F R I D AY, M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 0
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Midweek
memo
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Following this issue, the next issue of
Midweek Memo will be published in
the fall. Send submissions to
midweekmemo@usouthal.edu.
Message from President Moulton
Recently I was giving a group
of area business and civic leaders
a campus tour when one
remarked, and I’ll quote as best I
can, “In times like these, it’s great
to know we have the University
of South Alabama. USA will be
here today, tomorrow and forever,
leading our community forward
in education, health care,
economic growth and quality of
life. We’ve never needed USA
more than we do now.”
These spontaneous and
heartfelt comments gave me a
shiver of pride. I was reminded
that in difficult times, people look
toward those institutions that
they trust and depend on to
provide solutions to the
challenges of the day. We can all
take pride that our University has
such a hallowed place in the
hearts and minds of our many
constituencies.
As we take stock of another
academic year, it is clear that
through your determined efforts,
USA’s contributions in teaching,
research, service and health care
are making an unprecedented
positive impact on the lives of the
people we serve. Here are some
highlights:
• First and foremost, demand
for USA’s academic programs
grew to record levels, as
evidenced by a fall enrollment
of 15,007, including 2,819
graduate students. Student
quality set records as well -- a
direct result of the dedication
of our faculty and staff and
the strength of our academic
reputation.
• USA met the region’s health
care needs through more than
a quarter-million patient
treatment encounters through
our College of Medicine
physicians, USA Medical
Center, USA Children’s and
•
•
Women’s Hospital, and the
USA Mitchell Cancer
Institute. USA Health
System highlights included
groundbreaking on a major
expansion of USA Children’s
& Women’s Hospital, and a
substantial increase in
patients served by the
Mitchell Cancer Institute.
USA’s research and outreach
programs advanced
knowledge through scholarly
activity and addressed a wide
range of issues facing our
global community, from
improving health care to
protecting our coastal
environment to enhancing
our public schools. USA
faculty expertise was front
and center internationally as
the world turned to our
experts for answers related to
the Gulf oil spill. Our
faculty’s success at achieving
external contract and grant
funding and expanding our
doctoral degree production
led to the Carnegie
Foundation advancing USA
into the same institutional
classification as Auburn
University and the University
of Alabama, “Research
University: High.” This is a
compelling statement on the
quality of our faculty and our
institution.
USA enhanced student life
with the opening of the
Student Recreation Center
and the Dining Hall, both of
which have been popular
among faculty and staff as
well. Construction continued
on our Bookstore/Student
Center renovations and our
new residence hall, which will
increase the number of
students living on campus to
more than 3,000. Thanks to
financial support from
students, our young football
and marching band programs
continued to generate
considerable new interest in
the University.
• USA’s campus continued to
improve with the opening of
Moulton Tower and Alumni
Plaza, our new glass arts
studio and the Faculty Club.
Progress continued on Shelby
Hall, the future home of the
College of Engineering and
the School of Computer and
Information Sciences, as well
as the new specialized
laboratory building. Our
campus portals are almost
complete, and visitors are
already telling us that they
give the University a much
greater sense of place.
• USA ramped up its efforts
toward green living and
sustainability through the
new “Jag Smart” program,
featuring enhanced energy
conservation, improved
recycling and a free bicycle
use program for our students.
• Finally, and most
importantly, graduation will
mark the conferring of 2,846
academic degrees for the year,
bringing USA’s historic total
to 70,042.
This quick tally of
accomplishments is not
comprehensive, but provides an
impressive sampling of the
successes brought about through
your collective efforts. Equally
significant is that USA has faced
deeper funding cuts than most
universities across the nation, yet
we have moved boldly forward.
We have done more with less and
have been innovative in meeting
the needs of our community,
whether in the classroom or the
clinic.
There have been many high
points this year, but one that
gives me singular pride relates to
attitude and how our faculty and
staff have remained committed,
optimistic and generous even in
hard times. Just a few days ago,
we learned that in spite of the
recession, USA employees set a
record this year in the amount of
giving back to the institution in
our annual faculty and staff
campaign. Our employees were
also among the community’s
most generous in the annual
United Way Campaign. These
facts speak volumes about the
selflessness of our faculty and
staff.
Looking ahead, your
University continues to maneuver
through challenging economic
times. Because we are losing
federal stimulus funds, the
coming academic year will bring
the lowest combined state and
federal appropriations for USA
since the recession began. Even
so, our highest financial priority
will be to seek every possible way
to reward and retain our faculty
and staff, for it is only through
your dedication amid difficult
circumstances that we have been
able to keep the University on the
move. Hopefully this year will be
the bottom of this funding cycle.
The journey back will be slow
and sometimes erratic, but I am
confident we can stay the course
to continue to build a great
institution.
With deepest appreciation for
your vital role in the
accomplishments of our
University, I congratulate you on
another successful year, and wish
you a safe and productive
summer.
2
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
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NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Helping Tornado Victims — A variety of disaster-related supplies collected
during a week-long drive by members of the University’s Greek organizations
are prepared for shipping to tornado victims in north Alabama. Assisting with
the task are, from left, Courtney Bryant, marketing coordinator with
Aramark/South Alabama Dining; Leyton Spizner of Montgomery, a freshman
majoring in electrical engineering; Reece Harmon of McCalla, a freshman
majoring in mechanical engineering; Brigette Soderlind, USA coordinator of
student activities; and Paul Wingate, division manager, Hiller Supply Inc. of
Mobile. Soderlind said a group of the students will travel to the tornadostricken areas following final exams.
Dr. Steven Picou
USA Sociologist
Collaborates on Study
that Draws Parallels
Between Impact of BP
Oil Spill and Exxon
Valdez Disaster
New understanding of the
social and mental health impacts
of last year’s Deepwater Horizon
oil spill on south Mobile County
residents has come to light
following a University of South
Alabama research collaboration
that compares the disaster to the
1989 Exxon Valdez spill in
Cordova, Alaska.
Dr. Steven Picou, a professor
of sociology at USA, joined
Duane Gill of Oklahoma State
University and Liesel Ritchie of
the University of Colorado at
Boulder in a $36,000 National
Science Foundation study that
found spill-related psychological
stress in south Mobile County
five months after the event was
relatively high and similar to that
of residents in Cordova five
months after the Exxon Valdez
spill.
The study focused on
residents of Bayou La Batre,
Dauphin Island and numerous
other rural communities in south
Mobile County. A sample of
more than 400 residents age 18
or older responded to a random
telephone survey modeled after
research done following the
Exxon Valdez spill. The Mobile
County survey was administered
by the University of South
Alabama Polling Group in
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
September 2010 and included
those who had lived in the area
for more than one year.
Additional findings of the survey
included:
• If the trends observed in
Cordova hold true for
Alabama, significant spillrelated psychological stress can
be expected to continue in
south Mobile County over the
next decade.
• One-fifth of south Mobile
County respondents were in
the severe stress category and
another one-fourth were in
the moderate range. The
finding was similar to the
sample from Cordova in
which more than one-half of
residents were classified as
either severe or moderate.
• Higher levels of event-related
psychological stress among
south Mobile County
residents were consistently
related to family health
concerns, economic loss,
concern for future economic
loss, ties to ecosystem
resources and exposure to oil.
• Four out of 10 respondents
(43 percent) reported a
commercial connection to
coastal resources, and those
with connections to damaged/
threatened resources were
more likely to experience
higher levels of stress.
• People in lower income
categories and with lower
levels of education were more
likely to experience high levels
of stress.
• Approximately one out of
three respondents experienced
some type of exposure to oil,
and such exposure was
significantly related to higher
levels of stress.
• Sixty-six percent of
respondents reported negative
spill-related economic impacts
on their households.
• Fifty-six percent of
respondents indicated concern
about the threat of economic
loss; this was also significantly
related to higher levels of
stress.
3
The research team also found
that residents with commercial
ties to damaged natural resources
suffered the greatest impacts.
Based on what the scientists
have learned from years of
sociological study in Cordova,
they warn that it may be many
years before south Mobile
County residents rebound from
the Gulf disaster.
“Given the social scientific
evidence amassed over the years
in Prince William Sound,
Alaska, we can only conclude
that social disruption and
psychological stress will
characterize residents of Gulf
Coast communities for decades
to come,” the researchers stated
in a summary of their findings.
The long recovery is due
in part to the nature of
technological disasters, the
scientists said. Unlike hurricanes
and other natural disasters,
technological disasters pose a
unique challenge.
“Technological disasters, like
the BP spill, are characterized
by a series of anthropogenic
secondary disasters that unfold
over time,” Picou said. “For
Gulf Coast residents these
include the inadequate cleanup, the controversial use of
dispersants, the complex and
frustrating claims process and
emerging litigation.
“For example, BP attorneys
just rejected all legal claims for
losses due to the banning of
drilling and for boat damages to
vessels hired for the clean-up.
Such economic and legal issues
will become sources of
disruption and stress well into
the future.”
Picou has studied the impact
of the Exxon Valdez oil spill for
more than two decades,
examining the long-term social
consequences of the spill and,
most important, the community
impacts of 20 years of adversarial
litigation which resulted from
the massive contamination of
Prince William Sound in South
Central Alaska. He is also
involved in a five-year project on
community recovery from
Hurricane Katrina.
continued on next page
4
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
continued from previous page
Over the last year, Picou has
traveled throughout the Gulf
Coast collecting data on the
community impacts of the BP
spill and conducting peer listener
training sessions for local
volunteers. In March, he was
interviewed by The New York
Times regarding mental distress
in the aftermath of Japan’s
devastating tsunami and
subsequent radiation leak.
The results of the south
Mobile County study will be
published in upcoming editions
of the journals American
Behavioral Scientist and
Contexts.To learn more about
Picou and his work, visit
www.stevenpicou.com
McCall Family Gives
Massive Historic
Archival Collection
to USA
USA Archives to be
Renamed “The Doy
Leale McCall Rare Book
and Manuscript Library”
The University of South
Alabama today announced it has
received a gift of a massive,
historically important archival
collection of more than one million
documents from the early days of
Alabama statehood to the Civil
War and up to the early 20th
Century.
The Doy Leale McCall
Collection, a gift from the McCall
family, is appraised at some $3.1
million and features historical
documents related to Alabama and
the Black Belt, including:
• plantation documents;
• letters from prominent
national figures such as
Jefferson Davis, John C.
Calhoun, Henry Clay,
Raphael Semmes, P.G.T.
Beauregard and William
Jennings Bryan;
• land grants signed by U.S.
presidents;
• books and diaries;
• papers of Alabama’s third
governor, Israel Pickens,
including substantial materials
Major Donation to USA Archives — Family members of Doy Leale McCall
participated in the recent announcement of the donation of a massive historical
archival collection to the University. Attending the press conference, from left,
seated, are donors Doy Leale McCall III, Margaret McCall Rolfsen, John
McCall, USA President Gordon Moulton, USA Senior Vice for Academic
Affairs Dr. David Johnson, and USA Vice President for Development and
Alumni Relations Dr. Joseph Busta. Standing, USA Board of Trustees Chair
Jim Yance and Senior University Attorney Jean Tucker.
related to the Marquis de
Lafayette’s visit to Alabama in
1825;
• sheet music;
• numerous pieces of
correspondence from Alabama
notables such as James Dellet,
Sam Dale, Clement Comer
Clay, William Rufus King,
Henry Hitchcock, John Tyler
Morgan and Daniel Pratt; and,
• personal letters and diaries
generated during the Civil
War, many of which have
formed the basis of earlier
published work.
In recognition of the gift from
the McCall family, the University
will rename the USA Archives in
memory of Doy Leale McCall,
who collected half of the
antebellum manuscripts in the
collection. The remaining half of
the collection consists of Alabamarelated manuscripts and records
generated by forbearers to the
present McCall family, with
materials dating from the late 18th
century to the early 20th century.
“The McCall family has given
the University a wonderful treasure
that underscores the institution’s
role as an interpreter and preserver
of our history and culture, as well
as provides our faculty, our students
and historians from around the
world an opportunity for unique
research and scholarship,” said
USA President Gordon Moulton.
“We are honored that the
McCall family put its trust in USA
with this important gift, and we
look forward to sharing the
discoveries in the collection in the
years to come.”
The current USA Archives will
be renamed “The Doy Leale
McCall Rare Book and
Manuscript Library” and will be
moved from the Springhill Avenue
campus to the USA main campus
in the near future. The massive
collection will take time to
organize. It will be opened to the
public, in sections, as it is processed
over the next few years.
Doy Leale McCall was the late
grandfather of Doy Leale McCall
III, Margaret McCall Rolfsen and
John Peter Crook McCall, three
siblings who donated the collection
to USA.
Speaking for his family, Mobile
attorney John McCall said he was
happy the collection would be
archived by professionals at USA
for use by scholars, historians and
the general public.
“Everyone in the family
recognized that the collection
needed to be placed in the public
domain. We are very pleased and
excited that these materials will
now be available for research and
scholarship, and we are particularly
pleased that the collection will be
housed in Mobile here at USA,”
John McCall said.
USA Vice President for
Development and Alumni
Relations Dr. Joseph Busta said of
the gift, “The McCall collection is
one of the most important gifts
ever given to immediately and
significantly enhance the
scholarship and academic
reputation of the University of
South Alabama.”
USA’s archivist Carol Ellis
said the collection has been a
fascinating discovery for her as
she and a team of staff and
students begin to process the huge
trove of documents. Much of the
collection came to the library in
century-old steamer trunks where
archivists discovered antebellum
records that had remained
undisturbed for over 150 years.
“The Doy Leale McCall
collection of materials on the
Alabama Black Belt will raise the
profile of the USA archives and
give current and future students,
as well as historians, a fresh look
at the history of our state during
its formative years and into the
20th century,” Ellis said. “We
hope the contribution of these
papers will encourage others to
make available similar collections
currently in private hands.”
Dr. David Alsobrook, who is
director of the Museum of Mobile
and previously worked at several
Presidential libraries, said the
McCall collection will offer new
insights for historians of the
Jacksonian era and the Civil War.
“The McCall collection cuts a
wide swath through U.S. and
Southern history--from the
antebellum era through the early
20th century,” he said. “Perhaps
the most obvious value
of the entire McCall collection is
that these comprehensive family
papers will allow scholars to
examine the historic fabric as a
whole -- politics, financial affairs,
culture, personal relationships, etc.
For Civil War scholars, this
collection will be a treasure trove.”
Dr. Mel McKiven, USA
associate professor of history and
a 19th century expert who has
previewed the collection, said it
contains letters and other
documents that will greatly
continued on next page
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
continued from previous page
expand scholars’ understanding of
the political, social, economic, and
cultural development of 19th
century Alabama. He also noted
that USA students involved in
processing the collection will have
a unique historical and archival
experience.
“The McCall collection may be
the largest single collection of 19th
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
century private family
correspondence and business
records in the state. When fully
processed, it may be one of the
largest collections of primary
source documents about Alabama
in the region, if not the nation,” he
said. “Professional historians,
students, and others doing research
on Alabama, the South, and the
United States generally during the
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
19th century will certainly want to
examine the holdings of this
collection.”
Baylor University history
Professor Dr. Michael Parrish, who
appraised the McCall collection,
said, “The Doy Leale McCall
collection is one of the finest
archives of Southern history ever
discovered. Every serious scholar
who focuses on the tumultuous
5
19th century will want to utilize
the collection's rich and unique
sources. By rendering such a
generous donation to the
University of South Alabama, the
McCall family has made a truly
superb contribution to Southern
culture and education.”
Send USA Campus
Calendar Events Today
Items may be submitted to
the calendar the following ways:
• E-mail items to
midweekmemo@usouthal.edu
and pubrel@usouthal.edu
• Fax to the Office of Public
Relations at 460-7827
• Mail to the Office of Public
Relations in Room 256,
Administration Building
• Use the submission form on the
calendar page Web site
You can access the calendar at
www.southalabama.edu/
usacal/campuscalendar
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A Unique Collection — This never-before-seen collection from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries contains material on the economic, business, political and social
history of the South, with an emphasis on Alabama. An historical treasure trove, this vast collection includes: plantation documents, such as a slave catalog; letters
from Jefferson Davis, John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay; land grants signed by U.S. presidents; books and diaries; papers of the third governor of the state; sheet
music; and, personal letters by families of Civil War soldiers.
6
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
The Economic Development
Partnership of Alabama has
tapped the University of South
Alabama to partner on a yearlong
project with other universities and
colleges in the state to create
economic development strategies
for counties in Alabama most
affected by the Gulf oil spill.
The project is funded by a
$593,500 grant from the
Economic Development
Administration, $400,000
from the Alabama Industry
Competitiveness Foundation
and the EDPA Foundation, and
$78,000 in in-kind services from
Aegis Technologies for a total of
more than $1 million.
The project will engage
resources from across the state
and will result in both short and
long-term strategic plans to
encourage economic recovery
and economic sustainability in
eight Alabama counties,
including Mobile, Baldwin,
Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh,
Escambia, Monroe and
Washington counties.
“The oil spill affected
countless Alabamians and
business owners,” said Alabama
Gov. Robert Bentley. “Although
the Gulf Coast counties were
ground zero for the spill, the
impact is felt statewide, which is
of even more importance during
already challenging economic
times.
“The collaboration of the
business community, government
and universities represents the
best of Alabama, and this
strategic approach to economic
development is why Alabama
will emerge from this crisis a
stronger, more competitive
state.”
With the EDPA overseeing the
project, the organization and its
partners will address workforce
development, transportation
infrastructure and health care
needs in target areas. USA will
conduct economic impact analyses
on suggested growth target sectors
to help the region prioritize
economic development projects
that will provide the greatest
growth opportunity. It will also
partner with the University of
Alabama at Birmingham on field
work and strategies designed to
lessen the economic impact on
health care issues.
Leading the USA research
effort are Dr. Donald Epley,
USA Distinguished Professor of
Real Estate and director of the
Center for Real Estate Studies,
and Carl Taylor, assistant dean of
the College of Medicine and
director of the Center for
Strategic Health Innovation.
“We couldn’t be happier to
be joining the EDPA and
colleagues from around the
state in this opportunity,” said
Dr. Russ Lea, vice president for
research at USA. “More than
23 USA researchers have been
working on some $2.6 million in
oil-spill-related research since
the spill began. Thanks to this
grant, they’ll be able to integrate
what they’ve learned into
strategies to help the affected
counties and the state strengthen
our region’s capacities for
bouncing back from such events
in the future.”
Other partners on the EDPA
project include the Alabama
Community College System,
Auburn University and
University of Alabama in
Huntsville, which will
collaborate with Huntsvillebased Aegis Technologies.
The private, nonprofit EDPA
assembled a partnership with
research universities and the
Alabama College System in
applying for the grant.
“EDPA recognized an
opportunity to leverage federal
dollars to further a mission of
ours: To identify the intellectual
capital in Alabama that can be
applied to economic development
Dr. Donald Epley
Dr. Russ Lea
Dr. Carl Taylor
Annual Fund Campaign Breaks Record — At the recent luncheon are, from
left, Veronica Hudson, a nurse-manager at USA Children’s & Women’s
Hospital who gave the invocation; Dean of Students Dr. Michael Mitchell;
Dr. Fred Meyer, chair of orthopedics; USA President Gordon Moulton; and
USA Development Director Ginny Turner.
USA 2011 Faculty Staff
Annual Fund Campaign
Raises Record $567,356
University employees donated
a record $567,356 in gifts and
matching funds during the 2011
Faculty Staff Annual Fund
campaign, surpassing the
$501,632 goal. Some 67 percent
of University employees
participated, with 50
departments achieving 100
percent giving participation.
Dr. Fred Meyer, professor and
chair of orthopedics, and Dean
of Students Dr. Michael
Mitchell served as co-chairs of
the campaign, whose theme was
“The Power of You.”
Funds support University
students, programs and those
served by the University. The
campaign’s annual success is in
great part due to the division
and department representatives
who distribute campaign
brochures, posters, and pledge
cards.
In further evidence of their
generosity, USA employees also
contributed $268,072 to the
United Way of Southwest
Alabama Campaign, ranking
USA among the highest givers
in the region.
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
USA Joins Effort to
Assist Counties
Most Affected by Oil
Spill
continued on next page
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
continued from previous page
planning and build a framework
for future collaboration,” said
EDPA President Bill Taylor.
“We have valuable assets in
the state and we believe there is
a way to harness them in a more
effective manner,” continued
Taylor, who has also been
selected by Gov. Bentley to
develop a strategic plan to align
Alabama’s job creation and
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
workforce development
resources. “The work done
through this grant won’t stop
here. It will result in a regional,
collaborative process that can be
replicated in other areas of the
state to address critical areas of
need and spur job retention and
growth.”
The EDPA-led project
connects with and builds upon
efforts already under way in the
region, including those by the
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Coastal Recovery Commission
of Alabama. The commission
was created by executive order
in 2010 to analyze regional
vulnerabilities exposed by the
oil spill and to recommend
strategies to make coastal
Alabama more resilient in the
face of future challenges. USA
President Gordon Moulton
served on the board of the CRC,
which recently formed the
Coastal Alabama Leadership
7
Council to facilitate
implementation of CRC
recommendations.
When the new EDPA project
is complete, the organization will
present its findings to the
Economic Development
Administration, which will use
the report to aid in prioritizing
future federal funds to the
region.
SGA Honors — Lt. Tammy Orso, left, USA Police Department, and Dr. Jim
Connors, assistant professor of geology and chair of the Faculty Senate, were
recognized at the 2010-2011 Student Government Association Banquet. Orso
was presented the Barbara Shirvanian “Staff Member of the Year” Award.
Connors received the Glenn Sebastian “Faculty Member of the Year” Award
for the second consecutive year.
Visiting Lecturer — Dr. Mary Roldan, center, the Dorothy Epstein Professor
of Latin American History at Hunter College, City University of New York, is
greeted by faculty members at the 2011 Howard F. Mahan Lecture, where she
served as guest lecturer. From left are Dr. Clarence Mohr, chair of the
department of history; Dr. David Johnson, senior vice president for academic
affairs; Roldan, Dr. Mollie Nouwen, assistant professor of history; and
Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
USA Hosts 2011 Computing Day — School of Computer and Information
Sciences Dean Dr. Alec Yasinsac, left, is pleased with the successful turnout of
more than 100 high school students for the annual Computing Day program
held at the Student Center. The students listened to speakers from local
businesses, and several USA students gave presentations to the high school
students about current CIS projects. The event was hosted by the SSI Group, a
health care management technology company, and the School of Computer
and Information Sciences. Joining Yasinsac are, from left, Melissa Smith, CIS
instructor and event coordinator; and Nik Martin, president of ServerCorps,
an information technology company located in the USA Technology and
Research Park.
8
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Dr. Burke Johnson
Johnson Collaborates
on Four Books
Dr. Burke Johnson, professor
of professional studies in the
College of Education, recently
co-wrote new editions of three
books and was one of four
editors of another book.
Johnson and Dr. Larry
Christensen, chair of the
department of psychology,
revised the fourth edition of
their educational research
methods book, “Educational
Research: Quantitative,
Qualitative, and Mixed
Approaches” published by
Sage in 2011.
Johnson also collaborated with
Paul Vogt, emeritus professor of
research methods and evaluation
at Illinois State University, in
writing the fourth edition of the
“Dictionary of Statistics and
Methodology: A Nontechnical
Guide for the Social Sciences.”
This book was published by Sage
in 2011.
Johnson co-wrote with
Christensen and Dr. Lisa Turner,
professor of psychology, a new
edition of Christensen’s
“Experimental Methodology”
book. Because of the changes to
the previous 10th edition,
Christensen, Johnson, and
Turner gave the new 11th
edition a new title: “Research
Methods, Design, and Analysis.”
This book was published by
Pearson in 2011.
Johnson was one of four editors
of “The Sage Glossary of the
Social and Behavioral Sciences”
published by Sage in 2009.
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
In addition to his work on the
four books, from 2009-11
Johnson authored or co-authored
seven chapters, four journal
articles, and 11 conference
papers, and he presented four
keynote addresses. At present,
Johnson is guest editing a special
issue on mixed methods research
for the American Behavioral
Scientist and he is editing, with
Vogt, a four-volume set of books
on correlation and regression to
be published next year by Sage
(London, UK division).
Orthopaedic
Rehabilitation Center
Celebrates Five-Year
Anniversary
The University’s Orthopaedic
Rehabilitation Center recently
celebrated its 5th anniversary at
its new location at 2 Medical
Park in West Mobile. In 2006,
the center moved from
Knollwood Hospital to the
USA Orthopaedic Surgery
clinic, giving patients convenient
access to both the surgeons and
therapists.
Roy Daigle, associate dean of
computer and information
sciences, and a physical therapy
patient, said the department has
been very successful in creating a
professional environment. “I like
the atmosphere they have created
there, and I would absolutely
recommend them to anyone,” he
said. “The atmosphere is friendly
and inviting, and everyone
knows you. They follow a teamoriented collaborative approach
that I really like.”
Daigle started physical therapy
to avoid surgery on his shoulder,
but he soon learned that surgery
was inevitable. After having
rotator cuff surgery, Daigle
started therapy with physical
therapist Mark Leflore. He said
all of the therapists at the
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Center have a strong connection
with their patients. “I observed
what was happening during
therapy, and I saw that they all
find ways to achieve the
objectives without boring the
Celebrating an Anniversary — Employees of the University’s Orthopaedic
Rehabilitation Center celebrate its 5th anniversary at 2 Medical Park in West
Mobile. Enjoying the day are, from left, Heather Wiggins, physical therapist;
Mark Leflore, physical therapist; Frances Howell, physical therapist assistant;
Sheri Kovaleski, physical therapist; Joan Friedlander, physical therapist; Renee
Hall, occupational therapist and supervisor; Susan Bishop, occupational
therapist; Willie Wallace, therapy aide; Billie Pastuszek, therapy clerk.
patient,” he said. “You aren’t
doing the same repetitive thing
over and over again.
“I have achieved so much, and
I know that I will be where I
want to be because of their
tremendous help,” Daigle said.
Another patient, Kim King,
began therapy following an
injury that shattered the radius
of her wrist in November.
During her therapy sessions, she
works with her occupational
therapist, Susan Bishop, to build
up strength and improve range
of motion. “It’s coming along
very well,” said King, a pharmacy
technician at USA Children’s
and Women’s Hospital. “It’s
slow, but I see improvements
every day.
“Susan’s awesome,” King said.
“She’s understanding, and I
know that I can sit down and
talk to her because she is a great
listener. I’ve been with her for so
long, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Although King has never
attended occupational therapy
sessions prior to this injury, she
said the entire experience has
been a positive one. “Right when
you walk in the door, everyone
smiles and asks about your day,”
King said. “The new location is
also very convenient because my
physician and therapist are in the
same building.”
Teresa Englestead, manager of
credit and collection for the
USA hospitals, has been seeing
physical therapist Joan
Friedlander on and off for three
years because of issues with her
neck, hip and knees.
“This department has always
been very accommodating,
especially now that therapy is
located alongside the
physicians,” she said.
Englestead said Friedlander fit
her program to suit what was
going on in her life. “Joanie is a
great listener, and she has helped
me so much,” Englestead said.
“She has taught me what to do
at home, and the therapy has
made me feel much better. I feel
like I have a great relationship
with my therapist, and that’s
what is most important.”
The USA Orthopaedic
Rehabilitation Center provides
outpatient physical and
occupational therapy to treat a
wide range of injuries and
conditions. To learn more, call
(251) 665-8201 or visit
www.usahealthsystem.com.
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Dr. Carole W. Boudreaux
Boudreaux Appointed
Assistant Dean for
Graduate Medical
Education
Dr. Carole W. Boudreaux,
associate professor of pathology
at the University of South
Alabama College of Medicine,
was recently appointed assistant
dean for graduate medical
education.
“Dr. Boudreaux has been a
long-standing faculty member
and has always been
extraordinarily conscientious and
diligent in all of her duties and
responsibilities,” said Dr. Samuel
J. Strada, dean of the USA
College of Medicine. “I am sure
she will bring those same
qualities to this new role and
that she will do an outstanding
job in the position.”
Boudreaux will replace
Dr. Arnold Luterman, professor
of surgery at the USA College
of Medicine, who has held the
position since 2004.
“The assistant dean for
graduate medical education is
chair of the Graduate Medical
Education Committee
comprised of program directors,
administrators and faculty with
specific interests and expertise in
graduate medical education,”
Luterman said. “Dr. Boudreaux
brings extensive experience as a
program director and a
dedication to the graduate
medical education field.”
During Luterman’s tenure as
assistant dean of medical
education, significant advances
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
have been made in the graduate
medical education curriculum as
well as in benefits for residents,
the development of a central
office for graduate medical
education and the institution of
a new era of improved work
hours, more accountable
evaluations for residents, and the
expansion and development of
new graduate medical education
programs.
“Dr. Boudreaux has served for
many years as the pathology
residency program director, and
her hard work, careful attention
to the complex and changing
rules, and genuine and deep
concern for the residents have
produced great success for the
program,” said Dr. J. Allan
Tucker, chair of pathology at the
USA College of Medicine. “I am
excited for her to have the
opportunity to apply these skills
and abilities at the institutional
level, where she will no doubt be
equally successful.”
Boudreaux received her
medical degree from the
Louisiana State University
School of Medicine, and
completed a residency in
anatomic and clinical pathology
at USA. She has served as both
the pathology residency program
director at USA and as a
member of the Graduate
Medical Education Committee
for more than five years.
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Mississippi pioneered the miniconference, which aims to
highlight important
contributions of undergraduate
students in ongoing research at
USA, USM and SLU in fields
including physics, mathematics,
statistics, and meteorology.
This year’s meeting was
coordinated by SLU faculty in
the department of chemistry and
physics, Dr. Sanichiro Yoshida
and Dr. William Parkinson.
The USA delegation, headed
by Clark, included Dr. Romulus
Godang, assistant professor of
physics; Dr. Albert Gapud,
assistant professor of physics;
Dr. Scott Carter, professor of
mathematics and statistics; four
physics students and two
mathematics and statistics
students.
9
Gapud delivered a faculty
presentation, “Superconductors:
What We Are Learning from
Nano-vortices (by Pushing
Them Around).”
Physics students Shannon
Eynon and Christopher
Buchanan presented
“Measurement of the Branching
Fraction of the Upsilon (4S)
Resonance” and “Measurement
of the Exclusive Branching
Fraction of B0 Meson.”
Mathematics and statistics
student David Mullens presented
“Heron’s Formula from a 4Dimensional Perspective.”
A total of 12 talks were made
by USA and SLU participants.
About 50 people attended the
mini-conference.
Departments of
Physics, Mathemathics
and Statistics
Participate in
Undergraduate
Research Conference
Ten faculty members and
students from the departments
of physics and mathematics and
statistics participated recently in
the 20th Mini-Conference of
Undergraduate Research in the
Mathematical Sciences held at
Southeastern Louisiana
University in Hammond, La.
In 1991, Dr. Kent Clark,
professor of physics, and
colleagues from SLU and the
University of Southern
Helping Undergraduate Research — Faculty members and students from the
department of physics and the department of mathematics and statistics
participated recently in the 20th Mini-Conference of Undergraduate Research
in the Mathematical Sciences held on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana
University in Hammond, La. Faculty participants included, back row from left,
Dr. Albert Gapud, assistant professor of physics; Dr. Kent Clark, professor of
physics; and Dr. Romulus Godang, assistant professor of physics. Participating
physics students included, front row from left, Robert Ian Leatherbury; Rafi
Qumsieh, Shannon Eynon and Christopher Buchanan.
10
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Dr. Srinivas Palanki
NSF Awards
$200,000 Grant
to Engineering Faculty
The National Science
Foundation has awarded a
$200,000 grant to the
department of chemical and
biomolecular engineering for a
unique program that will
incorporate the study of
nanotechnology across three
different departments in the
College of Engineering.
Dr. Srinivas Palanki, professor
and chair of the department of
chemical and biomolecular
engineering, will be the principal
investigator. Dr. Kuang-Ting
Hsiao, associate professor of
mechanical engineering, and Dr.
Mark Adams, assistant professor
of electrical and computer
engineering, will be co-principal
investigators.
The project is “NUE: An
Interdisciplinary Modular
Approach to Nanodevices and
Nanotechnology Objectives
Through Engineering via
Cyberlearning (AIM AT
NANOTEC).” It will use recent
innovations in engineering
education, coupled with video
creation technology, to develop a
set of modules for integration
into several sophomore, junior
and senior core courses in three
different departments in the
College of Engineering—
chemical and biomolecular,
mechanical, and electrical and
computer engineering.
The proposed program
is a unique approach that
combines faculty research in
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
nanotechnology-based devices
with an interdisciplinary
blended-learning format that
integrates nanotechnology
concepts in core engineering
classes. Students will have the
necessary tools in their senior
year to participate in cuttingedge projects that involve the
development of nanotechnologybased devices.
The NSF has estimated that
the world will require two
million trained nanotechnologists by 2015.
USA’s Our
Neighborhood
Healthcare Clinic
to Present Lecture on
Stroke Prevention
The University’s Our
Neighborhood Healthcare Clinic
will host “The Power to End
Stroke” on Thursday, May 19,
noon until 1:30 p.m., in the
USA Medical Center third-floor
conference room.
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Amy Beasley, nursing project
coordinator at the Medical
Center, will present the program.
The lecture is part of Our
Neighborhood Healthcare Clinic’s
new Learning Collaborative, a
community lunch-and-learn
program that features different
topics each month on health and
wellness.
The Learning Collaborative is
one of several programs offered
through Our Neighborhood
Healthcare Clinic, a fast-track
urgent care clinic that provides
after-hours treatment. The clinic
also has a diabetes support group
as well as weight loss and
nutrition programs.
Stroke survivors and their
caregivers are invited to join the
community stroke support group,
which meets on the third Tuesday
of each month in the Medical
Center tenth-floor dining room.
The meetings include educational
presentations, dinner and door
prizes. For more information,
contact Beasley at
(251) 471-7752.
Southern Literary Trail Festival — Dr. Kern Jackson, assistant professor of
English and director of African-American Studies, center, congratulates two of
his undergraduate students, Elijah McLaughlin, left, and Travis Davis, right,
for their outstanding dramatic reading in the roles of writer Albert Murray and
his friend Ralph Ellison, author of the acclaimed 1952 novel, “Invisible Man.”
The reading was one of many events held during the Southern Literary Trail
Festival 2011. Murray, a native of Mobile, published his exchanges with
Ellison as excerpts in his book “Trading Twelves: The Selected Letters of
Ralph Ellison and Albert Murray.” Jackson felt it was important to include
Murray’s book as a selection for his students to read. He also selected
McLaughlin and Davis to provide the dramatic reading, which was held at the
Ben May Library. New York Magazine recently named Manhattan resident
Murray, who is in his 90s, as one of the city’s cultural icons.
To make reservations for the
stroke prevention lecture, or for
more information on clinic
services, the Learning
Collaborative, diabetes support
group, or other clinic-sponsored
programs and events, call
(251) 471-7944. Information
is also available at
www.southalabama.edu/nursing/
onhc.
Our Neighborhood
Healthcare Clinic is operated by
the College of Nursing and
funded through a five-year grant
from the Health Resources and
Services Administration.
Wanted: More Dogs
To Visit Patients At
USA Children’s &
Women’s Hospital
Pediatric patients at the
University of South Alabama
Children’s & Women’s Hospital
look especially forward to
Thursdays. That’s when the
hospital’s weekly “Pet Therapy”
program pays a visit.
Each Thursday afternoon,
specially trained dogs go roomto-room to see the youngsters
and brighten their day.
However, with the number of
hospitalized children increasing,
there’s a need for more dogs to
join the Pet Therapy program at
Children’s & Women’s.
“Pet therapy is a winning
program for patients and their
families, our staff and volunteers,
and the community as a whole,”
Belinda Baggett, director of
volunteer services at USA
Children’s & Women’s Hospital,
said. The program is operated
through the hospital’s Volunteer
Services department.
Dogs and their handlers must
be screened by the hospital and
meet the requirements set by the
Delta Society, a human-services
organization dedicated to
improving people's health and
well-being through positive
interactions with animals.
Presently, the hospital’s auxiliary
is offering two scholarships for
training. This will cover the text
continued on page 12
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
Thankss to the University
Un
niversity off South Alabama
Alaabama
Medica
al Center,
Centerr, my
m sons can
caan still duck
k hunt
Medical
with the
their
eir dad.
On a foggy
On
foggg y winter
winteer morning
morning in the Mobile
Mobi
o ile River
River Delta,
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huntin
ng trip suddenly became a life or death
situation
it ti when
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waterr. B
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pulled ashore,
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re was only one
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there
could treat
trreeat my degree
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Traauma C
eenter at the University
Uni
niversity of South Alabama
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ma Medical
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Center
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eforre my accide
ent, I wasn't awar
re that when the worst case scenario
scen
nario occurs, your
your life depends
deepends on
Before
accident,
aware
having access to a unique hospital whosee doctors and staff are
arre specifically
speecifically trained
trrained
a
cerrtified to tr
reat
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and certified
treat
the most severe
severre tr
raauma injuries. M
expeerience taught me why we
we are
arre so blessed to have
have the USA
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Myy experience
M
eedical Center,
Ceenterr, which houses the only Level
L el I trauma
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trraauma center in our region.
region.
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to the
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edical C
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ons ccan
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caare.
11
12
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
NEWS FOR USA EMPLOYEES
continued from page 10
manual, registration with the
Delta Society and testing fees.
For more information, call ( 251)
666-6589 or (251) 602-1612.
USA Children’s & Women’s
Hospital is among fewer than
ten freestanding hospitals in the
country dedicated specifically to
the health care needs of children
and women, offering Mobile’s
only neonatal and pediatric
intensive care units, pediatric
oncology and sickle cell
outpatient center and high-risk
obstetrical care. With more than
2,800 births annually, USA
Children’s & Women’s Hospital
is the area’s leader in deliveries.
A major expansion that will
nearly double the size of USA
Children’s & Women’s Hospital
is scheduled to be completed in
2013, recognizing the
community’s validation of the
hospital’s quality of care and the
hospital’s opportunity to
continue to meet the needs of a
varied and growing population.
For more information about
USA Children’s & Women’s
Hospital, please visit
www.southalabama.edu/usacwh
or call (251) 415-1000.
Whistleblower Hotline Available for
Reporting Misconduct
The University of South Alabama has created a Whistleblower Hotline to enable
employees and members of the university community to report misconduct, fraud, waste or
abuse of University resources.
“As a public university, USA is dedicated to proper use and protection of resources, as well
as adherence to all state and federal laws,” said Steve Simmons, senior associate vice
president for financial affairs. “This hotline, located in internal audit, allows all employees
to participate in the process of ensuring that the university achieves this goal.”
Individuals can report any suspected offenses of fraud, theft, waste, abuse or violations of
University policies and/or state or federal laws. Whistleblowers can have their identity
shielded.
Whistleblower reportable offenses include unethical reporting of information or financial
transactions, embezzlement, payroll fraud or time sheet abuse, contract or procurement
violations, misuse of donor funds, funded grant violations, kickbacks or bribes, conflicts of
interest, ethics violations, inappropriate use of technology, endangerment of public health or
safety, research misconduct or medical ethics violations, inappropriate use of intellectual
property, and athletic misconduct.
Individuals who suspect misconduct have several reporting options:
• Whistleblower Phone Line/Voice Mail: (251) 460-6393;
• e-mail: Internalaudit@usouthal.edu;
• downloadable form from website www.southalabama.edu/whistleblower/;
• mail: Internal Audit, 307 University Blvd, Rm. 180 AD Mobile, AL 36688; or
• fax: (251) 461-1497
For more information on how to make a report, go to www.southalabama.edu/whistleblower/
located on the USA internal audit web page.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
CAMPUS CALENDAR
Monday, May 16, 2011
The USA Innovation in Learning Center will host the South Alabama
Conference on Teaching and Learning at the Pat Capps Covey College of
Allied Health Professions on the main campus. The conference will feature
30 oral presentations across nine sessions and include a poster presentation
session. All presentations are peer reviewed. Lunch will be provided.
Keynote speakers will be Dr. Maryellen Weimer, professor emeritus of
teaching and learning at Penn State University and 2005 winner of Pen
State’s Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching; and
Dr. Sarah Robbins, director of emerging technologies at the Kelley School
of Business at Indiana University and an expert in virtual worlds and
Web 2.0 technologies. The conference is open to the public for a
$40 registration fee that covers meals and the program. The fee for
USA faculty and graduate students will be $25. For more information
and to register for the conference, visit www.usapetal.net/cotl/.
Got Calendar Info?
E-mail items to midweekmemo@usouthal.edu
Deadline for 10 percent discount to children of faculty and staff for
Rick Pietri’s Lady Jag Basketball Camps. This discount is not available
through the camp Web site, www.ladyjagbasketballcamps.com. Deposits
and/or payments may be made at 1208 Mitchell Center, or mailed to
5950 Old Shell Rd., Mobile AL 36688. Please include “J” number when
making payment. For more information, call the Women’s Basketball Office
at (251) 460-7961.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fairhope Film Series presents “As It Is in Heaven,” 7 p.m., USA Baldwin
County’s Performance Center. For more information, call Kathy Ferniany at
(251) 928-8133.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Classes begin for full/first term of summer.
Editor: Alice Jackson. “Midweek Memo” is published by the Office of Public Relations for University of South Alabama personnel.
News should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event. Visit us at www.southalabama.edu/publicrelations/midweek/