MOBILE, Ala. –The University of Mobile announces The Great Commission Fund, a bold initiative that reaffirms the Baptist university’s Christ-centered mission and equips students to impact the world for the gospel.
Launched April 10, 2025, The Great Commission Funds serves as a vital resource to provide scholarships, strengthen academic and spiritual programs, and empower students to follow God’s call in every profession, community and nation.
For Christ and His Kingdom
“For Christ and His Kingdom — this is the heartbeat of everything we do at the University of Mobile,” said UM President Charles Smith.
“The Great Commission Fund is more than a rebranding of our annual fund; it is a declaration of our mission. Through this initiative, we are calling on believers to join us in raising up a generation of Christ-centered leaders.”
Watch the launch video HERE.
The Great Commission Tradition
Rooted in the university’s long-standing Great Commission Tradition, The Great Commission Fund reflects the commitment of UM students to pursue their education as a calling from God.
From the moment they step onto campus, new students participate in this tradition by touching the Great Commission Globe during the President’s Commissioning ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to the intellectual and spiritual transformation they will experience in the college journey ahead.
A few years later at commencement, they return to The Great Commission Globe as new graduates – men and women grounded in God’s Word and armed with the knowledge and skills to pursue their professional callings with excellence. They touch the Great Commission Globe again, making a public commitment to pursue God’s calling for their lives – to go out from the University of Mobile as missional leaders making an impact for Christ.
The UM Mission
“We believe transforming lives for Christ is not just an academic pursuit — it’s a mission,” said Dr. Nathan Harris, vice president for institutional relations.
“The Great Commission Fund makes that mission possible by ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder students from receiving a Christ-centered education that prepares them to lead with excellence.”
To learn more or to contribute to The Great Commission Fund, visit umobile.edu/give and follow UM social media @univofmobile.
Pray. Tell. Invest.
The university invites Southern Baptist leaders and believers everywhere to partner in this Kingdom work through three powerful actions:
Pray for UM students and faculty as they prepare to impact the world for Christ.
Tell others the University of Mobile and its Great Commission mission
Invest in The Great Commission Fund to provide scholarships and resources that equip students to live out the gospel in every sphere of influence.
“When you give to The Great Commission Fund, you are practicing God’s call to generosity,” said Harris. “You are investing in a Christ-centered college community where students are known, discipled and sent out to transform the world for the glory of God and the good of the world.”
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence “For Christ and 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.