Arts and Sciences News

Dr. Sean Powers, right, professor and director of the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, walks the halls of the school's renovated 20,000-square-foot campus facility at its dedication last year.

Majors Added in Marine Sciences, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
March 25, 2022

The two new undergraduate degrees in the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences complement the school's existing programs in research and graduate education. ...

The USA National Alumni Association recipients for the 17th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards are, from left, Dr. Carl C. Moore; Martha Peek; USA Health, represented by Owen Bailey and Dr. John Marymont; Harvey L. Barnett; and Maj. Gen. William Joseph “Joe” Hartman.

Alumni, Community Leaders Honored at Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards
March 11, 2022

USA National Alumni Association honored alumni and community leaders at the 17th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards. ...

The Warren Nicholson Associate Professor Dr. Na Gong, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, left, and Director of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing Dr. Charlotte Pence, associate professor of English, at the University of South Alabama were selected respectively as the 2021-2022 Phi Kappa Phi’s Scholar of the Year and Artist of the Year

Phi Kappa Phi Presents Scholar and Artist Awards
March 9, 2022

South's Phi Kappa Phi chapter has selected Dr. Na Gong as Scholar of the Year, and Dr. Charlotte Pence as Artist of the Year. ...

Christina Johnson, who teaches drama and costume design at South, works on a Mardi Gras gown at the Revelry Bloom studio in Mobile. The elaborate costume, inspired by the movie “Maleficent,” has been chosen for display at the Mobile Carnival Museum.

Fit for a Queen
February 25, 2022

Christina Johnson, who teaches costume design in the department of theatre and dance at South, helps design elaborate Mardi Gras gowns for Mobile Carnival balls. ...

Dr. Matthew Pettway, an assistant professor of Spanish at the University of South Alabama, will discuss his research and present details in his latest book “Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection: Manzano, Plácido and Afro-Latino Religion,” 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Pensacola Museum of Art.

Pettway to Speak on Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection
February 22, 2022

South assistant professor will share his analysis on the African roots of Cuban carnival in this upcoming talk in Pensacola. ...

After graduating from the University of South Alabama, Rachel Burdine joined the Peace Corp and traveled to Cameroon. Today she works for World Relief as a program officer supporting the organization’s network of offices resettling refugees.

Peace Offering
February 22, 2022

Rachel Burdine, an international studies graduate, always wanted to travel and serve vulnerable populations. She started in the Peace Corps and now works for World Relief, helping refugee families resettle in the U.S. ...

Herbert “Mannie” Pair III, a graphic design graduate of the University of South Alabama, has some of his work exhibited at the Marx Library through the end of the month.

Artist Returns to South
February 18, 2022

A Marx Library exhibit features the folk art and fabric designs of Herbert "Mannie" Pair III, a Mobile artist and gallerist who earned a degree in graphic design. ...

Dr. Kenneth Hudson, associate professor of sociology and social work at the University of South Alabama, urges students to challenge conventional wisdom using data. “I spend a lot of time looking at numbers, what I call the view from 33,000 feet. ... And there are certain kinds of questions where you have to land the plane, get out and walk around and talk to people.”

'Good Jobs and Bad Jobs'
February 9, 2022

Dr. Kenneth Hudson, an associate professor of sociology and social work at South, studies the dual labor market, income inequality and their implications for society. ...

The University of South Alabama celebrates the history and heritage of African Americans throughout February with activities, speakers, exhibitions and more. All are open to the public and free of charge. This year's theme is "Better Together."

South Celebrates Black History Month 2022
February 4, 2022

Free events will be held on campus throughout the month of February celebrating African American history and heritage. ...

University of South Alabama journalist-in-residence, Cynthia Tucker will be honored at the Monroeville Literary Festival in March with the 25th Harper Lee award. Given annually to a writer with an Alabama connection, the award is named for Monroeville native and author of the literary classic, '"To Kill A Mockingbird."

Tucker Wins Harper Lee Award
February 1, 2022

Tucker named the 25th Harper Lee Award winner given annually to outstanding writers with connections to the state of Alabama. ...

Dr. Elena Pavelescu shows the logic activity she created called "A Game of Cats" that was awarded the third place Rosenthal Prize. Sponsored by the National Museum of Math, the Rosenthal Prize recognizes the most innovative math educators from around the world who are creating engaging, hands-on lesson plans for elementary and middle school students.

National Museum of Mathematics Honors South's Pavelescu
January 24, 2022

Dr. Elena Pavelescu was recently awarded the third place Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching. ...

University of South Alabama doctoral student Kim Pusey says her work in areas of social justice has been fueled by her own upbringing and observations of race and the criminal justice system. “Part of my work, part of the research I do, is in service of trying to make things better for little black and brown kids,” she said.

Studies in Social Justice
January 24, 2022

Kim Pusey chose South for graduate school because of an opportunity to work with at-risk youths. She now plans for it to be her career. ...

Dr. Kern Jackson, director of USA's African American Studies program, co-wrote and co-produced the film "Descendant" premiering January 20-30, 2022 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

South Professor's 'Descendant' Premieres at Sundance Film Festival
January 18, 2022

Dr. Kern Jackson will be recognized for his work on the film featuring the slave ship Clotilda and Africatown community. ...

Brittney Dixon, in front of the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile, says housing choice plays a critical role in equality. “Housing can affect whether you have a grocery store in your neighborhood, or good schools, or even sidewalks,” she said.

Home Front
January 17, 2022

South graduate Brittney Dixon fights discrimination through education and enforcement at the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile. ...

University of South Alabama alumna Dr. Deidra Suwannee Dees, the archive director for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, earned graduate degrees from Cornell and Harvard universities.

Working for Her Tribe
January 3, 2022

A bachelor's degree from South led Dr. Deidra Suwannee Dees to a doctorate from Harvard and the position of tribal archivist for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. ...

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee traces a figure-eight knot with light outside the Mathematical Sciences and Physics Building at the University of South Alabama. Her research in quantum topology earned a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Tied Up In Knots
December 7, 2021

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to continue her research in knot theory. She also works with middle school students in the Girls Who Code organization. ...

Dr. Jason Strickland, an assistant professor of biology at the University of South Alabama, and senior India Hughes helped identify two new snake species — the Tricolor Snailsucker and the Poppyfield Snailsucker — by sequencing snake DNA.

Long Known to Snails, New Snake Species ID'd
December 7, 2021

A South researcher and his undergraduate research assistant, along with a team of researchers in Mexico, identify two unique snail-sucking species. ...

A World of Good
December 7, 2021

Fellowships from Harvard University Press and the Institute for Advanced Study help Dr. Samuel Baker spend a sabbatical writing a book about truth in the ethics of Aristotle. ...

Dr. Sean Powers, professor and director of the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, walks the halls of the school's renovated 20,000-square-foot facility. “We have an international reputation. We want to bring new students to South,” he said.

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Dedicated
December 2, 2021

New academic and research programs are expected to follow as South increases opportunities for students and faculty. ...

Scotty E. Kirkland, a University of South Alabama alumnus, is the coordinator of exhibitions, publications, and programs at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. He will give a lecture about Alabama civil rights history at the Marx Library December 2, 2021.

Marx Library Hosts Alabama Historian Scotty Kirkland
November 17, 2021

USA and Mobile Museum of Art welcomes Alabama historian Scotty Kirkland for a lecture on state and local Civil Rights history. ...

South is the only university in Alabama that offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio glass. The glass studio is a state-of-the-art facility for glassblowing, casting and kiln formed glass.

Holiday Art Sale Scheduled
November 17, 2021

Hand-crafted glass ornaments, jewelry, prints and more created by USA students and faculty available for sale December 3rd. ...

Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese has been named an early-career fellow by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The fellowship comes with a $76,000 award that Kiel Reese plans to use to support graduate students and provide paid internships for undergraduates.

USA Associate Professor Named Gulf Research Program Fellow
November 17, 2021

Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese becomes the second South faculty member honored by the Gulf Research Program in as many years. ...

"The illustration depicts the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by pathogenic bacteria ("yellow balls”) coming into contact with the plant cell. In his study, Dr. Tuan M. Tran found that OMV insertion into the plant plasma membrane is dependent on membrane nanodomains (regions highly enriched of sterol and phospholipids). This OMV insertion could alter the dynamics of the plasma membrane and also prime plants for better immune defense responses upon infection by pathogens."

Plant Health Research
November 15, 2021

South's Dr. Tuan Minh Tran is the lead author of an article published in the prestigious scientific journal, The Plant Cell. ...

The University of South Alabama College of Arts and Sciences hosted it’s 40th Annual Dean’s Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony November 3, 2021. Seven faculty members were recognized for their achievements. Clockwise from top left: Dr. Sinead Ni` Chadhain; Thu Olsen; Dr. Philip Carr; Dr. Susan McCready; Dr. Kelly Urban; Dr. Jeremiah Henning; and Dr. Brian Whitener.

College of Arts & Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Faculty
November 4, 2021

Seven faculty members recognized for their achievements at the 40th Annual Dean's Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony. ...

University of South Alabama Professor Dr. Joseph Currier, seated at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Mobile, where is is a member, said he has felt drawn by his belief in God to psychology, theology and mental health counseling. He is leading a national project that seeks to integrate religious and spiritual competencies in training mental healthcare providers.

Faith in Counseling
October 28, 2021

Dr. Joseph Currier, a psychology professor at South, is leading a national project to integrate religious and spiritual competencies into mental healthcare training. ...

Arts and Sciences News Archive

Majors Added in Marine Sciences, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences March 25, 2022

Alumni, Community Leaders Honored at Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards March 11, 2022

Phi Kappa Phi Presents Scholar and Artist Awards March 9, 2022

Fit for a Queen February 25, 2022

Pettway to Speak on Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection February 22, 2022

Peace Offering February 22, 2022

Artist Returns to South February 18, 2022

'Good Jobs and Bad Jobs' February 9, 2022

South Celebrates Black History Month 2022 February 4, 2022

Tucker Wins Harper Lee Award February 1, 2022

National Museum of Mathematics Honors South's Pavelescu January 24, 2022

Studies in Social Justice January 24, 2022

South Professor's 'Descendant' Premieres at Sundance Film Festival January 18, 2022

Home Front January 17, 2022

Working for Her Tribe January 3, 2022

Tied Up In Knots December 7, 2021

Long Known to Snails, New Snake Species ID'd December 7, 2021

A World of Good December 7, 2021

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Dedicated December 2, 2021

Marx Library Hosts Alabama Historian Scotty Kirkland November 17, 2021

Holiday Art Sale Scheduled November 17, 2021

USA Associate Professor Named Gulf Research Program Fellow November 17, 2021

Plant Health Research November 15, 2021

College of Arts & Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Faculty November 4, 2021

Faith in Counseling October 28, 2021