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Freshman Focus News Archive

  • University of South Alabama student Paul Nguyen at a piano at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on campus.

    From West Coast to Gulf Coast
    November 4, 2022

    Paul Nguyen chose to leave Oregon for South Alabama and a music and engineering path to medicine. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • KC Crusoe, a University of South Alabama student, at the Student Center on campus.

    Political Education
    October 30, 2022

    KC Crusoe, president of the First Year Council, studies political science to prepare for a career in government. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • At the University of South Alabama, 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. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Suhas Patil at the rock wall at the Student Rec Center at the University of South Alabama

    Up and Coming
    October 14, 2022

    Suhas Patil starts pre-med training with EMS classes and the camaraderie of the Honors College. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • 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 South
    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 beach and starry nights on campus. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Nealan Armstrong, who has been named a University of South Alabama 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 expect any of this when I came here." ...
  • 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 South and makes her debut on court for the Jaguars. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Charbel Mawad is majoring in accounting in the Mitchell College of Business.

    Fresh Start
    November 9, 2021

    Charbel Mawad, a Mobile native and Mitchell Scholar, begins his business education at South with plans for growth and a spot on the First Year Council. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Kaylyn Cordrey, an exercise science freshman from Delaware, said the injuries she suffered as a tap dancer has led her to consider a career in physical therapy.

    Untapped Talent
    November 3, 2021

    A former tap dancer won a Distinguished Young Women scholarship to South. Now she's studying exercise science with plans to become a physical therapist. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Cooper Forsyth, a geology major from McCalla, Alabama, has plans to go to graduate school and earn a Ph.D. Field research and travel pique his interest.

    Down to Earth
    October 26, 2021

    After working construction, Cooper Forsyth can't imagine having a desk job. He plans for field work and a Ph.D. after earning a degree in geology. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Logan, left, and Mallorie Collins, twin sisters from Satsuma, Alabama, share a residence hall suite, a major in mechanical engineering and a spirit for cheering on the Jaguars.

    Engineering South Spirit
    October 14, 2021

    Logan and Mallorie Collins, twin sisters from Satsuma, share a major, a residence hall suite and a passion for cheering on Jaguar sports teams at South. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • At Thompson High School, Carter Mandy was on a state championship esports team. He's joined South's team and is majoring in radiologic sciences.

    Game Time at South
    September 30, 2021

    Carter Mandy is a soccer referee, computer builder and esports gamer. At South, he's majoring in radiologic sciences and navigating campus on his dad's college bike. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Keon Farmer, a nursing major from Pass Christian, Mississippi, says he's learning to play volleyball at the Student Recreation Center. “Whoever comes, comes, and we’ll play from 6:30 to 11 o’clock closing at night. It’s hard core.”

    Pass Forward
    September 23, 2021

    Keon Farmer, a nursing major from Pass Christian, Miss., starts his career at South with a new sport, part-time job and spot on the First Year Council. #FreshmanFocus. ...
  • Anita Nguyen, an Honors College freshman, says a lot goes into an on-field marching band routine. The experience is energizing.

    Up-Tempo
    September 17, 2021

    Honors College. First Year Council. Jaguar Marching Band. Anita Nguyen, a biomedical sciences major, says managing her busy schedule is important. So is taking a break. #FreshmanFocus ...
  • Connor Holm, a freshman biomedical sciences major in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, was recently awarded the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees Scholarship.

    Satsuma Grad Awarded Trustees Scholarship
    September 9, 2021

    Connor Holm, a member of South's Honors College, shifts into college life with plans to do research, study medicine and enjoy his 6-speed hatchback. ...
  • Honors student and freshman Samuel Blankenship's Eagle Scout project was “Unpack Hunger,” a food collection and distribution program. “Once quarantine hit, it turned into delivering packs to the school counselor, so kids could keep getting them. We were able to do 25 packs for 10 weeks,” he said.

    Tackling Hunger, Trivia on Random Things
    October 27, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: Honors student and former quiz bowler Samuel Blankenship focused his Eagle Scout project on hungry students. ...
  • Kaylee Williams, a freshman from Biloxi, said the coronavirus kept her from visiting South Korea, but she hopes to learn how to speak the language as well as Spanish.

    Biloxi Student Turns to South
    October 14, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: Kaylee Williams follows an interest in global affairs (and Korean hip-hop) to major in international studies. ...
  • Freshman Thanh Haas said the Marx Library is her favorite location on campus at the University of South Alabama. “I like the view from the second floor. You can sit next to the big windows and look out over the lake,” she said.

    Move Brings Adventure, New Direction
    October 6, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: Thanh Haas was raised in Vietnam and has a German last name. Now she's getting a South education. ...
  • When Trey Hall toured the University of South Alabama as a student in high school, he was impressed to find the Mitchell College of Business had 12 Bloomberg terminals. “In that interview,” Hall said, “I thought, ‘Oh, I need to come here.’”

    Finance Major Isn't All Business
    September 28, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: Trey Hall is a Mitchell Scholar in the Mitchell College of Business. He's also chasing an elusive perfect game. ...
  • Jhalana Jones, who has performed in local theater, is studying music education at the University of South Alabama. "We have this teacher, Dr. Thomas Rowell, who is a hoot-and-a-half. He lets us know we're not just his students, we're his people."

    Mobile Actress Takes Stage at South
    September 21, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: Jhalana Jones, who has performed in local theater and moonlights as a princess, is studying music education. ...
  • Kaitlyn Reynolds, a freshman from Orlando, Fla., is considering a career as a physical therapist. “Growing up, playing sports, I was always in and out of physical therapy, so it’s something I’m comfortable with,” she said.

    Freshman Enjoys USA Homecoming
    September 8, 2020

    #FreshmanFocus: For Kaitlyn Reynolds, who kicked field goals in Orlando, Fla., coming to South is a family tradition. ...