VANGUARD
THE
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
Vanguard Special: 50th Anniversary Issue
MAY. 06, 2013
SGA to Dean:
Mitchell reflects
50 FOR 50: MITCHELL DONATES $50 MILLION TO USA FOR ITS BIRTHDAY
VOL. 52, NO. 16
INSIDE
By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
The campus of the University of South Alabama was very different when Dean of Students Dr. Mike Mitchell Dr. Michael Mitchell was an undergraduate student here from 1989 to 1994. There was no state-of-the-art recreation center, football team, Mitchell Center, bell tower or any of the other recent additions to campus. But South Alabama was thriving and growing rapidly, just as it is today. Dr. Mitchell served two terms as the Student Government Association president from 1992 to 1994. In his time in office Dr. Mitchell spearheaded many changes on campus that benefitted the student body, such as placing SGA suggestion boxes in highly populated student areas and establishing a campus news television program known as “SGA TV.” “I wanted the people that voted for me to know that they hadn’t wasted their vote,” Dr. Mitchell said. Reflecting on the SGA of the early 1990s, Dr. Mitchell said SGA was more representative of the student body than it is today. “More international students instead of greek students were involved with SGA back then,” Dr. Mitchell said. Nevertheless, Dr. Mitchell says SGA has improved with time. “When I was president there were no senate projects, so senators were left to their own devices to do stuff for campus,” Dr. Mitchell said. Dr. Mitchell says today’s SGA is more encouraged to focus on the needs of students because of many changes to the SGA bylaws, such as the addition of mandatory senate See Mitchell Page 10
Jt Crabtree } LOC Editor
“Jagstagram” Photos then and now of USA landmarks and recreated moments in time. See page 5. Athletics has a rich past and has developed into a staple of South Alabama culture. See how USA has evolved. See page 5. Jt Crabtree } LOC Editor Abe Mitchell, Geri Moulton and Gordon Moulton announce Mitchell’s $50 million gift to USA. Mitchell donated $25 million to the Mitchell college of business and the remaining $25 million will go towards scholarships. This makes the total Mitchell family contribution $93 million. For more information, visit southalabama.edu.
Families has a lot invested in USA, both historically and futuristically. See Sports, page 8
Moulton leaves powerful legacy behind him Retiring President Moulton spent 15 years as president for a total of 46 years involved with the USA community By CASSIE FAMBRO caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu
The name Gordon Moulton is synonymous with the University of South Alabama. Amidst the skyline, one will see a brick bell tower amidst the greenery and trees blanketing west Mobile. That tower serves as a beacon for a university that has risen from dirt roads and one building to an enterprise that contributes over $2 billion economically. Named after Moulton, the bell tower has become the symbol for the university as well as its rise to maturity within its 50 years of existence. Moulton has been a part of the USA family since 1966 up until this past academic year when brain cancer threatened his health. At 26-years-old, Moulton planted his roots at USA after growing up in Georgia. Moulton received a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of technology in industrial
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management. He then went on to Emory University for a master’s in business administration. Moulton prides himself on being a businessman and when he came to South he executed his knowledge. He joined the college of business as a faculty member in 1966 and saw an opportunity to erect a legacy at the growing University. He established the department of computer and information sciences and later served as dean. He worked his way up quickly to be the dean of administrative services and then spent 15 years as vice president of services and planning. His climb came to a climax when he was appointed by the board of trustees to replace the original University president, Frederick. P. Whiddon in 1998. Dissatisfied with Whiddon’s financial decisions, the board pushed Whiddon out according to Press-
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Register archives. They looked to his longtime vice-president to push USA to the next level. For 15 years, Moulton pushed USA to unprecedented new heights. Moulton didn’t intend to be a University president. In fact, Moulton seized the role as it was available. "I really never had a career objective to be a university president. It was circumstances, if you will," Moulton said in a 2012 interview. "And the fact that they looked around, and I was the guy been here the longest and at the moment knew the most about the institution." Under Moulton’s has exhibited the “spend money to make money” philosophy. “We’re looking to compete,” Moulton told the board of trustees in 2012. Approximately 9 years ago, Moulton and his team began developing a plan to make the university
a more cohesive institution. “We felt that we were lacking in terms of the richness of our campus life for students,” Moulton told local media in 2012. Within the last five years, USA has opened a state-of-the-art recreation center that boasts 116,000 square feet and has become a focal point of campus life. USA freshman Noah Logan says the rec-center played a part in his attraction to the university. “The rec center is an integral part of my experience at USA. I love being able to forget everything about work and class, throw on my sweats and go maintain a healthy lifestyle with others who know how important it is,” Logan said. “It played a part in choosing South as the school for me.” In a survey done by USA’s student newspaper, the rec-center was voted the favorite building by 60 perSee Moulton Page 10
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 /MAY 6, 2013
“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”
Editorial Editor in Chief Copy Editor Life Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center Senior Reporter Web Editor Staff Reporter
Cassie Fambro Alyssa Newton Jake Howell Noah Logan Patrick Herring JT Crabtree Jayson Curry Matthew Strickland
Stuart Sox
Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Matthew Rhodes
Advertising Advertising Wesley Jackson Mohammad Al-Zarrad
Graphic Designer Rex McKay
Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan
Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surroun ding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.
Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail editor. in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.
Parker Chastain gives state of the campus address It is my pleasure to report to the student body the current state of the campus. As we end this Parker Chastain year, we leave it in a state of transition. Our campus has been through many trials and tribulations, and I am sure will see more in the future. However, with each trial we learn, and what we learn prepares us for the challenges ahead. We are loosing a president who has spent 46 years of service to South Alabama, and we thank him for his dedication to this University. With this change we have the opportunity, the opportunity to continue to grow and embark on another 50 years of impacting our community. I hope that as we choose this next leader that we maintain our perspective in considering our diverse student population, our unique Research and Medical Care situation, our Alumni Relations, our faculties ideals, and our mission to better our community. This year, through a multitude of efforts, The University of South Alabama has proven how vital an impact it is to the State and the Gulf Coast. I hope with this that we have proven to the State how necessary the funding we receive is. I can merely hope that as the budget that we rely so dependently on is solidified, that we maintain a stable fiscal environment. With this being said I must again commend our student body on making the advances it has. This past year, we have seen a united front to accomplish the multitude of tasks that are presented to us. We have seen a unification of a diverse population, becoming one beacon with many voices. We must continue to let our voices be heard, but not to forget the connections we have made along the way. I challenge the University to continue to grow despite these advances. Becoming comfortable is easy, but continuing to challenge the standard is difficult. I have faith in our students, our faculty, and our administration to lead us into the future; a future engaged by a better and united learning institution.
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
Jagstagram Archives
NOAH LOGAN OPINION EDITOR ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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photos
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followers
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degrees awarded
All photos courtesy of The Dale Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library. University of South Alabama 50 years old www.southalabama.edu
AERIAL SHOT OF THE CAMPUS IN 1967
UNIVERSITY IS DEDICATED ON OCTOBER 18, 1964 STUDENTS READING THE VANGUARD IN THE MID-80S
PRESIDENT WHIDDON REPORTEDLY KNEW MOST STUDENTS BY NAME
SOUTH ALABAMA BASEBALL TEAM WAS RANKED #1 IN THE NATION IN 1972
THE FIRST LIBRARY ARRIVED ON CAMPUS IN 1968
THE TOULIM HOUSE WAS RELOCATED TO CAMPUS AND RENOVATED AS ALUMNI HALL
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST BUILDING ON CAMPS
VOL. 49, NO. 14 / MAY 6, 2013
Jagstagram 50th anniversary 14 15,000
photos
students
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75,000
degrees awarded
All photos courtesy of Sandra Huynh
University of South Alabama 50 years old www.southalabama.edu
VANGUARD READERS DOING THEIR BEST 80S IMPERSINATION
MOULTON TOWNER
CURRENT INTERIM PRESIDENT DR. SMITH WITH PARKER CHASTAIN
REFERENCE DESK IN THE LIBRARY
THE FIRST BUILDING ON CAMPUS IS STILL USED TODAY AS THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Aesthetic beauty important for community At the 50 year a n n i ve rsary celebration this past weekend, former Noah Logan UniverOpinion Editor sity President Gordon Moulton told the story of him and his wife driving to Mobile for the first time to interview for a teaching job at the University of South
Alabama 43 years ago. The punch line of the story is that when the couple stopped to get gas some 15 minutes away from the college, they asked for directions to the new university and the gas attendant had never even heard of it. What a difference 50 years can make. The notion of anybody working within a 15 minute drive of the university and not knowing of its existence today is almost, if not completely, literally impossible. These things don’t just happen on accident.
In the last 50 years, South Alabama has turned into Mobile’s university. Since President Gordon Moulton became president in 1998, the college has undergone a $500 million dollar construction campaign. New buildings were put up for students, sculptures and other art culture was cemented on campus and the school even received, what is now essentially the logo, theMoulton Tower. Students today feel the need to complain about the amount of money dedicated towards landscaping and
other beauty driven projects even though these play crucial parts to the success of USA. If you feel differently, I would encourage you to go to Stanky Field for the next South Alabama baseball home game. Go take a stroll on campus on a big event day like this past Friday. You’ll see alumni of all ages bringing their kids and grandkids to experience the campus first hand. They are not taking kids to parking lots to sightsee, that much is for sure.. Al.com put in the best way when they said, “Under Moulton’s watch,
USA became our university.” The university does not belong to the students alone. While the community continues to marvel at Moulton Tower and Shelby Hall, students can always feel proud of attending the university at a time when the arrow is pointing farther up than ever before. Maybe at the same time, we can all be okay with having to walk a little bit further to class and just appreciate the beauty of the university in the same way the community outside of current students does.
VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
jagLIFE
USA Honors Program producing top-notch students By JAKE HOWELL
jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
hroughout the University of South Alabama’s illustrious fifty years many programs, ideas and organizations have come and gone. The honors program, while much younger than the university, remains one of its most successful and attractive programs to this day. The USA Honors Program was formally started in the fall of 1999 when the program’s first class of students arrived. The workings and machinations behind getting this program started, however, began much earlier. According to Dr. Robert Coleman, assistant dean of the college of arts and sciences and former director of the honors program, “The honors program itself was something that many USA faculty members and administrators had worked on for quite a long time. Much credit goes to Dr. Patsy Covey, Dr. [Judy] Stout and a host of faculty members who pushed to have an honors program.” Dr. Michael Doran, current director of the honors program, echoed Dr. Coleman’s statement, indicating that the program came about organically. “One of the programs [Dale Adams] started and oversaw was a mentoring program for high ACT students. These students were paired with a mentor and encouraged to do research. They were also invited to special events and guest speakers…This went on for about 6 or 7 years. We had fun, got some research done and published papers. As this was winding down the formal structure for
the honors program was being created.” When the program was officially started, Dr. Judy Stout, then-dean of the graduate school and vice president of academic affairs, was named as its first director. Dr. David Forbes, current chair of the chemistry department, was names assistant director of the program soon after. In 2005, Dr. Stout stepped down as director and Dr. Coleman was chosen to replace her. Dr. Forbes served as Assistant Director until 2009 when Dr. Doran was appointed. When Dr. Coleman was offered the position of assistant dean of the college of arts and sciences in 2011, he stepped down as director of the program and a nationwide search for his replacement began. After several presentations from many qualified candidates, Dr. Doran was selected. Dr. Jack Shelley-Tremblay, associate professor of psychology, was then chosen to fill the vacant assistant director position. To facilitate running the program and keeping track of the students, the program has had two Administrative Assistants. The first was Ms. Marion Ezell who retired in 2009 at which time the current administrative assistant, Ms. Pamm Chastang-Howard was brought on. The program started with a class of around 25 students and has grown to include over 150 students today with a dizzying array of majors. Each year, the honors students gather together during the week before classes start for the honors retreat. According to Dr. Doran, “Dr. Stout started the freshmen retreat from the initial
6 JAKE HOWELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu
WEEKLY LOWDOWN Monday, May 6 ►Finals Week beings!
Tuesday, May 7 ►8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - USA
BOOKSTORE Cap & Gown pick-up.
►10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Jostens Ring Company in the Student Center Mall.
Wednesday, May 8 JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR
Honors upperclassmen at the 2012 Honors Retreat. Upperclassmen help organize activities and cook for the freshmen during the retreat.
class. She would take them to Dauphin Island or Gulf State Park. Then they started going to Camp Beckwith…starting in 2011, we held the retreat at Camp Grace.” The main goal of the retreat is to foster a sense of community and family among not only the incoming freshman class but also the upperclassmen. The students have participated in everything from ropes courses to kayaking over the years. In addition to participating in the annual retreat, honors students benefit from the Frederick P. Whiddon Honors Scholarship which is provided through the generous support of the USA Foundation. As members of the program, stu-
dents are able to take unique classes such as Science in the Movies, The Hero’s Journey and Chemistry of Art. All members of the program are also required to participate in undergraduate research culminating in a senior thesis project. The honors program has produced quality students throughout its history. Three Barry M. Goldwater scholars, three Portz scholars, and two National Science Foundation fellows have come from the program in addition to the excellent work that is produced through the senior theses. The honors program has become a permanent fixture on campus and is on track to continue producing incredible students in the years to come.
► 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - USA
BOOKSTORE Cap & Gown pick-up.
► 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Jostens Ring Company in the Student Center Mall.
Thursday, May 9 ►8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - USA
BOOKSTORE Cap & Gown pick-up.
►10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Jostens
Ring Company in the Student Center Mall.
Friday, May 10 ► 2 p.m. - Residence Hall checkout deadline for students not enrolling summer term.
Saturday, May 11 ►2 p.m. - Spring
Commencement Ceremony in the Mitchell Center. Congratulations Graduates!
Want your event featured in the Weekly Lowdown? Email the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under seven words) to jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu.
JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR
Some of the incoming 2012-2013 honors freshmen during the four-day honors retreat at Camp Grace.
COURTESY OF THE USA HONORS PROGRAM
These photos depict the very first graduating class of the honors program, and honors director Dr. Stout, during their first and last years at USA.
SPORTS 7
VOL. 52, NO. 16/ MAY 6, 2013
Athletics have evolved over 50 years By: Jayson Curry
Jayson-Curry@hotmail.com
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he University of South Alabama has been in celebration mode this year as the university comes into its 50 years of existence. There is much to be celebrated after 50 years of accomplishments as a university and a community ranging from academic to athletic. One of the single greatest accomplishments of the past 50 years comes from the birth of the football program. With something that seems as simple as a game of football, something most have grown up around in Alabama, USA didn’t start a football program until 2007. Former Athletic Director Joe Gottfried shared his thoughts about the three attempts to start a football program but it wasn’t until 2007 that President Gordon Moulton decided to move forward with the program. The decision to allow football would change the face of the university. “I think the way the football program was created along with the marching band program, which I think was genius, has changed our university. It has enhanced our visibility and the way we are perceived by the general public,” current USA AD Dr.Joel Erdmann said. “We’re thought of differently.” “Before football we were one of 340 division 1 institutions and with football we become 1 of 128. We have entered a room with fewer people in it. It has made us better all over the place,” Dr.Erdmann added. The football program was built off of the wishes of the city of Mobile who have a thirst for football. As a child growing up in the Mobile area, you are birthed into football. This is easily seen by the flood of college coaches that travel to our city to recruit mobile natives. The program was also helped by the willingness of students to pay
Left to right: Former USA Athletic Director Dr. Mel Lucas, Former AD Joe Gottfried and current USA AD Dr.Joel Erdmann more in tuition to help fund the athletic department and most importantly the football program. The money given by students and other donations by people like Jim Yance, who donated $500,000 to help build a state of the art football complex on campus, has led to not only the start, but the future of the football program. Also the success of the entire athletic program contributed to the football program. The national prominence from baseball to basketball to track and field has shown a small school in Mobile, Alabama can create something special and be a winner. The success of the softball program is also a good sign for the football program at USA. The USA softball program was started in 2007 with football and in a short period of time, the Lady Jags have already won a conference championship and are currently ranked 18th in the country. In many ways the softball program has accomplished what the football program
hopes to Although the university is turning 50, the athletic department is only 49 years old after it was started by Dr. Mel Lucas in 1964. Dr. Lucas was able to convince then President Fred Whiddon that every university could benefit from athletics just like Joe Gottfried convinced President Moulton football could benefit USA 43 years later. Dr. Lucas served as the AD and was USA’s first baseball coach before giving the team over to baseball legend Eddie Stanky. Dr. Lucas served as the AD at USA until 1980 and was inducted into the USA athletic hall of fame in 1989. The success of the baseball team under Coach Stanky and later coach Steve Kittrell helped South Alabama win the Vic Bubas Cup 10 times in 13 years while Gottfried was the AD. The Vic Bubas Cup was awarded to the Sun Belt Conference All-Sports champion. The baseball program was rewarded with a $3.8 million renovation of Stanky Field on the USA
campus in 2005 and is just one of the many athletic facilities that USA can boast about. The Mitchell Center on campus is another facility that draws the eye when on the USA campus. The basketball arena is not only the home to USA men’s and women’s basketball but also serves the campus with classrooms and the entire city as a venue for graduations connecting the city and university even more. “I’ve been able to see the university change and grow over the course of 20 years. And the athletic department and programs and facilities have grown very similar to the academic side of the university,” Dr. Erdmann explained. “One of the most pleasurable things I have with my job is that I get to meet with most prospects and their families when they come to campus and they are very impressed and sometimes surprised at what we look like. It makes a tremendous impression and that allows us to recruit and sign a certain type of
prospects and I think it’s safe to say we are signing prospects that maybe we weren’t getting 10 years ago.” “We have an opportunity to go to a level we have never been and I think it’s our job to capitalize on that as best we can,” Dr. Erdmann said. As the university continues to grow just as it has the last 50 years, the athletic department and the infant football program will as well. As the athletic department turns 50 next year, the USA football team will be in its first year as a full member of the Sun Belt Conference and Division-1 football. “I am very excited about our future. I think we have the ability to compete for championships while at the same time keeping a focus on our main mission of graduating our students and we can win and can graduate our students and we won’t sacrifice one for the other,” Dr. Erdmann added. “That’s the way it should be done and that’s the way we’re going to do it.”
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
Student activities have changed, grown over time By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com
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tudent activities on the South Alabama campus have been around nearly as long as the university itself has. As long as there have been students at USA, there has been a desire for them to have something to do while at school. This was especially true when the area surrounding campus was underdeveloped. The original student activities board was just a branch of SGA. Then it was known simply as the student programming department. Since enrollment was relatively low in the late 1960s, it was easy for a small group of students to plan events for the rest of the student body. By the 1980s, the board’s name was changed to University Center Programs, as most of the events they put on were located in the University Center or Student Center as we know it today. The director of the University Center at the time was Rick Nelson, who previously served as the first president of SGA. During his tenure overseeing UCP, some events brought to campus included the Royal Hanneford Circus, complete with live lions, tigers and an elephant performing in the Student Center amphitheater and a lecture series in 1984 that was centered around
George Orwell’s classic novel 1984. With enrollment growing rapidly in the mid-1980s, SGA saw a need to expand the role of student activities. So in 1987, the student activities board broke off from SGA and Jaguar Productions was born. The structure then was the same as it is today: an entertainment organization aimed at providing campus programs to the student body, which is staffed by students and operated largely under student control. Even though the structure of Jaguar Productions was close to the one we know today, it was a completely different animal. Current Jaguar Productions advisor Paula Duke was brought on as one of the first advisors of the organization and she attests to how different it was in the early days. “Student activities was much smaller when I arrived in 1989. The only place that we offered programs was in the student center or in jaguar gym,” Duke said. “The budget for the entire year for student activities was smaller than what Jaguar Productions now budgets for a semester. We did fewer events and they were much smaller.” Of course there are some things that never change for college students. “Free food was always a draw, as it is today,” Duke said. “Interestingly,
some of the things that are the most popular (today) like Cheapdate movies, skating parties and “waxhands” were just as popular 20 years ago.” During Duke’s early years overseeing the organization, the programming that the board did was much different than it is today. In the early days they were forced to rely largely on local entertainers for events because their budget was so small. “Comedians were a big deal because the only other place to see them was at a comedy club,” Duke said. “Movies were very popular because there were no movie channels, Netflix or Redbox.” One of the biggest changes from the “early days” is the choices students have when programming. “There is an absolute plethora of entertainment to choose from (now),” Duke said. “I think the choices have grown as technology has improved.” The activities themselves aren’t the only things that have changed over the years, though. Duke has seen the evolution of students during her tenure as well. “Students have so many more distractions now than when I first started. For many students in the past, especially residence hall students, student activities events were their primary forms of entertainment. That is no longer the case,” Duke said. “Today, there are so many ways to communicate with students, but it is so much harder to get their attention in the first place.” Heather Sprinkle is one who has a unique perspective on the evolution of USA students. She currently acts as the coordinator of university programs, but she also attended USA from 1992-
COURTESY OF HEATHER SPRINKLE
In 1994 Jaguar Productions brought panels of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial quilt to the University so students could witness the historic piece of folk art.
1998. “Back then we had more students willing to give the ‘unknown’ artist a chance,” Sprinkle said. “Our comedy shows, concerts, etc., were well attended whether or not you knew who the person was.” Just as with Duke though, there are aspects about the organization which has stayed the same in Sprinkle’s eyes. “Jaguar Productions has always been pretty diverse. The students who are involved with JP are very passionate about what they do. They love the organization and truly care about each other,” Sprinkle said. “JP was and still is a family.” The growth of the university as a whole, including additions of buildings and increased enrollment, has had a direct and positive effect on student activities. “Increased enrollment has made a tremendous impact on student activities, because there are more students paying student activity fees,
thus giving student activities more money to work with,” Duke said. “This is evidenced by the increase in the number of activities and also the number of student organizations that are now on campus. The new buildings, especially the Mitchell Center, have given us many new locations to present programs and allow us to do a variety of things we couldn’t do in the past.” One of the event’s Duke is referring to includes Fun Fest, an event held during this past fall semester to honor the 50th anniversary. The festival was held in the Mitchell Center and featured a magician, bands, rodeo rides, carnival food and much more. Nearly 1500 students flocked to the event, making it one of the most successful events put on in student activities history. As the University of South Alabama has grown and evolved, so have student activities and the students who plan and attend them. While USA continues to grow and expand, so will Jaguar Productions.
COURTESY OF PAULA DUKE
Members of a Jaguar Productions board in the 1990s pose for a photo in the Student Center. See if you can spot a young Mike Mitchell. Currently the dean of students and acting vice president, he was a bright-eyed SGA president at the time this picture was taken.
COURTESY OF HEATHER SPRINKLE
Students in the mid-1990s enjoy some outdoors fun with inflatables in the student center amphitheater, then a hub for student activities. Noticeably absent to the left is Meisler Hall, which wasn’t erected until 2006.
LEFT OF CENTER
JT CRABTREE, LOC EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
It’s a family tradition Brother and sister alumni share their experience at South Alabama By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu
It’s hard to imagine some buildings being used drastically different than they are now, like the Mitchell College of Business
OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Alumni impressed by campus Much has changed, but alumni find school moving forward
By JT CRABTREE
jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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he University of South Alabama has seen several changes of the course of its 50 years. Ranging from the staff, the students, the buildings or the landscaping, many former students may find the campus unrecognizable. Each student’s experience on campus is different. If you are a political sciences major, you may never set foot inside the allied health building or Shelby Hall. If you are a student-athlete, you have probably seen some facilities other students only dream of seeing. If you are a drama major, you may never see what the inside of the medical school looks like. But for a pair of former South Alabama students, the campus that they find today is far different than the still growing school they knew in the 1980’s. Phyllis and Thomas Crabtree were both Jaguars during the mid to late 80’s, when much of the campus we know now was being built or
planned. For perceptive, Thomas described the newest building on campus at the time. “The building that is called the Mitchell College of Business was the newest building,” said Thomas, who was a criminal justice major during his time at South Alabama. “But at the time, it wasn’t called that.” Other buildings on campus were used differently than they are now, such as the college of business. “The newest building on campus was the building that is now the college of business, but it was the anthropology department back then,” said Phyllis, a psychology major. Phyllis also added how different the campus was set up, including some classes not even being inside buildings. “I had an art class in an old portable where the jaguar statue outside of the Mitchell Center is now,” Phyllis said. “Of course, back then none of that existed at the time.” But not everything was different back then. Stanky Field was there.
The life sciences building was there, which is where Phyllis spent most her time as a psychology major. Phyllis and Thomas also spent much of their freshman and sophomore year in the humanities building, where many freshmen and sophomores spend their first years on campus. In spite of all the changes, the Crabtrees both feel that the changes have been for the best. The campus is a completely different entity than it was during their time in the 80’s, when South Alabama was only celebrating its 25th anniversary. “The school looks and functions superbly,” Thomas said. “As the parent of a current student, I am constantly impressed with the quality of the facilities and the high standards for academic excellence. A great school has become even better.” Phyllis also expressed the same sentiments towards the university, saying that she was “so impressed with the continued progression and vision that the school offers.”
Like South Alabama, most people couldn’t tell you where Slocomb, Alabama is on a map. In this small town you could find the best tomatoes in the South, only two red lights and a family made up of a school principal, a school teacher and their six kids. Another thing that this family shared with South Alabama is the love and importance of family. And through this not one, but two of the six kids became part of a bigger family, the USA Jaguars. Paige Newton Vinson became a Jaguar in the fall of 1988. She came to South as a scholarship recipient looking to major in chemistry. “I really liked it,” Vinson said when asked why she came to South Alabama. “I also liked the fact that I didn’t know anyone else going – a little more adventurous but still close enough to home.” This would change her last year when her younger brother, Phillip, would also join the Jag family in the fall of 1992. Both siblings would get their education here but shared two very different experiences. Though both had classes in the humanities building, went to baseball games, lived in the gamma housing and made some of the same friends throughout their time at South, both found different aspects of South’s campus and Mobile to enjoy in their free time. While Paige would spend most of her time hanging out at her dorm in the gammas with friends, studying in the library and going to Poor Richard’s on Old Shell, Philip found entertainment elsewhere. “One of my best college memories is hiding in the bushes and launching water balloons at people,” Newton said. “Is the statute of limitation up on that offense?” Phillip spent his time, other than being a mischievous college student, with Jaguar Productions
and the student center. Although brother and sister had agendas of their own, both had nothing but good to say about their growing alma mater. After looking over the latest master plan of South, Paige was excited to see what had changed. “It appears that there is well thought out growth occurring across disciplines, which is really good.” Vinson said. Phillip was also excited to see growth at the university, but not just in the size and construction. “The campus ministries are growing strong,” Newton said. “And USA has a football team!” After South, Paige went on to Emory to further her education and is now the director of the High-Throughput Screening Facility at Vanderbilt University. She is also a wife and a loving mother of two in Tennessee. Phillip now works as an IT administrator and a freelance web designer. He is also a husband and father of two and now lives in Georgia. Both attribute part of where they are now to South Alabama. “It gave me a firm academic basis on which to build,” Vinson said. “I also gained confidence in my abilities.” Phillip added by saying, “It introduced me to technology and helped me to become the well rounded person I am today.” Family is much more than just the people you are born into; it is the people that you allow into your life and come to love. Part of the reason this writer is at South Alabama is because of the incredible things these two wonderful people, my aunt and uncle, told me about South Alabama and their unforgettable experience as a jaguar. Going to a university that my aunt and uncle loved, going to classes in the same buildings they did and even living in the same housing makes South feel even more like a home. Through our family we have Auburn Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tides, and even Troy Trojans but out of all of these I’m proud to say that we are keeping South Alabama Jaguars as part of our family tradition.
Philip Newton as a student at South. (third from left)
THE VANGUARD ARCHIVES
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
Moulton’s legacy profound Mitchell started from the bottom; now he’s Dean
Continued from Page One Continued from Page One cent of those surveyed. In addition to the well-loved rec-center, Meisler Hall was completed giving administration a much larger and more functional building to call home. Most recently, Shelby Hall was dedicated. Moulton worked for over 10 years to secure federal funding for a project close to his heart. Shelby Hall houses the department he created, the school of computing sciences as well as the school of engineering. Named after Senator Richard Shelby, Shelby Hall cost over $40 million dollars and was paid for entirely in federal grants. Boasting 155,000 square feet, Shelby Hall is now an international draw for potential computing and engineering students. “We are now in a world-class facility that elevates our research capabilities and stature tenfold,” said Alec Yasinsac, dean of computing. Senator Shelby addressed the United States Senate to commend Moulton’s legacy in April of 2013. “Today, it is rare to see an individual so invested in one institution for the larger part of his career, but the work that Gordon Moulton has done at and for the University of the South will forever be remembered by its students, faculty, board of trustees and the communities in and around Mobile that have benefitted from the university,” Shelby told the senate according to congressional transcripts. Using both student life enriching tactics as well as academic draws, enrollment reached 15,000 in 2012. Other significant on-campus projects under Moulton’s tenure include the JagTran system, the Stokes Hall residence facility, the renovation of Stanky Field, Delchamps Archaeology building, the Mitchell Center and the Children’s and Women’s park named after Moulton’s wife, Geri. At the dedication of the Moulton Tower in 2009, Geri Moulton lauded her husband’s improvements. “This is a statement about my husband’s life’s work,” she said. “The unyielding trust and support of the board propels him to do his best. The University of South Alabama has given him an opportunity to make a living, to make a life and to make a difference,” Mrs. Moulton said. Chairman of the board of trust-
ees Jim Yance calls himself “grateful” for Moulton beyond words. “It is fitting that we honor President Moulton’s many contributions during this year when we celebrate USA’s 50 years of service to humanity, because from the beginning he has been such an integral part of USA’s growth and progress.” Another mark in USA history that Moulton grew to love is jaguar football. Instituted in 2009 after a student-driven push for football, Moulton was a regular sight at games. In fact, Moulton attended the homecoming football game the day before he had surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. “I was a reluctant attendee to the party because I knew athletics are expensive,” Moulton said in an interview. He also added that its success has eroded any doubts he had. “It’s made an amazing change in the general community and student life.” Outside of direct USA involvement, Moulton’s endeavors helped to bring recognition to the Mobile area, leading to him being named Mobilian of the year in 2002. Mayor Sam Jones recognized Moulton as instrumental to the Mobile community. “Moulton has transformed the university into one of the nation’s finest educational institutions, a community partner that sets the tone of excellence, and he has created an economic development engine at the University that provides countless jobs and resources for citizens throughout Mobile and the region,” said Jones. After his October brain surgery, Moulton experienced hardship recovering. In February of 2013, the board of trustees held an emergency meeting to appoint Dr. John Smith as acting president of the University. In early March, the board announced that Moulton would be officially retiring due to his health as of July 1. The official anniversary celebration on May 3 honored Moulton’s achievements at USA. “One cannot overstate the impact Gordon and Geri Moulton have had on the University of South Alabama,” Yance stated at the most recent board of trustees meeting. A national search is underway to find a new president.
projects. Each semester, all SGA senators must team up in their respective colleges to complete a senate project that will benefit the USA community. Dr. Mitchell says student organization appropriations, SGA’s system for distributing funds to student organizations, were a very important aspect of student life during his time as a student at USA, much like they are today. But Dr. Mitchell says that in those says, however, appropriations were an arduous process that usually resulted in three-hour meetings. “I’ve been very impressed with the ingenuity of the recent SGA senates and executive councils and their efforts to speed the appropriations process up,” Dr. Mitchell said. When asked if he had any advice for SGA for the new term, Dr. Mitchell said, “The year goes by so fast. If you don’t get the wheels turning in the summer, you will be behind. Be ready to hit the ground running in the fall.” Just as he worked tirelessly for the benefit of students as SGA president, Dr. Mitchell continues with that work ethic today as South Alabama’s dean of students. Dr. Mitchell is responsible for the student center, recreation center, multicultural affairs, special student services, student activities, greek life and campus media. He is frequently seen at many events such as new-student orientation, honor society inductions and other student events, usually sporting his trademark bowtie. When asked in an interview with The Vanguard why he makes it a point to dress so nicely every day, Dr. Mitchell said, “You should always dress for where you want to be.” “When I was an undergraduate I always dressed how I thought a graduate student would and when I was in graduate school I dressed like a professional…now as dean of students I dress like a vice president of student affairs,” Dr. Mitchell said, with a copy of “Gentleman: A Timeless Guide to Fashion” sitting a few feet away from him on his office desk. After getting his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and working as an intern in news media in Mobile, Dean Mitchell received his master’s degree in student personnel from the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his doctorate in higher
education and administration from USM before returning to Mobile to work as the dean of students at USA in 2008, just when South Alabama began to change drastically. “It’s amazing to me that since I’ve been back, I’ve been able to watch the campus transform,” Dr. Mitchell said. “I have been able to see most of USA’s landmarks open…like Moulton Tower, the health sciences building, Shelby Hall, the new portals, the Fresh Food Company, football, the marching band, the new recreation center and now the renovation of the old student center,” Dr. Mitchell added. Dr. Mitchell sees last week’s fiftieth anniversary celebration as the beginning of a new era for the university. “President Moulton’s legacy will be changing the face of campus…at 50 years we are about to select a new president and it will be interesting to see the next era in USA’s history,” Dr. Mitchell said. When asked what he wanted his legacy to be, Dr. Mitchell said, “I want to be the biggest cheerleader for the students while also being the person that holds the students accountable to being students and fulfilling their responsibilities.” When asked if he had any advice for the USA community, Dr. Mitchell pondered the question with an unusually serious disposition, possibly organizing his thoughts for the perfect words that would benefit many of the students, faculty and staff of USA. “Know what it is you’re here to do and let everything you do support that larger goal. Students so often get off track because they don’t know why they’re here and they get caught up in doing things that are irrelevant,” Dr. Mitchell said. “Know what your number one priority is and let everything else relate back to that purpose,” Dr. Mitchell added. As the university prepares to enter what Dr. Mitchell calls “the next era,” the USA community can be sure that the school will continue to prosper and thrive under the guidance of consummate, dedicated professionals like Dean of Students Dr. Michael Mitchell that are constantly working to make South Alabama greater.
PS: The Vanguard is biased. We love USA sports more than any university.
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VOL. 52, NO. 16 / MAY 6, 2013
From two buildings to a sprawling campus; USA has grown aesthetically By Cal Thomas Contributing Writer
The University of South Alabama stands proudly in the distance coming up University Blvd. In 1964, when the first classes were held at USA with fewer than 300 students, there were only two buildings – the administration building and the classroom building, what is now the ILB, and a pool. Today, it’s a sprawling campus with stunning portals inviting students and visitors to campus. “When I was a student, back in 1989 many of the things that are now synonymous with the institution were not here,” said Dean of Students/Acting Vice President of Student Affairs Mike Mitchell. USA, with a longtime reputation as a commuter school, has changed dramatically to improve the quality of life for students both on and off campus. On-campus housing options have expanded from a single complex at Alpha Hall in 1965 – with very few students choosing to live on campus – to multiple dorms spread throughout the back of campus, housing over 1000. On campus facilities have been improved and expanded to include everything from a multimillion dollar recreation center to a new engineering and computing sciences building to house the influx of students. “We had no Mitchell Center…we
had our basketball and graduation downtown at the civic center,” Mitchell said. “Now, not only are there our events held there, but the community holds events there, too. [Such as] Cirque du Soliel, high school graduations. We have so much now that brings people to campus that wouldn’t have come in other circumstances.” “[The] campus has been completely transformed in the last decade,” said head of the USA building committee David Johnson. And these new facilities have indeed become the cornerstones of USA’s open campus. The perimeter of the main campus has been framed by mountainous, flawless portals and buildings. The new and improved recreation center, with multiple shimmering blue pools, dance studios and weight room, sits adjacent to Stanky Field for an inviting entryway off Old Shell Road. The new engineering and computing sciences building, Shelby Hall, sits imposingly on the corner of Old Shell Road and University Boulevard like a fortress. The health sciences building, along with portals and new signs, complete a frame that is visually appealing and inviting to passersby. “Each new addition has been more spectacular than the last. The most recent, Shelby Hall, has been one of the
most impressive facilities,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to beat that.” The installation of the sweeping portals and archways at the major entrances to campus has exponentially improved the look and feel of campus – but many more important changes have taken place in the heart of campus. “A lot of things have been pushed into motion because of the Shelby Hall building,” said Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki, dean of Arts and Sciences. “It has created enough additional space to move other departments around. The space left in the engineering building has opened up so many possibilities for the college of arts and sciences.” One point of contention for many students is the completion of the student center, which has been under construction without much movement for a couple of years. “Now that the construction is underway again, it should be finished in about 8 to 10 months,” said Acting President John Smith. “It’s been frustrating to get that renovation started. Initial bids went over estimate and we had to redesign. We moved people out in anticipation of it happening a lot sooner. If we had known, we’d have kept it open longer.” Smith says all of the services and
offices that moved out of the student center will return, with the addition of a new sandwich shop in the downstairs. Other major changes to the heart of campus include the 2003 expansion to the University Library. Dean of Libraries Dr. Richard Wood says that the 50,000 square foot addition has greatly benefitted students and faculty alike. “The past 10 years at USA have seen growth in more than just the academic facilities. Athletic facilities have exponentially expanded the sports and physical activities available on the campus. “We are in a business of recruiting students – not just in the athletic department but for the whole university,” said Dr. Joel Erdmann, USA’s athletic director. “The facilities and campus features have a lot to do with the area of recruiting.” Some of the features mentioned include renovation to the track and field locker rooms, the creation of the athletic academic center, Stripland Basketball Practice Facility, and the 2005 multimillion dollar renovation to Stanky Field. “Stanky used to be just a wooden structure,” Erdmann said. “It was a concrete-supported all-wood bleacher system with an antiquated press box with portable A/C units. Shoot, we had more squirrels in that pressbox than anything
else,” he said. “Changes to the track and field practice areas actually happened in the past year or so – with a new field surface, the addition of various throwing areas for the hammer and discus shot and protective netting and caging,” Erdmann said. “Our most recent change? We’ve renovated the south end of the old engineering building for locker rooms and coaches’ offices.” “It all goes back to the pride of where you’re at,” Erdmann said. “It’s not just the aesthetic nature of it; we’ve enhanced our branding and awareness and with that comes a deeper understanding and a deeper, wider recognition. From the early 90s there were as many apparel items from other schools walking around this campus as there were South items. It’s obvious to me that today there’s more visibility of our own identity with our students, faculty and staff wearing our stuff.” “There hasn’t been a single thing that has improved on this campus in years, it’s a whole theme,” said Mitchell. “What’s most impressive is that those things that have been physical changes to campus have centered around students and improving student life and the student experience.”
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Cassie Fambro
Thank you, Gordon and Geri Moulton. -The Vanguard Staff
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