U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
S O U T H
A L A B A M A
SUMMER 2010
Taking the
Lead
President
“ L e a d e rs h i p t h ro u g h c h a ri t a bl e g i v i n g
at the University of South Alabama”
Letter from the
Dear Friends,
The promise of a new academic year is
upon us and I’m pleased to report that your
University of South Alabama is on the
move!
We expect to set another enrollment
record when classes begin in August, as USA
will likely top 15,000 students for the first
time. Our campus is excited about many
additional milestones.
• You are cordially invited to the grand
opening of Moulton Tower and Alumni
Plaza, set for the evening of Friday, Oct.
8 (time to be announced soon).
• Please join us for the grand opening of
the Student Recreation Center, a new
centerpiece of student life. The event is
Friday, Sept. 17, at 9:30 a.m.
• Students and faculty in the College of
Engineering and the School of
Computer and Information Sciences are
seeing rapid progress on their new
home, Shelby Hall. Located at
University and Old Shell, this high-tech
building will provide an impressive front
door to campus and will complement
the new Health Sciences Building (home
of the Colleges of Nursing and Allied
Health Professions). Campus portals
now under construction will give USA
an even greater sense of place.
INSIDE
this
ISSUE
• The second season of Jaguar football
kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m. in
Ladd-Peebles Stadium against Pikeville
(Ky.) College. Your undefeated Jaguars
will play a 10-game schedule, including
three road games.
For updates on this and other USA news,
please see the University’s home page at
www.southalabama.edu.
In addition to achieving its academic
missions, USA continues to touch lives
through its research, outreach, and health
care programs. Our physicians, hospitals
and Mitchell Cancer Institute see over
250,000 patients each year, making a
substantial contribution to the health care
of the region.
Even as we are proud of our progress, the
global recession has resulted in USA facing
the most difficult economic times in its
history. Alabama’s universities have
experienced a staggering 29 percent
reduction in state funding over the past
three years. We are reducing costs where
possible and applying maximum creativity
to weather this slowdown. Unfortunately,
our students and families are being required
to pay a greater percentage of their
educational cost through higher tuition. We
are gratified that USA remains a great value
Shelby Hall Support.........................................2
New Name for College of
Allied Health Professions ..............................3
Chi Omega Amphitheatre..............................3
Scholarship Spotlight .......................................5
Distinguished Awards......................................6
as our costs are still well below our peer
institutions in the state.
While private support was never meant to
replace state funding, your giving enables us
to continue to provide a margin of
excellence in all of our key missions. Your
support of USA’s programs -- and especially
your gifts for faculty support and student
scholarships -- has never been more
important.
The University of South Alabama
appreciates and depends upon your
generosity, and your University remains
dedicated to creating the future we all desire
for the Gulf Coast region.
Sincerely,
Gordon Moulton, President
DEVELOPMENT AND
ALUMNI RELATIONS
Taking the Lead
Page 2
A Message from the Vice President
Dr. Joseph F. Busta, Jr.
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
We recently passed the one year anniversary of the end of Campaign USA: Leadership. This
anniversary gives us pause to reflect on the Campaign and its impact on the University of South
Alabama. As you may recall, some of the achievements of the Campaign were:
Exceeded expectations – final campaign total of $93,383,600, which was over the goal of
$75,000,000 by almost 25%!
Acquired 44,000 gifts from more than 22,000 donors.
Created more than 220 new endowments.
Established new scholarship endowments in every school and college.
Garnered support from all 50 states and 10 countries.
Ran efficient campaign operation, restraining costs to 9% of the goal
(national campaigns average expenses of 8-15%).
I can report that many of our multi-year pledges have been paid in full, most are being paid on time and probably fewer than 5% are
late or in a difficult position. In light of the economy over the last two years, our pledge fulfillment rate to date is outstanding.
Most importantly though, as we went through the past year, every day showed the benefits of this transformational first University
campaign. Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to our future at USA!
Shelby Hall Support Soars
The University of South Alabama’s newest building under construction, Shelby Hall - Engineering and Computing Sciences, has
begun to gain generous support from the community. With numerous new gifts and many more in the works, the Shelby Hall Room
Naming Campaign has truly taken off!
USA alumnus, Neil Henderson, has pledged $25,000 to name the Software Analysis and Design Laboratory in Shelby Hall. Mr.
Henderson received his master’s from USA’s School of Computer and Information Sciences in 1990. He was the co-founder, now
retired, of the embedded systems division of Mentor Graphics, known as Accelerated Technology. More than 80 USA alumni work at
the company, which employs nearly 200 people.
Another generous supporter is Mr. Ralph Compagno. Mr. Compagno is a Tulane graduate,
but he wanted to express his great support for USA and what the University has done for the
Mobile area. He felt compelled to give back as Mobile is the community in which he raised
his family and achieved success. He has given $10,000 to name the Civil Engineering Student
Records and Advising Office. Mr. Compagno’s son is a 1987 USA Engineering graduate.
Robert and Rene Pinckard have contributed $10,000 to Shelby Hall to name the
Mechanical and Civil Engineering Society Room. Mr. Pinckard, a 1988 graduate of USA’s
College of Engineering, is active in the USA Engineering Alumni Society and is an employee
of Shell. Through Shell’s matching gift program, a portion of the Pinckard’s gift to Shelby
Hall will be matched. Ms. Pinckard currently works for USA at the Mitchell Cancer Institute.
Mr. Mike S. Jones, and his wife, Kim, recently pledged over $16,000 to name a classroom for the School of Computer and
Information Sciences within Shelby Hall. Mr. Jones is the Executive Vice-President and COO of CPSI, Inc. and a 1995 graduate of
USA’s School of Computer and Information Sciences. Mrs. Jones is a 1996 USA Mitchell College of Business alumna.
USA employees are also showing their support by naming rooms within Shelby Hall - look for their stories later in this newsletter.
Other members of the business community have generously supported Shelby Hall. SAME - Society of American Military
Engineers, Alabama Power, and IPSCO were featured in past newsletters for their gifts to support the new home of the College of
Engineering and School of Computer and Information Sciences. Other gifts to name rooms within the building are currently
underway.
“Gifts from alumni and businesses supporting this campaign will enable these two colleges to significantly enhance our teaching
mission for the benefit of our students,” said Dr. Joseph F. Busta, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations.
Construction continues on the 155,000 square foot engineering and computing sciences building that is expected to spur
economic development by generating new technological advances and providing state-of-the-art education for the next generation of
engineering and computer science professionals. Slated for completion in September 2011, you can follow construction progress via a
live webcam on the new Shelby Hall website. Visit www.southalabama.edu/shelbyhall for building details, a virtual tour, the latest
renderings, room and laboratory naming opportunities and to view the live construction web cam.
The University has agreed to provide a 50% donor recognition match for gifts made to name a room within Shelby Hall.
Taking the Lead
Page 3
College of Allied Health Professions to be named for Dr. Pat Covey
Retired longtime USA professor and administrator, Dr. Pat Capps Covey and her husband, Lee, have made a $2 million estate
gift to establish a new endowed scholarship program in the College of Allied Health Professions. In recognition of Dr. Covey’s
lifetime of service and financial contributions to USA, the Board of Trustees named the College of Allied Health Professions in
her honor. The scholarship program will be named in honor of Mr. Covey.
“Dr. Covey’s long service to the University is noteworthy for many reasons,
including her role as an educator, her leadership in creating the College of Allied
Health Professions, and her distinguished service as senior vice president for
academic affairs,” said USA President Gordon Moulton. “She and Lee are now
serving the University through their philanthropy in establishing this scholarship
program which will touch many lives. We are pleased to name the scholarship
program for him and the college for her.”
“We are very happy to give back to the University that has meant so much to
our lives and our community, and the place where I spent 33 years of my career,”
Dr. Covey said.
“This gift is in honor of my wife and the hard work and dedication she gave to
the University. It’s a legacy we can leave for the College of Allied Health Professions, and we are very happy and proud to be able
to do that,” Mr. Covey said.
Prior to her retirement in 2008, Dr. Covey served USA as a professor of biomedical sciences, founding chair of the department
of clinical laboratory sciences, director of Allied Health Professions, founding dean of the College of Allied Health Professions
and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Mr. Covey has been a staunch supporter of USA and the programs and initiatives led by Dr. Covey, as well as a highly respected
leader in higher education, government, and business endeavors in the region. He served as vice president for Financial Affairs at
Spring Hill College, director of fiscal affairs for the City of Mobile, and president and board chair of the Collegiate Housing
Foundation.
The couple’s gift of $2 million will create an endowed scholarship program in the College of Allied Health Professions known
as the Leeman Harper Covey Scholars Program. It will offer full, four-year scholarships to top students, including tuition, room
and board and a stipend for books. The program will feature the scholarship for incoming Allied Health Professions students and
is among the top scholarships on campus. In Dr. Covey’s honor, the College will now be known as the Pat Capps Covey College
of Allied Health Professions.
CHI OMEGA BEGINS $100,000 CAMPAIGN
FOR MOULTON TOWER AMPHITHEATRE
The Beta Theta Chapter of Chi Omega has launched a
$100,000 campaign to raise funds toward the Chi Omega
Amphitheatre at the University’s Moulton Tower and Alumni
Plaza. Traditionally, Chi Omega chapters give a large gift to their
campuses to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. USA’s chapter
recently celebrated their 40th anniversary with a luncheon on
campus and presented an initial gift of $10,000 to USA’s
President, Gordon Moulton.
Maureen Frost, a charter member of Beta Theta Chapter and
Chi Omega House Corp. President, said she and other alumnae
and active members of Chi Omega were looking for a significant
project to commemorate their 50th anniversary at USA in 2019.
“We wanted to plan ahead,” Frost said. “We wanted to do
something significant for the University, and we thought it
would be a wonderful thing for students and alumni. It will be
something useable and recognizable.” For Frost, a student at USA
in the mid-to-late-1960’s, Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza is a
symbol of how far the University has come from those early days.
Shelly Orr Priebe is chair of the campaign, and Michelle
Corkern Braswell and Natalie Price serve as co-chairs.
Now Available!
The University of South Alabama
is excited to announce the capability
to accept charitable gifts online. By
going to the University web
homepage, www.SouthAlabama.edu,
and clicking “Give to USA,” you will
be directed to a secure site to make
your gift and support USA. If you
would like to choose a specific
endowment, project, or give in
memory of someone, simply choose
“other” and include that information
in the box below.
Other Development Office
enhancements of note include an
update of our web page and addition
of our newsletter.
These new innovations enable us
to better communicate with you and
save our trees! With more electronic
communication, we hope to reduce
paper usage and be better stewards
of our resources.
Taking the Lead
Page 4
Dean Gives in Different Ways
Drs. John and Sally Steadman recently pledged $5,000 to Shelby Hall, the new home for the College of Engineering and
School of Computer and Information Sciences. In honor of their gift, the Engineering Faculty Lounge will be named for the
couple.
“Through this gift, we are investing in the USA College of Engineering. Informal faculty interactions lead to collaboration
and innovation in Engineering education and research,” said Dr. John Steadman.
Dr. John Steadman is the Dean for the College of Engineering and has been with the College since 2003. His wife, Dr.
Sally Steadman, also works for USA teaching math and engineering classes.
Another way the Steadman’s have given back is through the Faculty and Staff Annual Fund. For more than 5 years, as an
encouragement to his colleagues, Dr. Steadman has agreed to match the average of each department’s giving. His matching
money, totaling more than $1,500 in 2010, is given to a scholarship within each department.
A New Sculpture in the Park
to Honor Grandchildren
Two families have donated a new sculpture for the Geri Moulton Children’s Park at the
USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Doc Saggey, a larger than life grand hare
sculpture by artist, Jim Budish, has been placed in front of the hospital. Dow Bark and
his wife, Mary, and Ron Blount and his wife, Brenda, donated the sculpture in honor of
their grandchildren. Mr. Blount and Mr. Bark are partners of the SA Group LLC, a
program management firm that is handling major projects for the University.
USA Faculty and Staff Continue to Give Back
University of South Alabama employees recently raised a record $521,093 during the Faculty and
Staff Annual Fund campaign, exceeding their goal of $480,000. Following this year’s theme, T.E.A.M.
“Together Everyone Achieves More”, 57 departments achieved 100% employee participation. Dr. Errol
Crook, Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine, and Dr. David Stearns, Associate Vice President for
Enrollment Services, served as co-chairs of the 2010 campaign.
This year was the seventh consecutive year for the campaign in support of USA students, programs,
and the Gulf Coast community.
Junior League Archives to be Preserved at USA
A grant by The J.L. Bedsole Foundation will enable the University of South Alabama Archives to archive photographs and other materials
that document the story of the Junior League of Mobile.
Junior League of Mobile President Ann Sirmon said, “Since 1931, Junior League of Mobile has made significant contributions to the
community. It is an honor to have our collection of photographs and documents housed at USA Archives in perpetuity. We are thrilled to be
recognized as an integral part of Mobile’s rich history.
“This would not have been possible without the support of The J.L. Bedsole Foundation. The Foundation’s dedication to the preservation of
Mobile’s unique and varied history is recognized throughout Mobile. Through funding provided by a grant from the Foundation, we are able
to share with the community the many contributions Junior League of Mobile has made throughout Mobile’s storied past.”
Christopher Lee, Executive Director of The J.L. Bedsole Foundation, said, “The J.L. Bedsole
Foundation is proud to support this project, because it not only documents the history of an
important civic organization, but also will provide insight into the innovative approach Junior
League of Mobile is known for in community problem-solving.”
USA Archivist Carol Ellis said of the collection, “Junior League of Mobile has played a crucial role
in bringing attention to the need for improved public education, mental health, and historic
development. The organization’s long commitment to civic improvement, and its record of
volunteerism, makes it an invaluable component to the story of 20th century Mobile. The donation
of Junior League of Mobile papers to the University of South Alabama Archives will preserve for
posterity the long history of the organization and make those records available to broader historical
study. The USA Archives thanks The J.L. Bedsole Foundation for its contribution toward our ability
to preserve this collection for future generations.”
Taking the Lead
Page 5
USA PROFESSOR PLEDGES SUPPORT TO SHELBY HALL
USA School of Computer and Information Sciences Professor and former Dean, Dr. David Feinstein and his wife, Wei,
recently pledged $10,000 to Shelby Hall - Engineering and Computing Sciences building. Dr. and Mrs. Feinstein have chosen to
name the ACM Student Society Gathering Room, and a special plaque will be placed to recognize their gift.
The gift supports the Computing Excellence Fund, an endowed fund created to help the School of Computer and Information
Sciences’ pursuit of academic excellence. This endowment allows the Dean to continually assess priorities and goals, and direct
funding to special areas of opportunity or concern.
This gift is one of three pledges by Dr. and Mrs. Feinstein to USA. Their others include two named scholarships: the Wei and
David Feinstein Scholarship in CIS and the Wei and David Feinstein Scholarship for a Rising Sophomore in CIS.
“Thirty years of serving the School of Computer and Information Sciences does not seem long,” Dr. Feinstein said. “I have seen
it grow from a faculty of one to what it is today. My family has two bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, two MDs and soon
one Ph.D. from South Alabama. Wei has worked at the University and been a student both in a master’s program and now in the
Ph.D. program in Basic Medical Sciences. Wei and I wanted to give something back to the most important people at South
Alabama and in the School of CIS -- the students. Thus, the opportunity to name the room for the student chapter of the ACM,
the oldest and largest professional society in the computing sciences is just a small way of saying thank you.”
70’s Accounting Alumni
Win the Challenge!
Last fall, the USA Development Office, with help and input
from several Mitchell College of Business Accounting alumni,
conducted a two-part mailing challenge for USA accounting
alumni.
Mike Thompson,’72, Karen Simmons,’91, and Mark
Hieronymus, ’83, all members of the USA Accounting
Advisory Board, offered to help spearhead fundraising for the
Department of Accounting. The group met with Department
Chair, Dr. Russ Hardin, and Lauren Weigel, Associate Director
of Development, to offer insight on what they felt would be
the most effective means of securing needed scholarship
support for USA Accounting students. The result: A Decade
Challenge.
A series of letters signed by Thompson, Simmons and
Hieronymus were mailed to all USA Accounting Alumni, with
a challenge: “What Decade will give the most to the
Department?”
The gifts came in quickly and the competition got tough,
but the 70’s graduates stole the show with $8,250 in gifts! The
80’s graduates were not far behind with $4,050; the 90’s came
in third with $300; the young millennium graduates gave
$175, and the 60’s came in last with $150.
Ultimately, over $12,925 was raised to support scholarships
for accounting students.
When asked about the mailing, Mike Thompson said: “The
Accounting Decade Challenge proved to be a huge success. I
was thrilled to hear the reports on the mailing- although I can
say that I’m not surprised by the generosity. When it is for
students and scholarships, we’ve all been there - we remember
what it was like - and we came together to raise funds to
support current accounting students. I’m so pleased the
mailings raised so much to support them…now, I do have to
add, GO 70’s, I knew we would win!”
Scholarship Spotlight
The first Stimpson Brothers Leadership Scholarship, totaling
$5,000, was awarded to John Benton of Deer Park, Alabama, a
University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business Real
Estate major with a 3.96 grade point average. John works in the
USA Center for Real Estate Studies, is in the ROTC program,
and demonstrates strong leadership skills. He also received a
$2,000 Turner-Heggeman Memorial Scholarship, which is given
to an outstanding real estate major. The Stimpson family recently
met and presented the award to John at a special luncheon.
In 2009, a group of donors raised money to honor William H.
“Billy” Stimpson and his late brothers, Benjamin “Ben” and
Gordon “Dut,” creating the Stimpson Brothers Leadership
Scholarship in Business. To date, more than 50 donors have
contributed to this prestigious endowed scholarship, which
honors the brothers who owned Gulf Lumber Company.
The Stimpson Brothers scholarship is a tuition and fees
scholarship and is awarded to a sophomore student who is an
Alabamian, majoring in business. A minimum cumulative grade
point average of 2.5 or above is required. Candidates must also
demonstrate a strong leadership ethic. Service in the University’s
ROTC program may be considered. The scholarship may be
renewed in the student’s junior and senior years.
Page 6
Taking the Lead
National Alumni Association Presents
Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards
The University of South Alabama National Alumni Association
honored six distinguished alumni, a philanthropic trust, and a
community service leader at its annual gala in March. The event
recognizes the achievements and contributions of alumni and
advocates for USA.
This year’s recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are:
JoAnn S. Broadus, post-master’s certificate 1996 and a retired
assistant professor for the USA College of Nursing; Lt. Col. Brian G.
Casleton, B.S. 1987, commander of an Air Force medical squadron;
Dr. Frank V. deGruy, III, M.D. 1977, professor and chair of the
Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Health
Sciences Center; Dr. Pamela T. Henson, B.S. 1984, Director of
Instruction for the Baldwin County Public Schools; and, John W. Mincy, B.S. 1972, a retired engineer and executive with Ciba Specialty
Chemicals.
A Distinguished Service Award was presented to Geri Moulton, who has been a steadfast supporter of USA since the late 1960’s. A
Distinguished Service Award was also given to the Alabama Power Foundation Inc., a private philanthropic trust that has made numerous
contributions to the University, the College of Engineering, and USA Hospitals.
The Distinguished Alumni Service Award was presented to Barbara S. Malkove, B.S. 1969, Executive Director of Finance for the City of
Mobile.
“These award winners have made a positive impact on the University of South Alabama, our community, our region, and our nation,” said
Carol Kittrell, Director of Alumni Relations. “We are excited about acknowledging and honoring their achievements and contributions.”
Special Events Continue to Support the Mitchell Cancer Institute
Several recent events have been hosted in support of the Mitchell Cancer Institute. It is
through these unique events and the generous support of the community that the MCI is able to
continue serving patients along the Gulf Coast in many special and unique ways.
The Third Annual Shrimp for Life was held on March 26 in New York City. The event,
themed “The Stars Fell on Alabama,” once again proved to be a successful function raising more
than $35,000 for the Audrey Joyce Grodnick Breast Cancer Research Endowment. A wonderful
group of Mobile natives, Abby Grodnick, Meredith Wertheim, Meryl Grodnick, Julia Wertheim,
Leah Grodnick, and Eve Wertheim, hosted the fabulous night of hors d’ oeuvres, a silent auction,
and dancing. Also included were sales of the Shrimp for Life clothing line by G. Harvell Men’s
Clothier of Mobile with a percentage of the proceeds from sales going to the MCI.
The McGill-Toolen Boy’s and Girl’s Varsity Soccer teams hosted a soccer game against Faith
Academy on Monday, April 12, 2010, to honor eight teachers from McGill-Toolen, who are fighting cancer now or are survivors, and to
raise cancer awareness. In the opening ceremony, Mrs. Lucy Holmes-Dees, Mr. David Jernigan, Mrs. Sharon McDonald, Ms. Ginny
Neese, Mrs. Amy Perry, Deacon Holcomb Pryor, Mrs. Carolyn Smith and Mrs. Clarita Stone were recognized for their courageous fight,
as well as dedicating their lives to teaching. Over $2,250 in donations were collected from the event for the USA Mitchell Cancer
Institute.
On April 17, Broussad’s Music presented “An Evening with Stanton Lanier.” The intimate, 60seat concert promoted independent pianist and composer, Stanton Lanier, while directly
benefitting the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. The heart of Stanton Lanier’s music is to offer
“peace and rest in a hurried world.” This has resonated with a global listening audience who
describe his work as “calming, soothing and uplifting.”
Stanton and his non-profit organization, “Music to Light
the World,” donated 70 CDs for each infusion station at
the MCI and to be given out to patients.
The Citizens for a Better Grand Bay held their 12th
Annual Walking for Memories on April 24. The one mile
walk is held annually to honor or remember loved ones
who have been touched by cancer. This year, over one
hundred devoted walkers braved the bad weather to show their support. The event included a
bake sale, door prizes, and a live auction. Over $6,000 was donated to the MCI from this event.
Over the past three years, the group has donated more than $26,000 to the MCI and named two
patient exam rooms in the facility.
Taking the Lead
Page 7
Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 18, 2010
GO Run
(GO for Gynecologic Oncology)
September 9, 2010
The third annual GO Run will be held at 8:00
Charity Denim
Charity Denim will hold a charity sale on Sept. am at its new location of the Mitchell Center
Lawn on the University of South Alabama’s
9, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Terrace
campus to raise funds for Gynecologic Cancer
located at the University of South Alabama
Student Center. Proceeds will benefit the USA Research at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.
This 5K and one mile fun run brought out
Mitchell Cancer Institute. Charity Denim, a
some 600 participants and raised more than
discount designer jean company, is offering
$27,000 in 2009.The run is produced by the
more than 600 pairs of designer jeans with
sizes ranging from 00 to 10/12. Items are priced USA Mitchell Cancer Institute and the Little
Red Hen Productions.This year promises, once
40 - 60 percent off retail. For additional
again, to be one of the largest and best races in
information about the sale or to volunteer,
Mobile. For Sponsorship and/or Participant
please contact Abbie McCullough at
Information, please visit
amccullough@usouthal.edu or call
www.usamci.com/gorun or contact Abbie
251-460-7032.
McCullough at amccullough@usouthal.edu or
call 251-460-7032.
Gridiron Sculpture Added
to the Football Field House
The USA Football Field House driveway will
soon boast a piece of fine art known as “Gridiron”
by renowned local sculptor Bruce Larsen. David
and Lynn Gwin donated $100,000 to place the
sculpture at the Field House and enhance the
aesthetic beauty in the area while contributing to
the appreciation of fine art. The sculpture is
expected to be completed and installed in the fall.
Mr. Gwin is the owner of Visual Impact
Communications, a full service advertising
company in Mobile. He is also a member of the
Jaguar Athletic Fund Board of Directors,
representing football. The Gwin’s have
contributed $50,000 to the football program in
the past.
“It is an honor for me as an alumnus of USA to
be able to give something back to the University,”
Mr. Gwin said. “I love knowing, that for
generations after my demise, tens of thousands of
students will be able to enjoy the beauty and
meaning of this piece of art.”
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Eastern Shore Toyota/ Eastern Shore
Daphne Golf Tournament
Benefitting Breast Cancer Research at the USA
Mitchell Cancer Institute, this fourth annual
four-man scramble will be hosted by Shawn
and Leyla Esfahani at Timbercreek Golf Club in
Spanish Fort, AL. Registration and lunch begin
at 11:00 a.m., Putting Contest at 11:30 and
Shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.. Prizes include two
hole-in-one new car giveaways. Prizes will be
given for the top three teams, longest drive and
closest to the pin.The cost is $125, which
includes car, green fees, driving range balls, lunch
and dinner. Registration deadline is October
8th. Please visit www.usamci.com/specialevents
for more information or contact Abbie
McCullough at amccullough@usouthal.edu or
call 251-460-7032.
The University of South Alabama Development Office is excited to announce three
new members to our staff.
Chanté Hendrix joined the Medical Development team in May and serves as the
Development Officer for the Colleges of Allied Health and Nursing. Chanté is an
alumnus of Spring Hill College, and has served professionally in the areas of
Enrollment Management, Fundraising, Marketing & Public Relations, Human
Resources, Journalism Instructor, and Television On-Air Production. If you would like
to tour the new “state-of-the-art” Health Sciences Building, or team up with Chanté’s
fundraising efforts, please contact her at chendrix@usouthal.edu or 251-414-8065.
Cris Smith joined the University Development team in May and serves as the
Development Officer for the College of Education, School of Continuing Education
and Special Programs, and also the Baldwin County Campus. Cris is a graduate of
USA’s College of Arts and Sciences and has spent much of his career working in
Special Events, and as a Music and Band Teacher. Cris looks forward to bringing
people together to support these special USA programs. If you would like to be a part
of that, please contact him at crsmith@usouthal.edu or 251-460-7140.
Lee Weldon recently joined the University Development team in July and serves as
the Development Officer for the Mitchell College of Business and College of
Engineering. She comes to USA from Birmingham where she graduated from
Samford and has worked in golf tournament administration, athletic ticket sales and
game operations. To get involved in Lee’s fundraising efforts, contact her at
251-414-8064 or LWeldon@usouthal.edu.
Dr. Joseph F. Busta, Jr.
Vice President for Development
and Alumni Relations
Chantè Hendrix
Development Specialist, Colleges
of Allied Health and Nursing
Melodie Robinson
Assistant Director, College of
Medicine Alumni Relations
Tracy Coleman
Associate Director, Medical Affairs
Lisa Kavanagh
Associate Director, Alumni
Relations
Shea Sadler
Assistant Director, Development
Services
Carol Kittrell
Director, Alumni Relations
Ben Samel
Director, Leadership Gifts and
Gift Planning
Melissa Dickinson
Assistant Director, Annual Giving
John Goodroe
Director, Athletic Development
Travis Grantham
Director, Medical Development
and Alumni Relations
Kelly McCarron
Assistant Director, Medical
Development
Abbie McCullough
Assistant Director, MCI Special
Events, Medical Development
Kim Peterson
Director, Development Services
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Celebrate Hope Gala
The first was such a success, the second annual
Celebrate Hope Gala will be held at the USA
Mitchell Cancer Institute this fall. The magical
evening will include celebrity chefs, wine and
beer pairings and over the top entertainment!
Please contact the Development Office for
Sponsorship opportunities: 251-460-7032.
More details coming soon!
NEW MEMBERS OF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Working with You
Cassandra Commings
Development Specialist, Children’s
and Women’s Hospital
Development
Saturday, November 6, 2010
USA Homecoming
The University of South Alabama will host
Homecoming on this weekend along with a
host of other activities in the week prior.
Watch the University website for more
information!
Beth Schiavoni
Assistant Director, Athletic
Development Annual Giving
Cris Smith
Development Specialist, School of
Continuing Education, Baldwin
County, and College of Education
Shinta Stanley
Accountant
Ginny Turner
Director, University Development
Lauren Roebuck Weigel
Associate Director, University
Development
Lee Weldon
Development Specialist,
Mitchell College of Business
and College of Engineering
Contacting Us
University of South Alabama
Office of Development and
Alumni Relations
Technology & Research Park
Bldg. III, Suite 2150
Mobile, Alabama 36688
(251) 460-7032
http://www.southalabama.edu/
development
Taking the Lead
Page 8
Opportunities toGive
Private support is critical for the future success of the University of
South Alabama (USA). There are many ways to make philanthropic
gifts to USA. Gifts can be restricted gifts to any department, college,
or program, or you can choose to make unrestricted gifts to the
University to be used “Where the Need is Greatest” at the President’s
discretion.
A charitable gift to the University of South Alabama can take many
forms:
Cash or securities—make the most immediately useable gifts to USA.
All gifts of cash or securities can be designated for any purpose you choose.
Corporate matching gifts—many companies encourage their
employees’ philanthropy by matching, doubling, or tripling the
employee’s gift. If you work for a matching gift company, just send your
employer’s matching gift form with your gift, and USA will take care of
the details. Both you and your company will be recognized for the
matching gift.
Bequest through a will or living trust—many donors find a bequest
the most convenient way to leave a legacy to USA.
Charitable trust or other life income plan—various trust
arrangements such as charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable
remainder annuity trusts, and charitable lead trusts may enable you
simultaneously to make a gift to the University, retain income from the
assets, and secure a tax advantage.
Gifts of real and personal property—your gift of real estate, works of
art, collectibles, rare books, copyrights, and oil and gas interests may be
sold and the proceeds endowed or used for capital or operating funds.
Gifts of useable scientific equipment or computers may go immediately
into the classroom or research laboratory.
Gift with funds that are returned to you or passed to your loved
ones—you can make a gift of cash or other assets through an
arrangement that will provide USA with annual gifts over a specified
period and then pass the gift principal to your heirs or have it returned
to you. These creative gift plans offer valuable income, as well as gift and
estate tax savings, depending upon which type you choose.
IRA’s and qualified retirement plans—because these assets may be
subject to heavy taxation when passed to your heirs, they are wonderful
assets to consider using for charitable giving. Your gift can be made
simply by designating USA as a beneficiary of your retirement plan. If,
however, you meet the minimum age for withdrawals and would benefit
from a deduction to use against your current taxes, you might also
consider a lifetime distribution to USA. Due to the dynamic nature of
the law, you should consult your tax advisor prior to making such a gift.
Life insurance—a life insurance policy that is no longer needed can
be donated during your lifetime to support your favorite University
program. Such a gift offers you income and estate tax savings. USA
can also be named as a beneficiary of a new or existing policy.
“Taking the Lead” is published twice a year by the University of South Alabama Office of Development and Alumni Relations. This publication is distributed to those who have given $1,000 or more to USA in the 12
months preceding the current issue.
University of South Alabama
Office of Development
TRP III, Suite 2150
307 N. University Blvd.
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 506
Mobile, AL