Alumni News

Dr. Andrea Kroetz with a smalltooth sawfish, a species whose population has declined as a result of fishing mortality. The fish is found today mainly in south Florida and the Bahamas. Photo courtesy NOAA Fisheries Service. Homepage photo courtesy Desirée Gardner Photography.

Making a Dent in One Species' Recovery
November 3, 2017

With the smalltooth sawfish's numbers shrinking, South graduate Dr. Andrea Kroetz gets to witness several pups enter life. ...

Capt. Rupert Laco, center, a South doctoral nursing program student is the recipient of the American Nurses Association-California 2016 Florence Nightingale Award. He is seen being briefed about one of his patients. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

In the Footsteps of Florence Nightingale
October 26, 2017

South nursing graduate and doctoral student Capt. Rupert Laco is recognized for patient care and his service in the Air Force. ...

Austin Everett, a South biology graduate, said he uses his education every day in his job at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. “With the deeper parts of the job, like knowing your animal’s background and physiology, it helps out a huge amount, especially in talking to guests,” he said.

Working Among the Wild Things
October 23, 2017

Austin Everett, a South biology graduate, is excited each day he goes to work as a zookeeper at 'The Little Zoo That Could.' ...

South Student is Part of "Generation Teach"
October 12, 2017

Logan Arnold, a physical education major at South, was selected to teach kids in Massachusetts for several months this summer. ...

Tinashe Nyatanga, '12, bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles after graduation to break into the film industry. Nyatanga, here in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre just a few blocks from his home, is honing his craft with the hopes of directing full-length movies.

Patience, Creativity and a 'Great Eye'
October 6, 2017

Tinashe Nyatanga, '12, bought a one-way ticket to L.A. after graduation and has launched a promising film career. ...

Nicholas Brownlee, front, met with music students during a visit to South, where he was taught as a student by Dr. Thomas Rowell, right, director of the USA Opera House.

South Grad, Opera Star ... Pro Truck Racer?
August 25, 2017

Nicholas Brownlee, '12, returns to South for a one-night concert, meets with students and talks about his love of racing. ...

Stephanie Johnson graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies and is a 23-year veteran educator. "Mediocrity is not an option for our children," she said.

Meet Georgia's 'Turnaround Principal'
August 24, 2017

USA alum Stephanie Johnson, a finalist for National Principal of the Year, has a knack for resurrecting struggling schools. ...

Nicholas Brownlee, '12, will be performing in a one-night-only concert to benefit the University’s Opera Theatre program at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, in the USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

Rising Opera Star Coming Home to South
August 11, 2017

Nicholas Brownlee, '12, who has quickly risen to the "A-list" of young opera singers, will perform Friday, Aug. 25. ...

Gráinne O’Dea attended the University of South Alabama on a track and field scholarship and graduated with two degrees before taking a job at Pace Sports Management in London.

Keeping Up With the World's Fastest Human
July 14, 2017

South alum Gráinne O'Dea helps manage the careers of some of the world's top track and field athletes, including Usain Bolt. ...

Attending the two-week summer Research Opportunities for Noyce Alumni professional development training are Dr. Susan Martin, associate professor of Leadership and teacher education, and program coordinator at the University of South Alabama; Ramsey Willis, a math teacher at Davidson High School; and Cathey Ho, a science teacher at Semmes Middle School.

Helping Teachers Help Their Students
July 13, 2017

USA Noyce Scholars will take lessons from research-based professional development, along with a stipend, back to their schools. ...

USA College of Nursing alumna Dawn Downs, a critical care nurse, recently graduated with her nurse practitioner degree from South, which has given her more experience and preparation for her future professional work. Photo courtesy of Dawn Downs.

A South Education, a West Coast Location
July 5, 2017

With a robust online program, USA's College of Nursing has graduates in all 50 states. Meet one: Dawn Downs of California. ...

Overcoming Struggles to Help Others
June 23, 2017

Ron Stallworth slept in his car between class and work. The alumnus has since established a scholarship for others in need. ...

The USA National Alumni Association recognized five members of the South community on Thursday for outstanding achievements. From left are Dr. Pat C. Covey, founding dean of USA’s Pat C. Covey College of Allied Health Professions; Lee Covey, founder of the Collegiate Housing Foundation; James L. “Jim” Busby, ’83, founder of Drobotik Sciences; and Dr. John S. Meigs Jr., ’79, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Not pictured is retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral William “Dean” Lee, '79.

Alumni, Service Leaders Recognized
June 1, 2017

The USA National Alumni Association honored five members of the South community for outstanding achievements. ...

Thomas Merrigan, a 2000 chemistry graduate, has always had a side project. One turned into Grayle, a water filter and purifier bottle now sold in 250 stores in the United States. Photo courtesy of Thomas Merrigan.

A (One-Press) Push for Innovation
May 17, 2017

Travis Merrigan's busy week: Quit job, got married, moved to Seattle and began full bore developing the Grayl water bottle. ...

Newly-named Alabama Teacher of the Year Chasity Collier, left, receives a special 50th Anniversary medallion from Dr. Andrea Kent, dean of the University of South Alabama College of Education, during a surprise celebration pep rally at Dawes Intermediate School. Earlier this year, South Alabama’s College of Education celebrated 50 years. Collier teaches fifth-grade science at Dawes Intermediate School.

Alumna Named Alabama Teacher of the Year
May 12, 2017

Chasity Collier, a fifth-grade science teacher at Dawes Intermediate School in Mobile County, graduated from South in 1998. ...

Dr. Doug Haywick, associate professor of geology, shakes the hand of Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, at Commencement on May 6. Haywick earned a second bachelor's degree after taking classes beginning in 2002.

'Learning Should be a Lifelong Activity'
May 9, 2017

Retiring professor Dr. Doug Haywick walked across the stage at the Mitchell Center to earn his second bachelor's degree. ...

South Graduates' 'Bittersweet' Moment
May 6, 2017

The University recognized more than 2,200 degree candidates at two ceremonies, 50 years after USA's first commencement. ...

Mikayla Walters will return to South to earn a master’s degree in chemical engineering: “I love learning and I am eager to learn all I can in my field.”

Shelby Hall Beat Out Cornell, Caltech
May 1, 2017

Mikayla Walters chose South for engineering after visiting campus. She will stay for her master's after a layover in Chile. ...

Winifred George, who will earn her bachelor's in nursing, wants to work in labor and delivery, and, in the near future, return to school for her graduate degree.

'Humbled by Her Experience'
May 1, 2017

Winifred George watched the compassion of nurses when her grandmother died. Now she wants to help bring life into the world. ...

Jacob Blandford and Martha Marie Engeling will earn their master's degrees in two new programs, marine conservation and resource management and sports management, respectively.

New Degree Programs for New Graduates
May 1, 2017

Master of science degrees will be awarded in sports management, along with marine conservation and resource management. ...

Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood will speak at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, and European Union Ambassador to the United States David O’Sullivan will address graduates at the 2 p.m. ceremony on May 6.

Commissioner, Diplomat to Address Graduates
April 27, 2017

Mobile's Merceria Ludgood and the EU's David O'Sullivan will speak during Spring Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 6. ...

$100 Million and Counting
April 24, 2017

The University of South Alabama reaches a milestone in its $150 million 'Upward & Onward' fundraising campaign. ...

Julian MacQueen credits South for taking a chance on him 40 years ago. South's new alumni center will be named after his family.

New Alumni Center to Open in 2018
April 24, 2017

The center recognizes donors Julian and Kim MacQueen: 'It's very important for us to create unity in everything we do.' ...

Dr. Gretchen Vandiver, 2012 recipient of the DeBakey Scholarship, is shown in Iquitos, Peru on a medical mission trip through the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama.

Rural Medicine Practice Made Possible
April 24, 2017

The DeBakey Foundation has provided the USA College of Medicine more than $2 million to support academic scholarships. ...

Each year, South graduate and artist Ricky Trione visits classes in the College of Education. A lesson quickly emerges: If a blind man can create boldly colored, vibrant paintings, and sit on the floor of a classroom teaching kindergarteners how to do the same, then teachers can use art to communicate with almost anyone.

In Darkness, Colors Shine Bright
April 14, 2017

South graduate Ricky Trione's medium was pen and ink. When he lost his sight, Trione thought he'd lost art, too. ...

Alumni News Archive

Making a Dent in One Species' Recovery November 3, 2017

In the Footsteps of Florence Nightingale October 26, 2017

Working Among the Wild Things October 23, 2017

South Student is Part of "Generation Teach" October 12, 2017

Patience, Creativity and a 'Great Eye' October 6, 2017

South Grad, Opera Star ... Pro Truck Racer? August 25, 2017

Meet Georgia's 'Turnaround Principal' August 24, 2017

Rising Opera Star Coming Home to South August 11, 2017

Keeping Up With the World's Fastest Human July 14, 2017

Helping Teachers Help Their Students July 13, 2017

A South Education, a West Coast Location July 5, 2017

Overcoming Struggles to Help Others June 23, 2017

Alumni, Service Leaders Recognized June 1, 2017

A (One-Press) Push for Innovation May 17, 2017

Alumna Named Alabama Teacher of the Year May 12, 2017

'Learning Should be a Lifelong Activity' May 9, 2017

South Graduates' 'Bittersweet' Moment May 6, 2017

Shelby Hall Beat Out Cornell, Caltech May 1, 2017

'Humbled by Her Experience' May 1, 2017

New Degree Programs for New Graduates May 1, 2017

Commissioner, Diplomat to Address Graduates April 27, 2017

$100 Million and Counting April 24, 2017

New Alumni Center to Open in 2018 April 24, 2017

Rural Medicine Practice Made Possible April 24, 2017

In Darkness, Colors Shine Bright April 14, 2017