Author: Sydney Snow

Sydney Snow is a University of Mobile 2022 graduate with a double major in English and Strategic Communications and a minor in Spanish. During her senior year, Sydney interned with UM’s Office for Marketing and Public Relations. Today, she works at the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission with the Employment and Economic Development Services department. Her focus is on the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

Called to Teach: Mindy Agee

by Sydney Snow
Called to Teach: Mindy Agee

Mindy Agee
English/Dual Enrollment Teacher
Washington County High School
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education ’08
Concentration in English/Language Arts

Before God calls us to do the big things, we may need to do the ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
– Mindy Agee ’08

Many people attend college to get an extraordinary job and change the world. However, there are many so-called “ordinary” jobs that have the potential to change everything. Teaching is such a calling. When done by dedicated teachers who want to inspire future minds, teaching can become one of the most extraordinary jobs.

University of Mobile graduate Mindy Agee is one of those dedicated teachers.

“Before God calls us to do the big things, we may need to do the ordinary things in an extraordinary way,” says Mindy, who graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a concentration in English and language arts.

School of Education

The University of Mobile School of Education provides students with over two years of real-world field experience to ensure their success. Mindy says UM prepared her for what life as a teacher would be like and what to expect when she first walked into a classroom.

She uses the knowledge she gained when attending the Christ-centered university to teach students through literature how to become people who make a difference. She replicates many of the conversations and experiences she received from her professors to teach and show students that teachers do care about them.

“Your job may be about teaching content, but it is more about teaching people,” she says. Teachers encourage, enlighten and inspire young minds to be the best versions of themselves.

Beyond UM

Mindy has been a teacher for over 14 years. She currently teaches English and dual enrollment at Washington County High School in Chatom, Alabama. Mindy also co-sponsors the WCHS student government and created the 30 Club, which recognizes students who score 30 or higher on one or more sections on the ACT.

She says teachers have the power to make an extraordinary difference in the world, even by inspiring just one student.

As a teacher, Mindy says, you do more than instill knowledge into young minds. You teach them how to be extraordinary people.

Thank you, University of Mobile!

by Sydney Snow

If I could give any advice to current and future students of the University of Mobile, it would be to put yourself out there and make connections.

I am sure we have all heard the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” In my experience at the University of Mobile, that statement has held true because of the community the university gives its students. Although I have received a great education while attending the university, the connections I made are just as valuable.

While attending the University of Mobile, I never went out of my way to make connections with people or organizations that could potentially help me in my search for a career. However, my attendance at the University of Mobile provided me with the connections that I needed.

Nearly every opportunity that I have received while attending the university academically and in my professional life has come from connections to my alma mater. I have received two internships and a job interview as a result of my attendance at the University of Mobile.

Both internships I received as a student came as a result of attending the University of Mobile. My first internship came to be when my advisor helped me connect with the University of Mobile’s Office for Marketing and Public Relations. My next and current internship happened when I met an alumna of the university. Although my experience and knowledge played a role in helping me get the internship, the conversation probably would not have taken place had we not bonded over our connection to the University of Mobile.

I would encourage students to talk to your advisors and professors about any opportunities they may know of to help you grow in your knowledge and experience, as my advisor has done for me.

I have truly enjoyed my experience at the University of Mobile and will cherish the memories and connections I have made here for the rest of my life.

Photo by Hannah Claire Photography LLC

Remembering the Moment I Chose UM

by Sydney Snow

When I was a student in high school, the thought of college excited and scared me. I was excited to grow as an individual and find myself. But the thought of leaving a small high school and going to a bigger university scared me.

I never really gave much thought into what university I would choose until I was a senior in high school. There were two schools that I thought I would end up attending. One was a community college, and the other was a larger college in Mobile. But those plans started to change when I became aware of the University of Mobile.

I first became aware of the University of Mobile when I saw RamCorps perform at an honor band event and a marching band competition. When I first heard this group, I looked at my band director and said: “I want to do that.” Although the musical path was not the one to guide me to the University of Mobile, there were others that would lead me to it.

Two of the most influential teachers in my life both graduated from the University of Mobile: my English teacher and my golf coach/driver’s education instructor. It was because of these two that I decided it was a good idea to apply and visit the university.

Many of my previous fears went away when I visited the University of Mobile for the first time. The campus is about an hour from my parent’s house and was small enough to create a comfortable transition from a small high school.

On my visit day, I fell in love with the campus. It had a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made me want to stay. It felt as if it was the right place to be. This visit sold me on the idea of going to school at the University of Mobile. Now, I am a senior at the university and have enjoyed every semester spent here.

My Professors Care About Me

by Sydney Snow

There are a number of things that set the University of Mobile apart from other universities. For many people, it is the Christ-driven atmosphere that sets UM apart. For others, it is the size of the school. But for me, and others, it is the personal attention students receive from the professors and faculty that sets the university apart.

When I first started thinking about attending college, I was nervous about how different my learning experience would be from the one I received in high school. I grew up in a small town and attended a small high school. Everyone knew all the teachers, and vice versa — which allowed for every student to feel as if they had a personalized relationship with their teachers.

During my first semester at UM, I knew I made the right choice about what university to attend. One of my professors saw that I was getting upset over an assignment I had just submitted. She took the time to address how I was feeling and help me feel better about the work I was turning in.

As my time at the University of Mobile continued, I had more professors that took a similar approach to me and other students. They were interested in our school lives as well as our personal lives. When something would happen within our personal lives, the professors wanted to make sure that we were okay and offered to help in any way they could.

I feel as if I have had the best learning experience possible because of my professors. They genuinely care for their students.

A College Student’s Advice to High Schoolers About Social Media

by Sydney Snow

Social media is a wonderful tool. It is best known for helping us stay connected, share memories and find community. We all love to post our favorite pictures for the world to see. We want everyone to know what we wore to the dance or what University of Mobile event we attended.

It can open new doors in many aspects of life — especially with your education and career. As a communication major in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Mobile, I often think of how social media can change my life and the lives of others. Social media has given me the ability to share the content I create in my internship at the University of Mobile with the rest of the world. These platforms give me the opportunity me to boost my career and help others.

As social media continues to grow in popularity, many businesses, organizations and schools are turning to it to gain a better insight into applicants. They want the people associated with them to uphold the same standard of professionalism. Using social media allows them to assess applicant qualifications, professionalism and trustworthiness.

As you graduate high school, apply to graduate school or enter the job market, the content you post can affect your future in a positive or negative way. Here are some tips to help students responsibly use social media:

  • Think about your image. How you portray yourself on social media affects more than your likes and followers. Potential employers and universities will look to this content to determine if you are someone that fits what they are looking for.
  • Protect yourself. You should always avoid giving out your personal and sensitive information online.
  • Be trustworthy. In many situations, whether with a job or university, you will be trusted with sensitive information that is not your own. Your employers or professors will expect you to keep certain information confidential.
  • Be respectful. We live in a world where everyone wants to be heard, which is not a bad thing. However, you should always be respectful of someone else’s opinions or beliefs. It is okay to comment on something — which is why they made the comment section, but you must know when to draw the line.
  • Be responsible. There have been many instances of misinformation and miscommunication due to lack of responsibility. What you put on the internet can and does affect the thoughts and beliefs of others.

Our parents always told us to be careful about what content we put online. As much as we may not like to admit that our parents were right, they were. You can still post your favorite University of Mobile content and selfies, but it never hurts to be cautious for the future.

5 Things to Know About UM’s Fountain

by Sydney Snow

How many times have you walked by the iconic fountain between William K. Weaver Hall and Thomas T. Martin Hall at the University of Mobile and wondered what it is? Or you may have wondered what it represents. I have heard the sculpture referred to as “the clothespin” or “the fountain.” However, there is more than what meets the eye when it comes to the fountain.

  • It is titled “The Gift,” because it represents the gift of knowledge.
  • It portrays an abstract figure made of bonds holding up a stainless-steel offering dish.
  • It was donated to the University of Mobile in April of 1992 and created by Mobile artist Casey Downing Jr.
  • It is a part of Downing’s Sentinel series but is the only piece to represent “the gift.”
  • It is the central figure of one of the University of Mobile’s most ingenious pranks.

The prank was described in the 2013 TorchLight alumni magazine story titled “The Fountain Head.” Around 1999 or 2000, students Matt Wilson, Alan Castleberry and Josh Jones found a white porcelain toilet that was going to be thrown away. The three men took it and planned to put it on the roof of Martin Hall. When that did not work, they put it on the “leaking clothespin” – the fountain sculpture. The toilet stayed on top of the fountain for several days before the maintenance crew removed it.

College pranks aside, “The Gift” is one of the most well-known landmarks on the UM campus and one of the most photographed.

Q&A with UM School of Education Associate Dean Kathi Reeves

by Sydney Snow

The relationship between students and faculty sets the University of Mobile apart from many other universities and colleges. Faculty members in the School of Education at UM collaborate and discuss ways to better prepare students for the future, says Dr. Katherine Reeves, associate dean of the School of Education.

“We can learn about each other in a Christian environment and build amazing relationships,” said Reeves. “We truly are a family.”

We asked Reeves about the value of building relationships and where we can find her outside of the classroom.

Q: You have taught at UM since 2014. What is your background?

A: Prior to joining UM full time, I was an adjunct professor for 2 years. I first began my education profession in 1988 as an elementary classroom teacher in the Mobile County Public School System. I taught first and third grade for 11 years. I became an assistant principal and principal in the MCPSS. I was an administrator for 16 years. When an opportunity became available at UM, I decided to retire from the school system and teach here.

Q: Your dissertation was about a new teacher-mentor program. What drew your interest to that area of study?

A: My dissertation is titled “An Intervention Plan for a New Teacher-Mentor Program.” As a teacher and administrator, I saw how invaluable it was for new teachers to have a very knowledgeable mentor. The interesting part is that I now have that experience and can instill the importance of a strong mentor to our student teachers as they complete their field experiences.

Q: What do you like most about UM? 

A: Faculty members in the School of Education value each other’s opinion and share a commitment to our students’ growth. Students at UM are amazing. I get the joy of knowing all my students. No one is just a number.

Q: What are some of your interests or hobbies?

A: I love living on the Gulf Coast. I enjoy fishing, hunting, and kayaking. Nature is a place I feel very at peace. I can relax and take time to think. My next quest is to learn to play disc golf and enjoy the fantastic course that UM has to offer.

5 Must-Take Photos at the University of Mobile

by Sydney Snow

The University of Mobile has a beautiful campus spanning over 880 acres. There are many beautiful spots throughout the campus, like the swings beneath the live oaks. However, there are some spots where you cannot help but want to take a picture.

These must-take photos include:

The Ram Statue. The class of 2008 presented the university with the aluminum statue of the university’s mascot. For those wanting to take a picture with the statue, it is located at the triangle of land between Weaver Hall and the residential areas.

Pollock-Almayer Drive. The beautiful driveway is the first thing you see when you arrive at campus. Once you pass the gatehouse, you drive beneath majestic live oak trees toward the flag plaza and Weaver Hall. This has been the site of many formal, prom and graduation pictures.

L. Bedsole Library/Bedsole Commons. In 2019, the university remodeled the library to include a student center, exercise facility, Common Grounds coffee shop and the grill, plus The University of Mobile Store. The library now includes leather couches and seating areas for students to study in comfort. One specific area that makes for a beautiful picture is the left room of the library. It features a couch in front of a wall of books. The lighting is exceptionally good for photography, thanks to the wall of windows.

Lyon Chapel. Whenever anyone takes pictures at the University of Mobile, they always include Lyon Chapel. It is a beautiful white chapel that makes you feel as if you were in a piece of art. To get to the chapel, take the circular road around the campus until you see the small white chapel on the right.

The Great Commission Globe. This is a really special area for many people. The first thing you do at the University of Mobile as a student is touch the globe — after you unpack, of course — to signify the start of your collegiate career. At graduation, you will also touch the globe to signify the end of your collegiate career. The globe is in the middle of the Great Commission Lawn.

Karen Dennis and UM’s Literary Council presents ‘Book Talk’ Program at State Conference

by Sydney Snow

MOBILE, Ala. – Dr. Karen Dennis, associate professor of education, and the University of Mobile’s Literary Council presented the School of Education’s unique “Book Talk” program at the Alabama Literacy Association 53rd Annual Fall Conference.

The virtual presentation was filmed in George and Pat Dorsett Auditorium on the university campus on Nov. 5. The Alabama Literacy Association is an affiliate of the International Literacy Association with a mission to transform lives through literacy. The virtual presentation gave UM School of Education students an opportunity to make a professional presentation in their field at a state level.

The Book Talk program encourages children to read through an engaging presentation of university students, faculty and staff dressed as characters in children’s books.

“Book Talks began in the Methods of Teaching Reading course as an assignment of an example for alternatives to the traditional book report,” said Dennis. “It introduces a strategy that could be used to engage elementary school students in discovering the joy of reading.”

Each semester, faculty and student members of the Literary Council make their books “talk,” said Dennis. “When we become our favorite literary characters and ‘sell’ our story to an audience, we generate enthusiasm and eagerness to read a book talk book to discover the ending, which — by the way — a good book talk never reveals.”

“Book Talks are beneficial in schools, because it allows the characters to really come to life,” said Amber Blackmon, UM Literary Council president. “Visualizing what they read allows children to feel enveloped by a story and become a part of it.”

The Literary Council buys a few Book Talk books to give to schools when they perform live. This semester, the council gave the following books: After the Fall – How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again, Snippets, Splatter and I’m Not Just a Scribble.

Literary Council officers include:

Amber Blackmon, president. Blackmon is an early childhood and elementary education major from Bay Minette, Alabama.

Maggie Diehl, vice-president. Diehl is an elementary education major from Fairhope, Alabama.

Mikaela Dees, secretary. Dees is an early childhood education major from Fruitdale, Alabama.

Breanna Englebert, treasurer. Englebert is an early childhood education major from Saraland, Alabama.

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.

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