Messages from the President - 2023
December 8, 2023
Students, Faculty and Staff,
Today we stood at the site of progress, put shovels to dirt and celebrated something new with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building. While preliminary work has been underway for several months, today鈥檚 special occasion brought together our University community and supporters to publicly mark the beginning of this $200 million project.
When completed in 2026, it will give our students, faculty and researchers the instruction and lab space that matches the high quality of their education and research. The new building will allow us to continue to expand our medical student class size, to 100 students and above, to help address a national shortage in healthcare providers.
This facility will be a beautiful symbol of the University鈥檚 mission to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. It will join the Health Sciences Building 鈥� home to the College of Nursing and the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions 鈥� along with the Health Simulation Building and the Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library to provide more than a half-million square feet of space on the north side of campus dedicated to healthcare education.
As you may know, a significant portion of this transformational project already has been funded, with allocations or commitments from Gov. Kay Ivey, former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, the USA Foundation, the city of Mobile, the Mobile County Commission and other generous supporters who understand the importance of educating the next generation of physicians. More than 500 Whiddon College of Medicine alumni practice in Mobile and Baldwin counties alone.
Overall, more than half of South鈥檚 graduates stay in Alabama, and many more make their homes nearby along the Gulf Coast. In one week we will recognize nearly 1,500 new 秘密研究所 alumni at fall Commencement, the culmination of a busy semester that opened with news of rising enrollment. The Oct. 1 acquisition of Providence Hospital and its clinics brought our growing healthcare system and its importance into focus, as did last week鈥檚 opening of five new operating rooms at USA Health University Hospital.
We continued the celebration of our 60th Anniversary with events including Homecoming and, just yesterday evening, a holiday concert featuring our talented student and faculty musicians. The public concert, like today鈥檚 groundbreaking, was a joyful reminder of our connection to Mobile and our region.
We will celebrate that again later this month with an appearance in the at Hancock Whitney Stadium. This is the first time our football team has received back-to-back bowl invitations. While Eastern Michigan has been named the 鈥渉ome team,鈥� I鈥檓 counting on the hometown crowd to fill the visitor鈥檚 side and more.
I hope to see you there as we prepare for the holidays and look forward to continuing our success into the new year.
Jo Bonner
President
October 20, 2023
Students, Faculty and Staff,
Our 秘密研究所 family grew again this month. On Oct. 1, we officially welcomed USA Health Providence at the culmination of a months-long transition that expands our healthcare system to include a third hospital and 14 additional clinics.
Yesterday, at an employee picnic at Providence Hospital, I had the privilege of joining other University and USA Health leaders in thanking and learning more about our nearly 1,800 new employees. Their commitment to compassionate care, and the positive outlook they shared for our future, is truly humbling. I spoke with providers and support staff whose length of service reminds me of so many people I met at South when I first arrived 鈥� one employee I visited with, whose work is focused on infection prevention, has been with Providence for 40 years.
It's a transformational time in our region when we have a hospital that's been around since the 1850s blend its ministry and mission with the 秘密研究所鈥檚 record of providing quality academic healthcare that's second to none along the Gulf Coast.
This week brought the additional good news of a $10 million commitment for the new Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building by a unanimous vote of the Mobile City Council and with the support of Mayor Sandy Stimpson. The new space will allow us to educate and train more physicians who will practice in our region. Stay tuned for information on December鈥檚 groundbreaking.
Bringing it all together, on the night of the vote and with thousands of USA Health employees attending their Game Day event, our Jaguar football team scored the most points in Hancock Whitney Stadium history in a 55-3 win over Southern Miss. Prior to the game, at the south entrance, we unveiled a new SouthPaw statue that honors the University's founding during the 60th Anniversary. Plans are underway for similar SouthPaw statues around Mobile to highlight our close connection to the community.
Our Jaguar Marching Band, of course, was with us all the way 鈥� at the Providence picnic, the statue unveiling and through the game. The Jaguar Marching Band sets the soundtrack for our University, and earlier this year we committed to building an indoor and outdoor band complex that will serve as its permanent home.
Also this semester we announced a transformative donation from the USA Foundation of more than a quarter mile of Dauphin Island bayfront, opening additional access for teaching and research. Generous gifts from our donors totaling $41.5 million made our fiscal 2022-23 the most successful year yet in fundraising. To have record fundraising outside of a capital campaign speaks to the overwhelming support for South鈥檚 mission of promoting discovery, health and learning and to the dedication of our faculty, staff and alumni.
I鈥檇 like to close today鈥檚 letter with a spotlight on one of our students. This year鈥檚 Board of Trustees Scholar is Katie Giles from Gadsden, Alabama. Katie scored a 36 on the ACT, runs cross country for the Jags and is a member of our Honors College. She graduated from a small high school, Glencoe, but has met friends and found her way on a much larger campus. She's part of one of the largest freshman classes in the history of South.
With Providence a part of the USA family, our city investing in medical education, and a strong signal of support through record fundraising, we continue to set the stage for good things to come. Go Jags!
Jo Bonner
President
September 8, 2023
Faculty, Staff and Students,
This morning we were pleased to deliver to the USA Board of Trustees an enrollment report that shows growth for the first time in seven years and a freshman class that jumped 19 percent over last fall.
The Class of 2027 is one of the most academically talented, with an average GPA of 3.76; there were significant enrollment gains in several of our colleges and schools; and first-year retention grew to 76 percent.
In all, student enrollment in 2023 rose to 13,768. A news release detailing our achievements can be found on USA News.
This success is due to the dedicated and focused work of our faculty, staff and students.
Because of you, more and more students and their families see the value of a first-class ticket to a brighter future through a degree from the 秘密研究所. There are many reasons to be proud of our University, as well as to be optimistic for our future.
Increasing enrollment and improving retention take constant work and attention. That doesn鈥檛 happen overnight. Positive results are only possible when everyone plays a role.
We鈥檙e especially grateful to our faculty and staff, who have gone the extra mile to put our students first. They have implemented innovative teaching strategies and provided enriched opportunities for research, service and campus involvement. They visit high schools on recruiting trips and meet our students where they are 鈥� in person and online 鈥� to guide them in their academic pursuits.
Collectively, we are meeting this moment of opportunity. We are living out our mission of promoting discovery, health and learning because that鈥檚 what the people who came before us envisioned, worked for and, quite frankly, expected.
This is just the beginning. Today we celebrate, but we also recommit to telling South鈥檚 story and sharing the value of a degree from the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.
With heartfelt thanks,
Jo Bonner
President
Dr. Andi Kent
Executive Vice President and Provost
August 25, 2023
Students, Faculty and Staff,
With our first week of class coming to a close, I didn鈥檛 want to miss a chance to tell you how incredibly proud I have been with the start of our academic year.
From Move-In Days this past weekend, to Convocation on Monday, to our 60th Anniversary and movie night at Hancock Whitney Stadium, there has been something for everyone. We want all of our Jaguars to find their place at South.
A BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteers 鈥� students, faculty and staff 鈥� who have made all these events possible. There is more to come. Check out Week of Welcome and Beyond events online.
To our newest Jaguars, we know you might still have questions about preparing for your classes, selecting a path for your major or figuring out how to get involved. The transition from high school to college can be challenging, but know that there is an army of people on campus ready to support you. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
You can reach out to the Center for Academic Excellence, your advisors or one of your professors. USA One Stop also is good source of information. And remember, if you need a ride, look for me and SGA President Amya Douglas on the Presidential Golf Cart. Flag us down by showing your J.
As I told students at Convocation, we are grateful each of you is here, and, moreover, we are honored you chose South Alabama as your university. I want to make sure we do everything in our power to get you to the graduation finish line and help you earn a first-class ticket to a brighter future. Along the way, you鈥檙e going to meet lifelong friends, expand what you thought was possible, and learn a lot about yourself and your field of study.
All of this is meant to prepare you for what comes next in life. You鈥檝e already learned how important it is to make a strong start.
Until we meet on campus,
Jo Bonner
President
August 21, 2023
Convocation Remarks, 2023
Good morning. It鈥檚 great to see you all. What an exciting way to kick off the fall semester, even though it still feels like summer. We are grateful each of you is here, and moreover, we are honored you chose South Alabama as your place to get a great college education.
In just a bit, I鈥檓 going to talk with you about a few pivotal moments in life.
The fact that you are here is one of those moments, and I want to make sure we do everything in our power to get you to that graduation finish line 鈥� to earn that degree and a first-class ticket to a brighter future. Along the way, you鈥檙e going to meet lifelong friends, expand what you ever thought was possible, learn a lot about yourself and even more about your field of study.
Our faculty 鈥� many who are here today 鈥� join me in welcoming you to this special moment in your life.
All of this is meant to prepare you for what comes next in life.
Now, for some, judging by the amount of things we helped you haul up those stairs on Friday and Saturday during 鈥淢ove-In Days,鈥� it seems like you may be planning on staying here a while. Remember鈥� the goal is to graduate in four years!
Let me tell you about a dinner my wife, Jan茅e, and I hosted the other night for Head Football Coach Kane Wommack and his lovely wife, Melissa, along with a few other friends.
During the course of what was a great visit, we got the chance to reflect on last year鈥檚 team, when YOUR Jaguars went 10-2 during the regular season, and topped it off with a bowl game in the Superdome in New Orleans.
By the way, we鈥檙e returning to New Orleans on September 2 to kick off this year鈥檚 season against nationally-ranked Tulane. I look forward to seeing each of you at our home games this fall.
But that night, over dinner at our house, Coach Wommack said something that really made an impression on me. He said: 鈥淧resident Bonner鈥� We were five plays from being undefeated.鈥�
Think about that. Five plays. Five moments that changed the trajectory of those games.
You see, this happens in our lives, as well.
Warren Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and the fifth richest man in the world. He still lives in Omaha 鈥� in a house he purchased in 1958 for about $31,000.
Each year, Mr. Buffett sends a much-anticipated letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. In it, he shares company news and thoughts on investing. This is a must read for investors. After all, how could you not want insight from a man who is worth more than $118 billion?
In this year鈥檚 letter, Warren Buffett said much of his company鈥檚 fortunes have been the product of about a dozen truly good decisions 鈥� an average of one every five years.
One of those was to invest in Coke 鈥� $1.3 billion back in the 90s. That investment today is worth $25 billion with an annual dividend 鈥� the profit for investors 鈥� of $704 million dollars.
It may seem, then, as though you only have to make a few good decisions in life. The problem is, we face thousands of decisions each day.
Researchers at Cornell estimate we make about 220 decisions each day on food alone. No wonder there are so many photos of pizza on Instagram.
And while I can almost guarantee you that your choice between sausage and pepperoni won鈥檛 change your life, I have no idea what decision you will make today, tomorrow, or next year that will. The fact is, neither do you.
That鈥檚 not to say you have no control over your life鈥檚 direction. You made the decision to be here today; what you learn, who you surround yourself with and what you do in the next four years will go a long way toward shaping what your next 40 years look like.
So what about those decisions you don鈥檛 get right 鈥� the ones that end up in 鈥渇ailure鈥�?
I鈥檓 here to tell you they usually don鈥檛 end up as badly as you might think. You see, failure is opportunity if you鈥檒l only look at it the right way. I can see that through my own life, and I know it will be true in yours as well.
When I was in college 鈥� a long time ago 鈥� I tried out for Big Al, the University of Alabama鈥檚 mascot. Came in third.
I also ran for SGA president. Came in third, there, too.
That night, the night of the election, I showed up at the victory party to congratulate my opponent, Gordon Martin, the guy who won. Many were surprised to see me there, but it was one of those good decisions I ended up making. Gordon and I ended up working closely together that next year and we became lifelong friends.
Losing that race also freed me up for the summer, so I could go to Washington D.C. and intern for Congressman Jack Edwards, who represented South Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The rest, as they say, is history. Just a few years later, I got a job working for Mr. Edward鈥檚 successor, Congressman Sonny Callahan. And when Sonny left Congress after 18 years, I ran for his seat.
Sure, I lost SGA president, but that defeat set into motion a series of events that led me to being elected to Congress for six terms and a lifetime of public service.
In Congress, as you know, you run for office every two years. So I quickly learned I needed to always be campaigning and one trick of the trade is to leave people something with your name on it, like a keychain.
Today, one of the favorite parts of my job is campaigning for South Alabama, and we鈥檙e doing that as we visit schools from across our region, bringing many students back for VIP tours. Some of you, then, already have at least one of our Jaguar spirit buttons from those visits, or from orientation this summer or even from this weekend. I find the buttons are a lot more popular than keychains.
And between the two of us, Dr. Andi Kent, our executive vice president and provost, and I have passed out literally thousands of buttons since we introduced them last year.
For those who are unfamiliar with these buttons, let me give you a quick explanation.
We have more than 30 different buttons, and that number is growing as we add more and more. If you collect all of them, you get a free Coca-Cola from me 鈥� and a chance to make Mr. Buffett even richer.
Today, we鈥檙e officially adding two more buttons for the Week of Welcome 鈥� WOW and Good Vibes Only.
Now, since this is one of the biggest freshmen classes we鈥檝e had in years, I鈥檓 going to need some help passing these buttons out. Here鈥檚 how we鈥檙e going to do it:
I鈥檓 sure most of you all remember Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A new version of the movie comes out this year featuring Timoth茅e Chalamet, and before that, was the version with Johnny Depp, and before that Gene Wilder, and before that the book.
That book was published in 1964 鈥� the first year of your University.
If you recall, five golden tickets were put in random Wonka bars worldwide 鈥� five chances to visit the Wonka Factory.
Today, for our first-year students on the floor, there are five golden tickets. Each of them is a ticket to help me pass out these buttons, and each of them includes $25 in Jag Bucks for USA Dining. One of those golden tickets carries with it a complete set of our Jag spirit buttons.
Only one other student has collected a full set of the buttons since we began this nearly two years ago. So, for our freshmen, check the underside of your chairs, and will the five winners please come up!
All our first-year students are going to get one of these two buttons. But you鈥檒l need to find me over the next few days for the other button. I鈥檒l be around 鈥� I promise!
Helping our five freshmen are members of the 鈥淪outherners.鈥� Now as we go down to start passing out these buttons, let me get everyone to put your left hand up, make a 鈥淛鈥� and let鈥檚 do a Big 鈥淕o Jags!鈥�
July 27, 2023
Faculty, Staff and Students,
Summer makes me realize how much I鈥檓 ready for fall.
It鈥檚 not the heat. Like most of us, I鈥檓 used to Alabama summers. It鈥檚 walking into the Student Center Ballroom in front of a packed house of incoming students and their parents that makes me look forward to the start of classes, the sound of our Jaguar Marching Band and the fun of cheering with our fans at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Our Southbound orientation sessions over the last two months have been remarkable, and the number of first-year students we鈥檙e seeing suggests a strong freshman class. Of course, our final enrollment total is dependent on a number of factors, including headwinds not unique to our University.
We should all be proud of the work we鈥檙e doing to attract new students. I consider myself fortunate to join our enrollment team in welcoming our new students, giving them their first Jaguar spirit buttons and, recently, .
Speaking of buttons, I often get asked about how many buttons we have. For good reason: Amassing a complete collection carries the promise of a free drink, and I鈥檝e only had to give out one Coca-Cola so far. While the collection is always growing, you now can find out which ones you鈥檙e missing and keep track of the latest additions on my personal corner of the University鈥檚 website.
Last year, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent and I committed to visiting high schools across our region and bringing students back to our campus for VIP tours onboard our Jaguar Athletics buses. We鈥檝e logged more than 100 visits to students, teachers and college counselors.
We will recommit to that effort for this coming year as well, and we鈥檙e adding two buses 鈥� one red and one blue 鈥� to our motor pool. The addition of these buses, made possible because of our relationships in Montgomery, improves our transportation for athletics and other University functions, gives the University brand exposure and makes us less reliant on rentals.
Our focus on reaching new audiences is wide. Just a few weeks ago Dr. Kent and I met with district attorney investigators from across the state to talk about the expansion of our Heroes Scholarship program to give public safety workers a break on tuition and a chance to advance with a college degree. And last week we visited Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery to talk with its commander and president, Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos, about ideas for collaboration. (Lt. Gen. Tullos is a friend from last summer when she and I attended the Harvard Seminar for New Presidents.)
Before most students arrive back on campus, many of our student-athletes will be returning to begin practice. I鈥檓 looking forward to attending their events, and hopefully visiting with them during practice. This summer, your Jaguars once again were awarded the 鈥� the Sun Belt Conference鈥檚 annual all-sports championship trophy.
This is the sixth time in nine years, and a league-best 16th time in total, that South Alabama has been named all-sports champion. No other Sun Belt program has a better overall record.
At USA Health, we remain on track for the Oct. 1 acquisition of Providence Hospital and its clinics. As we onboard 2,200 new employees, among them many South graduates, we proceed with shared optimism about how we can further develop innovative strategies to enhance patient care, research and education to meet the unique medical needs of people in our region.
There is a need on the Gulf Coast for academic-based healthcare, and we welcome the opportunity to serve. Our future growth and success will always be guided by our mission of helping people lead longer, better lives, relying on thoughtful leadership from our dedicated employees, our Board of Trustees, and the healthcare and civic leaders on our newly formed USA Health Board of Advisors.
I will close this message with a request from our faculty and staff for your help. We will kick off fall semester strong, and you soon will be hearing about Week of Welcome activities. The tradition begins with Move-In Weekend Aug. 18-19.
If you have not already, please consider signing up to help welcome our students to campus. A friendly 鈥淕o Jags!鈥� is just as important as helping students and their families unload vehicles. Any support is appreciated and encouraged as we begin what is sure to be an exciting academic year.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Jo Bonner
President
May 11, 2023
Faculty, Staff and Students,
After 25 years of dedicated service to the 秘密研究所, Vice President for Finance and Administration Polly Stokley has announced her retirement effective June 1.
A proud University alumna, Polly has worn many hats through the years and played a critical role in the agreement to acquire Providence Hospital by the University of South Alabama Health Care Authority. She began her career at South in 1998 as an assistant to the vice president for financial affairs, and held the titles of assistant controller and controller. She has led finance and administration, either as interim vice president or vice president, since January 2022.
Throughout her tenure, Polly has contributed to the University鈥檚 success through sound fiscal and operational management. In short, Polly has helped keep our institution running smoothly.
Her retirement allows us to move three employees who have reported directly to Polly into redefined roles: Kristen Roberts as chief financial officer; Peter Susman as chief administrative officer; and Buck Kelley as chief facilities management officer.
Kristen Roberts has been at the University since 2015 as a senior financial reporting analyst, assistant controller, controller and assistant vice president, a role she has held since 2021. Kristen previously worked in finance at the University of Alabama, where she holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy.
Peter Susman started at South in 2016 as an assistant controller and also served as budget director before being named assistant vice president for finance and administration in 2021. Peter鈥檚 prior experience includes work with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Chicago. He earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in accounting and political science from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration from the 秘密研究所.
Buck Kelley has been with the University since 2012. His roles have included facilities manager, construction project manager and senior construction project manager. He has led our facilities team since 2021 and serves as assistant vice president for facilities and construction. Prior, he worked at Auburn University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in building construction, and in private industry.
Thank you to Polly for her many years of service and to Kristen, Peter and Buck for their continued leadership in finance, administration and facilities management.
Jo Bonner
President
Dr. Andi Kent
Executive Vice President and Provost
May 3, 2023
Faculty, Staff and Students,
As we wrap up the spring semester, we begin what will become a yearlong celebration marking an important milestone: the 秘密研究所鈥檚 60th Anniversary.
Our University was founded by an act of the Alabama Legislature on this day in 1963. Celebrating our diamond anniversary is a reminder of what we've accomplished in six short decades. Just as important, it allows us to look forward and shape our future. Where do we want to be at 75?
Allow me to personally invite 鈥� and encourage 鈥� all our students, faculty and staff to join us this Friday at 10 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom to commemorate the 60th Anniversary with a special video and announcement. The event will livestream on SouthAlabama.edu for those who are unable to attend.
All of us play important roles in advancing our institution, and that was reflected in what we heard this spring during a series of employee town hall meetings across campus and at USA Health. Attending each with me were Dr. Andi Kent, executive vice president and provost; Dr. John Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine; and Owen Bailey, senior associate vice president for medical affairs and chief executive officer of USA Health.
It was important 鈥� and I believe many found it particularly beneficial 鈥� to connect both our academic and healthcare missions in these discussions. Thank you to all who attended and gave feedback, and special thanks to our Faculty Senate leaders for extending the invitation.
Our USA Health meetings were scheduled toward the end of the semester in hopes that we would be able to gather after a significant announcement: The University of South Alabama Health Care Authority has entered into an agreement to acquire Providence Hospital and its clinics. USA Health and Providence have long shared a commitment to provide compassionate care to those who need it the most, and this transaction will only enhance access to the high-quality academic healthcare that we are providing along the upper Gulf Coast.
As we launch our 60th Anniversary commemoration, we have the tail wind of what can only be called the biggest healthcare announcement in our region since the University began its medical school 50 years ago.
We have the additional good news of a strong visit and review this past March by a team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The on-site review team was clearly impressed by our University, and that鈥檚 a reflection of our culture and years of work by so many people. The team indicated that their report to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees would endorse Reaffirmation of Accreditation. Heartfelt thanks to all who helped in this process.
We enter our 60th year on solid ground, and I want to take a moment to highlight a group that literally helps build our foundations 鈥� Facilities Management. Because of its work managing competitively bid projects, the Alabama Chapter of the Associated General Contractors chose our University as its Public Owner of the Year for 2023. A special salute to Mr. Buck Kelley, assistant vice president for facilities and construction, and his entire team!
In addition to our 60th Anniversary celebration, I also look forward to seeing members of our University community at spring Commencement. Mobile native and former NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson, best known as the entrepreneur who invented the Super Soaker water gun, will address graduates at Friday鈥檚 ceremony. Our own Coach Kane Wommack, who led our Jaguar football team to an exciting 10-3 season last year, will speak Saturday morning.
As we see our alumni ranks grow, we look forward to welcoming a new class of students in the fall. Undergraduate enrollment continues to look promising. I was fortunate to meet some members of the newest class just two weekends ago at the spring USA Day 鈥� South鈥檚 open house and a chance to show prospective students all we have to offer. Thank you to all faculty and staff, particularly our enrollment team, who helped welcome students and their families.
I鈥檇 like to close today鈥檚 message with a special congratulations to two leaders with new roles 鈥� newly elected Faculty Senate President Dr. Donna Streeter and Student Government Association President Amya Douglas.
Dr. Streeter is an associate professor in the College of Nursing who has focused on nursing leadership, community partnerships and the culture of safety. Ms. Douglas, who is majoring in communications, came to South from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and immediately jumped into student government as a member of the First Year Council. Please join me in congratulating both.
As I say quite often, there is nothing we cannot accomplish when we work together. With the beginning of our yearlong 60th celebration, there is no better time than now to recommit to our shared goal of advancing the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.
Jo Bonner
President
P.S. You can show your Jaguar Pride and support student scholarships with a University of South Alabama license plate. And, for the first time, you can help determine what our next tag will look like. .
March 30, 2023
Faculty and Staff,
While the outcome will not be final until a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, we wanted to provide you an update regarding the onsite SACSCOC visit, which concluded last Thursday.
We are beyond pleased to report that the exit interview, led by Dr. Alan Boyette and the SACSCOC Review Team, went extremely well. In fact, the team indicated they had NO recommendations and that their report to the SACSCOC Board would endorse Reaffirmation of Accreditation for the 秘密研究所 at its December 2023 meeting. Truly, it could not have gone better!
The Review Team was also very complimentary about our QEP, LevelUp! Not only did they see it as an opportunity to enhance student learning and engagement, they also recognized the broad-based support and enthusiasm across multiple stakeholders.
One of the highlights of the exit interview was when SACSCOS Vice President Dr. Matthew Melton stated, 鈥淭here is just something that is special about this place. It isn鈥檛 tangible, but we all feel it.鈥�
We could not agree more.
Dr. Angela Coleman, Dr. Julie Estis and the entire USA SACSCOC leadership team did a fantastic job leading the effort from the beginning of the process through the on-site visit. And, many of our extraordinary faculty, staff and students spent countless hours over the last couple of years in preparation, leading us to strong indications of a successful outcome.
A sincere thank you to each of you for your support and dedication to our University. From data collection, to the writing team, to those involved with the on-site visit 鈥� and, equally important, to those who help build a caring culture of support every single day 鈥� we are grateful for you and appreciate your commitment to South.
As we await the final reaffirmation recommendation later this year, we look forward to our continued work together to enhance our University as the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.
Jo Bonner, President
Dr. Andi Kent, Executive Vice President and Provost
March 9, 2023
Dear USA Faculty and Staff,
In recognition of the dedication of our USA employees, each quarter the University recognizes the exceptional efforts of one University general staff employee for the Employee of the Quarter award.
I am pleased to announce that Danielle L. Miller, IACUC/IBC Administrator in Research Compliance and Assurance, has been selected as USA Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2023. Her nomination reads, in part: 鈥淒anielle makes research happen on campus as she reviews every animal research and biosafety protocol that is required at South. Additionally, she is the primary person to ensure South is compliant in research. She is an excellent liaison for her office. Danielle is always pleasant to interact with, extremely prompt in responding to emails, and is continuously helping faculty navigate the online compliance system to make sure their research programs run smoothly. We would not run efficiently without Danielle鈥檚 dedication and service.鈥�
In recognition of Danielle鈥檚 commitment to excellence, the presentation of this award took place at the Board of Trustees meeting on March 3, 2023. Congratulations, Danielle!
Jo Bonner
President
March 1, 2023
Faculty, staff and students,
Soon after becoming your president last January, I hosted a series of listening sessions throughout campus as an opportunity to learn more about our great University, and to hear directly from you about what鈥檚 working and where we have opportunities for growth and improvement.
While I鈥檓 always available to anyone from our community 鈥� just stop me on campus or email president@southalabama.edu 鈥� we鈥檝e begun a limited series of 鈥淭own Hall Meetings鈥� as a follow-up at each of our colleges and schools that will run through early May.
In each case, I鈥檒l meet with administrators, Faculty Senate leadership, faculty and staff. Joining me will be our Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent as well as Dr. John Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine, and Owen Bailey, CEO of USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs.
Individual colleges and schools will be communicating with their communities about location and logistics. I look forward to this opportunity to hear 鈥� and learn 鈥� directly from you.
During these visits, I am pleased to be able to spread the good news about our many recent successes. As you know, we have all been focused on recruitment and retention, and those efforts are yielding results.
From fall to spring of this year, our first-year student retention rate topped 90 percent, highlighting both student resilience and the purposeful work of our faculty and staff to get them to the graduation finish line. At the same time, while it is still early, first-year student enrollment for fall 2023 looks promising. Applications are up from this time last year, and that positive momentum is reflected in student housing requests.
While it will take longer to see if early indicators result in increased first-year student enrollment, we should all be encouraged. If you know someone who would be interested in attending South, you can pass along their information through a and we will be sure to let them know why they should choose the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.
To be clear, there is great interest right now in our University. I hear it when I鈥檓 on our Jag Athletics buses picking up high school students for VIP tours, and I heard it 鈥� loudly! 鈥� on the streets of downtown Mobile just last week.
That鈥檚 when SGA President Camille Bonura and I, along with America鈥檚 favorite mascots, SouthPaw and Miss Pawla, joined the Jaguar Marching Band in leading the Infant Mystics parade. The band sounded fantastic, as usual, and we had fun tossing beads from the Presidential Golf Cart and hopping off it to hand out SouthPaw Mardi Gras buttons to the crowd. Our Prowlers even got in on the fun by leading the Tableau at the IM鈥檚 Ball.
Speaking of those buttons, a student finally made me make good on my promise to buy a drink for anyone who collects a full set of presidential buttons! I鈥檝e seen Riki Nguyen at least a dozen times at events over the last year as he sought out the latest pin, or collected ones he already had to trade for those he didn鈥檛. He recently stopped by the office with a full set and collected his Coca-Cola.
Riki is a big reason we have an ROTC button. A member of our Army ROTC Jaguar Battalion, Riki emailed last year suggesting we design one. Thank you, Riki, for your service, and congratulations! (At least a few new buttons will be released this spring, so if you think you have a complete set, that鈥檚 about to change.)
I鈥檇 like to close this letter by mentioning two of the many events I attended in February.
On Feb. 14, I was at the unveiling of a at USA Health Children鈥檚 & Women鈥檚 Hospital. The 20-suite unit is designed to promote comfort and bonding for families and their newborns. USA Health is the area鈥檚 leader in births, and it now has the finest postpartum facilities in our region.
Two days later, I had the good fortune of being invited to the annual Soul Food Luncheon hosted by our Multicultural Leadership Center. The Student Center ballroom was filled with energy and purpose. To witness the love, encouragement and sense of community demonstrated by our students at one of our major events for Black History Month was, indeed, good for the soul.
As we head into the spring months 鈥� a season that will bring new growth and opportunities 鈥� I look forward to seeing you on our beautiful campus and at our hospitals and clinics. Go Jags!
Jo Bonner
President