Author: Kathy Dean

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.

Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab Dedicated, Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Aryany Breek

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile dedicated the nationally accredited Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab and awarded the Dr. Randy Craig Memorial Scholarship to one of his outstanding students in a ceremony held Jan. 23 in Weaver Hall.

University of Mobile faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests remembered the beloved professor with stories, laughter and tears as Dr. Ashley Lindsey, who succeeded Craig as director of the lab, presented the memorial scholarship to Aryany Breek of Mobile, a senior majoring in biology pre-health with a chemistry minor. 

The Dr. Randy Craig Memorial Scholarship honors the academic achievements of a student who is also contributing to their education, family and community through employment and volunteer work. 

A Driving Force

Craig was the driving force behind the creation and establishment of UM’s nationally accredited gross anatomy lab. Not only was he involved in the planning and paperwork required to create the lab, but Craig personally constructed many of the tools and devices that are imperative to the functioning of the lab each day, Lindsey said.

At the time of his death on Dec. 10, 2022, the professor of biology was chair of the Department of Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. He was a longtime practicing veterinarian with specialties in veterinary orthopedic surgery and equine nutrition and a background that included stints as a thoroughbred jockey and champion bull-rider and steer-roper. (For more about Dr. Craig’s life, read Q&A with UM Biology Professor Randy Craig.)

‘Always Teaching, Always Helping’

Patti Craig said her late husband loved to teach – it was something he did naturally in everything he did. 

“He would be truly honored,” she said as the lab was officially dedicated.

Lindsey said Craig was “always teaching, always helping. Just by him talking and thinking out loud, I was learning.”

UM President Lonnie Burnett said Craig was proud of the lab and the opportunity it provided for undergraduate students to work with cadavers in an environment usually reserved for graduate students.

“He was all about the students,” Burnett said.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Matthew Downs said Craig “was always thinking about what was best for students. Everything he did, he did for them. He was like that with faculty, too. It is such an honor to dedicate a space in his honor that is for students.” 

A Vision for the Future

Lindsey said Craig had specific instructions for her as the next director of the lab he created.

“He said, ‘I don’t want you to do it the same; I want you to do it better,’” Lindsey said. 

In honoring that wish, Lindsey said her vision is to make the state-of-the-art lab an interdisciplinary environment that provides learning opportunities for UM students in a variety of majors, while also expanding partnerships in the community.

To learn more about the Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab and partnership opportunities, email Lindsey at alindsey@umobile.edu.

Dr. Randy Craig Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship recipient Aryany Breek plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and is applying to graduate programs for a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. She has maintained a 3.9 cumulative GPA while holding constant employment at her family’s Honduran restaurant, Las Catrachas, and volunteering at the Mobile International Festival and Victory Health Partners. 

During the Mobile International Festival, she values educating others about her cultural background. Victory Health Partners is a nonprofit healthcare organization established to provide affordable quality of care for the low-income uninsured population of the greater Mobile area. Aryany included the following statement in a patient advocacy essay written about her experiences at Victory Health Partners: “Advocacy in my role as a volunteer involved bridging communication gaps and ensuring the patients felt heard, understood and supported through their visit at the clinic.”  

Pictured from left are Dr. Matthew Downs, Dr. Lonnie Burnett, Aryany Breek, Patti Craig, Dr. Ashley Lindsey

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.

A Father’s Gift Brings Special Memories for 2 University of Mobile Alumni

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – Lyon Chapel holds a special place in the hearts of University of Mobile students and alumni. For 1997 alumni Alison and Adam Creel, it is “a little heavenly haven” where they grew together in their faith.

“We spent countless hours on the front steps of the chapel reading our Bibles, praying together and discussing our future together,” recalls Alison. “On particularly hard days, we knew we could find one another along the front or back stoop of that dear old church. We knew God would meet us there.”

Those memories came flooding back on Christmas Day 2023 when Alison’s father, Pastor Harold Fanning, put his woodworking hobby to the test and created a special present for the couple. Using photos of Lyon Chapel for reference, he constructed a 12-inch-by-14-inch oak model of the historic building that represents the university’s Christ-centered foundation and Alabama Baptist heritage.

“We are a family that loves the University of Mobile,” says Fanning, a past member of UM’s Board of Regents and retired chaplain. “Building a scale model of Lyon Chapel proved to be more challenging than I realized. It is not perfect by any means, but it does serve as a reminder of those precious days at the university.”

Alison says her father’s gift captures the charm and simplicity of the 140-year-old structure that once served as First Baptist Church of St. Stephens, Alabama, before being moved to campus and restored in 1988. The chapel is named in memory of Willie Mae Lewis Lyon, a founding trustee of then-Mobile College.

“I think most UM students have a certain affinity and appreciation for Lyon Chapel. It serves as a standard on campus, reminding students every day to live missionally, stay rooted in faith, and live out a Christian worldview,” Alison says.

A Challenging Project

Fanning comes from a long line of woodworkers – one grandfather was in the logging trade, another was a professional carpenter, and his own father was a woodworker.

But Fanning’s calling was to ministry. He served Alabama Baptist churches for over 40 years before retiring from the pastorate in 2010 and becoming a chaplain for Alacare Hospice and Home Health. Since retiring again in 2019, he has served as interim pastor in numerous churches, currently at New Market Baptist Church in New Market, Alabama. Between retirements, he took up woodworking.

“I enjoy the challenges of working with wood – each piece brings its own set of challenges. For me, overcoming these challenges is part of the lure. Whether you are trying to make a precise cut or figuring out how to join two pieces of wood together, I love the sense of accomplishment when I finally get it right,” Fanning says.

It took Fanning approximately three weeks to build the oak model of Lyon Chapel in the workshop behind the home in Hartselle, Alabama, that he and his wife, Debbie, share.

A Family in Ministry

Since graduating, Alison and Adam have put their University of Mobile experience to work in ministries of their own. Adam graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a religion minor and now serves as business administrator at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. He is one of the lead pastors on the church ministry staff, oversees the financial health of the church, negotiates contracts and other legal business documents, and manages the church’s human resources department. In addition, he teaches a weekly small group, leads a men’s discipleship group, serves as the pastor liaison for the church’s homeschool ministry, and recently completed a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in church administration.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and journalism with a music minor. She is a contracted writer and content editor for Lifeway Kids and serves on the Bible Studies for Life team, writing and editing preschool and children’s worship curriculum. She also teaches a second-grade class at Whitesburg Baptist Church.

They have three daughters: Audrey, Anna and Adeline.

A UM Day Reunion

The Creel family will have a chance to meet on the steps of Lyon Chapel again on Feb. 16 when their youngest daughter, Adeline, visits campus for UM Day. During UM Days, prospective students experience the university, tour campus, meet faculty and current students, and learn about academics, campus life, scholarships and more. 

To RSVP for an upcoming UM Day or schedule a campus visit at another convenient time, go to umobile.edu/umday.

Alison says the couple is thrilled that Adeline is visiting their alma mater and considering enrollment.

“We are forever Rams fans, but more than that, we trust UM. We know the quality of education Adeline would receive, the caliber of professors she would study under, and the intensity with which she would be challenged in her faith…it is exciting to think about the prayers SHE would pray on the front steps of Lyon Chapel. Adam and I sat there and prayed for her before we even knew she’d be born to us,” she says.

A Lasting Reminder

More than 25 years later, Alison and Adam still proudly wear their UM jerseys and sport UM license plates on their vehicles. The model of Lyon Chapel is now a family treasure prominently displayed near their living room fireplace.

Seeing it every day brings to mind those long-ago college years – and something more.

“There is just something about it that draws you in,” Alison says. “It’s such a contrast to the modern buildings and fast-paced academic life that surrounds it. It has a way of quieting the chaos of life, reminding you of what’s important and what will last.”

A print of an original watercolor of Lyon Chapel by 2008 alumna Megan Dean Desko is available from the University of Mobile Store as part of The U’s “Mobile Makers” collection highlighting the work of UM alumni. Order a Lyon Chapel print at universityofmobilestore.com.

8"x10" Lyon's Chapel Watercolor Print by Megan Desko Art

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.

University of Mobile Hosts ‘UM Day’ Feb. 16 with $2,000 Scholarship Offer

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile invites potential students to “Experience the Difference” of UM’s Christ-centered higher education and earn a $2,000 scholarship for visiting campus on an upcoming UM Day. The next UM Day is set for Friday, Feb. 16.

UM Days give potential students and families an opportunity to tour the University of Mobile campus, speak with professors, meet current students, learn about financial aid and submit a free application. New traditional undergraduate students who attend a UM Day will also receive a $2,000 scholarship when they visit campus, apply and enroll.

RSVP for UM Day

To RSVP for UM Day on Feb. 16, please visit umobile.edu/umday or call 251.442.2222. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. in Ram Hall on the University of Mobile campus, 5735 College Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36613. 

The final UM Day scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year is:

  • Friday, March 22, 2024. 

To RSVP for a future UM Day, visit umobile.edu/umday.

Schedule a Private Tour

Personalized, private tours also may be scheduled for Mondays through Fridays. Students who attend a private campus visit also will receive a $2,000 scholarship when they apply for admission and enroll. 

To schedule a private campus tour, please visit umobile.edu/visit for more information.

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.

University of Mobile BSN Program Ranked #1 in Alabama

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is ranked #1 in Alabama by the ranking and information site NursingEducation.org. 

The site ranks the best nursing schools in Alabama based on each program’s pass rate for the NCLEX national licensure examination. The University of Mobile has had a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the past two consecutive years.

“The need for nurses continues to grow, making now the right time to pursue a career in nursing in the state of Alabama. With the RN workforce being projected to grow 6% nationwide between 2021-2031, there will be no shortage of nursing jobs to choose from,” the site states in its listing of Alabama’s top-rated nursing schools and programs of 2023. Click here to view the list. 

NursingEducation.org noted that the University of Mobile offers several career paths to earn a nursing degree, including the traditional BSN program, the new five-semester Associate Degree in Nursing, an accelerated BSN program and an RN to BSN program. The university also offers master’s and doctoral degrees.

“Their facility offers a state-of the-art clinical simulation center to provide real-life scenarios that allow students to understand concepts they’ve learned in the classroom. They offer small class sizes to allow for personal attention and 1:1 faculty mentoring. The University of Mobile emphasizes a face-to-face NCLEX review, integrated specialty testing into their program, and added test-taking strategies to their curriculum to achieve a 100% pass rate of their graduates on the NCLEX-RN exam,” says NursingEducation.org. 

The University of Mobile is accepting applications now for students interested in enrolling, and scholarships are available. Apply now at umobile.edu/apply.

The UM School of Nursing is part of the College of Health Professions, which also includes the school of Nurse Anesthesia and the School of Health and Sports Science.

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.

8th Annual All-Steinway Concert Showcases University of Mobile Students

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will celebrate its 8th anniversary as an All-Steinway School with a concert featuring students performing on the celebrated pianos.

The All-Steinway Concert program includes classical, romantic and contemporary music performed by undergraduate and graduate students majoring in piano performance. The free concert will be held Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Moorer Auditorium in Thomas T. Martin Hall on campus.

Works by Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and original works by students Logan Lipke and Trenton McGuff will be performed. Pianists include Alison Strunk, Christopher Conger, Luke Graham, Benjamin Naman, Marc Marquis, Trenton McGuff, Logan Lipke, Rebecca Reed and Gaukhar Kenessova.

Steinway Artist Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, director of piano studies and professor of music, said the concert is an opportunity for audience members to experience the exceptional sound that talented students can create using pianos widely considered to be among the best in the world.

“Practicing on Steinway pianos has helped me achieve a level of playing I thought I could not reach. The sound quality and capabilities of a Steinway piano is unmatched, and the responsiveness of Steinway pianos helps me to clearly articulate and express every aspect of what the composer has written,” said Marc Marquis, a junior majoring in piano performance.

Rebecca Reed said having access to Steinway pianos is helping her achieve her goals as a pianist and become a better musician.

“Steinway pianos are proven to be high quality in their action and expressive range. This has been evident in the pianos that I have had the honor to practice and perform on through my undergraduate and current master’s degree. I have also been honored to work with a world-class Steinway artist, Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, who has used these beautiful instruments to instruct me in honing my craft,” Reed said.

Onalbayeva said the University of Mobile’s status as an official All-Steinway School is not only a dedication to a commitment of excellence, but it provides the world’s best instruments for student and faculty. 

“Our All-Steinway Concert is a celebration of our students and a thank you to donors who helped make this evening possible,” Onalbayeva said. “Without generous donors it would not be possible for the university to be able to achieve its prestigious goals.”

To see a video expressing ASOTA’s sincerest gratitude to donors, watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=podTHxiaDrc.

The University of Mobile earned the All-Steinway designation in 2016 after the “All Steinway, All Together” campaign raised funds to update the university’s inventory of aging pianos. 

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.

70th Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Featured at University of Mobile Leadership Banquet April 6

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. –  70th Secretary of State of the United States, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and four-term Congressman representing the Fourth District of Kansas Mike Pompeo is the featured speaker at the 17th University of Mobile Leadership Banquet on Saturday, April 6, 2024. 

Tickets are available now at umobile.edu/banquet for the Christian university’s main fundraising event of the year. The evening will feature entertainment by students and faculty from the university’s Alabama School of the Arts. The UM Leadership Banquet begins with a VIP reception at 5:15 p.m. with banquet starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center.

Tickets and sponsorships are available now at umobile.edu/banquet or contact the Office for Advancement at 251.442.2325.

About Mike Pompeo

Michael R. Pompeo served as the 70th Secretary of State of the United States and the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Pompeo was elected to four terms in Congress representing the Fourth District of Kansas. He graduated first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army, leading troops patrolling the Iron Curtain. He left the military in 1991, then graduated from Harvard Law School, having served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. For almost a decade he led two manufacturing businesses in south central Kansas – first in the aerospace industry and then making energy drilling and production equipment.

In 2010 he ran for Congress and was re-elected three more times to represent south central Kansas. He served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency and was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as America’s 70th Secretary of State. As the nation’s most senior diplomat in the Trump Administration and President Trump’s chief negotiator, Pompeo helped craft U.S. foreign policy.

His New York Times bestselling book was released in January 2023. “Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love,” includes stories from his time as Secretary of State and CIA Director.

Pompeo and his wife, Susan, have one son, Nick, and daughter-in-law, Rachel. The Pompeos dedicated many volunteer hours to their home church, including teaching 5th grade Sunday School and his time as a church deacon.

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online associate, 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.

University of Mobile School of Nursing Invites Public to Town Hall Meeting Feb. 21

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile School of Nursing invites surrounding communities to participate in a public Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to update the public about the university’s Associate Degree in Nursing program, which started in the fall of 2022. The first graduating class is in May of 2024. 

The School of Nursing is in the process of completing the required accreditation requirements. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation team will visit the University of Mobile campus Feb. 20-22 and invites the public to participate in the 30-minute meeting located on the third floor conference room of Weaver Hall.

Information about the University of Mobile Associate Degree in Nursing program is at umobile.edu/adn.                       

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.

University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular to Air Christmas Morning on Fox10TV, Plus More Showings

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – An hour-long special featuring the University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular will air locally on WALA Fox10TV from 7-8 a.m. Christmas morning, Dec. 25. 

There will be more opportunities to watch the 60-minute excerpt from the 2022 Christmas Spectacular during this Christmas season.

Where to Watch Christmas Spectacular 2022 

Daystar Television will air Christmas Spectacular 2022 on Dec. 21 at the following times:

12/21 @ 12pm EST NET/CANADA
12/21 @ 1am EST NET/CANADA
12/21 @ 11am CST NET US/INTL
12/21 @ 12am CST NET US/INTL

Also, WHBR Christian Television Network will air the special as follows:

12/11 @ 9:30pm
12/19 @ 7:30pm
12/24 @ 10:30pm

Coming Soon: Christmas Spectacular 2023 Streaming

The 2023 Christmas Spectacular performance, held in November, will be edited by students in the production technologies program in the university’s Alabama School of the Arts. It will be available for streaming during Spring 2024.

For more information about Christmas Spectacular and the Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile, visit umobile.edu/asota. To learn about enrolling at the University of Mobile, go to umobile.edu/apply.

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.

University of Mobile Invites All to Community Christmas Concert Dec. 22

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile will present a free Community Christmas Concert on Friday, Dec. 22, featuring the premier student ensemble VOICES of Mobile in the final performance of its 2023 Christmas Tour.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the university’s College Woods Center.

The 2023 Christmas Tour features VOICES of Mobile performances at churches across Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Lousiana, Florida and Georgia. VOICES is a highly versatile, auditioned vocal ensemble which presents over 200 concerts every year through regional and international tours. Throughout the years, the student ensemble has performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.

For information about Voices of Mobile, visit the Alabama School of the Arts website at umobile.edu/asota. For information about the university’s College Woods Center, visit umobile.edu/cwc.

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.

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