Alumni News

Margaret Murray Sullivan, chosen as South's Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, has served in numerous leadership positions with the University. She was instrumental in the conception of a cancer institute at USA and spearheaded the Mitchell Cancer Institute feasibility study in 2000.

VP Picked for Development, Alumni
March 29, 2017

Margaret Murray Sullivan steps in as the University advances its ambitious $150 million Upward & Onward fundraising campaign. ...

University of South Alabama alumna Vanessa Reyner started her agency, VMR, at a breakfast table. Her business has since expanded, combining a trio of talents, ideas and personalities at a downtown Mobile office.

A Business Begun at the Breakfast Table
March 15, 2017

South graduate Vanessa Reyner started small, but soon expanded her 'purpose-driven' marketing agency to meet client needs. ...

Coach Joey Choron, a 2002 business administration and management graduate of the University of South Alabama, is one of South's strength and conditioning coaches. People who want to pursue his field should have passion and patience, he said.

Jags to Jobs: Coach Joey Charon
February 24, 2017

South Coach Joey Charon talks about working for his alma mater, a typical day at the office and how to reach your fitness goals. ...

Dr. Jeremiah Newell is a 2008 graduate of the College of Education and the chief operating officer for the Mobile Area Education Foundation.

From Shoe Salesman to the Ivy League
January 31, 2017

Dr. Jeremiah Newell earned his undergrad at South before heading to Harvard. This year the College of Education turns 50. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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., administrator. ...

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 Center. ...

#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. ...

'Upward & Onward' Tops $93 Million
October 13, 2016

One year after the kickoff, South's comprehensive fundraising campaign is well on its way to reaching the $150 million goal. ...

Larry Lilley, chief executive officer at Computer Technology Solutions, created a corporate culture that prioritized employee retention. "We are focused on creating a premiere workplace in the Southeast for those who love technology and solving problems," he said.

Before the Buzzer, a Company is Born
September 30, 2016

At a Jags game, two South students found themselves designing a startup — CTS, now one of the best places to work in Alabama. ...

Drs. O. Grace Hundley and T.J. Hundley both applied as high school seniors to the College of Medicine's Early Acceptance Program. They met at South, married at South and work at South.

A Marriage Made in Medical School
September 26, 2016

Drs. T.J. Hundley and O. Grace Hundley met as USA undergrads, married as medical students and now give back as faculty at South. ...

All roads lead South for Tom Franklin. The New York Times best-selling writer earned USA undergraduate and graduate degrees, taught at the University and will return in March as part of a visiting writers series.

The Unfailing Return of Tom Frankin
August 22, 2016

With poor grades and questionable automotive repair skills, writer Franklin lands a job in a morgue, then earns two degrees. ...

Tiffany Williams, sitting in her Los Angeles studio, said she is by nature a shy person but “learned that you only get one life, and I was determined to make the best of it.”

Focused and Living Beyond Her Dreams
July 12, 2016

For South grad Tiffany Williams, a Los Angeles casting and reality show producer, hard work and a little risk-taking pays off. ...

University of South Alabama graduate Nicholas Brownlee was one of two American singers to make the finals at the 35th International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, and the only bass-baritone in the final round.

'The Pride I Am Feeling is Like No Other'
July 6, 2016

South alum Nicholas Brownlee wins prestigious international singing competition – then has to get back on stage for an encore. ...

"Team Zambia" Produces Life Lessons for Students
June 6, 2016

USA engineering students designed an irrigation system using existing technology to help villagers grow sustainable crops. ...

Kenneth O. Simon, right, a Birmingham attorney, was elected chair pro tempore of the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees, while businessman James H. “Jimmy” Shumock of Mobile was elected vice chair. Arlene Mitchell, a Mobile philanthropist and civic volunteer, not pictured, was elected secretary.

USA Board of Trustees Elects New Officers
June 3, 2016

Attorney Kenneth O. Simon, businessman James H. Shumock and philanthropist Arlene Mitchell were selected for three-year terms. ...

Matt Spivey's decision to put roots in Trinity Gardens gives him credibility he would not otherwise have. “Mr. Spivey is part of the community,” said Chastang Middle School Principal Sonya Floyd.

Matt Spivey: Teacher, Coach and Neighbor
May 16, 2016

South alumnus and 'foster child' of Mobile's Trinity Gardens neighborhood finds focus at Chastang Middle School. ...

Dr. Eric Williams said USA College of Nursing faculty members were instrumental in encouraging and inspiring him to succeed.

Determined to Leave a Legacy of Service
May 10, 2016

USA alumnus Dr. Eric Williams, president of the National Black Nurses Association, has a robust agenda. ...

In two ceremonies, a total of 2,303 spring and summer degree candidates were recognized and honored. Total degrees awarded in South’s history now number more than 84,000.

Three Pieces of Advice for South Graduates
May 8, 2016

Pulitzer Prize columnist Cynthia Tucker Haynes and USA alumnus Kenneth O. Simon offer life lessons at Commencement. ...

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Cynthia Tucker Haynes will address graduates at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, while South alumnus and attorney Kenneth O. Simon will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Graduation: Everything You Need to Know
May 3, 2016

A Pulitzer Prize winner and a respected attorney will speak at two commencement ceremonies on Saturday. ...

Catherine Zivanov said her Honors Program experience "led me to decide on a future in academic medicine as a physician and researcher.”

Learning the Importance of Dedication, Sacrifice
May 2, 2016

Catherine Zivanov, Goldwater Scholar and Honors Program student, is following the example set by her parents. ...

Daeshen Smith, who played in the Jaguar Marching Band throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, said of South: "This place has felt like home for me."

One Step Closer to Fulfilling a Dream
May 2, 2016

Daeshen Smith knew from a young age he wanted to be a sports broadcaster, and his thesis reflects his interest. ...

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. ...

Alumni News Archive

VP Picked for Development, Alumni March 29, 2017

A Business Begun at the Breakfast Table March 15, 2017

Jags to Jobs: Coach Joey Charon February 24, 2017

From Shoe Salesman to the Ivy League January 31, 2017

Sound Knocked Out, Grad Grabs Sharpie January 25, 2017

Internship Leads to New Perspective January 11, 2017

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

Bringing Order to the Court in Atlanta December 14, 2016

Retired Vice Admiral to Address Graduates December 5, 2016

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

'Upward & Onward' Tops $93 Million October 13, 2016

Before the Buzzer, a Company is Born September 30, 2016

A Marriage Made in Medical School September 26, 2016

The Unfailing Return of Tom Frankin August 22, 2016

Focused and Living Beyond Her Dreams July 12, 2016

'The Pride I Am Feeling is Like No Other' July 6, 2016

"Team Zambia" Produces Life Lessons for Students June 6, 2016

USA Board of Trustees Elects New Officers June 3, 2016

Matt Spivey: Teacher, Coach and Neighbor May 16, 2016

Determined to Leave a Legacy of Service May 10, 2016

Three Pieces of Advice for South Graduates May 8, 2016

Graduation: Everything You Need to Know May 3, 2016

Learning the Importance of Dedication, Sacrifice May 2, 2016

One Step Closer to Fulfilling a Dream May 2, 2016

Before Sun Rises, South Grad Shines April 1, 2016