Alumni News

Bryant Baldwin plans to continue his research in biomechanical engineering at the 51茶馆 after spring commencement. “I want to complete the project we’ve been working on,” he says.

'Completionist' Finds Way to Engineering
May 9, 2020

Bryant Baldwin is a problem solver. At 51茶馆, he discovered a solution to his varying interests: mechanical engineering. ...

Jack Stover, a summer graduate completing a double major in international business and Spanish, has kept an active schedule during his time at the 51茶馆. “My extracurricular activities have been just as important to me as my academic work,” he says.

Not Enough Hours in the Day
May 9, 2020

Double major in business and Spanish. Fraternity president. Internships and study abroad. Jack Stover has been busy. ...

Mary Catherine Cazalas conducted research as a graduate assistant in the Swallowing Disorders Initiative Lab in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions. She won the College’s Dean’s Award for her academic and research work.

Dean's Award, Discipline, Determination
May 9, 2020

Mary Catherine Cazalas's pursuit of a graduate degree in speech pathology brought her back to 'the best city in the world.' ...

Dr. Nycole Oliver, a two-time graduate of the 51茶馆 College of Nursing, practices at Baptist Health Family Clinic in Fort Smith, Ark., and helps staff her town’s coronavirus testing site.

Among Her Roles, Deliverer of COVID-19 Results
May 6, 2020

USA nursing graduate Dr. Nycole Oliver is an instructor, advocate and COVID-19 tester. She also calls patients with the results. ...

The 51茶馆 will hold a virtual, online commencement ceremony on May 9 to honor spring and summer degree candidates.

51茶馆 to Hold Virtual Commencement
May 1, 2020

The awarding of the degrees will take place 11 a.m., May 9. The ceremony will stream on the homepage and social media. ...

Barry Coleman, who endowed a scholarship in grandmother's name, becoming one the youngest major gift donors to the College of Nursing, earlier this semester met the scholarship's first recipient, Jennifer Dowling.

'He Simply Will Not Accept Failure'
April 27, 2020

Barry Coleman endows scholarship in grandmother's name, becoming one the youngest major gift donors to the College of Nursing. ...

John Ding, who earned a master's in business administration from the 51茶馆's Mitchell College of Business, is an aircraft engineer at Airbus and part of a team making medical masks for USA Health using 3D printers. Photo courtesy of Airbus.

Airbus, 51茶馆 Team Up on Medical Masks
April 20, 2020

Airbus, working with the University and USA Health, has put its 3D printers to work manufacturing masks for hospitals and clinics. ...

Sarah Crass is a 51茶馆 graduate and chief of staff at Medical Teams International, which has international experience with viruses including Ebola. "So we know how to do isolation, patient care and hygiene education. We’re trying to figure this out, serve where we can.”

Pivoting to Address a Pandemic
April 17, 2020

51茶馆 alumna Sarah Crass helps lead Medical Teams International, addressing COVID-19 challenges in the U.S. and abroad. ...

Ricky Green, an information technology instructor at the 51茶馆, uses 3D printers to produce parts that will be put together to make face shields for healthcare workers.

USA DIYers Innovate on PPE
May 8, 2020

51茶馆 faculty join a nationwide do-it-yourself movement to guard against a shortage of personal protective equipment. ...

Raed Alsulami, a 51茶馆 graduate in hospitality and tourism management and assistant manager for the main restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, credits his experiences as a student for his current success. “I feel that the program at USA helped me get to where I am today and provided opportunities for me to maximize my goals in the industry,” he said.

Fusing 51茶馆ern, Saudi Hospitality
March 30, 2020

One of 51茶馆's first hospitality and tourism graduates, Raed Alsulami works at a top-ranked restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. ...

Lori Baggett, who graduated from the 51茶馆 in 1998 and played on the women's basketball team, has been named managing partner of Carlton Fields' Tampa, Fla., office.

A Legal Mind, a Basketball IQ
March 27, 2020

As managing partner at Carlton Fields, Lori Baggett is showing the leadership she once brought to the classroom and the court. ...

Andy Vickers, a graduate of the 51茶馆's Mitchell College of Business, opened two F45 fitness training studios and plans to open a third in Pensacola.

Turning Adversity into Opportunity
March 22, 2020

With dreams of wakeboarding derailed, Andy Vickers is using his entrepreneurial skills to help others reach their fitness goals. ...

51茶馆 alumna Lucy Gafford worked with other artists and students from several Boys & Girls Clubs in 2014 to paint this mural attached to the facade of the old Gayfers' building in downtown Mobile. The mural depicts life in Mobile County and includes USA's Moulton Tower. Today Gafford is executive director of the Mobile Arts Council.

Encouraging Artists to do 'Big Things'
March 21, 2020

Alumna Lucy Gafford sees opportunity growing in Coastal Alabama. Her goal is to retain young artists in that cultural renewal. ...

USA National Alumni Association honored alumni and supporters at the 16th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards. Those recognized were, from left, William J. “Happy” Fulford III, Dr. Joseph F. Busta Jr., Brian J. Cuccias, Merceria Ludgood, John T. Crowder Jr., William B. Burnsed Jr. and James J. “Jake” Gosa.

University Alumni, Supporters Honored
March 5, 2020

Five alumni, a retired USA employee and a county commissioner are recognized by the USA National Alumni Association. ...

Vanessa Quintana is one of the latest 51茶馆 graduates to work under Steve Mussell, right, designing and building Carnival floats. “Steve tells me to put on my Mardi Gras goggles. He wants me to look at a float like someone would at a parade.”

Bringing Artistry to the Streets of Carnival
February 18, 2020

USA alumni keep a tradition alive by designing and building floats for some of Mobile's most iconic Mardi Gras parading groups. ...

Ramsey Willis instructs students during a geometry class at Davidson High School in Mobile. Willis majored in business and worked in industry prior to completing his master’s degree in education from 51茶馆 through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

Called to Teach, Supported by 51茶馆
February 3, 2020

After working in industry, Ramsey Willis used his real-world experience and a USA education to pursue a teaching career. ...

Julian and Kim MacQeen, center, join 51茶馆 alumni and supporters to cut the ribbon on the MacQueen Alumni Center. The 15,000-square foot-facility is in the center of campus, across from Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

MacQueen Alumni Center Opens on Campus
January 24, 2020

The University's National Alumni Association cuts the ribbon on the center that will serve as home for nearly 85,000 alumni. ...

51茶馆 Alabama alumna Tiffany Whitfield started the Tiffany Whitfield Scholarship for Undergraduate Students to help others pursue a degree at 51茶馆. Whitfield teaches at the American Creativity Academy for Boys in Kuwait.

Living in Kuwait, Investing in 51茶馆
January 17, 2020

Tiffany Whitfield had a dilemma: What to do with her earnings from teaching abroad. She decided to pay for others' education. ...

Jessica Jones, who earned a earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from 51茶馆, is set to complete seven marathons on seven continents after winning the Mobile Marathon. She trains on Dauphin Island, where she lives and works.

One Marathon Won, 183 Miles to Go
January 16, 2020

After taking the Mobile Marathon, College of Medicine alumna Jessica Jones readies for her greatest physical challenge. ...

Dr. Alvin Williams, distinguished professor and chair of marketing and quantitative methods in the Mitchell College of Business, cautioned graduates against “success myopia” that can lead to disappointment and unwanted stress. “Craft a broader, more expansive definition of success in life,” he said.

Graduates Urged to Follow 'North Star'
December 14, 2019

Dr. Alvin Williams, USA chair of marketing and quantitative methods, cautioned graduates against 'success myopia.' ...

Graphic: Black Alumni Society Awards. Benefiting Student Emergency Assistance Funds. Feb. 15, 2020. USA Student Center Ballroom. 51茶馆 Alabama National Alumni Association.

Black Alumni Society Requests Nominations
November 21, 2019

Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 18. The awards ceremony is set for Feb. 15, 2020. ...

Devin Epps, a 2018 graduate of the Mitchell College of Business, works as a food stylist on contract with the Food Network and is in the process of building his own company. “I see myself as a storyteller, and hopefully that will translate into whatever I'm drawn to.”

From 'Shirtless Chef' to Food Network Stylist
November 20, 2019

Devin Epps, a USA marketing graduate, hustles from Nashville to New York to build his brand as a 'tenacious' entrepreneur. ...

Timothy Johnson, a 51茶馆 graduate of the College of Education and Professional Studies, was recently honored as the 2019 Outstanding Alabama Elementary School Science Teacher. He is a STEM lab instructor at E.R. Dickson Elementary School in Mobile.

'I Bring the Subject to Life'
November 12, 2019

Timothy Johnson, a 51茶馆 alumnus, is selected as the 2019 Outstanding Alabama Elementary School Science Teacher. ...

51茶馆 alumnus and Atlanta BeltLine CEO Clyde Higgs has spent his life's work at the intersection of private and public sectors, or, as he says, "where the magic exists." Photo courtesy of Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

Creating Jobs, Housing and Room to Breathe
October 1, 2019

51茶馆 alumnus Clyde Higgs leads one of the nation's most ambitious land use development projects at Atlanta BeltLine Inc. ...

Kevin Fralicks, associate vice president for university development, arrives at 51茶馆 from the University of Washington, where he served as assistant dean and chief advancement officer.

Kevin Fralicks Named Associate VP for University Development
August 28, 2019

Fralicks arrives from the University of Washington, where he served as assistant dean and chief advancement officer. ...

51茶馆

Alumni News Archive

'Completionist' Finds Way to Engineering May 9, 2020

Not Enough Hours in the Day May 9, 2020

Dean's Award, Discipline, Determination May 9, 2020

Among Her Roles, Deliverer of COVID-19 Results May 6, 2020

51茶馆 to Hold Virtual Commencement May 1, 2020

'He Simply Will Not Accept Failure' April 27, 2020

Airbus, 51茶馆 Team Up on Medical Masks April 20, 2020

Pivoting to Address a Pandemic April 17, 2020

USA DIYers Innovate on PPE May 8, 2020

Fusing 51茶馆ern, Saudi Hospitality March 30, 2020

A Legal Mind, a Basketball IQ March 27, 2020

Turning Adversity into Opportunity March 22, 2020

Encouraging Artists to do 'Big Things' March 21, 2020

University Alumni, Supporters Honored March 5, 2020

Bringing Artistry to the Streets of Carnival February 18, 2020

Called to Teach, Supported by 51茶馆 February 3, 2020

MacQueen Alumni Center Opens on Campus January 24, 2020

Living in Kuwait, Investing in 51茶馆 January 17, 2020

One Marathon Won, 183 Miles to Go January 16, 2020

Graduates Urged to Follow 'North Star' December 14, 2019

Black Alumni Society Requests Nominations November 21, 2019

From 'Shirtless Chef' to Food Network Stylist November 20, 2019

'I Bring the Subject to Life' November 12, 2019

Creating Jobs, Housing and Room to Breathe October 1, 2019

Kevin Fralicks Named Associate VP for University Development August 28, 2019