MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile honored faculty and staff with prestigious awards during the annual year-end faculty-staff spring luncheon May 6. The university also announced years-of-service awards, promotions, retirements and special Rammy Awards honoring employees who live out the values of the Christian university.
“Today’s celebration was a testament to UM’s strong culture and gifted community of servant leaders. It was a joy to celebrate so many long tenures and major accomplishments,” said UM President Charles Smith.
Megginson and Faculty Engagement Awards
The Megginson Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the university in the areas of teaching, research and service. Recipients are chosen by committees of peers from among nominations sent by students, faculty and staff. The recipients are honored for their character, ethics, accomplishments and contributions to the university.
The Faculty Engagement Award honors a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in student engagement inside and outside the standard classroom setting and intentionally fosters community among students. Recipients of this award are nominated by faculty and selected by a committee of peers.
The 2024 William A. Megginson Teaching Award was presented to Danny Chancey, assistant professor of English and director of the writing center in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Chancey is described as genuinely caring about students’ interests and well-being. Students who nominated him for the award say he gives good feedback when grading, while also being funny and memorable.
“He loves to keep the classes engaged and interesting. He makes every lesson feel like you’re just having a very interesting conversation while you’re continuing to learn,” a student wrote.
Another wrote,” I truly respect and appreciate Mr. Chancey as a person as a whole. In our professional socialization conferences, he gets to know us and, in a kind way, discusses where we’re at academically in our class and helps us find ways we will succeed.”
The 2025 William A. Megginson Research Award was presented to Dr. Douglas Wilson, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, and executive director of the Center for Christian Calling in the School of Christian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences.
As part of the New Tyndale Version translation committee, Wilson is involved in creating a new translation of the Bible based on the work of William Tyndale, the 16th-century reformer and translator. The committee aims to provide a more accessible and updated version of Tyndale’s original translation, while remaining faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts.
Wilson has been actively working on a Hebrew-to-English and Hebrew/Aramaic-to-English translation of the Old Testament. He has also worked as an editor on the five books of the Torah for translation. In total, he translated 27 chapters of Leviticus, 10 chapters of Esther and 10 chapters of Ezra, for a total of 1,306 verses. He edited 50 chapters of Genesis, 40 chapters of Exodus, 27 chapters of Leviticus, 36 chapters of Numbers, and 32 chapters of Deuteronomy for a total of 5,852 verses.
The 2025 Emma Frances Megginson Service Award was presented to Heath Vester, associate vice president for creative services in the Office for Marketing & Public Relations.
Vester integrates his faith into every element of his work, whether managing UM’s creative services or mentoring students as an adjunct instructor. He leads with humility, always crediting his team for successes. He is always willing to take on additional responsibilities, from serving on committees to stepping in to resolve challenges or supporting university events.
He also played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Student Government Association and restructuring the Good Work Agency, assuring students across all majors have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in photography, video production, social media, content creation, copywriting, project management and more.
The 2025 Faculty Engagement Award was presented to Dr. Robert Olsen, associate professor of church history and historical theology, and director of intercultural studies in the School of Christian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences.
Olsen demonstrates excellence in student engagement both inside and outside the classroom. He was described by the student nominating him as an exceptionally knowledgeable and engaging professor with an unbendable moral backbone who lives out his faith and Christian discipline and inspires his students to pursue excellence.
Outside of the classroom, when not facilitating a student street hockey league or starring in the Student Life film “Olsenheimer,” he can regularly be found engaged in deep philosophical conversation with students. He is devoted to students on campus, not just to those that he frequently encounters, but also to those who sat in the back of his class, or even didn’t have a class with him at all.
University Medallion Recipients
Faculty receiving university medallions marking their faculty rank as professors are:
- Dr. Todd Hicks, executive dean, Celia Wallace College of Health Professions and professor of nurse anesthesia
- Dr. David Chaplin, professor of economics and finance, Grace Pilot School of Business
- Dr. Keith Lindley, professor of French and Spanish, College of Arts & Sciences
Promotions and Accomplishments
- Dr. Kelly Lomax, assistant professor of education, School of Education, received the Recruiter of the Year Award, recognizing her embrace of UM’s “everyone is a recruiter” philosophy and celebrating her initiative to represent the university at recruiting events and assist the recruiting office in a variety of ways.
- Greg Wiggins was promoted from instructor to assistant professor of music in the Alabama School of the Arts.
- Dr. Terry Motley, assistant professor of marketing in the Grace Pilot School of Business, successfully defended his dissertation in March and now holds a Doctor of Philosophy.
- Mason Moak, media and production technician and studio manager in the Alabama School of the Arts, earned a Master of Music in music technology with an emphasis in studio technology.
Faculty Council Recognition
Faculty Council officers were recognized. They are:
- President – Dr. Megan Harper, assistant professor of kinesiology, coordinator of clinical education in the Master of Athletic Training program, School of Health and Sports Science, Celia Wallace College of Health Professions
- Vice President – Megan Cary, associate professor of graphic arts, College of Arts & Sciences
- Secretary – Dr. Wanda Jones, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts
& Sciences
Core Values Rammy Awards
UM president Charles Smith presented five special “Core Value Rammy Awards” recognizing faculty and staff who embody the core values that make the university distinctive.
“Each of our award recipients shows us what it means to live out the mission and values of the University of Mobile – not just with words, but with their lives,” Smith said.
- The Great Commission Award honors a person who faithfully mentors and disciples others, investing their time, energy and heart into raising up the next generation of leaders for Christ. The award was presented to Jared Baria, campus pastor, whose consistency, care and Christ-like example is making a lasting difference.
- The Hungry Heart Award reflects UM’s value of being “hungry” and passionate about progress – a person who leans in, takes initiative and moves forward with grit and determination. The award was presented to Jessica Garner, graduate dean and assistant professor of nursing in the School of Nursing, Celia Wallace College of Health Professions.
- The Humble Spirit Award goes to an employee who exemplifies a servant-heart spirit, consistently puts others first and is willing to serve in whatever way is needed. The award was presented to Barbara Greene, executive administrative assistant to the president, for her grace-filled, team-oriented leadership.
- The Smart Moves Award recognizes someone who is wise and intuitive in how they work with both people and projects, sees connections others miss, builds bridges and solve problems. The award was presented to Heath Vester, associate vice president for creative services, for consistently demonstrating wisdom, insight and excellence.
- The Happy & Hopeful Award celebrates a joyful spirit and goes to someone who brings encouragement, optimism and positive energy everywhere they go. The recipient, Shaneka Thomas, chief security officer, radiates joy and courage, reminding us that even in challenges, we can still choose joy and lead with hope.
Retirement Recognition
Dr. John Roger Breland was honored as he retires from his role as executive director of the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts in the Alabama School of the Arts. For over two decades at the University of Mobile—and decades before that through the founding of TRUTH, one of the first contemporary Christian groups—Breland has shaped lives through music, ministry and song.
His legacy includes founding VOICES of Mobile, launching the beloved Christmas Spectacular, expanding the Alabama School of the Arts, securing funding for the Fisher/Brewer Recording Studio, and establishing the Roger and Linda Breland Endowed Scholarship. Most importantly, he has shaped the lives of thousands of students through his mentorship, example, and commitment to excellence.
Years of Service Awards
Service awards were presented to faculty and staff for years of service. Employees are honored at five-year marks.
- 40 Years of Service: Ted Mashburn
- 30 Years of Service: Marie Batson, Elaine Kyser, Linda Maloy, Kay Sellers
- 20 Years of Service: Lona Brown, Jon Campbell, Nancy Gautier, Terri McNellage
- 15 Years of Service: Amber Campbell, Jenna Goodwin, Kenneth Hughes
- 10 Years of Service: Thomas Jackson, Michael Snow, Latollen Todd
- 5 Years of Service: Amy Burdette
Learn more about the University of Mobile at umobile.edu/um-info. Plan a campus visit or register for a UM Day at umobile.edu/um-info or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence “For Christ & His Kingdom.” With a vision to “Multiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,” the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at umobile.edu/um-info and connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.