Alumni News

Billie McKinney, a graduate of the University of South Alabama, is a structural engineer at Ingalls Shipbuilding, one of Mississippi's largest employers. “As a structural engineer at Ingalls, my job consists of ensuring the safety of the men and women of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. I take great pride in providing these men and women with the utmost dedication, professionalism and work ethic that they provide our country daily.”

#MyFirstJob: Billie McKinney
June 24, 2019

As an engineer at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Billie McKinney's job helps ensure the safety of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard personnel. ...

Zane Patterson's official title at Shipshape Urban Farms is account manager. But working at a start-up means pitching in wherever he's needed, and Patterson said he thrives on that culture. "I enjoy the flexibility of entrepreneurship,” he said.

#MyFirstJob: Zane Patterson
June 17, 2019

An account manager at Shipshape Urban Farms, Zane Patterson thrives on start-up culture. 'I get to help shape this business.' ...

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from the University of South Alabama in 2017, was named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others'
June 13, 2019

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from South in 2017, is named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year. ...

Nick Lawkis, who was named executive director for governmental relations at the University of South Alabama, holds two degrees from South and has worked for the University since 2011.

Lawkis Named Executive Director
June 12, 2019

Nick Lawkis, a University advocate in Montgomery and Washington, D.C., since 2015, was tapped to head governmental relations. ...

When Tara Principe enrolled at South, she thought she would return to Road Island after graduation. “But my parents knew by my sophomore year at South that I was not coming back home to live. There’s no snow here, and I am close to the beaches.” Principe began as the marketing and communication director at Distinguished Young Women just four days after graduation. When Tara Principe enrolled at South, she thought she would return to Road Island after graduation. “But my parents knew by my sophomore year at South that I was not coming back home to live. There’s no snow here, and I am close to the beaches.” Principe began as the marketing and communication director at Distinguished Young Women just four days after graduation.

#MyFirstJob: Tara Principe
June 10, 2019

Distinguished Young Women's new marketing director got a rehearsal performance even before she graduated. ...

Caroline Carithers, a 2019 South graduate who is starting at WKRG-TV5, joins Chief Meteorologist Alan Sealls as a member of the WKRG First Alert Storm Team. Sealls taught Carithers while she was at USA.

#MyFirstJob: Caroline Carithers
June 4, 2019

"I was kind of shocked I got my dream job so quickly, so I'm very excited," says South grad and WKRG-TV5's newest meteorologist. ...

One of Dr. Gloria Wilson's works is her “Blackademic Project,” an ongoing examination of the intersections of race and academic identity. She designed and constructed a doctoral robe to serve as a metaphor to describe the challenges of negotiating a racialized academic identity.

Art Honors Life, Connects to History
May 13, 2019

South graduate Dr. Gloria Wilson's creativity is inspired by family ties and influenced by those who came before her. ...

Ovie Mughelli, an environmental advocate and former NFL fullback, told graduates that "what you do has to be about more than a job, more than a paycheck. Your purpose in life is inside you."

Grads Urged to Live with Purpose, Integrity
May 5, 2019

Former NFL fullback Ovie Mughelli and USA advocate Happy Fulford addressed graduates at Spring Commencement ceremonies. ...

Natalie Williams will begin her career as a nurse in a local intensive care unit. “I love a good adrenaline rush,” she said. “I love the fast-paced environment of working in the emergency room. I have learned that I can work in intense situations and not be broken by the experience."

At Her Beginning, She Sought End Answers
April 29, 2019

Nursing senior Natalie Williams, driven by the death of her grandfather, focused on palliative care for her Honors College thesis. ...

In addition to earning her degree Saturday, Khamaria Saadiq will receive the military rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Her first station of duty will be the University of Michigan, where she will work as a recruiter.

Has Degree and Officer Bars, Will Travel
April 29, 2019

For Khamaria Saadiq, hospitality and tourism management offers an opportunity to be 'around good ideas' and 'enjoy your work.' ...

While at South, Stacy Lynwood Sergeant was involved as a Mitchell Ambassador, in the Catholic Student Association and as a member of the Marketing Club and Kappa Alpha fraternity. He also volunteers at Christ United Methodist Church and has trained his golden retriever, Moose, as a therapy dog.

Continuing the Family's Jaguar Line
April 29, 2019

Stacy Sergeant, a third-generation Jaguar, said a co-op with a shipbuilding company allowed him to make important connections. ...

William J. “Happy” Fulford, left, whose USA career spanned nearly 40 years of service in governmental relations, alumni and development, and Ovie Mughelli, a former football star whose post-NFL career has focused on empowering youth and living an ecologically friendly lifestyle, will address USA graduates during Spring Commencement ceremonies.

University Readies for Spring Commencement
April 29, 2019

A longtime University leader and an ex-NFL star-turned-environmentalist will address graduates Saturday at the Mitchell Center. ...

Senior Raven McShan is one of only 10 recipients of a prestigious teaching assistantship that will take her to France to teach English. Although guidelines for the assistantship state preference for applicants with master’s degrees, McShan’s background of community service and interest in multicultural diversity contributed to her selection.

Combining Two Loves: Teaching and French
April 23, 2019

Honors College senior Raven McShan is awarded a prestigious teaching assistantship that will take her overseas. ...

USA’s College of Engineering, located in Shelby Hall, has four academic departments and offers five baccalaureate degrees, four master’s degrees and a doctoral degree in systems engineering.

Honoring a 'World of Difference'
April 9, 2019

South's College of Engineering honors the contributions of alumni, supporters, faculty and staff as it celebrates 50 years. ...

William B. “Bill” Burnsed Jr., a 1972 graduate of the University of South Alabama, worked as a telephone company engineer for 20 years before starting Burnsed Oil Co. Inc. He donated $1.5 million to the College of Engineering's department of mechanical engineering, which will be named after him.

$1.5 Million Gift for College of Engineering
March 19, 2019

William B. Burnsed Jr. Department of Mechanical Engineering named; 'South best fit my needs,' says alumnus donor. ...

Seventy-seven senior medical students from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine gathered Friday in the Grand Ballroom at the Mobile Convention Center to open their letters from the National Resident Matching Program and find out where they will be continuing their medical education.

Match Day 2019: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
March 17, 2019

Senior medical students from the College of Medicine open letters revealing where they will continue their education. ...

The University of South Alabama 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.

USA 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 University of South Alabama’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

USA 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. ...

USA 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: 棉花糖直播 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 棉花糖直播
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. ...

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Alumni News Archive

#MyFirstJob: Billie McKinney June 24, 2019

#MyFirstJob: Zane Patterson June 17, 2019

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others' June 13, 2019

Lawkis Named Executive Director June 12, 2019

#MyFirstJob: Tara Principe June 10, 2019

#MyFirstJob: Caroline Carithers June 4, 2019

Art Honors Life, Connects to History May 13, 2019

Grads Urged to Live with Purpose, Integrity May 5, 2019

At Her Beginning, She Sought End Answers April 29, 2019

Has Degree and Officer Bars, Will Travel April 29, 2019

Continuing the Family's Jaguar Line April 29, 2019

University Readies for Spring Commencement April 29, 2019

Combining Two Loves: Teaching and French April 23, 2019

Honoring a 'World of Difference' April 9, 2019

$1.5 Million Gift for College of Engineering March 19, 2019

Match Day 2019: Signed, Sealed, Delivered March 17, 2019

USA 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 棉花糖直播 December 10, 2018

Service, Focus and Promoting Excellence December 10, 2018