Messages from the President - 2024

September 25, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

As we make our way across Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, it has become clear the University of South Alabama’s reputation is growing and our story is reaching new ears.

Case in point: Last week, I joined our enrollment team and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent for a series of recruitment events in Alabama’s Wiregrass region, kicked off by a get-to-know-you with prospective students and their parents at a Dothan hotel ballroom.

Just days earlier, our University caught statewide interest from news outlets and social media when Jaguar Athletics and our transportation crews jumped in to help the University of New Mexico, whose football team had a weather detour into Mobile on its way to play Auburn.

When the Lobos’ plane landed, our four buses were waiting with hot pizzas to take the team on the first leg of its journey to Auburn. One of the drivers even came off vacation to make it work.

In Dothan, the mother of a future Jaguar shared that story’s impact on her and her daughter.

“I just want to tell you that she’s been wanting to attend South since she was a little girl, but what South did with the buses made the whole state of Alabama look good,” she said. “I couldn’t be more proud. My daughter is definitely coming now.”

Everyone who helped that day exemplifies our welcoming and caring culture. From it springs our new “Ready. South. Go.” branding that calls on us to lead the way in education and healthcare by taking deliberate action to engage, educate and advance.

Our leadership in healthcare certainly shone bright this month during a dedication ceremony at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital for the first ever Safe Haven Baby Box in Mobile, only the eighth in the state. The box, built into an exterior wall of the hospital, allows parents to legally, safely and anonymously surrender their infant. It is an impossibly difficult decision, but one that will save lives and make proud parents out of others who wish to adopt.

News also recently spread about a $5 million donation from businessman Elliot B. Maisel to the construction of our new Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building. This is the largest donation from an individual to this project, and it is his hope that the gift inspires others to support South.

Of course, our fall semester kicked off with a big Week of Welcome celebration for new and returning students. This is the second year in a row we’ve grown student enrollment and the first time in four years we’ve been over 14,000 students. Significantly, initiatives aimed at helping sophomores continue on a path to earning a degree paid off with a record rate of students returning for their third year. A reason to celebrate, indeed.

Our trip to Dothan was one of many we’re making with a focus on next fall’s enrollment. This week alone, we’re bringing in students for Jag Days tours with bus trips from three different schools in Mobile and Citronelle. Make sure you throw a J if you see them. Earlier this month, we were recruiting in Mississippi and Atlanta.

The creation of our new Office of Military Services is another opportunity for increasing enrollment. Mobile, of course, has a rich military history, and with 13,000 active-duty service members, 25,000 National Guard and Reserve members, and 377,000 veterans in Alabama — along with Keesler Air Force Base to our west and Naval Air Station Pensacola and Eglin Air Force Base to our east — we think there is plenty of room for growth.

All this takes me back to the announcement of Elliot Maisel’s gift. Immediately after the reveal, Mr. Maisel was recognized by our Board of Trustees. In his remarks, he had a message for the Board:

“Don't underestimate yourself. You're big. We're big. Think big. Be big.”

Advice we can all take to heart.

Jo Bonner
President

September 9, 2024

Faculty, Staff and Students,

We are proud to announce today that, once again, more students are choosing the University of South Alabama.

Even with declining enrollment at universities regularly in the news, enrollment at South increased for the second consecutive year and topped 14,000 for the first time in four years, according to fall data. In all, total enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year rose to 14,003, an increase of more than 500 in two years.

More than 2,600 students are living on campus, the highest number in South’s history, and the Honors College welcomed its largest first-year class. Significantly, initiatives aimed at helping sophomores continue on a path to earning a degree paid off with a record rate of students returning for their third year. More information about fall enrollment is detailed on the USA News website. 

South is increasingly popular because of our growing academic offerings, research opportunities, spirited campus life and student-centered faculty and staff. Today’s announcement is made possible through the dedication and support of our entire USA community and a focus on helping our students prepare for what’s next with a degree from the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.

Go Jags!

August 30, 2024

Dear Faculty, Staff and Retirees:

Campus is bursting with energy and fun activities are filling our calendars. It’s also a time to remember our long-standing tradition of supporting the USA Employee and Retiree Campaign for United Way of Southwest Alabama.

Since 1998, South’s employees and retirees have given more than $6 million to improve the quality of life for our neighbors in need. It is my hope that USA continues to Lead the Way and we come together to support this year’s campaign. United Way of Southwest Alabama and its 50 partner agencies are doing extraordinary work with limited resources, and they need our help. Let’s Team Up for Change and support the compassionate services United Way provides to the many citizens in our community. Of special note, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital will be included as a United Way Partner Agency for this year’s campaign. Don’t miss your opportunity to support this special facility that provides world-class care to women and children in our community and beyond.

Our employee campaign will be led by three remarkable individuals from our South family. School of Computing Dean Dr. Todd Andel will lead our general division university units, USA Health Chief Human Resources Officer Andrea Rosler will lead our healthcare units, and Sandra Pickens, a retired administrative assistant, will serve as chair for our retiree campaign.

I’m also excited to share that our very own Dr. Andi Kent, executive vice president and provost, is serving as this year’s chair of the United Way of Southwest Alabama Board of Trustees. All University and USA Health employees are invited to join us Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4:45 p.m. at the Moulton Bell Tower for a United Way Community Kickoff. With the Jaguar Marching Band, USA Cheerleaders, SouthPaw and Miss Pawla leading the charge at this high-energy pep rally, our campaign season will kick off strong — like a team poised for victory. Learn more at SouthAlabama.edu/UnitedWayKickoff.

Thank you to our 196 devoted University and USA Health representatives who will be serving this year’s United Way campaign. Their efforts truly make a difference. When your unit representative contacts you, please join us by making a gift. You can simply visit SouthAlabama.edu/2024UnitedWay and login to PAWS to submit a secure OneStop e-form to make a gift via payroll deduction or with credit card. 

Again, Let’s Team Up for Change and give to the United Way of Southwest Alabama. Thank you for your continued support!

Jo Bonner
President

August 16, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff,

In May, we provided information regarding the effort to update how the University’s story is communicated to prospective students and other key stakeholders. Now that the final direction for the brand refresh has been selected and implementation is beginning, we want to share the latest on it and invite you to attend one of two campus town halls scheduled for September so you can learn more. 

As you know, Flagship of the Gulf Coast is a statement that we began using two years ago, but it has not been widely utilized across campus. That is about to change as we incorporate the phrase — registered last year with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — into websites, brochures, light pole and building banners, email signature lines and much, much more.

In addition to the Flagship line, you will also see our new marketing campaign — Ready, South, Go — begin rolling out in our paid advertising and elsewhere. While it’s heavily focused on student recruitment, the campaign will also appear on banners and in brochures, among other places, to complement our overarching Flagship theme. 

While our primary brand mark (USA), as well as our primary colors, have not changed, you will notice a new design style associated with the University-focused marketing initiative. USA Health will retain its current brand identity.

For a more thorough update on your role in the brand refresh, we ask that you attend one of two town halls taking place on Friday, Sept. 20, from 10-11 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Marx Library Auditorium.  

While “We are South” served us well for many years, it’s time to look to the future, and the brand refresh is an important way for us to position the University regionally and nationally in a way that grows enrollment and shines a positive light on the wonderful work going on at the University of South Alabama — the Flagship of the Gulf Coast. 

August 15, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

Fellow Jaguars,

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2024-2025 academic year. Whether you are new to JagNation or have a closet full of red, white and blue, we are honored you chose the University of South Alabama, and we want to be sure you find your place among our incredible faculty, exceptional staff and extraordinary students — people just like you!

We are excited about what promises to be a year filled with limitless opportunities in a student-centered environment, including stellar academic programs, world-changing research, a health system second to none and more than 250 student organizations. As you are walking around campus, be on the lookout for the red presidential golf cart. Throw up your J’s and we’ll give you a ride: It’s a fun way for us to meet our campus community. And, of course, we will gladly give you a Jaguar spirit button or two!

To properly kick off the semester, we invite you to join us for Convocation on Monday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. in the Mitchell Center. (First-year students meet at Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza for a 10:15 a.m. class photo.) While new students and new faculty are our guests of honor for Convocation, we encourage all faculty, staff and returning students to join us as we welcome our new Jaguars to South.

Student organizations and student athletes will be featured, and Convocation will include a bit of magic and a special musical guest as well. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to help us pack the Mitch as we kick off an exciting fall semester! Dress is summer casual with an emphasis on Jaguar pride. Be sure to get your picture made with SouthPaw and Miss Pawla if you haven’t already.

Convocation is a cornerstone of USA’s Week of Welcome. From Move-In Days to the Jags football home opener against North Texas on Aug. 31, there are a host of events and activities, all designed to help our students engage with our faculty and staff and find their place at USA. For a list of all WOW events, please visit the WOW website.

We are honored beyond words that you chose to be a South Alabama Jaguar, and we both wish you the best for a Jagtastic year!

August 2, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

I wanted to take a moment to update our University of South Alabama community on actions being taken in response to Act 2024-34 (SB 129), legislation that restricts the use of state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. As a result, our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been closed. 

Although the law does not take effect until Oct. 1, we are moving thoughtfully and deliberately to ensure we are fully in compliance prior to that date while, at the same time, supporting students, faculty and staff through this process. We join other universities across the state in making changes.

While the new law alters our organizational structure and approach to some programming, it does not diminish our commitment to academic freedom or to furthering a culture of belonging and respect. In addition, we will use this moment to expand our engagement efforts on campus, throughout the community and across the region through volunteerism, service learning and community-based research. These efforts will continue to be supported by our Office of Community Engagement, led by Dr. Joél Lewis Billingsley as its vice president. 

I’ve had the honor of speaking with incoming students and their families throughout the summer during Southbound Orientation. Our new Jaguars bring with them many different experiences and backgrounds yet a shared goal — to create opportunities for themselves and their communities with a degree from the University of South Alabama. To help them get there is the University’s highest responsibility and privilege.

As a comprehensive research university that also has an academic health system, we will continue to foster a supportive environment in all we do and reaffirm our commitment to advancing education that addresses health disparities and improves outcomes for all. Just recently, our Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine was recognized as third in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for serving medically needy areas — a reflection of the important work now underway and ahead of us.

To prepare for the new law taking effect, Dr. Billingsley and Nick Lawkis, vice president for governmental relations, have been meeting for months with members of our USA community, both individually and in small groups, to work through any logistics and concerns. They will continue to be available for questions, as will I, leading up to and after Oct. 1. I also would encourage you to download a copy of the legislation from the Alabama Secretary of State website.

I remain grateful to all who have helped in this transition and confident in the success we will achieve by taking deliberate action to engage, educate and advance as the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.

Jo Bonner
President

May 2, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

Today marks the final day of South’s 60th Anniversary year, and Saturday we will begin celebrating our next in the best way possible – welcoming the Class of 2024 to the alumni ranks at Commencement.

This year’s Commencement also stands out for another reason: For our undergraduate students who started four years ago, this will likely be their first in-person graduation ceremony. Graduation from high school, and their first year at the University of South Alabama, occurred in the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back then, classes were being held online or in hybrid form; social distancing kept South from being the university we wanted it to be.

So it will be extra special to walk into the Mitchell Center on Saturday, see the smiling faces of all who have supported our students and then shake the hands of our graduates as they walk proudly across the stage.

To each of our graduates, I have a personal message: This milestone says a lot about your resolve, your resilience and your resourcefulness. When push comes to shove, nobody knows how to rally like a Jaguar.

Many of our graduates will be going on to careers, or graduate school, in medicine, nursing and allied health. They will be following in the footsteps of healthcare workers who were on the front lines of the pandemic, including our heroes at USA Health.

Others will seek opportunities in business, engineering, computer science, education and the arts and sciences. Each — and all — represent JagNation with pride, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the role you play as ambassadors for your University.

So much has changed in the past four years. Our MacQueen Alumni Center, home base for all our new graduates, had opened only a few months prior to our moving to remote classes.

We completed a comprehensive fundraising campaign, raising $161 million for the University and USA Health. Hancock Whitney Stadium opened — first to COVID-restricted crowds, then to a sellout against Troy.

Our newest school, the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, was created, adding popular undergraduate courses to the existing graduate programs. And just this academic year, we broke ground on a new Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building.

USA Health continues its explosive growth in delivering academic healthcare to our region. In the last year alone, among other accomplishments, Providence Hospital and its clinics joined the USA Health family, the Baldwin County Surgery Center opened on the Mapp Family Campus and a new and expanded Pediatric Emergency Center began to welcome patients at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

In March, USA Health opened the new SouthNet Medical Clinic, offering urgent and primary care services specifically to USA employees.

There’s more good news to come. Jag Days, when we pick up high school students on our Jaguar Athletics buses and bring them back to campus for VIP tours, will continue next year. Since August, we’ve had 36 Jag Days, and when we aren’t giving students a lift to campus, we’re visiting with others in many more schools to let them know all that South has to offer and how we can help them earn a first-class ticket to a brighter future with a degree from the University of South Alabama.

Our 60th Anniversary gave us all an opportunity to look back and celebrate the efforts that built South into what it is today — the Flagship of the Gulf Coast. At the dawn of our 61st year, let us prepare to raise our banner to even greater heights.

Jo Bonner
President

April 23, 2024

Dear Campus Community,

Last summer, the Office of Marketing and Communications embarked on a Brand Refresh Initiative aimed at reimagining how the University’s story is communicated to prospective students and other key stakeholders. As we approach the implementation stage, we would like to provide an update on our progress.

In conjunction with SimpsonScarborough, a leader in higher education branding and marketing, the University conducted a comprehensive survey targeting audiences in the southern U.S. and the Midwest. This survey aimed to uncover perceptions of USA and identify our key strengths.

The insights gleaned from the survey and feedback from members of the USA community, including students, have guided the subsequent phases of our work, which are nearing completion. In essence, we have established a robust framework for articulating USA's position within Alabama, as well as on a national and international scale. Our updated messaging approach, spanning everything from brochures to building banners to website content, promises to breathe new life into our communications and propel us forward.

While “We are South” has served us well since 2016, it’s time for a new direction. We have already phased out the tagline from many websites, publications, signature lines, etc. However, we have not encouraged replacing print materials until a suitable replacement is identified, due to the expense involved with that type of change.

It is important to clarify that our brand refresh does not involve a complete overhaul. Our University brand mark (logo) and primary colors will remain unchanged, even as we evolve our image to best tell South’s story. 

Additional updates will be provided as we transition into the implementation phase. 

March 1, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

As I navigated campus in recent days, I noticed as many heads in books as I did buds ready to bloom. Signs of the season include midterms and the promise of a beautiful springtime in Mobile.

I hope all our students did well on exams and are ready for a break. But I have a homework assignment for you, and a request of all our faculty and staff across our academic and healthcare divisions: Remember to vote! The Alabama Primary Election for both parties is Tuesday, March 5.

Turnout is generally low for primary elections, so your vote can really make a difference in helping advance the candidates of your choice to the General Election this fall. In addition to those seeking the presidency, candidates include those running in the newly redrawn congressional districts and down-ballot measures.

While the redistricting will not affect the location where you typically cast your ballot, please educate yourself on the issues and candidates as you exercise your right to vote and your commitment to the democratic process.  You can get more information online.

A big thank you to our Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, along with Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis, for holding mock elections on campus in early February for both South students and visiting high school students. In addition to learning about the election process, our students were able to register to vote through the Mobile County Board of Registrars. 

Last weekend, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent and I met with more than 100 prospective Honors College students who were on campus for interviews. Others will do their interviews remotely. Overall, we’re seeing a significant increase in qualified applicants, with the number of interviews up 37 percent from last year.

It kicked off a week with visits to seven high schools from Baldwin County to Tuscaloosa to north Alabama, including Huntsville. While we are recruiting more students, our retention efforts continue to pay off – our freshman retention from fall to spring was 91.37 percent, the second highest in recorded history at South.

Speaking of Baldwin County, last month we began our USA by the Bay Eastern Shore Speaker Series with a well-attended talk by Dr. Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. We will continue to strengthen connections in Baldwin County, where we attract more undergraduate students than any other Alabama university.

March is set to be a busy month. It will be the 31st year for the Providence Foundation Festival of Flowers, held March 8-10 in Cathedral Square. A week later, on March 14, the National Alumni Association will hold its 19th annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards gala. The next day, 71 of our senior medical students will participate in Match Day and find out where they will continue their training in residency.

We dedicate our new Army and Air Force ROTC facility on March 18, and on the 21st USA Health holds Doc Rock, its annual battle of the bands. The month ends with the National Alumni Association Easter Egg Hunt on March 30. Of course, I hope to see our students, faculty and staff supporting our Jags at athletics events throughout the month; both baseball and softball are off to strong starts.

Spring is certainly a time for growth. I look forward to experiencing its joy with each of you.

Jo Bonner
President

March 21, 2024

Faculty, Staff and Students,

Yesterday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation centered on the use of state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and compelled speech of “divisive concepts.”

Throughout the legislative process, our Office of Governmental Relations has been working directly with policymakers to communicate concerns and the potential impact of this legislation. At the same time, both Nick Lawkis, vice president for governmental relations, and Dr. Joél Lewis Billingsley, vice president for diversity and community engagement, have hosted informational sessions with our faculty, staff and students to keep them informed. 

At South, we welcome all and will continue to do the meaningful work of ensuring members of our community find purpose and place here. We will remain committed to academic freedom – benefiting our students, our faculty and the educational process.

The University will continue to assess the final language of the legislation in advance of it taking effect Oct. 1 and will communicate any changes that will take place as a result of the new law. 

I recognize and understand that this legislation has caused both uncertainty and apprehension. But I remain confident in our community, the merit of our differences and what unites us in our shared values.

Jo Bonner
President

March 1, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

As I navigated campus in recent days, I noticed as many heads in books as I did buds ready to bloom. Signs of the season include midterms and the promise of a beautiful springtime in Mobile.

I hope all our students did well on exams and are ready for a break. But I have a homework assignment for you, and a request of all our faculty and staff across our academic and healthcare divisions: Remember to vote! The Alabama Primary Election for both parties is Tuesday, March 5.

Turnout is generally low for primary elections, so your vote can really make a difference in helping advance the candidates of your choice to the General Election this fall. In addition to those seeking the presidency, candidates include those running in the newly redrawn congressional districts and down-ballot measures.

While the redistricting will not affect the location where you typically cast your ballot, please educate yourself on the issues and candidates as you exercise your right to vote and your commitment to the democratic process.  You can get more information online.

A big thank you to our Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, along with Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis, for holding mock elections on campus in early February for both South students and visiting high school students. In addition to learning about the election process, our students were able to register to vote through the Mobile County Board of Registrars. 

Last weekend, Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent and I met with more than 100 prospective Honors College students who were on campus for interviews. Others will do their interviews remotely. Overall, we’re seeing a significant increase in qualified applicants, with the number of interviews up 37 percent from last year.

It kicked off a week with visits to seven high schools from Baldwin County to Tuscaloosa to north Alabama, including Huntsville. While we are recruiting more students, our retention efforts continue to pay off – our freshman retention from fall to spring was 91.37 percent, the second highest in recorded history at South.

Speaking of Baldwin County, last month we began our USA by the Bay Eastern Shore Speaker Series with a well-attended talk by Dr. Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. We will continue to strengthen connections in Baldwin County, where we attract more undergraduate students than any other Alabama university.

March is set to be a busy month. It will be the 31st year for the Providence Foundation Festival of Flowers, held March 8-10 in Cathedral Square. A week later, on March 14, the National Alumni Association will hold its 19th annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards gala. The next day, 71 of our senior medical students will participate in Match Day and find out where they will continue their training in residency.

We dedicate our new Army and Air Force ROTC facility on March 18, and on the 21st USA Health holds Doc Rock, its annual battle of the bands. The month ends with the National Alumni Association Easter Egg Hunt on March 30. Of course, I hope to see our students, faculty and staff supporting our Jags at athletics events throughout the month; both baseball and softball are off to strong starts.

Spring is certainly a time for growth. I look forward to experiencing its joy with each of you.

Jo Bonner
President

February 5, 2024

Nick Lawkis, who has served as executive director for governmental relations since 2019, has been promoted to vice president for governmental relations. In this role, he will continue to serve as a University liaison with local, state and federal governments and agencies, including coordinating efforts to secure the University’s share of the state’s $8 billion education budget.

Nick is one of the most respected governmental relations professionals in Alabama. He has elevated South’s profile both in Montgomery and  Washington D.C. and has earned this promotion with his hard work and dedication to our University.

Under his leadership, Nick has led efforts to secure nearly $400 million in funding for the University and USA Health.

Prior to his work in governmental relations, Nick served in roles in both USA’s Office of Student Affairs and Office of Development and Alumni Relations. He holds two degrees from South – an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master's in public administration.

Please help us congratulate Nick on his appointment.

Jo Bonner
President

Dr. Andi Kent
Executive Vice President and Provost

January 8, 2024

Students, Faculty and Staff,

As we begin 2024, I would like to wish our entire Jaguar community a Happy New Year. I also offer a warm and enthusiastic Welcome Back to our students arriving to campus after holiday break.

For both new and returning students, I encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities a new year brings. That starts with Winter Week of Welcome, which kicked off Saturday when our men’s basketball team took on Georgia State and continues through Jan. 15. In between, there will be cookie decorating with your SGA, open houses at various colleges and schools, a study-abroad fair, and more.

The whole idea of WOW is to help students meet new friends and reunite with old ones, while finding interests and communities on campus.

One of the highlights will take place Tuesday as Jaguar Productions hosts its inaugural Winter Wonderland: There's Snow Place Like Home. For more on this event and others, visit the Winter WOW website.

Also this week, USA Health will celebrate the dedication of its new pediatric emergency center at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. This much-needed renovation and expansion more than doubles the size of the emergency department. It is the only healthcare facility in the region offering specialized care 24 hours a day to best meet the needs of sick and injured children.

This project could not have been done without funding from our generous donors and support from the state.

Next week, our Admissions team along with myself and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent will continue our Jag Days recruitment trips to bring high school students to campus for VIP tours. Fairhope High School is scheduled for Tuesday, with Mobile Christian School on Thursday.

We’re happy to report that spring enrollment is strong and continues the upward trajectory of fall’s year-over-year increase.

This spring will wrap up our yearlong 60th Anniversary. I trust many of you have seen the latest edition of South Magazine, which was delivered to mailboxes in December. The newly redesigned publication, a joint effort of the University and the USA National Alumni Association, is a beautiful celebration of our six decades promoting health, discovery and learning. You can find a digital edition of South Magazine online.

I look forward to continuing the celebration of our legacy this semester while looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Jo Bonner
President