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.

Q&A with UM Biology Professor Ashley Lindsey

by Kathy Dean

University of Mobile Biology Professor Ashley Lindsey wants her students to understand the impact scientific innovation can have in society as a whole – and in their own lives.

Her interest in the study of infectious disease is a prime example.

“It is an area of medicine and research that really focuses on discoveries that directly change the way patients are treated in the clinic,” she says. “Scientists can focus on illnesses that are completely unknown, but greatly affect global health, and, through substantial work, gain an understanding of how to prevent and treat these illnesses.”

We asked the professor in UM’s College of Arts & Sciences about her own scientific journey.

Q: You have taught at UM since 2021. What is your background?

A: I graduated with a Ph.D. in basic medical science from the University of South Alabama in 2014. I completed two post-doctoral fellowships: one at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute focusing on lung cancer therapeutic development and one at the USA Laboratory for Infectious Diseases focusing on viral vaccine and therapeutic development.

I am interested in the development and application of biotechnology in medicine, which led me to work as the marketing and licensing associate for the Department of Research at the University of South Alabama. During my post-doctoral fellowships, I was also an adjunct college professor and discovered a passion for helping students achieve their career goals. I currently serve on a variety of biotechnology boards. I really strive to be a cheerleader for innovation and education.

Q: What drew your interest to the study of pulmonary vascular repair following bacterial pneumonia?

A: In the case of bacterial and viral pneumonia, it can develop into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS, which is one of the leading causes of death in ICU patients. About 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with ARDS each year, and this number has increased with the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Forty to sixty percent of individuals that acquire ARDS die, and therapeutics to treat this condition are poorly understood.

This is just an example of how infectious diseases are always changing and how the study of these diseases can provide a significant global impact.

Q: What courses do you typically teach?

A: General Biology, Microbiology, Nutrition, and Immunology. Micro has been my favorite so far! It is one of the first higher level courses that science majors take and it is a fun experience to watch students directly apply the information to their chosen careers. It also allows me to focus on a subject that I have studied for years and love – infectious disease!

Q: What do you like most about the University of Mobile?

A: The people! Fellow faculty members, students, administration, staff. Everyone is so cheerful, personable and genuine. It makes for both an enjoyable and productive environment.

Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton to Speak at University of Mobile Graduation

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – Dr. Ed Litton, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and senior pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama, will deliver the commencement address at the University of Mobile on Saturday, May 7.

More than 300 graduates will be awarded bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in an outdoor ceremony on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m., and the audience is encouraged to arrive early.

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.

Dr. Ed Litton was born in Kingsport, Tennessee.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona; a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

He served as a home missionary appointed to work in the evangelism office of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention.  From there, he and his wife, Tammy, moved to Tucson and founded Mountain View Baptist Church.  In 1994, almost seven years after that work had been established, God led Dr. Litton to First Baptist North Mobile, now Redemption Church. 

In 2007, Ed and his family, as well as the entire church family, suffered a devastating loss when Tammy was suddenly killed in an automobile accident. Several years later, he married Kathy Ferguson, a pastor’s wife who had also lost her spouse in a similar accident. Kathy serves as director of planter spouse development at the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The couple each has three children from their first marriages.

Dr. Litton had come to a church in Alabama with a great vision. That vision continued to expand with a mission of reaching more people and making disciples through church planting and the expansion of multiple locations.  In September of 2015, the church relaunched as a new congregation called Redemption Church.  

Today, Redemption is one church in two locations, both in North and West Mobile.  Redemption has helped plant churches in New York City; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; Leesburg, Virginia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Northern Virginia, and Las Vegas.  In responding to the Great Commission, Redemption Church is looking to plant more gospel-believing churches in North America.

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.

Q&A with UM Business Professor Amy Taylor

by Kathy Dean

Dr. Amy Taylor has a calling that goes beyond teaching business principles to students in the Grace Pilot School of Business at the University of Mobile. Her own experience as a new college graduate showed her the value of mentoring in her own life – and it’s something this associate professor of business is passionate about putting into practice with the students she teaches.

“After graduation, I worked in program development and management for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and later Methodist Hospital, Houston, where my business education really began,” says the associate professor of business. “I had the opportunity to design and implement Medicaid-managed care programs that helped the state reach more people while containing costs.

“In both instances, I was mentored by people that encouraged me to learn, grow and lead. This mentorship and training gave me the confidence I needed to reach my personal and professional goals. Now, at the University of Mobile, I have the opportunity to do the same for my students, and that gives me great joy!”

We talked with Taylor about teaching at this Christ-centered university.

Q: Why should someone choose to study management?

A: We are all consumers and managers. Regardless of your field, you will be managing people or processes (even if it is merely managing your time or finances). Learning to manage efficiently and effectively is simply helpful in life.

Q: What do you like most about UM?

A: The students and our family-like environment – I love getting to know my students. Watching them grow and thrive over four years is such a gift.

Q: What is your background?

A: I grew up in a family that was in business, so it was a natural choice for me. My undergraduate degree is in business with a concentration in marketing. My graduate degrees include a master’s degree in business administration, a master’s in education, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Development.

3 New Scholarships at University of Mobile Offered Now for Fall Semester 2022

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – Three new scholarship programs at the University of Mobile are creating new opportunities for students looking for a quality academic experience at a Christian university.

The new scholarships are being awarded now to students who are enrolling at the University of Mobile for Fall Semester 2022. They include the LIFT Scholarship for local students with significant financial need, the Infirmary Health Scholarship for Associate Degree in Nursing students, and the Springhill Medical Center Scholarship for Bachelor of Science in Nursing students.

The collaborations with Infirmary Health and Springhill Medical Center are designed to help ease the shortage of nursing professionals in the Mobile area.

“We know there are many students in our area who want the integration of faith and learning that the University of Mobile offers. These are students who would thrive in our unique Christ-centered environment where they are known by their professors,” said University of Mobile President Lonnie Burnett.

The university already awards over $15 million each year in merit and talent-based scholarships. Over 98 percent of UM students receive financial aid.

The new scholarships provide even more opportunities for students to receive the financial boost they need to follow their dreams and enroll at the University of Mobile, Burnett added.

New scholarship programs include:

  • LIFT Scholarship (Learning Investments for Tomorrow). The LIFT Scholarship is for new local students who have a significant financial need, at least a 3.0 grade point average, and are from one of five local counties: Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke and Escambia. The LIFT Scholarship fills the gap between the cost of tuition and the amount covered by financial aid and scholarships.

Students must apply to the University of Mobile by May 1, 2022, to be considered for the LIFT Scholarship for Fall 2022. There are a limited number of LIFT Scholarships available. Apply at umobile.edu/apply or contact an admissions counselor at 251.442.2222.

  • Infirmary Health Scholarship for Associate Degree in Nursing. UM partnered with Infirmary Health to offer scholarships for eligible students in the new Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program in the School of Nursing. The ADN program is a fast-track to a career in nursing that can be completed in just five semesters. Some credit hours may be completed as Dual Enrollment credit while students are still in high school.

Students awarded Infirmary Health scholarships agree to work for Infirmary Health for a minimum of two years after graduation. There are a limited number of Infirmary Health scholarships. To apply to UM or learn more, visit umobile.edu/and or contact an admissions counselor at 251.442.2222.

The University of Mobile ADN program will begin in August 2022, pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Students awarded the SMC Scholarship agree to work for Springhill Medical Center for a minimum of three years after graduation.

There are a limited number of SMC Scholarships. Students accepted to the UM School of Nursing may apply for the Springhill Medical Center Scholarship at umobile.edu/smc.

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.

University of Mobile Give Day is April 19!

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. –University of Mobile Give Day is April 19, and the Christian university is calling on the UM family and friends to support “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose” with a donation to the Annual Fund.

UM Give Day is a 36-hour online event that begins Tuesday, April 19, and will be celebrated across University of Mobile social media platforms. Those who give and support the university are encouraged to invite others through their own social media to be part of the event.

Tax-deductible gifts may be made in a variety of ways: online, by text, phone or mail.

Gifts received during the UM Give Day campaign will go toward the Annual Fund to support the areas of greatest need. Gifts can be made before April 19 and still count toward the total raised for Give Day.

Gifts may be made in the following ways:

  • Online at umobile.edu/giveday
  • Text umgiveday to 243725
  • Call the Advancement Office at 251.442.2585
  • Mail a check to University of Mobile Advancement Office, 5735 College Pkwy., Mobile, AL 36613.

“Every gift, big or small, can make a substantial difference in the lives of students and empower the next generation of leaders to fulfill their Great Commission calling,” said Dr. Bruce Earnest, vice president for advancement.

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.

Springhill Medical Center Partners with University of Mobile to Offer Scholarships for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile and Springhill Medical Center announce a new scholarship for students earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Christian university.

The scholarships sponsored by Springhill Medical Center will be awarded to eligible students in their junior or senior year of college who have been admitted to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the School of Nursing.

Students may receive the Springhill Medical Center Scholarship in addition to merit scholarships awarded by the University of Mobile and other financial aid.

BSN students who are awarded the SMC Scholarship will agree to work for Springhill Medical Center for a minimum of three years after graduation. Founded in 1975, SMC is a 263-bed privately owned acute care hospital in Mobile.

University of Mobile President Lonnie Burnett said the collaboration with Springhill Medical Center and other local health care facilities is designed to help ease the shortage of nursing professionals in the Mobile area.

“Many of our School of Nursing graduates currently serve our community as health care professionals at Springhill Medical Center, and many more nurses soon will join them, thanks to this new scholarship,” Burnett said.

Students accepted to the UM School of Nursing may apply for the Springhill Medical Center Scholarship at umobile.edu/smc.

For more information about scholarship opportunities and academic programs in the School of Nursing, visit umobile.edu/health or call University of Mobile Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.

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.

University of Mobile Announces New Part-Time Family Nurse Practitioner Program

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile is offering a new part-time option for registered nurses who want to continue working full-time while taking the next step in their career as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

The new part-time track in the Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed for nurses who want greater flexibility in fulfilling both professional and personal responsibilities while pursuing a degree, said Dr. Jessica Garner, assistant professor of nursing in the School of Nursing.

Online courses allow students to complete their coursework from virtually anywhere. Three on-campus visits throughout the program give students the opportunity to know their faculty and peers while providing hands-on skills training required for advanced practice providers.

The part-time track is seven semesters. Students complete the majority of their didactic courses prior to entering into the clinical component of the program.

The full-time program runs at an accelerated pace of four semesters, and students are not able to maintain a full-time nursing position when enrolled in the program.

Both part-time and full-time tracks provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to broaden their scope of practice, provide holistic care to patients across the lifespan, and work in diverse clinical environments.

The Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program begins each fall semester. Priority deadline to enroll for Fall 2022 is May 15, with final deadline on July 16. Apply at umobile.edu/fnp.

Garner said earning the MSN-FNP can greatly expand career opportunities for nursing professionals.

“The Family Nurse Practitioner role allows nurses who desire greater autonomy to provide comprehensive medical care to individuals and families within a holistic framework. Whether working alongside physicians or independently, Family Nurse Practitioners fill a void in care within our medical system as the need for primary care providers continues to grow,” Garner said.

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.

“We prepare Family Nurse Practitioners to answer the calling to serve their patients and communities.  We pride ourselves on developing relationships with each of our students to help foster their gifts and knowledge for a higher purpose,” Garner said.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Family Nurse at umobile.edu/fnp or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222. Learn more about bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the University of Mobile’s College of Health Professions at umobile.edu/health.

 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.

University of Mobile’s New LIFT Scholarship Gives Financial Boost to Local Students

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile’s new LIFT Scholarship gives a financial boost to local students needing an extra scholarship to make their college dreams a reality.

The new Learning Investments For Tomorrow (LIFT) Scholarship is for new students who have financial need, at least a 3.0 grade point average, and are from one of five local counties: Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke and Escambia.

University of Mobile President Lonnie Burnett said the university developed the LIFT Scholarship to fill a gap between the cost of tuition and the amount covered by financial aid and scholarships.

“There are many students with financial need in our region who want the Christian higher education that UM provides and who would be a good fit for our school. We realized that the difference between those students coming to UM or abandoning their dreams was often a relatively small gap of a few thousand dollars.

“We brought that need to our donors who responded with the funds to create the LIFT Scholarship,” Burnett said.

Eligible students may receive the LIFT Scholarship in addition to financial aid and merit scholarships awarded by the University of Mobile.

There are a limited number of LIFT Scholarships available. Students must apply to the University of Mobile by May 1, 2022, to be considered for the LIFT Scholarship for Fall 2022. Apply at umobile.edu/apply.

To check their eligibility for the LIFT Scholarship and learn about other scholarships and financial aid they may receive, students should contact a University of Mobile admissions counselor at 251.442.2222.

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.

The University of Mobile Store Announces Limited Edition ‘B’s Bees’ Pin

by Kathy Dean

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile Store, The U, has created a limited edition enamel pin that celebrates the legacy of the university’s first “First Lady,” B Weaver.

The pin was created during Women’s History Month in March to raise scholarship funds in honor of Annie Boyd Parker Weaver, known as “B” Weaver.

She was the wife of the university’s founding president, Dr. William K. Weaver Jr., and his partner in the growth and development of Mobile College, now the University of Mobile. (Read her story at umobile.edu/bweaver.)

Heath Vester, creative director for the university’s Office for Marketing and Public Relations, said he proposed the idea after learning that B Weaver was known for wearing a bee-shaped pin atop her left shoulder.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to celebrate our history and highlight the unique people, stories and traditions of the university. When I learned about B Weaver and the impact she had on this place, I knew I wanted to honor her legacy and help tell her story by creating the B’s Bee Pin,” said Vester.

The pin is available at The U on campus or online at universityofmobilestore.com. Proceeds go to the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Endowed Scholarship for UM students.

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 liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers 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.

Request Information

weaver hall building