Alumni News

The 海角社区 National Alumni Association honored four alumni and a Mobile businessman for outstanding accomplishments. There are, from left, Sr. Marilyn Joyce Aiello, O.P., M.D.; Ralph A. Hargrove; Caleb Crosby, ’03; Dr. Edward A. Panacek, COM ’81; and Tanya Fratto Blair, ’83.

海角社区National Alumni Association Honors Five
March 14, 2019

Four alumni and a businessman, recognized for achievements and service, take the stage at the alumni association's annual gala. ...

Grand Rapids, Mich., Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, standing in front of the skyline of Michigan's second-largest city, graduated summa cum laude in 1997 with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. “When I was going through my undergraduate studies, I did not imagine I would be running for office someday,” she said.

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City
March 13, 2019

At South, Rosalynn Bliss '97 wasn't considering a career in politics. Then she became Grand Rapids' youngest mayor in 132 years. ...

Chris Blankenship graduated from South with a degree in political science and criminal justice. His love of all things outdoors propelled him to become commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Conserving Natural Resources for Alabama
February 13, 2019

Chris Blankenship combines his love of the outdoors with his education at South to manage the state's natural resources. ...

Andrea Dennis, a graduate of the 海角社区’s College of Education and Professional Studies, is the principal at Scarborough Middle School, where she was recognized statewide for her work.

South Alum Recognized Tops Statewide
February 5, 2019

Andrea Dennis is recognized as Alabama's middle school principal of the year for her leadership at Scarborough Middle School. ...

Mobile Bay Magazine's 40 under 40 selections include ten leaders who are South alumni or employees. Clockwise from top left: James Evans, Melanie Rose, Kevin Jackson, Laventrice Ridgeway, Lee Grimm Jr., Harry Brislin IV, Jennifer Conrad, Moh’d Khushman, Joseph Jermaine Roberson and Benjamin Hoeb.

South Picks Up Ten in 40 Under 40
January 7, 2019

海角社区alumni and employees highlight the annual Mobile Bay Magazine feature that spotlights young community leaders. ...

While a student at South, Edmond Naman, now a Mobile Circuit Court Judge, took a theater class that would end up critical to his success. “It was really that department that I think had a real big impact later because so much of my job is going out in the public and conveying messages. Going out to children and families and trying to make a clear case for what I’m trying to do and how I’m trying to change their lives.”

A Judge Who Cares Builds a NEST
January 2, 2019

Circuit Judge Edmond Naman co-founded a group to mentor at-risk youth. He picked up his power of persuasion as a student at South. ...

海角社区Writer-in-Residence Frye Gaillard told graduates they must find a way to cross barriers and heal divisions. "We have got to learn once again to listen," he said in his Fall Commencement address. Gaillard's latest book is “A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s, Our Decade of Hope, Possibility and Innocence Lost.”

Relearn the Art of Creative Disagreement
December 16, 2018

Author Frye Gaillard urged graduates to protect democracy by finding a 'path toward honest dialogue in confronting problems.' ...

Anna Dudley has the unique distinction of being the third generation of her family to graduate from South with an accounting degree from the Mitchell College of Business. "It just felt right for me," she said of enrolling at USA.

Family Accrues Third Accounting Graduate
December 10, 2018

Anna Dudley follows the path of her mother and grandmother in earning an accounting degree from the Mitchell College of Business. ...

LaTya McCall, a nursing graduate, founded the BIG Club at South, which supports the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama. She looks forward to continuing to serve in a big sister role.

Service, Focus and Promoting Excellence
December 10, 2018

LaTya McCall was dedicated in her pursuit of a nursing degree. But her college legacy of service was built outside of class. ...

Maj. Jason Downey, a 2002 graduate of the 海角社区, has been named chief enforcement officer for the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Protector of Alabama's Marine Resources
November 15, 2018

Alumnus Jason Downey, who earned a degree in sociology, leads the state division that enforces laws on Alabama's waterways. ...

'Game On' for 海角社区Homecoming 2018
November 2, 2018

After a week of festivities, South's Homecoming will culminate with the Jags taking on Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 10. ...

The Julian and Kim MacQueen Alumni Center, which will serve as the permanent home for South’s more than 80,000 alumni, is projected to be completed by Spring 2020.

Ground Broken on Alumni Center
October 12, 2018

The Julian and Kim MacQueen Alumni Center will serve as the permanent home for South's more than 80,000 alumni. ...

Maj. Christopher Dyke, 海角社区alumnus and an aerial weather reconnaissance officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters,” reviews weather data collected during a storm flight. The Hurricane Hunters fall under command of the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes
October 8, 2018

Hurricane Hunter and South alum Chris Dyke heads into the storms that others flee as a major in the Air Force's 403rd Wing. ...

The Mitchell Scholars Class of Spring 2018 endowed a scholarship in tribute to supporter Abraham "Abe" Mitchell, center, for his philanthropic efforts.

Mitchell Scholars 'Pay It Forward'
September 21, 2018

The Mitchell Scholars Class of Spring 2018 endow a scholarship in tribute to longtime supporter Abraham "Abe" Mitchell. ...

Recipients of the Alumni Awards display their plaques.

Alumni Association Honors Faculty, Alumnus
September 11, 2018

The 海角社区National Alumni Association annually recognizes five faculty members and a young alumnus for outstanding achievement. ...

Patrick Dungan, who graduated from USA’s College of Arts and Sciences in 2006, was elected president of the 海角社区National Alumni Association. He is an associate attorney with Adams and Reese, LLP in Mobile and co-owner of AFC Mobile, Mobile's semi-pro men's soccer team.

Alumni Association Elects New Officers, Directors
September 7, 2018

Attorney Patrick Dungan '06 was selected as president of the 海角社区National Alumni Association. ...

Dusty Norris, a graduate of the 海角社区’s anthropology program, is using an archaeology tool to record information about one of the artifacts found at the sites of the shotgun houses in areas of downtown Mobile. This preliminary work is being done as plans for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project moves forward.

Modest Homes, Rich History
August 14, 2018

A 海角社区archaeology team is conducting fieldwork at the site of several shotgun houses; 'These tend to be the forgotten people.' ...

Former Jaguar athletes, from left, David Freese, Lindsay Schwartz, Ernie Rosseau and Nic Chisolm will be inducted this fall to the 海角社区Athletic Hall of Fame.

Four Jags Selected for Hall of Fame
July 24, 2018

David Freese, Lindsay Schwartz, Ernie Rosseau and Nic Chisolm will be inducted on Nov. 10 to the 海角社区Athletic Hall of Fame. ...

海角社区 alumna Chasity Collier, a fifth-grade science teacher at Dawes Intermediate School in Mobile

海角社区Alumna Receives National Teaching Award
July 3, 2018

Chasity Collier, a 海角社区 alumna has been recognized with a National Presidential Award. ...

海角社区 graduate Dana Faye Housch moved to Dresden, Germany, in 2009 and founded a nonprofit organization called German Lessons for Refugees. Photo courtesy of Dana Faye Housch.

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance
June 27, 2018

South graduate Dana Faye Housch found her home in Dresden, Germany. She's now helping refugees do the same. ...

South Hosts Bicentennial Summer Institute Workshop
June 22, 2018

Teachers arrive at 海角社区for a four-day experience titled 'Mobile: People of the Rivers.' ...

Julian and Kim MacQueen, owners of Innisfree Hotels, said a recent trip around the world was more than a vacation. "We were looking for new ways of hospitality as well as new ways hospitality was part of each community," he said.

'Around the World in 80 Stays'
June 19, 2018

For people who flew around the world in a private jet, alumni Julian and Kim MacQueen are incredibly grounded. ...

Stephanie Eads-Williamson has made it her life's work to save stray animals, and some of those end up at her home on Dog River, where she lives with her husband, Garrett Williamson.

Her World Has Gone to the Dogs
May 21, 2018

Stephanie Eads-Williamson, '92, left a job in pharmaceutical sales to pursue her calling 鈥� saving stray animals, at every turn. ...

Jennifer Oveson attended the 海角社区 part-time and overcame obstacles due to spina bifida to earn her bachelor's degree. "Giving up is not an option," her parents told her.

13 Years Later, a Well-Earned Degree
May 10, 2018

With family and perseverance, Jennifer Oveson reaches her goal and creates a support group to help others do the same. ...

Dr. Tyler Sexton, who completed his residency at the 海角社区 and is now chair of pediatrics at a Mississippi hospital, spoke to graduates about overcoming obstacles. Sexton was born with cerebral palsy.

'Commit to the Journey, Not to the Outcome'
May 6, 2018

South graduates urged to overcome obstacles and 'forever chase your dreams;' 2,200 recognized during Spring Commencement. ...

海角社区

Alumni News Archive

海角社区National Alumni Association Honors Five March 14, 2019

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City March 13, 2019

Conserving Natural Resources for Alabama February 13, 2019

South Alum Recognized Tops Statewide February 5, 2019

South Picks Up Ten in 40 Under 40 January 7, 2019

A Judge Who Cares Builds a NEST January 2, 2019

Relearn the Art of Creative Disagreement December 16, 2018

Family Accrues Third Accounting Graduate December 10, 2018

Service, Focus and Promoting Excellence December 10, 2018

Protector of Alabama's Marine Resources November 15, 2018

'Game On' for 海角社区Homecoming 2018 November 2, 2018

Ground Broken on Alumni Center October 12, 2018

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes October 8, 2018

Mitchell Scholars 'Pay It Forward' September 21, 2018

Alumni Association Honors Faculty, Alumnus September 11, 2018

Alumni Association Elects New Officers, Directors September 7, 2018

Modest Homes, Rich History August 14, 2018

Four Jags Selected for Hall of Fame July 24, 2018

海角社区Alumna Receives National Teaching Award July 3, 2018

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance June 27, 2018

South Hosts Bicentennial Summer Institute Workshop June 22, 2018

'Around the World in 80 Stays' June 19, 2018

Her World Has Gone to the Dogs May 21, 2018

13 Years Later, a Well-Earned Degree May 10, 2018

'Commit to the Journey, Not to the Outcome' May 6, 2018