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.
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile has partnered with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions to host Super Summer Alabama 2023, a week-long leadership and discipleship camp for students who have completed grades 8-12. The camp is set for July 10-14 on the University of Mobile campus.
Super Summer Alabama is not your typical summer camp, said Denis Tanner, associate pastor of students and spiritual formation at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama. It is designed for students who are leaders or potential leaders in their church youth groups who have a desire to learn, study and grow in their faith.
“Super Summer is where students begin to dig deeper in the word of God and own their faith. It is a place where they are not only discipled but challenged to go out and make disciples. They will learn about things such as theology, spiritual disciplines, missiology, apologetics and more.
“At Super Summer, students come expecting to see God move and work in their lives,” Tanner said.
The camp is operated by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. The July 2023 session is the first time the camp will be held on the University of Mobile campus, a Christ-centered university affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
UM President Lonnie Burnett said Super Summer Alabama is “a perfect mission fit for the university.”
“These are some of the best and brightest students in the state, and we would certainly hope to see many of these participants as future UM students,” Burnett said.
Super Summer Alabama early registration deadline is April 10, 2023. To learn more about Super Summer Alabama, visit supersummer.ymlink.org.
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. Learn more about UM at umobile.edu or call 251.442.2222.
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.
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.
Lindi McGaughy always had a passion for working with babies and their mommies. She worked as a childbirth educator and doula, attending women giving birth.
Then she went to nursing school, and it changed her life.
“I was almost 40 years old when I went to nursing school in order to become a midwife, but while there, I discovered that I found the most fulfillment in primary care of the whole family. I became a Family Nurse Practitioner.” she said.
Now, as associate professor of nursing in the University of Mobile School of Nursing, Dr. Melinda McGaughy guides the next generation of nursing professionals on their own path to fulfillment. We asked her to tell us more about what it takes to succeed in the field of nursing and why she chooses to teach and mentor at this Christ-centered university.
Q. What qualities does one need to succeed in nursing?
A.Nursing is not a job – it is a profession – and it carries with it professional responsibilities and obligations unlike any other. A foundation of knowledge, a commitment to hard work, intestinal fortitude (guts), and a heart of compassion can create a strong nurse.
Nursing is one of the most challenging educational programs in secondary education. Students with interests in biology, chemistry and math who have a commitment to caring for others can be very successful in the field of nursing.
Q. Why should someone choose to study nursing at UM?
A. The nursing faculty at the University of Mobile are the hardest working, most compassionate group of faculty I have ever met. They are passionate about teaching students to become the BEST nurses in the world. I feel honored and blessed to be on their team. They have created a stream-lined path for students to move from the associate’s degree to the doctoral level in a small, student-focused program, with positive outcomes. Very impressive.
Q. Why do you choose to teach at UM?
A. The #1 reason I chose to teach at the University of Mobile is the commitment of the nursing leadership and faculty to faith and student well-being. It has been a very rewarding experience.
Q. UM offers “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose.” What does that mean to you?
A. There is no higher purpose than loving God and caring for His people. In the School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions at the University of Mobile, we are committed to teaching AND learning how to do both of those things in the very best way.
Q. What is your background?
A. I earned my BSN and MSN in nursing from The Ohio State University and am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. My nursing experience has been in neonatal intensive care, pediatric primary care, retail health, and family practice.
I served full-time in the graduate school on the Family Nurse Practitioner faculty at Ohio State for 6 years before relocating to Alabama. I completed a Post-Master’s certification in Advanced Practice Nurse Education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Otterbein University with a project focused on integrative advanced practice nursing education.
I have served on the advisory board for the Integrative Medicine Clinic at Ohio State. Also, I present regularly at national nursing organizations, and my research interests include evidence-based advanced nursing education, peer review in nursing education, faculty civility in higher education, and integrative health.
Q. What are some of your interests or hobbies?
A. I have seven grandchildren, ages 17 years to 5 months. They are my most fun interest! I also love to cook, study essential oils, grow plants and read (mostly non-fiction).
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.
There was a story that Dr. William K. Weaver Jr. loved to tell.
It started off with a young preacher from Sylacauga, Alabama, and a group of Baptists who thought it would be a good idea to start a college in the southern part of the state, where access to higher education was limited.
William K. Weaver Jr. and Annie Boyd Parker “B” Weaver
Along the way, the story of this man expanded into the story of a college.
The story had the potential to be ironic.
When Weaver was named president of Mobile College – a college that didn’t yet exist – it was April Fool’s Day – April 1, 1961.
Not everyone can say they have been a college president. Only one can – and did – say he was chosen as president of a college that had “no land, no buildings, no library, no faculty, no students – and no problems.”
But turning a college that existed only on paper into a reality within two years was no joke.
The new college president’s first workday started on the afternoon of April 4, 1961, when the Mobile Register reported that he “simply hung up his hat in the college offices at 836 First National Bank Building and went to work.”
The University of Mobile, officially chartered as Mobile College by the state of Alabama on Dec. 12, 1961, was to be the life’s work of Weaver and his wife, Annie Boyd Parker “B” Weaver. Today, the first building that new students see as they arrive on campus bears his name: William K. Weaver Hall.
Weaver Hall Then and Now
When the first freshman class enrolled at Mobile College in 1963, the 400-acre campus had only one building. The Administration-Classroom Building housed everything a college needed at that time – a library, classrooms, auditorium, faculty and staff offices, and a snack shop.
“The building stood at the top of a red mud hill on which very little grass was growing, and there were no trees along the drives or on the large area cleared for buildings,” recalled Weaver.
Renamed William K. Weaver Hall in 1984 upon the founding president’s retirement, the university’s signature building has undergone several renovations over the years. An exterior renovation added a roof, portico and cupola. Later, an interior renovation gutted the top two floors and added state-of-the-art facilities for health care and science programs.
Today, the University of Mobile offers “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose” with associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic areas. The Christ-centered university affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention has a campus of more than 880 acres with over 14,000 alumni throughout the world pursuing God’s calling for their lives.
Who was William K. Weaver Jr.?
Born in Oxford, Alabama, Bill Weaver grew up in Talladega. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard College, now Samford University, and a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Later, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity from Samford University the Doctor of Law from the University of Mobile.
Weaver served in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps, was ordained to the ministry by First Baptist Church of Talladega, served as the first director of religious activities at Howard College/Samford University, then was director of Baptist Student Work in Alabama.
After a decade as a successful pastor of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga and while serving as chairman of the committee charged with exploring options for forming a Baptist college in Mobile, Weaver was chosen to be the founding president of Mobile College. He was extensively involved in a variety of leadership positions throughout the community and Alabama Baptist life.
He retired as president of Mobile College in 1984, when the administration building was renamed in his honor, and continued serving the university as chancellor until his death in 2014 at the age of 95. B Weaver died in 2008. The university’s two top awards presented at graduation are named in their honor. The William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award are presented to graduates who exemplify the mission of the university, with selection based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service.
At Weaver’s memorial service, then-UM President Mark Foley said the driving element in Weaver’s life was to be of service to God and to be directed by God in that service. The forum for that service was the founding and building of what became the University of Mobile.
An Encourager
Remembered for his kindness, humor, faith and love of family, Weaver enjoyed telling the story of the university he was instrumental in founding.
“During my years as president, I would sometimes say to students, ‘If you want to be a college president, do what I did – start one!’” Weaver wrote in a 2003 series of articles for the Ram Report campus newsletter.
Weaver’s ability to seek common ground in order for progress to be made was illustrated by a story he told about a “crisis” in the library, then housed in what is now Weaver Hall. The crisis retold reveals a close-knit college community that brought even minor issues to the president for solution.
“During the first year a ‘major crisis’ arose in the library area. A separate thermostat had been installed for the library wing. The librarian was cold-natured, so she would turn the thermostat up, but very soon thereafter a student would turn it down. This continued to be a problem until I learned about it. I contacted the company which had installed the system and asked that they set the temperature at a comfortable setting and then disconnect the thermostat. This they did, and from that time forward everything was great. The librarian continued to turn it up and the students continued to turn it down. Though nothing actually changed, everyone seemed to be happy!”
It was impossible to walk away from an encounter with Weaver without being encouraged. He was smart, funny, and genuinely interested in the people around him. He was a humble man, quick to praise others, a born leader who was not afraid to make unpopular decisions, according to Dr. Hazel Petersen-Walter, retired faculty member and administrator.
Petersen-Walter recalled Weaver as a strong promoter of people who worked hard. He loved to see the college gain recognition and grow; one way he assured success was through his own appreciation for people and a desire to help them develop.
“You remember, back in the ’60s women were not put in administrative positions. When I was named chair of the division of education, my chair was one of the highest positions held by women in the state of Alabama,” she recalled.
When Weaver appointed her to the post of academic dean, there were no other female academic deans in Baptist colleges nationwide.
“He thought I was the right person for that position,” she said. “I remember a meeting I went to for the Baptist colleges. I went into the deans’ meeting, and one of the gentlemen said to me, ‘The ladies are meeting in another location; this is for the deans.’ I said, ‘I am a dean.’”
Weaver continually gave God all the glory and credit for the success of the university.
Upon his retirement, he told the Board of Trustees that “one need merely to look at the glorious history of Mobile College to see the hand of God at work. It has been true every day of the life of this institution. He has taken our weaknesses and given His strength. He has taken our efforts and enabled us to build a great school.”
Weaver Hall Trivia
A deep dive into the University of Mobile archives reveals a few surprises about UM’s first and oldest building.
Biblical Foundation – Dedication ceremonies for Mobile College on Sept. 6, 1963, included a cornerstone ceremony. Dr. George E. Bagley, executive secretary-treasurer of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, placed a Bible in the cornerstone, which was then sealed. The cornerstone is still visible on the northeast corner of Weaver Hall.
Presidential Signatures – The Weaver Hall Enhancement Project in 2000 added a Ram Red pitched roof, portico and columns, dramatically changing the look of the historic building. In a symbol of past meets present, founding president Dr. William K. Weaver Jr. and then-president Dr. Mark Foley put their signatures on the cupola before it was raised by crane and set atop the roof.
UM Legacy: People of the Halls
The UM Legacy story collection celebrates the rich history of the University of Mobile by sharing the stories of people past and present who helped make UM what it is today. This story is part of the “People of the Halls” series spotlighting the people behind the names of the buildings and sports facilities at the University of Mobile. Read more UM Legacy stories at umobile.edu/umlegacy.
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.
MOBILE, Ala. – An unusual group of visitors gathered Monday morning at Saraland Elementary School. There was Humpty Dumpty and Nancy Drew. Mrs. Frizzle arrived, along with Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat and The Wild Robot showed up as well.
It was the University of Mobile School of Education’s ninth annual Book Talk, a service project of the UM Literacy Council designed to spread the joy of reading. Dressed as children’s book characters, the UM students, faculty and staff from across the university – including UM President Lonnie Burnett as Sherlock Holmes – were on hand to tell a bit of their stories and encourage young students to open a book and discover how the stories end.
Because it was Oct. 31 – Halloween – sitting in the gym bleachers were about 250 third graders dressed as princesses, witches, scarecrows, Harry Potter, Pikachu, the She-Hulk and more.
Karen Dennis, associate professor of education in the UM School of Education, organized the event that promotes reading while providing a learning experience for education majors who will soon graduate and begin teaching in the community.
“Our University of Mobile students get excited to see the audience light up and learn about books they may not have considered yet. Our pre-service teachers in the School of Education have the opportunity to experience first-hand the joy of teaching and see that teaching can be so much fun!” Dennis said.
UM student Ansleigh Weston, co-president of the UM Literacy council, said she loved being able to see all the hard work, planning and creative ideas come to life.
“As future teachers, we know the importance of making reading fun and interactive. Book Talks is our way of expressing that to students and teachers, and I believe today’s performance was successful in doing so,” Weston said.
The Saraland Elementary students are already great readers – Principal Stan Stokley said the school’s 250 third graders recently had the second highest reading scores out of 140 school districts in Alabama. Plus, the school’s fifth graders had the highest math and reading scores out of the 140 school districts.
“This is an exciting day for us. We’re all about reading, and everything we can do to get our students reading more,” said Stokley, in costume as Woody from Toy Story.
The children participated in the story-telling event, stomping their feet to call baby bunnies Cocoa and Snow home with author and UM adjunct instructor Meshelle Miller Baker dressed as mother bunny, and completing nursery rhymes with Mother Goose – retired School of Education professor Brenda Chastain.
A video of Book Talk is available for classes interested in inspiring their elementary school students to open a book and read. For information, contact Dennis in the UM School of Education at kdennis@umobile.edu. To learn more about the School of Education, visit umobile.edu/education.
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.
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.
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.
MOBILE, Ala. – We are commanded by God to stretch our hearts for one another, and our “slingshot hearts” can launch great things, said Emmy Award-winner Elisabeth Hasselbeck at the 16th University of Mobile Leadership Banquet.
“This evening, we get to stretch in order to launch young learners with an opportunity to be part of this incredible university,” the former co-host of The View and Fox & Friends told an audience of more than 500 University of Mobile supporters gathered for a gala evening Oct. 26 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center.
UM alumna and Fox10TV’s Studio 10 co-host Chelsey Saysane Sklopan emceed the annual event that raises funds for the Christ-centered university. Students in the acclaimed Voices of Mobile vocal ensemble performed a variety of songs including “Beulah Land” and the a cappella “God is Able.” Newly crowned Miss University of Mobile 2023 Michaella Johnson welcomed the audience.
UM President Lonnie Burnett thanked guests for being a “Partner for Purpose” and supporting UM’s mission of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose.”
Hasselbeck spoke about “Contenting – a word that has been seared on my heart.”
“Contenting – camping out in the good – is a mind set and a heart set in the good of God’s promises. Contenting is the assurance that we have a good God with a good plan, and that we have a good purpose on this earth,” she said.
It is standing firm because we stand on the truth of God’s promises, contenting in the identity that we are His, fully known and fully loved, she said.
“I’m really thankful to know there is a university such as this right here in Mobile, Alabama, that is standing firm on the truth,” Hasselbeck said. “Students right here in Mobile are contenting in the good that there is a room full of slingshot hearts here today – willing to stretch and therefore launch them into their complete potential here on earth. And then they get to be slingshots themselves for the next generation, and so on and so on.”
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. To become a Partner for Purpose and support the students and programs of the university, please visit umobile.edu/give.
Hasselbeck graduated from Boston College in 1999, where she played Division I softball and majored in studio art. After graduating, she designed footwear for PUMA. In 2002, she competed in the popular television reality show, Survivor: The Australian Outback, taking fourth place.
For the next 10 years, she co-hosted the daytime talk show, The View, on ABC and became an Emmy Award recipient. In 2013, Hasselbeck joined FOX & Friends where she served as a co-host for two years.
Hasselbeck is married to former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck, and they have three children.
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.
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.
Kei Martin, BSN, MSN-FNP Clinical Lead Advanced Practice Provider DispatchHealth Bachelor of Science in Nursing ’15 Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner ’19 Currently Enrolled, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Not only is nursing a science, but it is also an art. You must know the science to be a nurse, but you also have to know the art of nursing to make an impact. -Kei Martin ’15 & ’19
I think initially I was inspired to become a nurse because I loved taking care of people but was also a thrill seeker. I became an ER nurse for several years to satiate that thrill-seeking mentality, when I was inspired by the nurse practitioners I worked with. I knew I could do more for my patients if I became one.
Now that I’m an NP, I am inspired by the leadership I work with who are innovative and change makers. I love being a part of a medical model that shakes up what we currently know.
Between working for a company that encourages innovation and pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice with the University of Mobile, I am inspired by the process of recognizing the need for change and learning the steps on HOW to make impactful changes in health care.
Q. Where has your career taken you since you graduated from the University of Mobile?
A. Since graduating from UM, I have worked in many states as a travel nurse (AL, TN, FL, CA) and made my way out to Washington state as a nurse practitioner. I have been able to assist with a home health pilot that my company now uses regularly, and am still a part of some ongoing clinical trials/pilots to improve clinical processes and outcomes for our patients. Earlier this year, I pursued a leadership opportunity with DispatchHealth as the Clinical Lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) and was transferred to Orange County, California. By stepping into a leadership capacity, I felt led to pursue a doctorate to better serve in my current clinical lead role. I am currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program with UM.
Q. What is a typical day like?
A. I work for a mobile medical company where our goal is to keep patients “Healthy at Home.” We are able to provide high acuity interventions and care to patients who otherwise would seek ER or urgent care services. My role is to ensure that quality and safe care is delivered by the providers in my market. I work closely with my company to deliver policies/procedures and ensure clinical competencies.
My typical day is variable. Sometimes I am providing patient care in homes, and other times I am interviewing, hiring, training and chart auditing for the local clinical team, or participating in growth and marketing meetings. It’s exciting – and challenging! I love being able to provide high-level care and interventions to patients in their homes.
Q. What are some of the most important things you gained from your UM experience?
A. I would say that my University of Mobile experience has been and still is one of the most supportive learning environments. I think it is a beautiful and rare thing to enter a class where you know you’re prayed for by the instructors. The professors and staff at UM care about your success, and I think that has meant the most to me.
I’ve always been a goal setter and, each step of the way, I’ve been encouraged and challenged to keep pursuing my goals, even through failure. When I didn’t get my “dream job” out of my undergraduate studies, I was given the advice that when a door closes on you, God opens a window. And what a wonderful window life has been! Now I think back fondly on not getting that job I pined over for months, because it would have never allowed me the opportunity to pursue things I never knew would become my “dream job!”
Another piece of advice from UM that has been profound in my career is that not only is nursing a science, but it is also an art. You must know the science to be a nurse, but you also have to know the art of nursing to make an impact.
Q. What advice would you give to UM School of Nursing students?
A. Apart from the education, my favorite part of my experience at the University of Mobile is the friends I have made along the way. I met my lifelong friends in undergrad and in nursing school who I now consider my family. It has been the most fun doing life with the people whom I met through UM, even if we are all sprinkled in different states these days.
The advice I would give to students at UM would be: Be yourself and you’ll find your people. We all have something to offer this world, and you make it better by educating yourself and pursuing your passions. If you let it, your time at the University of Mobile will help shape your worldview with a higher purpose.
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.
MOBILE, Ala. – From designing shoes to surviving “Survivor: The Australian Outback” to not surviving “The View,” Elisabeth Hasselbeck has learned more about standing up for her convictions in the public eye than she ever thought she would when she applied for a reality TV show on a whim two decades ago.
The noted Christian speaker, Emmy-Award winning national talk show host and New York Times best-selling author will share her story at the University of Mobile Leadership Banquet on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Tickets are on sale now.
Among many other accomplishments, Hasselbeck is the author of “Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom” and the children’s book “Flashlight Night: An Adventure in Trusting God.”
Reserve Your Tickets Now
Tickets are still available for the university’s main fundraising event of the year. Tickets and tables may be purchased at umobile.edu/banquet, or call the Office for Advancement at 251.442.2913.
The banquet begins Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Mobile at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center. A VIP reception with Hasselbeck will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Hasselbeck will share her failures, triumphs and lessons learned as God was at work in her life to show His point of view. Entertainment is provided by the students from the Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile.
Become a ‘Partner for Purpose’
The evening is a celebration of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose” and the many supporters who partner with the Christ-centered university located in north Mobile County.
“When you partner with the University of Mobile by becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets to the Leadership Banquet, your support helps students fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. You become a ‘Partner for Purpose,’” said Brian Boyle, vice president for advancement and a graduate of the university.
The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 as Mobile College with the purposing of honoring God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 75 academic programs and has one of the largest athletic programs in the NAIA.
More About Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Elisabeth Hasselbeck graduated from Boston College in 1999, where she played Division I softball and majored in studio art. After graduating, she designed footwear for PUMA. In 2002, she competed in the popular television reality show, Survivor: The Australian Outback, taking fourth place.
For the next 10 years, she co-hosted the daytime talk show, The View, on ABC and became an Emmy Award recipient. In 2013, Hasselbeck joined FOX & Friends where she served as a co-host for two years.
Hasselbeck is married to former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck, and they have three children.
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.
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.
By all accounts, H. Austill Pharr Sr. was a likeable, friendly fellow.
“Austill was easy to know. He had a warm, outgoing, engaging personality and attracted friendships. I doubt that any person in the history of Mobile ever had more friends than he,” said J. Finley McRae, chairman of the board of Merchants National Bank in Mobile at the dedication ceremony for then-Mobile College’s new H. Austill Pharr Gymnasium, held Nov. 17, 1968.
It was a ceremony Pharr wouldn’t live to see. He died at age 76, exactly one year to the day before members of the Association of Honorary Fellows – an organization he helped create – gathered to dedicate Pharr Gym.
Mobile College President William K. Weaver Jr. described the First Baptist Church of Mobile deacon, Mason and Kiwannian by quoting from Rudyard Kipling’s “If –.”
“I believe that Mr. Pharr knew truly how to ‘walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.’ The development of Mobile College is made possible by the vision and dedication of its founders, among whom Mr. Pharr stood very, very tall,” said Weaver.
A bronze plaque in the gym bears the inscription: “Dedicated in Memory of H. Austill Pharr, Christian Gentleman, Civic and Business Leader, Friend and Trustee of Mobile College.”
Today, the H. Austill Pharr Endowed Scholarship provides scholarships for deserving students who show “promise of future leadership.”
Who was H. Austill Pharr?
Pharr was born in Buena Vista, Alabama, an unincorporated community in Monroe County. He graduated in 1910 from Marion Military Institute and started his career in banking as a runner at the Bank of Mobile. He worked his way up the ladder, becoming chairman of the board of First National Bank of Mobile. A city leader in industrial development, city planning and education, in 1958 Pharr was named “Mobilian of the Year” in honor of his many civic, cultural and charitable activities.
In 1961 he became a founding trustee of Mobile College and served as chairman of the finance committee. As this friendly, successful, civic-minded business leader took an interest in the new college that Alabama Baptists were creating, so did his extended circle of friends and business associates.
At the suggestion of college president William K. Weaver Jr. and A. Garrett Hill, the college’s first chemistry professor, Pharr invited a group of like-minded male business leaders of Mobile to a luncheon meeting in the First National Bank board room. On Dec. 7, 1966, the Association of Honorary Fellows of Mobile College was born.
The Honorary Fellows
For a young college that had yet to graduate its first class of alumni and therefore lacked the support an alumni base generally provides a school, the Honorary Fellows filled the gap. Their prime objective was not so much to raise money as it was to raise community awareness of the new Mobile College.
Like the Mobile College Auxiliary, the women’s group of supporters started a few years earlier by the college’s First Lady, Annie Boyd Parker “B” Weaver, the Honorary Fellows developed a variety of ways to support the school. Among their early initiatives was the custom of inviting male members of the graduating class for a luncheon at the International Trade Club. (In later years, the Honorary Fellows would expand its membership to include women. Throughout the years of its existence, the organization’s goal remained the same – to advance the well-being of the University of Mobile.)
When Pharr passed away in 1967, the Honorary Fellows launched a campaign to raise $200,000 to build a gym at the new college. Another $175,000 of capital funds was provided by The Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Original Faculty and StaffBoar’s Head Festival
Boar’s Head and Beyond
When the first students enrolled in 1963, one building housed everything the new college would need for the first few years. The three floors of what is now William K. Weaver Hall included classrooms, offices, library, cafeteria, auditorium and – on the top floor – the college’s gym.
The construction of Pharr Gym gave the young college room to grow.
Just as Weaver Hall served multiple purposes in those early years, so did Pharr Gym. In addition to housing intramural and, later, intercollegiate athletic programs, the gym was the first home of the college’s Boar’s Head Festival. The musical celebration of a medieval Christmas feast was started in 1971 by beloved music professor Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt and continued for almost 30 years.
It was also home to one of the more unusual faculty stories in the school’s history.
The Acrobatic Professor
An old black-and-white photo taken in front of the administration building in 1963 pictures the first faculty, staff and administrators of Mobile College. On the first row, 3rd from the left, is Dr. Gene Perkins.
For most of the 48 years he taught health and physical education at UM, Perkins had an office in Pharr Gym. By the time he retired in 2011 as the last remaining charter faculty member, Perkins left behind some of the most unusual stories of any UM professor and a life that illustrated the benefits of physical fitness.
The professor had walked up three flights of stairs on his hands to get to class. Before a crowd of students, he balanced upside down on one finger jammed into a Coca-Cola bottle. The day before his 80th birthday, he challenged students to a physical stamina test – and won. A photo in his Pharr Gym office pictured one of his most amazing feats – balancing upside down by one finger on a block of wood.
A graduate of Murphy High School in Mobile, Perkins had served as a physical training instructor in the U.S. Navy, performed acrobatic stunts at USO show and in circus stage acts, and coached gymnastics at Baylor before joining the Mobile College faculty.
Pharr Gym Today
Today, the University of Mobile has one of the largest NAIA programs in the nation with 21 competitive sports, seven NAIA national championships, and over 350 student-athletes. Pharr Gym has undergone many updates throughout the years – recent additions include new bleachers, sound system, locker rooms and more. The men’s and women’s basketball programs and women’s volleyball program call Pharr Gym “home” as UM cheerleaders and Spirit Squad lead the crowd in shouts of “Go Rams!”
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Pharr Trivia Question
One question remains about H. Austill Pharr – what does the “H” stand for?
A deep dive into the university’s archives reveals the answer. H. Austill Pharr’s first name was a family name, handed down through generations: “Hurieosco.”
UM Legacy: People of the Halls
The UM Legacy story collection celebrates the rich history of the University of Mobile by sharing the stories of people past and present who helped make UM what it is today. This story is part of the “People of the Halls” series spotlighting the people behind the names of the buildings and sports facilities at the University of Mobile. Read more UM Legacy stories at umobile.edu/umlegacy.
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.
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile campus was the site of an epic intellectual battle on Sept. 15 when students from Mobile and Baldwin counties competed in the third UM Brain Battle Tournament. At the end of the day, McGill-Toolen students held the coveted trophy, along with the title of UM Brain Battle Champions.
Bayside Academy earned second place honors at the event. More than 70 students from eight high schools gathered on the UM campus to compete on 12 teams for the scholars bowl tournament. The UM Brain Battle is a qualifier for NAQT’s High School National Championship Tournament.
Participating schools also included Barton Academy, UMS-Wright, Cottage Hill Christian Academy, Satsuma High School, Alma Bryant High School and Gulf Shores High School.
Tournament coordinator Amy Burdette said the University of Mobile Brain Battle brings together some of the best and brightest students from the community for a day of mind-stretching fun.
“At the University of Mobile, we believe we can make a difference in our community, and we are dedicated to serving our city and its young scholars,” said the English instructor in UM’s College of Arts & Sciences.
University faculty served as moderators for the event.
“No tournament is successful without amazing moderators,” Burdette said. “Our faculty brought energy, excitement pizazz, poise and incredible enunciation skills to the table!”
UM students volunteered to serve as scorekeepers and timekeepers.
“All the student volunteers were invaluable to this tournament’s success. Our UM students truly embody service in Christ and in our community,” Burdette said.
Burdette said Chick-fil-A joined the tournament as a corporate sponsor.
“They generously provided 150 chicken biscuits to our competing scholars, coaches and volunteers,” Burdette said. “We are so blessed that our tournament is becoming more successful every semester.”
For more information about the University of Mobile Brain Battle, visit umobile.edu/brainbattle.
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.
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.
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.
