50th Anniversary Annual FundCampaign Kicks Off

Campaign Progress As of June 1, 2012

Excitement is spreading among the USA family as plans

develop for the many celebrations in honor of the

University’s first half-century of achievement in education,

service, and health care. In recognition of this milestone, a

group of leading alumni have joined forces to build a great

tradition of alumni involvement and support. With their

help, the University has embarked on its 50th Anniversary

Annual Fund Campaign, which has been quietly building

momentum during the past year. The aim of the campaign is

to involve unprecedented numbers of alumni in both giving

to the Anniversary Annual Fund and participating in the

National Alumni Association. Goals for the campaign include

attracting 50,000 gifts and 5,000 members by the close of

the 2013 fiscal year.

Led by co-chairs Steven Stokes MD ’80 and Alexis

Atkins ’97, the 50th Anniversary Annual Fund Leadership

Council includes more than 70 alumni who have committed

to leadership gifts and to helping encourage fellow alumni to

give. Members of the council gathered recently for a press

conference announcing the campaign.

Ms. Atkins expressed confidence that fellow alumni will

respond generously to the campaign saying, “My USA degree

has meant great things for me in my life. I am proud of it,

and I know my fellow alumni will work with me to support

our alma mater.” Dr. Stokes seconded her sentiment adding,

“The University has meant a lot to me and my wife, Angelia,

who received her business degree in 1979 while I was in

medical school.” He reflected on the significance of the 50th

Anniversary as a milestone in the maturity of the University

and its alumni saying, “The campaign marks our 50th

Anniversary as a university and, in a broader sense, shows

that we have grown up as alumni. We are ready to take our

rightful role as alumni.”

Want to show support for USA’s 50th Anniversary? Visit

the USA website for online giving, www.southalabama.edu/

development/MakeaGift to make a gift immediately, or

contact Cris Smith at (251) 460-7032 or crsmith@usouthal.

edu to learn more about helping reach the goal of 50,000

gifts for the 50th Anniversary.

Taking the LeadL e a d e r s h i p t h ro u g h c h a r i ta b l e g i v i n g

Spring 2012

“It is inspiring that our alumni are taking the lead.” – President Moulton

5,000GOAL

USA NAA Memberships

5,241CURRENT TOTAL

50,000GOAL

Gifts

27,054CURRENT TOTAL

The Jaguar Baseball Ring of Honor is a place of distinction that honors both former head coach Steve Kittrell’s unprecedented 28 years at the helm, and the proud heritage of Jaguar Baseball. The beautifully landscaped rotunda contains plaques commemorating all head coaches, Sun Belt Championship Teams, NCAA Regional Teams, All-Americans and Jaguars in the major leagues.

Jaguar Baseball History Commemorated

Loyal Employee Funds Endowment

Claudnette McGrew, a 30-year employee of USA Medical Center, where she currently serves as director of volunteer services, has been a loyal donor to the Faculty Staff Annual Fund for many years. In fact, during this year’s campaign, she agreed to serve as a spokesperson, lending her name and photo to a poster series to promote participation.

This year, McGrew elevated her support for the University to a new level by establishing the Louise Austin McGrew Scholarship in Social Work in honor of her mother and daughter. The poster featuring Ms. McGrew uses her own words to describe her steadfast commitment to the Faculty Staff Annual Fund, “I give because I truly believe that we provide a system of services and resources that enhances the health status of this community everyday.”

Librarian Endows Reference Area She Helped Establish

USA’s first reference librarian, Vi Harper, has created an endowment through a gift to the 2012 Faculty Staff Annual Fund Campaign that will provide ongoing support for the reference collection in the university library. For 24 years, Ms. Harper guided the development of this vital resource as senior librarian and head of the reference area, assisting many students, faculty and community members in using the collection as part of their research. During her tenure, Harper also served on the Senior Faculty Caucus, and recalls with pride the work of the caucus

to establish the Children of Employees Scholarship, which continues to provide support for the families of university employees.

Ms. Harper’s personal involvement in building the reference collection is still a source of delight. On a recent visit to the reference area, her pleasure was evident as she pulled a book from the shelf saying, “I picked this book out!” Her gift will provide for the future of the collection, which will now be known as the Vi Harper Reference Area.

Faculty and Staff Campaign Exceeds $1 Million

No one knows the impact that private gifts can have on University programs better than faculty and staff members. As those responsible for executing the programs, faculty and staff have a unique vantage point on philanthropy at USA. Through this year’s Faculty Staff Annual Fund Campaign, the University’s employees have said that private giving makes a difference at USA!

During the past decade, USA’s employee giving campaign has grown steadily to become an important source of support for many programs. The campaign has historically achieved high levels of participation and its donors are generous. However, goal-setting for this year’s campaign was cautious

due to the economic climate and a feeling that it would be hard to match 2011’s accomplishment of $567,356 in gifts and matching funds.

Following closely on the heels of the announcement of the 50th Anniversary Annual Fund Campaign led by co-chairs Joel Erdmann, director of athletics, and Owen Bailey, Children’s & Women’s hospital administrator, the 2012 Faculty Staff Annual Fund Campaign took the theme “Celebrate! Commemorate! Participate!” and surpassed every expectation of its success. Led by 120 donors who pledged at least $5,000 each (payable over up to five years), 3,142 USA employees and retirees created a $1,038,417.07 single-year

50th Anniversary Annual Fund Leadership Council

As of June 1, 2012

Mr. R. Alan AlexanderDr. Ellis S. AllenMrs. Gigi ArmbrechtMrs. Katherine Alexis AtkinsDr. Joseph BenoitMrs. Holle V. BriskmanMrs. Jacquelyn F. BustaDr. Joseph F. Busta Jr.Mr. Vince E. CalamettiMr. Stephen Erwin ClementsDr. Jim ConnorsMr. E. Thomas CorcoranMr. Edward D. CornellMr. George V. Davis Jr.Dr. Eric Gardner DelayMr. W. Andrew DennyMr. Michael Hyde DiehlMr. Grady W. (Jody) DunnMrs. Destiny Rhodes DunnMs. Karen W. EdwardsMr. William James Fulford IIIDr. Steven FurrMr. Stanley Keith HammackMr. Patrick E. HicksMrs. Brenda Wood HinsonDr. John Lawrence HintonMr. Mark Steven HoffmanDr. Michael P. HoustonMr. Tony A. HughesMrs. Patsy A. KennedyMr. Ray H. Kennedy Jr.Mrs. Carol N. KittrellMr. Steve KittrellMr. Kenneth C. KvalheimMr. James Mason LyonsMr. Julian Bruce MacQueen

Mr. R. Bruce McCroryMr. Roddy Lee McKinneyMr. Christopher Carl MeltonMr. Reece Jackson (Jay) MillerMrs. Rose Pocase MillerMrs. Christie Diane MireePresident V. Gordon MoultonDr. Kitti Kiattikuniv OutlawDr. Laurie B. OwenMr. Allen James PearlMr. John M. PeekDr. Robert E. PercyDr. Jerry Dean PorterMs. Sherrin Anne PuckettMs. Patricia Cobb RodgersHonorable R. Timothy RussellMrs. Jeanne M. SanderfordMr. James ShumockHonorable Kenneth O. SimonMr. David C. SingletonMr. John C. SippleMrs. Angelia R. StokesDr. Steven Holt StokesMr. Michael C. ThompsonMrs. Margie Malone TucksonDr. Karyn Wellhousen TunksElizabeth Kelly TysonJohn Malcolm Tyson Jr.Mr. C. L. (Skipper) Walters Jr.Mr. Henry Eugene WellsMr. David WhiddonMr. Douglas WhitmoreDr. Mark Sloan WilliamsMr. James A. YanceDr. Robert J. Zarzour

For full stories, visit our Annual Fund website atwww.usouthal.edu/development

Want to give back? Get creative!

Check presentation by the AT&T Foundation to name the Engineering Student Council Gathering Room in Shelby Hall. Pictured (left to right) are Dr. John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering, Gigi Armbrecht, regional director-AT&T Alabama, and Lee Weldon, development specialist, Office of Development.

John Serda ’99 and South Paw introduce Serda’s “50th Anniversary Blend,” which was created to help support the USA Annual Fund.

Professor Emeritus Establishes Pediatric LectureshipIn his 25-year affiliation with the USA College of Medicine, Dr. Randall Powell has served in the departments of surgery, pediatrics, and physician assistant studies. Now, as professor emeritus, he is fulfilling a personal dream by establishing the Randall W. Powell MD Lectureship in Pediatric Surgery. The annual lectureship will bring world renowned pediatric surgeons to the University for presentations that will be open to the public, as well as students, faculty, and physicians.

Faculty and Staff Campaign Exceeds $1 Million

due to the economic climate and a feeling that it would be hard to match 2011’s accomplishment of $567,356 in gifts and matching funds.

Following closely on the heels of the announcement of the 50th Anniversary Annual Fund Campaign led by co-chairs Joel Erdmann, director of athletics, and Owen Bailey, Children’s & Women’s hospital administrator, the 2012 Faculty Staff Annual Fund Campaign took the theme “Celebrate! Commemorate! Participate!” and surpassed every expectation of its success. Led by 120 donors who pledged at least $5,000 each (payable over up to five years), 3,142 USA employees and retirees created a $1,038,417.07 single-year

impact through their gifts and matching funds. Three gifts of $30,000 or more were received.

Pleasantly surprised by the campaign’s achievement, Joseph F. Busta, Jr., vice president for development and alumni relations, viewed the results as a bellwether for the overall 50th Anniversary Annual Fund campaign, “There is no greater endorsement for an institution than the support of those that know it best. The financial support of faculty and staff sends an important message to others in the community and across the nation about their strong loyalty and confidence in USA’s progress.”

Some people find that writing a check is the easiest way to give; however, some USA alumni are finding other creative ways to give back:

Gift of Life Insurance Will Have Big Impact in FutureDoug Whitmore, a 2005 graduate of the Mitchell College of Business, has recently joined the USA National Alumni Association Board of Directors and the 50th Anniversary Leadership Council. He has also made a planned gift through the contribution of a life insurance policy.

Celebrating USA’s 50th Anniversary One Cup at a TimeJohn Serda is a 1999 graduate of the Mitchell College of Business and owner of Serda’s Coffee Company, a thriving downtown Mobile establishment offering a full-service café to complement his coffee selection from around the world. Mr. Serda has expressed his pride in his alma mater by creating the “50th Anniversary Blend,” a Mobile-roasted coffee blend in honor of USA’s 50th Anniversary. He has also committed a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this coffee blend to the Anniversary Annual Fund and the USA National Alumni Association. Every pound of the blend sold will push USA closer to the goal of 50,000 gifts.

Library Art Gallery Named

During the 2012 Faculty Staff Annual Fund Campaign, Charles and Mary Rodning generously created an endowment to support the art gallery at the university library. Dr. Charles Rodning serves as professor of surgery in the College of Medicine.

Previously, Dr. Rodning served as Commander, Medical Corps, in the U.S. Navy. During his naval service, the Rodnings and their children lived in Okinawa, Japan, where they studied a number of Asian aesthetic arts, including ikebana, bonsai, origami, haiku, and sumi-e, an ancient form of ink brush painting. Mary Rodning has studied with master sumi-e artists, has won awards for her own work, and teaches sumi-e in Mobile. Dr. Charles Rodning has pursued Japanese forms of poetry, including haiku and senryu and has authored several collections of poetry, paintings, and photographs.

In recognition of the Rodning’s contributions to the arts, service to the community and their generosity, the gallery in the university library will now be known as the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art.

Shelby Hall Namings Support Academic Excellence

As the September 2012 dedication nears for Shelby Hall Engineering and Computing, alumni and friends are creating vibrant new resources to support the academic programs that will reside in the new state-of-the-art facility. A fundraising campaign to name spaces in Shelby Hall has established Excellence Endowments for the College of Engineering and the School of Computing. These endowments will ensure that the respective deans will have a perpetual source of funds to direct toward priority needs. Qualifying gifts to the Excellence Endowments will be recognized with a plaque in each named area.

Recently named spaces include:

Visit www.southalabama.edu/shelbyhall to view the live web cam and learn more about Shelby Hall and its naming opportunities.

• the main lobby by the USA Foundation

• the engineering student council gathering room by the AT&T Foundation

• individual faculty offices by Dr. J. Todd, Dr. Harold Pardue, and FMS Engineering

• a student design studio by Angela Dunn, in honor of her husband, Matt Dunn

• a coordinator’s office by Alleen and Les Barnett

• the dean’s administration suite by Linda Coker Yasinsac, in honor of her husband, Dean Alec Yasinsac.

• an administration office by Volkert Inc.

University of South AlabamaOffice of Development

650 Clinic Dr., Ste. 2150Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDMobile, AL

Permit No. 506

Taking the LeadL e a d e r s h i p t h ro u g h c h a r i ta b l e g i v i n g

A PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Save these50th Anniversary Celebration Dates

• September 9, 2012 Grand Opening of Shelby Hall

• October 20, 2012 Homecoming

• May 3, 2013 50th Anniversary Campus

Celebration

To keep up with USA events, visit our Campus Calendar at http://www.southalabama.edu/usacal/campuscalendar/

The celebration begins here…September 9, 2012