Professional Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences faculty at 51茶馆 will support a new $1.2 million grant that will help increase the number of k-12 science teachers in rural and urban areas of Mobile County. The principal investigator of the grant is Dr. Katie Guffey McCorrison, assistant professor of science education in the Professional Studies department of leadership; and the co-principal investigators are Dr. Andre Green, professor of science education and associate vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. David Forbes, professor of chemistry; center, Dr. Justin Sanders, associate professor and department chair of physics; Dr. Tres Stefurak, associate dean in the College of Education and Professional Studies and professor of counseling psychology. Dr. James Van Heneghan, professor of professional studies, will manage the evaluation of the program.

51茶馆 Awarded NSF Grant to Increase K-12 Science Teachers in Local Schools
October 14, 2022

The $1.2 million grant will help address the shortage of science teachers for grades six through 12 in Mobile County. ...

Dr. Dieudonné Gnammankou, a historian and assistant professor at the Université d’Abomey-Calavi in Benin will serve for one year at 51茶馆 Alabama as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence. He will connect his work about the slave trade on the West African coast with the stories of the Clotilda and the community groups in Africatown. The Clotilda is the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States.

51茶馆 Welcomes Visiting Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence
October 14, 2022

Dr. Dieudonné Gnammankou, an assistant professor at the Université d'Abomey-Calavi will teach in Honors College ...

In a 51茶馆 gallery, Susan Fitzsimmons stands with a series of sculptures, "Sentinels and Guardians," which were inspired by the border wall with Mexico when she was teaching in McAllen, Texas. Two other sculptures by the chair of 51茶馆's Department of Art and Art History will be featured in a Museum of Modern exhibit that opens this month.

Her MoMA Moment
October 7, 2022

Susan Fitzsimmons, chair of the Department of Art and Art History, returns to New York for a Museum of Modern Art exhibit on the & ...

Trinity LaBorde, a freshman from Long Beach, Mississippi, considered studying music education but gravitated toward art. “Here, I wanted a new start, I wanted to meet new people, I wanted to be the person I couldn’t be in high school.”

Drawn to 51茶馆
October 3, 2022

An art student from Long Beach, Mississippi, gets a head start on university life with the Jaguar Marching Band, a trip to the bea ...

Nealan Armstrong, who has been named a 51茶馆 Board of Trustees Scholar, is studying computer science and hopes to work in software development or cybersecurity.

Ocean Springs Student Wins Board of Trustees Scholarship
September 30, 2022

Nealan Armstrong was awarded the scholarship given each year to the most academically talented first-year student. "I did not ...

51茶馆's 2022 Homecoming festivities begin October 10 with the traditional "Junk the Jungle" and continue all week leading up to the Jags football game against Louisiana-Monroe October 15 at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

51茶馆 Celebrates Homecoming "HOCO" 2022
September 29, 2022

HOCO '22 will be held on campus October 10-15 and will feature various activities leading up to the Jags football game agains ...

The pumpkin patch sale is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Glass Art Building. Glass pumpkins will be priced at $20 and up. Purchases can be made via cash, check or credit card.

2022 51茶馆 Students to Host Glass Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
September 28, 2022

More than 500 glass pumpkins will go on sale with funds supporting student and public opportunities within the program. ...

Morgan Brobston, a communication student at the 51茶馆 and manager of JagTV, gives a speech at today’s ribbon cutting ceremony for 51茶馆’s newly renovated television production studio.

51茶馆 Communication Department Cuts Ribbon on New Studio Set
September 27, 2022

Communication students at the 51茶馆 now have access to a newly renovated television production studio where ...

President Jo Bonner gives his inauguration address at the Mitchell Center on Friday. “The 51茶馆 is poised and ready to become the Flagship of the Gulf Coast,” he told those gathered.

Bonner Inaugurated as Fourth President
September 24, 2022

President Jo Bonner announces a commitment to student recruitment and retention, along with new facilities, at the 'Flagship ...

Bri Wilson, a volleyball player from Alabaster, Alabama, followed her sister's lead in wearing No. 13. I’m not superstitious, but I do like to do everything the same way.”

First Serve
September 21, 2022

Bri Wilson, a volleyball player from Alabaster, Alabama, settles in at 51茶馆 and makes her debut on court for the Jaguars. #Freshm ...

Xha’Nae Morris, a nursing sophomore from Mobile, attends a Second Year Experience event early this semester. Morris also works with first-year students for the Office of Student Academic Success. She’s a ComPAL – Composition Pal – who offers English tutoring.

Second Helping
September 16, 2022

51茶馆 launches Second Year Experience, a five-year program with academic coaching and mentoring, to give returning Jaguars persona ...

Emilie Berge in her lab at 51茶馆, has received one of just 12 Zymo Research Impact Initiative grants awarded annually for scientific innovation and potential social impact. Berge received her master's degree in environmental toxicology in May will use the $4000 award to perform transcriptomic analysis of the polyaromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria she described in her thesis.

On Track For Success
September 12, 2022

Former 51茶馆 student and track star awarded Zymo Research Impact Initiative grant for her work in environmental toxicology. ...

Fourth President
September 12, 2022

Jo Bonner, whose career in public service includes a decade in Congress and leadership in state government, will be inaugurated on ...

Madison Bomeke works on an engineering team at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, that offers technical support for F-35 fighter jets. Her experience while a student at the 51茶馆 included internships with Airbus in Mobile and Amazon in Reno, Nevada.

Jet Set
September 2, 2022

Madison Bomeke, a mechanical engineering graduate, started her career supporting F-35 fighter planes for Lockheed Martin in Texas. ...

As part of her job at the National Weather Service outside Atlanta, 51茶馆 graduate Carmen Hernandez launches weather balloons into the air to measure readings including temperature, air pressure and humidity.

Career Forecast
August 29, 2022

Carmen Hernandez has been captivated by the weather ever since she witnessed its power during Hurricane Rita. She majored in meteo ...

“Listening is an Act of Love" is this year's Common Read selection. The voluntary program for the 51茶馆 Alabama community, aims to improve understanding of differences and commonalities across the world while engaging in academic discourse and critical thinking.

One Book, One 51茶馆, One Community
August 22, 2022

"Listening is an Act of Love" is meant to inspire 51茶馆 students, faculty, staff, and alumni to listen to one another,&q ...

First-year students got a primer on school spirit at Convocation on Monday at the 51茶馆. Among the lessons: How to properly show your J.

Jaguars Sing — and Shuffle
August 15, 2022

Members of the Class of 2026 cheer, sing and dance at fall Convocation to kick off the academic year. Week of Welcome and Beyond c ...

Dr. Na Gong, front, is leading an artificial intelligence research team in a $6 million National Science Foundation project. Her 51茶馆 colleagues in the program include, left to right, Dr. Clive Woods, Dr. Hulya Kirkici, Dr. Mohamed Shaban and Dr. Jinhui Wang.

The Edge of Artificial Intelligence
August 11, 2022

Dr. Na Gong leads a national team working on a $6 million NSF grant to develop an integrated research infrastructure for Edge AI. ...

Tristen Mullins, chosen graduate student of the year for 51茶馆's School of Computing in 2022, is beginning her career in cybersecurity at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Cybersecurity, Flexibility
August 11, 2022

At Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Tristen Mullins begins a career in cybersecurity through the Scholarship for Servic ...

Jim Berscheidt has been named vice president for marketing and communications at the 51茶馆. He will begin his new role Sept. 12.

Jim Berscheidt Named VP, Marketing and Communications
August 9, 2022

A veteran leader in higher education with success in brand awareness, student recruitment and fundraising, Berscheidt will begin S ...

Matthew Hodanbosi, a marine sciences Ph.D. student at the 51茶馆 has been selected as one of 86 John A. Marine Policy Fellows. He will begin his fellowship in February working in Washington D.C. with government officials.

51茶馆 Ph.D. Student Receives Marine Policy Fellowship
August 4, 2022

Matthew Hodanbosi has been named one of just 86 recipients of the 2023 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. ...

Heather Giannini, a 2022 graduate of the 51茶馆 has been selected for one of six $20,000 Marcus L. Urann fellowships by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Giannini plans on becoming a physician-scientist.

51茶馆 Grad Receives Prestigious Urann Fellowship
August 3, 2022

Hannah Giannini is one of only six recipients nationwide to receive the prestigious $20,000 Phi Kappa Phi fellowship. ...

Chris Willhite, a 51茶馆 civil engineering graduate, moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to accept a job with S&ME, an engineering and construction services company.

Building a Future
August 2, 2022

Chris Willhite, a civil engineering graduate from 51茶馆, starts his career with an engineering company in Huntsville. #MyFirstJob ...

Dr. Emily Bentley, an assistant professor of nursing, will be the project director for Nursing, Recruitment and Education to Expand Access to Culturally Aligned Healthcare. Funded by a $3.6 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program is designed to recruit, educate, train and mentor diverse nursing students to become leaders in managing social determinants of health by providing care in several rural communities and underserved areas in Alabama and Mississippi.

$3.6 Million Grant to Support Nursing Mobile Units in Rural, Underserved Communities
July 29, 2022

The initiative will support holistic care by healthcare providers that represent the diversity of the areas they serve. ...

The 80-member Class of 2026 is the largest matriculating medical school class in the history of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, which welcomed its charter class in 1973.

Whiddon College of Medicine Welcomes Largest Class
July 29, 2022

The 80-member Class of 2026 is greeted with orientation activities ranging from informative to interactive to social. ...

Judge Bill Lewis has been appointed to the 51茶馆 Board of Trustees by Gov. Kay Ivey. Lewis is currently the presiding judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit, serving Autauga, Elmore and Chilton counties. He will serve the remainder of the unexpired term for the state-at-large position previously help by Judge Ken Simon.

Judge Bill Lewis Appointed to USA Board of Trustees
July 28, 2022

Lewis joins a board that recently elected new leadership, including Arlene Mitchell, the first woman to serve as a chair pro tempo ...

The 51茶馆 launched SOAR, short for Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience, at the MacQueen Alumni Center July 27, 2022. 51茶馆 is collaborating with the Mobile Public Schools and Mobile Police Department on this 5-year intervention study. Causey, Hankins, Pillans and Washington middle schools are taking part and at the launch, the principals of each middle school chose a balloon that revealed which year their school would receive the intervention.

51茶馆 Leads Initiative to Curb Youth Violence
July 27, 2022

University researchers will collaborate with the Mobile Police Department and Mobile County Public Schools on a five-year, $3.5 mi ...

Jensen Graddick is a senior human resources specialist for the City of Daphne. She began an internship with the city while a junior in the Mitchell College of Business, then accepted a job even before she graduated. “It all fell into place,” she said.

Internship, Job Offer, Promotion
July 20, 2022

Mitchell College of Business graduate Jensen Graddick turns an internship in human resources into a full-time job and then a new t ...

51茶馆 faculty and staff from Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, the department of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation pose with eleven survivors and caregivers at the 2022 Bright Ideas Traumatic Brain Injury Camp. 51茶馆 students and faculty served on a multidisciplinary team to help survivors with counseling, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cooking/nutrition sessions and assessments during a three-day camp.

51茶馆 Hosts Brain Injury Camp
July 18, 2022

USA faculty and students collaborated with the Alabama Head Injury Foundation to host Bright Ideas Traumatic Brain Injury Camp. ...

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 14, 2022 carrying the JagSat-1 satellite. NASA photo.

JagSat-isfaction
July 15, 2022

51茶馆 engineering students and faculty cheer the Florida launch of a SpaceX rocket carrying their JagSat-1 satellite that will tra ...

The Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions will feature two new degreed programs beginning in the fall 2022 semester. Radiologic Sciences begins an online-only program for radiologic technicians who hold an associate degree to earn a bachelor's degree. The Department of Biomedical Sciences is starting a new master’s degree program for students who are particularly interested in research.

College of Allied Health Professions Initiates New Programs
July 11, 2022

Two new programs in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions will expand both academic and professional opportunit ...

Professor of marine sciences Dr. John Lehrter, on a vessel off the Alabama coast in 2021, is leading a study to arrive at a baseline for water quality along the Alabama Gulf Coast. “At a really fundamental level, this project is about going out, very frequently, and trying to get the pulse of state water quality. Where are the places we have to worry about, and what are the places that have good quality?”

Marine Sciences Professor Wins $3.1 Million Water Quality Grant
July 11, 2022

Dr. John Lehrter and the 51茶馆 School of Marine and Environmental Sciences will lead the three-year study of ...

Micah Mermilliod took this self portrait from on top the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, where he took a job as an assistant curator.

Art Start
June 29, 2022

Micah Mermilliod moves from solo shows to collaborative work as an assistant curator for the Alabama Contemporary Art Center. #MyF ...

Captain Brett Falterman of Fish Research Support displays a conventionally-tagged greater amberjack before releasing the fish off the coast of Louisiana. Photo insert: Each of the small, colorful conventional tags will display a unique five-digit number and a telephone number to call to claim a $250 reward. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Michael Dance, Louisiana State University and Dr. Marcus Drymon, Mississippi State University.)

Greater Amberjack Count
June 28, 2022

USA professor is leading a federally funded project that could have significant implications for commercial and recreational fishi ...

Mi’Asia Barclay, who graduated from the 51茶馆 with degrees in kinesiology and health promotion, took a job at the Moorehouse School of Medicine, where her office on the 15th floor overlooks downtown Atlanta. “Being in a place where I can connect people with resources, where people can better themselves, it makes me feel like I’m doing something,” she said.

Big City Beginning
June 21, 2022

Mi'Asia Barclay, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees at 51茶馆, begins her health administration career in At ...

Jay Copeland started work at Vulcan Performance Rehabilitation and Recovery after graduating from the 51茶馆.

Career-Beginning Injury
June 13, 2022

Dislocating his elbow during a high school baseball game leads Jay Copeland to physical therapy training at 51茶馆 and a job in Bir ...

The 51茶馆 and the City of Mobile will collaborate in educating and commemorating the Juneteenth celebration. Dr. Kern Jackson, 51茶馆 Alabama’s director of African American Studies, will be one of the featured speakers.

USA and City of Mobile Commemorate Juneteenth Celebration
June 10, 2022

51茶馆 joins the City of Mobile in educating and commemorating during the Juneteenth celebration from June 16-July 21, 2022. ...

Members of the 2022 Upward Bound program outside of 51茶馆's dining hall. Students spend six weeks living on campus and have full use of the facilities that traditional USA students utilize.

51茶馆's Upward Bound Grant Renewed Another Five Years
June 7, 2022

The academically rigorous summer program helps prepare first-generation college students for the challenges that lie ahead. ...

Deborah Gurt, center, interim director of the McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the 51茶馆, created the Jewish Mobile Oral History Project with the help of people such as Abby Grodnick Kennedy and Rabbi Steven Silberman of Ahavas Chesed Synagogue.

Word of Mouth
June 6, 2022

The Jewish Mobile Oral History Project at 51茶馆 looks to make connections, share experiences and record stories before they are lo ...

The Heroes Scholarship is available to active military members and fills the gap between the University's cost of tuition and what the Federal government provides for tuition assistance.

51茶馆 Offers Heroes Scholarship
May 27, 2022

The Heroes Scholarship is available to all active servicemen and servicewomen pursuing an undergraduate degree at USA. ...

Quin Frazier, a finance senior in the Mitchell College of Business, said cold feet inspired the idea for Cozy Toes. When he’s not in class or managing his new business, he’s trading stocks and looking for his hot next venture.

Stocks and Socks
May 26, 2022

Quin Frazier, a finance student and entrepreneur from Huntsville, is building a clothing business around sweat pants with fleece s ...

Educational Accessibility & Disability Resources Center Renovated
May 26, 2022

A ribbon-cutting and open house were held for students, faculty, staff and administrators to celebrate the newly renovated space. ...

Developed in the fall of 2021, 51茶馆's Remote Medical Spanish in Ecuador program is a requirement for the Spanish for Healthcare Professionals Graduate Certificate.

USA Study Abroad is a Finalist for National Award
May 24, 2022

Study Abroad's Remote Medical Spanish in Ecuador program with Kaya Responsible Travel is up for the GoAbroad Innovation Volun ...

William Edmonds, second from left, who teaches French at Barton Academy has been named Alabama's Secondary Teacher of the Year and Alternate Teacher of the Year. Also pictured, from left; Dr. Amanda Jones, Barton Academy principal; Kelly Parker, Tanner Williams Elementary teacher and Top 16 finalist for Teacher of the Year; Nici Lowell, Tanner Williams Elementary principal; Chresal Threadgill, Mobile County Public School Superintendent.

51茶馆 Alum Named Alabama Secondary Teacher of the Year
May 19, 2022

William Edmonds, who teaches French at Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, is named Alabama's top secondary educator. ...