Author: Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile presented its two top student awards, the William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award, to Randall Luke Killam of Semmes, Alabama, and Brinkley Madison Hearn of Mobile, Alabama.

The awards were presented during graduation ceremonies held on the university campus May 4, 2024.

The William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating male senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the University of Mobile. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Randall Luke Killam is named for the university’s founding president and is considered the highest recognition possible for a University of Mobile male senior. 

Luke Killam simultaneously pursued a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration, all of which he was awarded on May 4. He plans to complete a Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2025. He is described by his professors in the Alabama School of the Arts and the Grace Pilot School of Business as “an exemplary University of Mobile student who embodies a holistic approach to education, combining scholarly achievements with a deep sense of Christian values, leadership skills and a dedication to service within the university and his church.”

He is a small business owner, operating Luke Killam Piano Academy where he tutors children in piano. As an administrative intern at 3Circle Church, he manages church community processes and events. His extensive involvement at Redemption Church, West Campus as the music director and musician underscores both his leadership capabilities and Christian service in preparing and directing teams for service and events. 

He served in the University of Mobile Ambassador program and assisted UM’s director of piano studies with the ASOTA Piano Festival, Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition and Mobile Music Teachers Association events. He was a standout piano student, a leader in the ASOTA piano ensemble, and was called upon to play keys in some of the largest ASOTA events such as Christmas Spectacular.

Luke graduated summa cum laude and received the ASOTA Achievement Award, Area Award in Piano Performance, and Grace Pilot School of Business Achievement Award.

The Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating female senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the University of Mobile. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Brinkley Madison Hearn is named for B Weaver, the university’s first “First Lady,” and is considered the highest recognition possible for a University of Mobile female senior.

Brinkley Hearn successfully balanced her academic, professional and personal responsibilities while achieving the President’s List every semester as a student athlete, in addition to serving as a childcare provider for multiple families in our community. Her professors describe her as a leader who demonstrates a serving heart, kindness, compassion and generosity in all situations.

As a member throughout her college career of both the indoor volleyball team and the inaugural beach volleyball team, Brinkley served as a leader, mentor and role model to her teammates and classmates, encouraging involvement in the university’s extracurricular activities, events and service opportunities. She volunteered for multiple education-related events to help support current and future teachers, and to recruit future teachers and UM students, such as the annual Early Childhood Conference in Mobile.

Teachers and administrators who have worked with Brinkley during field experiences say she demonstrates the characteristics of a dedicated, dynamic and influential teacher. She served as a mentor to new students entering the Teacher Education Program, was co-president of the SSAC Student Leadership Council and was a member of the University of Mobile Literacy Council. She was inducted into the Upsilon Chi Chapter of the prestigious honor society, Kappa Delta Pi, as a junior. To enhance her educational pedagogy, she acquired certification in AMSTI for both math and science, LETRS, and completed Dyslexia, MTSS and ARI training.

Brinkley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and received the President’s Scholastic Award and School of Education Achievement Award.

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher 
Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their 
future professions in an environment where they are known.

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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.

MOBILE, Ala. – Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros Manager Joe Espada was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters by his alma mater, the University of Mobile, in an announcement made during commencement ceremonies May 4 at the Christian university.

More than 300 graduates who were being awarded associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees and their families watched a video of Espada receiving the honor a month earlier when he was on campus for his induction into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame. Espada was unable to attend UM’s May 4 graduation ceremony as the Astros were scheduled to host the Seattle Mariners later that afternoon at Minute Made Park in Houston, Texas. (Watch the video presentation here https://youtu.be/abKaRnHrs6Y.) 

A native of Puerto Rico, Espada attended the University of Mobile in the mid-1990s as a middle infielder for the UM baseball program, being named a three-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) First-Team All-Conference selection and a two-time GCAC Baseball Player of the Year. Additionally, Espada was selected as an NAIA Baseball Second-Team All-American following the 1995 and 1996 seasons. During the 1996 season for the Rams, Espada hit a program-best .442 on the year with 13 home runs and 38 stolen bases. Following that same season, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round with the 45^th overall pick.

From there, Espada played 10 seasons of minor league ball across seven MLB organizations, five of those seasons being played in Triple-A. He began his professional coaching career as a member of the Miami Marlins coaching staff from 2006-2013. He served as the third-base coach for the New York Yankees before joining the Astros in 2018 as bench coach. He was named manager on Nov. 12, 2023.

In Fall 2019, Espada returned to Mike Jacobs Field at UM for a reunion of former UM Baseball members and saw his No. 6 Mobile jersey retired. In April 2024 he again returned to his alma mater and was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 by the University of Mobile Athletic Department.

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About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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.

MOBILE, Ala. – University of Mobile scholars were recognized for their hard work, determination and commitment to pursue God’s calling for their lives during the Class of 2024 Honors Convocation held April 24 at Dorsett Auditorium on campus.

The President’s Scholastic Award was presented to baccalaureate students who have attained the highest grade point average while completing a four-year degree at the University of Mobile. This year, 12 graduates earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average during their academic careers at UM.

Academic Achievement Awards were presented to outstanding graduates in each college and school who were recognized for academic accomplishment, service, scholarship and Christian character.

The university’s two top student awards, the William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award, will be announced during commencement on May 4. Approximately 300 students will receive degrees ranging from associate to doctoral at the event on campus. Commencement begins at 9 a.m. on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn.

Subhed – President’s Scholastic Awards

Receiving President’s Scholastic Awards were:

David I. Beasley of Cameron, Missouri – Alabama School of the Arts, Bachelor of Science in Worship Leadership and Music

Jessica Mae Clements of Nashville, Tennessee – College of Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Emma Noelle Landry of Gautier, Mississippi – College of Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in World Languages and Studies

Dallas P. Renzi of Daphne, Alabama – College of Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Rose Lee Wallace of Prattville, Alabama – College of Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

Jackson Childs Breal of Spanish Fort, Alabama – Grace Pilot School of Business, Master of Business Administration

Abigail C. Thibodaux of Satsuma, Alabama – Grace Pilot School of Business, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Caroline Belle Tucker of Headland, Alabama – Grace Pilot School of Business, Master of Business Administration

Haley Grace Vanderford of Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Grace Pilot School of Business, Bachelor of Science in Management

Kimberly Breanne Foster of Satsuma, Alabama – School of Education, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education

Brinkley Madison Hearn of Mobile, Alabama – School of Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Joseph McAdams of Saraland, Alabama – School of Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing

Subhed – Academic Achievement Awards

Receiving Academic Achievement Awards were:

Randall Luke Killam of Semmes, Alabama – Alabama School of the Arts, undergraduate and Grace Pilot School of Business, undergraduate

Kara Gail Friesen of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada – Alabama School of the Arts, graduate

Joshua J. Naqvi of Central, Louisiana – College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate

Jared L. Baria of Semmes, Alabama – College of Arts and Sciences, graduate

Sage McKenna of Fort Walton Beach, Florida – Grace Pilot School of Business, graduate

Brinkley Madison Hearn of Mobile, Alabama – School of Education, undergraduate

Amber Brooks Davis of Saraland, Alabama – School of Education, graduate

Matthew James Payne of Mobile, Alabama – School of Health and Sports Science, undergraduate

Joseph McAdams of Saraland, Alabama – School of Nursing, undergraduate

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About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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.

MOBILE, Ala. – A comprehensive, multi-faceted “Experience the Difference” marketing campaign coupled with an internal “Exceptional Hospitality” initiative earned the University of Mobile a grand prize award for exceptional achievement in public relations and development from the Baptist Communicators Association.

The Arthur S. Davenport Award grand prize was among multiple honors earned by the Baptist university’s Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the 60^th annual Wilmer C. Fields Awards ceremony held April 24 in Richmond, Virginia. The Experience the Difference Campaign/Exceptional Hospitality Initiative also won first place for Public Relations & Development – Communication and/or Marketing Strategy.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious honor from the Baptist Communicators Association, recognizing the significance of effective communication in our profession,” said Lesa Moore, vice president for marketing and public relations at the University of Mobile.

“Leveraging our ‘Experience the Difference’ campaign and ‘Exceptional Hospitality’ initiative not only showcases what sets the University of Mobile apart, but also exemplifies the commitment to excellence across campus. It’s a testament to the creativity and dedication of our marketing team and faculty and staff, as well as the vision and mission of the University of Mobile,” Moore said.

Over the course of three months, the marketing team initiated and developed the Experience the Difference campaign to communicate the distinctives that make the university different from other universities and a worthwhile investment for students and families. The campaign was launched during the spring and summer of 2023 and is ongoing.

Supporting the overall Experience the Difference campaign was a robust, scripture-based internal customer service framework titled “Exceptional Hospitality.” The university-wide initiative put UM’s Christ-centered focus into action with practical strategies aimed to redefine hospitality in an academic context, creating individual experiences that are distinctive to the University of Mobile.

The university also earned honors in photography, videography and magazine divisions.

First Place Presidential Portrait 

A portrait of retiring university president Lonnie Burnett at work in his office earned first place in Photography/Portrait – Field for Rovy Lopez, director of visual media, and Heath Vester, associate vice president for creative services. 

TorchLight Magazine 

The presidential portrait accompanied a feature story in the Spring 2023 issue of TorchLight magazine, which also earned honors. The university’s annual alumni magazine placed second in the Print Publication – Magazine category in the Overall Publication division.

Videos Earn Honors

The university earned second place honors in two different categories for videography in the Audio-Visual Communications division.

“Rammy Rock Stars” won second place in the Event category for more than three minutes. The playful video was created for the university’s spring faculty/staff luncheon and featured various university employees in the spotlight as rock stars.

“Dear UM” won second place in Video Storytelling – more than three minutes. The poignant video was created for the university’s annual Leadership Banquet and featured students reading letters they wrote to the university about their UM experience.

The UM Marketing Team

The University of Mobile Office for Marketing and Public Relations includes:

Lesa Moore, vice president for marketing and public relations

Kathy Dean, associate vice president for university communications

Heath Vester, associate vice president for creative services

Noah Walters, project manager and digital marketing specialist

Emily Deal, graphic designer

Rovy Lopez, director of visual media

Camden Jewell, photographer and videographer

Molly Grace Watkins, content creator

Kellie Cavallaro, assistant to the vice president for marketing

Baptist Communicators Association

The Baptist Communicators Association is a professional organization of communicators who serve in editorial, public relations, electronic media, photography, management, marketing and graphic design positions principally within Baptist agencies and institutions.

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About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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.

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile will celebrate the accomplishments of over 300 candidates for graduation during commencement on Saturday, May 4. The ceremony begins promptly at 9 a.m. on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn on campus.

In his final act as University of Mobile president prior to retirement, Dr. Lonnie Burnett will deliver the commencement address. Burnett is a 1979 graduate of UM – then known as Mobile College. He served as president for the past five years, leading the university through the pandemic while expanding academic programs and facilities, among many accomplishments. His retirement concludes a distinguished career as a history professor, author, and administrator at UM following a successful career as an educator in the Mobile County Public School System.

This graduation ceremony is particularly meaningful for those receiving bachelor’s degrees in the Class of 2024, as many in this class were not able to experience a high school graduation ceremony due to the COVID pandemic. 

The UM Class of 2024 also includes the first 12 graduates of the university’s new Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program, as well as the first Associate Degree in Nursing graduates since that program was reinstated.

The audience is encouraged to arrive early to allow for parking and seating prior to the start of the ceremony at 9 a.m.

For graduation details and to watch a live-stream of the ceremony, go to umobile.edu/graduation. In case of inclement weather, the graduation venue is Cottage Hill Baptist Church, 4255 Cottage Hill Road. Weather updates will be made on official University of Mobile social media accounts and on umobile.edu/graduation.

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.

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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.

MOBILE, Ala. – University of Mobile faculty, staff, trustees and special guests gathered April 16 at College Woods Center on campus for an evening filled with laughter and remembrances honoring outgoing president and first lady Dr. Lonnie and Lynne Burnett.

UM Board of Trustees Chair Terry Harbin announced that College Woods Center will now be renamed the Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center, in honor of the couple who worked side-by-side to refurbish the facility that now provides performance space for the Alabama School of the Arts, as well as meeting and banquet space for university, community and corporate events.

Dr. Daven Watkins, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Pelham, Alabama, and father of a graduating student, spoke about the impact Burnett and the university had in his daughter’s life. Harbin and former Trustee Chair Fred Wilson recalled highlights and challenges of the past five years during Burnett’s tenure as president of his alma mater. Among those challenges was a global pandemic that started four months after the history professor and university administrator took the helm of the Christian university. 

Under Burnett’s leadership, the University of Mobile did more than survive – the university thrived. Now, as Burnett delivers his final commencement address to the Class of 2024 on May 4, he hands over to incoming president Dr. Charles Smith a university positioned for future growth.

“It has been my honor to be your president for the last five years and, more importantly, to be your friend and colleague for many years before that,” Burnett told those gathered at the Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center.

The theme throughout the evening was: Through it all, God is faithful.

Burnett referred to Noah in the Old Testament. “When times were at their lowest, God promised to deliver Noah. But he made him build that boat…We have done that together. We are still building that boat…It’s a good boat. It’s heading in the right direction. And its captain is way bigger than me or you.

“May God bless you all. And may God continue to richly bless the University of Mobile,” Burnett said.

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About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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.