Author: Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – Imagine a university where professors know your name, faith shapes every class and every career is seen as a calling to serve for the glory of God and the good of the world. At the University of Mobile, you’ll find a campus community where you can thrive academically, spiritually and personally.

Experience it all at UM Day on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 – a special campus-visit event for high school and transfer students and their families.

Wondering what your future could look like at a university where faith and learning go hand in hand? UM Day at the University of Mobile is your chance to see for yourself.

Check‑in begins at 8:30 a.m. in Ram Hall, 5735 College Pkwy., Mobile, Alabama 36613.

RSVP today at umobile.edu/umday-info or call 251.442.2222.

Earn a $2,000 Visit Day Scholarship

Students who attend a UM Day, apply and enroll are eligible for a $2,000 Visit Scholarship for new traditional undergraduate students – making this the perfect time to plan your visit and take the next step toward your future.

Why RSVP Now?

When you RSVP, you unlock exclusive opportunities and special perks that make your visit even more rewarding.

• Apply for Free at UM Day!
• Free UM Day T-shirt for students who apply for admission at UM Day!
• Free UM sweatshirt for students who make their enrollment down payment!
• $2,000 Visit Scholarship for new traditional undergraduate students who visit, apply and enroll

What Happens at UM Day?

On your visit, you’ll:

• Tour our beautiful 880‑acre campus and see why our dorms are ranked #1 in Alabama on a campus ranked #1 for safety.
• Meet professors and current students who will inspire you.
• Learn how affordable a private Christian university can be.
• Apply for free — and take the first step toward your future.

Just 1 More UM Day!

The final UM Day of spring semester 2025 is March 23. Reserve your spot today at umobile.edu/umday-info or call 251.442.2222.

Schedule a Private Visit

If you can’t make a UM Day, private tours are available year-round. You can still qualify for the $2,000 Visit Scholarship when you visit, apply and enroll.

Schedule a visit at umobile.edu/visit or call 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.

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile saw 2025 as a year of notable growth, leadership milestones and historic generosity – from the inauguration of Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. as UM’s sixth president to a multi-million-dollar gift establishing the Tom Elliff Center for Missions.

Along with significant enrollment growth, national rankings and expanded focus on student life and spiritual growth, the 2025 year reflected the university’s ongoing impact For Christ & His Kingdom.

“As we reflect on this past year at the University of Mobile, we are deeply grateful for the many ways the Lord has blessed our university and is at work in the lives of our students, faculty and staff,” President Smith said. “We go into the new year with purpose and confidence in our mission to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world.”

Mission and Leadership 

A central theme of 2025 was set during Smith’s inauguration on May 1, 2025. In his address, UM’s president outlined a bold mission and vision aimed at expanding the university’s impact and guiding its strategic planning:

“The University of Mobile exists For Christ & His Kingdom to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world.”

Tom Elliff Center for Missions

 In November, UM announced an historic multi-million-dollar gift establishing the Tom Elliff Center for Missions, scheduled to open in Fall 2026. Named for former International Mission Board president Tom Elliff, the Center will provide students with focused missions training, quarterly forums with missionary leaders and scholars, and opportunities for cross-cultural field experiences. UM officials report that the initiative builds on the university’s longstanding commitment to preparing students to make a global impact for Christ.

Student Life and Campus Engagement

The university expanded Student Life programming in 2025, adding new campus-wide events and leadership development opportunities. Chapel services consistently drew full crowds, featuring speakers from churches, ministries, and academic institutions nationwide. Chapel sermon videos and podcasts are available at umobile.edu/chapel.

Enrollment and Recruitment

Fall 2025 enrollment grew by 14% over the previous year. Attendance at UM Day, the university’s main campus-visit event, increased 30%, according to institutional data. University representatives attributed the growth to expanded recruitment efforts, engagement with regional churches, and strengthened academic outreach.

Rankings and Recognition

UM earned several rankings in the 2026 Niche Best Colleges list:

• Top 100 Best Christian Colleges in America
• Top 100 Best Colleges for Music in America
• #1 Best College for Music in Alabama
• #1 Safest College Campus in Alabama
• #1 Best Dorms in Alabama (fifth consecutive year)

The School of Nursing was named #1 Nursing Program in Alabama by RegisteredNursing.org. Faculty recognition included Dr. Robert Olsen, who was voted Best College Professor in Mobile in the 2025 Nappie Awards.

Church and Community Partnerships

UM reported increased engagement with Alabama Baptist churches and partners in the Southern Baptist Convention through campus events, ministry training, and student mission programs. Officials said these partnerships support the university’s goal of integrating academic study with preparation for service across ministry, business, healthcare, education and the arts.

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.

MOBILE, Ala. – The Leadership Project, a new initiative launched by University of Mobile President Charles Smith to multiply the university’s Kingdom impact through the development of faculty, staff and student leaders, completed its first semester with strong participation and enthusiastic feedback.

“I’ve had a passion for leadership for many years – not because I consider myself an exceptional leader, but because I understand how much of life rises or falls on faithful, effective leadership,” President Smith said.

“I am proud to see more than 100 of our key leaders gathering each month to invest intentionally in their own development and, in doing so, strengthen the overall effectiveness of our institution.”

The Leadership Project

During Fall Semester 2025, University of Mobile participants explored leadership principles from the national best-seller “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni.

The author’s emphasis on three virtues of effective leadership – humble, hungry and smart – provided a shared framework that helped participants articulate what it looks like to build a healthy, Christ-centered organizational culture of leadership at the University of Mobile.

“The Leadership Project gives our faculty, staff and students a shared space to grow together, reflect deeply and build the kind of collaborative culture that multiplies our impact of multiplying Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world,” Smith said.

In Spring Semester 2026, The Leadership Project welcomes new and returning participants for a study of “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by New York Times bestselling author Cal Newport.

“My prayer is that The Leadership Project will continue to grow and positively impact the lives of many,” Smith said.

A Proven Model

The Leadership Project at the University of Mobile is an outgrowth of a program Smith began over a decade ago at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he served prior to joining UM as senior vice president for institutional relations and assistant professor of Christian leadership.

At Midwestern, Smith hosted a podcast focusing on key leadership topics such as Building Healthy Leaders and Teams, Developing and Deploying Leaders in The Church, and 16 Leadership Lessons Learned the Hard Way. “The Leadership Project with Charles Smith” podcasts featured leaders across the Southern Baptist Convention and is available on Spotify.

Practical Strategies

The Leadership Project monthly gatherings blended food, fellowship and learning for an experience UM participants found both personally and professionally valuable.

“It created an atmosphere of collaboration and comradery as faculty and staff members came together for a united purpose,” said Shirley Sutterfield, associate vice president for academic services and registrar.

She said “The Ideal Team Player” offered meaningful and practical concepts, values and strategies that easily can be implemented in the workplace.

Building the Team

Amber Campbell, assistant volleyball coach, said The Leadership Project study “gave language to some methods we were already implementing in the volleyball program,” which made the experience especially affirming.

Campbell said the monthly gatherings provided a team-building exercise that was impactful, resulting in new relationships with faculty, staff and students she had never previously met.

Hungry, Humble & Smart Leaders

College of Arts & Sciences Dean Matthew Downs said The Leadership Project was “a fantastic opportunity to make connections with colleagues across campus in pursuit of a greater purpose.”

He noted that “it’s all too easy to get stuck in our own areas, in our own buildings,” but the project created an intentional space to talk about becoming “smart, hungry and humble people” and to consider ways to strengthen the culture of the university.

Godly Leadership

Dr. Pamela Buchanan Miller, vice president for academic affairs, said it was “really gratifying to see how much Godly leadership ability there is out there, especially among younger faculty and staff.”

The Leadership Project “gave us a space to come together outside our normal roles and get some great perspective from one another. I’m looking forward to Spring 2026,” she said.

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.

MOBILE, Ala. – It started like many college projects do — with a deadline and a dream.

In the fall of 2024, two University of Mobile seniors, Joshua Trimble and Will Wayne, needed a capstone project to complete their worship leadership degrees at the Baptist university. The two friends decided to combine their efforts into a joint project.

The result is “Take All of Me,” an EP by Latreo, a new band composed of University of Mobile students and alumni. Now available on all major streaming platforms, the EP also is being shared with congregations through worship resource platforms.

What began as a class requirement for UM’s Alabama School of the Arts degree programs became something much bigger – a ministry, a band, and a testimony to how God provides when His people step out in faith.

“The Lord provided all that was needed,” Wayne explained.

A Shared Vision

It started with a group of songs Wayne had written over the years – words and notes he hoped one day could be used to encourage other believers and churches. That day arrived when their capstone project proposal was approved by Abbie Maggio, assistant professor of worship leadership.

Soon, Wayne, Trimble, and a team of fellow students were rehearsing with the goal of one day recording the original songs.

“The band did not yet have their name, nor did they have the certainty than any music they were working on would be shared,” Wayne said.

This is how Latreo began – a band formed entirely of University of Mobile students and alumni. Drawn from the Greek word “latreuo” — meaning “to serve, to worship” — the name perfectly captured both their purpose and their journey. The name also had a UM connection – many of Latreo’s current members had once played in a UM campus ministry teams worship band of the same name.

There were alumni and students who already were making an impact beyond campus, including in local ministries and churches. Among the Baptist churches represented are Cottage Hill, Moffet Road, Spring Hill, Tillman’s Corner, Bay Family and Thomasville.

Collaboration Brings Music to Life

Students practiced and perfected the original songs throughout fall semester 2024. When the band realized they lacked the funds and production support to bring their songs to life, provision came from unexpected places — and familiar faces.

Logan Lipke, a close friend and fellow student, needed a senior project for his degree in musical arranging and composing. The timing was perfect. Lipke stepped in to record and produce three of the band’s songs, while Connor Duckett, Wayne’s suitemate, produced another.

And when one more song remained unproduced, UM instructor Chris Springer, who teaches in the production technologies program, joined the effort — with funds generously provided through supporters connected to Wayne.

The Heart of the Project

Trimble said a desire to provide churches with a resource for worship remains the heart of the project.

“We wanted – and still want – to produce music that is edifying to the church and glorifying to Him,” Trimble said.

“When we finally got the band together to work on these songs, it was evident that the Lord’s hand was upon us. Not only were we able to write and produce music, but we were able to worship with some of our closest friends.

“It is an experience we will always cherish and glorify God for,” Trimble said.

The Sound of Worship

In Spring 2025, they used the university’s professional Fisher-Brewer Recording Studio to lay down the tracks. By the start of the 2025 school year in August, Latreo had fully produced and released five original worship songs:

The EP “Take All of Me” includes:

• Beloved (Mephibosheth)
• There Is a God
• Take All of Me
• Grace Upon Us
• Hope in God (Psalm 43)

Each song reflects the band’s heart for authentic worship and biblical truth, blending thoughtful lyrics with fresh musical arrangements.

Every member involved — including Madison Lipke, Lyla Stokes, Emory Cooper, Kaden Kuglar and others — contributed to the writing, arranging and recording process.

Additional UM students such as Yonan Hanna, Taidi Vielza, Addie Lentz, Cody Green and Camille Edgar joined along the way, making Latreo’s debut a true campus-wide collaboration.

From the Studio to the World

What began in a University of Mobile practice room has now reached listeners far beyond campus. Latreo’s music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, and Amazon Music, and the group is in the process of uploading worship materials for churches on SongSelect and MultiTracks.

But they aren’t finished yet.

Latreo is already writing new music and preparing for a second album — this time featuring songs from multiple writers, including Trimble and Stokes. Their mission remains the same: to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through songs grounded in Scripture and filled with hope.

To learn more, follow Latreo on Instagram: @latreo_official and on Facebook at Latreo.

Multiplying Kingdom Leaders

Tim Adams, vice president for student development and collegiate athletics, said the story of Latreo is one of many that illustrates how God is using the University of Mobile to make an impact.

“The University of Mobile exists to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world. Latreo is a perfect example of what that looks like – students using their gifts to serve the church, encourage believers and share the gospel through music,” Adams said.

Student Life Director Jared Baria remembers Wayne as a freshman just beginning to discover his calling. Today Wayne serves as a graduate assistant helping Baria direct the type of Christ-centered campus programming that aims to nurture and disciple the next generation of Kingdom leaders.

“Will has a heart to see the gospel go out,” Baria said. “He’s a talented singer-songwriter who doesn’t want to take the glory for himself but give the glory to God, and I think that’s evident by doing a project like this. It’s more than music – it’s ministry.

“Will, along with each one of these students and graduates, understands that their lives are a boast of Christ alone. They are truly living ‘For Christ & His Kingdom.’”

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.