MOBILE, Ala. – With great sadness, the University of Mobile announces the passing of Dr. Audrey Eubanks, retired vice president for academic affairs. She died Feb. 26, 2023, after a brief illness.
Dr. Eubanks served at the university for 38 years, including 27 years in administration. In recognition of her dedicated and effective service, in 2016 the UM Board of Trustees named her vice president for academic affairs – emeritus.
UM President Lonnie Burnett said, “I do not have adequate words to describe what she meant to this university and to so many of us on a personal level. While our hearts are breaking over the loss of a colleague and dear friend, we can take comfort in the fact that her faith in Christ ensures that her pain is now a thing of the past and that death has not won a victory.”
Visitation will be held Friday, March 3, from 4-6 p.m. at Sigler Funeral Home in Lucedale, Mississippi. On Saturday, March 4, visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m. at Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Lucedale.
Dr. Audrey Eubanks was a friend and mentor to many university faculty, staff, students and alumni. She started at the university in 1982 as assistant professor of education after teaching elementary education for 10 years in the George County (Mississippi) Public School system. She received tenure in 1988 and was named professor in 1991. Later, she served as dean of the School of Education, director of graduate programs, vice president for administration and, from 2002 to 2016, as vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer. Prior to her retirement in 2020, she continued providing leadership in consulting roles, as accreditation liaison and professor of education.
Dr. Eubanks served in the administrations of five university presidents and guided the growth and development of the academic program, including moving the Baptist-affiliated institution from college status to university status in 1993. She served as the university’s first accreditation liaison for SACSCOC and continued overseeing successful accreditation reviews throughout her tenure, while also serving SACSCOC as a member and chair for numerous committees.
She oversaw the integration of technology throughout the university, including launching the university’s first online major. In 1989, she reestablished the university’s Christmas tradition of The Remembrance Tree featuring ornaments donated by faculty and staff throughout the years.
Among her many honors were the university’s Megginson Service Award, Gayfer’s Outstanding Career Woman, Who’s Who in American Education, Outstanding Young Educator and Outstanding Young Woman.
Reflecting on her career prior to retirement, Eubanks said, “I have enjoyed my work at the University of Mobile and would not trade my experiences here for anywhere else. I am and will always be a member of the UM family. It has been a place for growth, for thriving, and for maturing into the person I am today. For this, I am grateful.”
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.