MOBILE, Ala. – Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. was formally inaugurated as the 6th president of the University of Mobile in a faith-focused ceremony that reaffirmed the university’s foundation in Christ and cast a bold vision for the future.
“Since 1961, the foundation and fuel of the University of Mobile has been none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we renew our commitment to build our foundation upon His Word – as we commit to existing ‘For Christ & His Kingdom’ – we can expect the Lord’s faithfulness to continue,” Smith said in his presidential address at the Inaugural Celebration held May 1 at Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama.
Dr. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered the keynote address. Distinguished guests from across the Southern Baptist Convention; dignitaries from colleges and universities; civic, community and business leaders; and the university’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and supporters filled the sanctuary for the time-honored academic tradition marking the formal investiture of a university president.
Allen spoke on Proverbs 9:10, the foundational scripture for the University of Mobile: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The first half of the scripture is on the university’s official seal, along with the phrase “For Christ & His Kingdom.”
Allen said, “The temptation for every institution, large or small, old or young, is to drift from the founding convictions and mission that the institution once held so dear. In the Southern Baptist world there are 53 Baptist colleges historically associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The majority of those these days in the 21st century really maintain no true affiliation or connection with, nor oversight of, the Baptist bodies at large.
“But this institution, praise God, continues to be serious about its commitment to serving the churches of the Alabama Baptist Convention, serious about its Christian identity, serious about its Christian convictions, serious about the Bible as the Word of God, and the Great Commission as the urgent task for churches and for Christian believers.”
Watch the full inauguration ceremony at umobile.edu/inauguration.
A Charge Rooted in Christ
Smith formally accepted the charge of the presidency during the investiture portion of the ceremony. Trustee Terry Harbin presented the Presidential Medallion, a symbol of leadership and responsibility, while Board Chair Ron Moore presented the Presidential Bible, underscoring the university’s foundation in Scripture.
“In 1963, a Bible was placed in the cornerstone of Weaver Hall as an enduring reminder of the source of truth,” Moore said. “Today, as we present this Bible, we affirm once again that the University of Mobile is founded upon and anchored in God’s Word.”
Smith was asked to affirm his faith in Christ, commitment to the university’s Statement of Christian Affirmation, and his willingness to serve with integrity, excellence, and a Kingdom mindset.
“I do,” he replied, before being formally invested into office.
Smith has served as president of the University of Mobile since May 6, 2024, following his unanimous election by the UM Board of Trustees on March 24, 2024. Previously, he served with Allen in a variety of senior leadership roles at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College.
He and his wife, Ashley, are natives of Montgomery, Alabama, and they have three daughters: Ellie, Annie and Susie.
A Renewed Vision and Mission
In his presidential address based on John 6, Smith warned of the dangers facing Christian institutions that drift from their spiritual foundations.
“There is no shortage of once-faithful Christian universities who have lost their way,” he said, noting that the University of Mobile remains firmly committed to Jesus Christ as the foundation of all true knowledge and the hope of every generation.
Under Smith’s leadership, the renewed vision of the University of Mobile, expressed by the phrase “For Christ & His Kingdom,” is to multiply Kingdom leaders who embrace their callings and live out the Great Commission for the glory of God and the good of the world.
“Our prayers and plans for the future are bold,” Smith said, pointing to a growing list of initiatives aimed at strengthening the university – expanding academic programs, enhancing student life, increasing online offerings, investing in campus facilities, launching workforce development, and many other strategies designed to broaden the university’s impact in the region and beyond.
While these initiatives are important and inspiring, they are not the university’s identity, he said. Rather, they are the result of the university’s identity in Christ.
Student Voices of Hope and Vision
Two students, Kenneth Brandon and Courtney Sides, represented the student body and expressed hope and confidence in the university’s new chapter under Smith’s leadership.
Sides, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said, “Here at UM, we are more than a campus — we are a family. We believe God is doing something powerful on this campus, and we are so excited to welcome a president who sees that — and who is ready to build upon it.”
Brandon, a graduating senior majoring in worship leadership and music, prayed for the University of Mobile “to continue to shine as a beacon of truth and hope, a place where lives are transformed, where servant leaders are not only equipped for careers, but empowered to fulfill their God-given call.”
The university choir and orchestra led the audience in powerful hymns and songs of praise throughout a two-hour program that included words of encouragement and support for the new president and the University of Mobile family.
The university’s third president Dr. Mark R. Foley and former first lady Marilyn Foley, and UM’s fifth president Dr. Lonnie A. Burnett and former first lady Lynne Burnett, were honored during the ceremony. Nathan Harris, UM vice president for institutional relations, welcomed guests. Dr. Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, president of Union University, a sister Baptist institution, gave the invocation. Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, offered a prayer and Scripture reading of Colossians 1:15-18, affirming the strong partnership between the university and Alabama Baptists. Fred Wilson, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, outlined the search committee process and its focus on following God’s lead. Dr. Ben Stubblefield, pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, introduced keynote speaker Dr. Jason Allen. Dr. Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church, and Kathy Litton, a UM trustee, prayed over the Smith family.
Bringing greetings to the president were Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson; Dr. Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and Dr. Alan Floyd, pastor of Cottage Hill Baptist Church and a UM alumnus. Delegates included Dr. Mary Van Brunt, president of Spring Hill College, and Dr. Charles Guest, vice provost of the University of South Alabama.
Dr. Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church and a past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and his wife Kathy, a UM trustee, prayed over the Smith family.
Benediction and Celebration
The service concluded with a benediction and blessing from Dr. Roger Breland, retiring executive director of the university’s Alabama School of the Arts and founder of TRUTH, one of the first successful contemporary Christian touring and recording groups.
“Bless this university – every student, every faculty and staff member, every alumnus, and every friend of the Ram Family. May this campus always be a place where truth is pursued, lives are transformed and Christ is glorified,” Breland prayed.
The celebration concluded later in the evening with fireworks and Spring Spectacular, an outdoor concert held on the university’s Great Commission Lawn.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence “For Christ & His Kingdom.” With a vision to “Multiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,” the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at umobile.edu/um-info and 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.