‘Changing Lives to Change the World’ more than a saying at University of Mobile

‘Changing Lives to Change the World’ more than a saying at University of Mobile

Changing lives to change the world happens in a moment,” said Dr. Mark Foley, president of the University of Mobile.

It’s a moment when a professor and a student truly connect, when such values as faith, learning, conviction, integrity, stewardship and leadership are transferred from teacher to student.

As classes began Aug. 13 at Alabama’s youngest Baptist university, that special moment continues to happen over a thousand times each day as professors dedicate their lives to teaching by words and actions that excellence extends beyond the classroom.

Foley said Alabama Baptists have a world-wide impact through the University of Mobile.

“Through the direct influence of our students, graduates, faculty and staff, this university is having a positive influence for Jesus Christ in our community, our nation and around the world,” Foley said.

“The reason the University of Mobile exists is to produce confident Christian men and women who have mastered the body of knowledge required by the degree they hold and who know how to think; who know what they believe and why they believe it; who possess the courage to live and work according to those beliefs; who accept responsibility as caretakers of that which God has entrusted them; and who posses the willingness and skill to use their influence in appropriate and effective ways to change the world around them,” Foley added.

The president pointed to the impact the university’s graduates have as leaders in a variety of fields.

“With the touch of a doctor in Ghana, through the influence of a coach in a high school gym, in a Nashville recording studio, when a business owner takes a risk to follow a dream, as a city council member guides a community to prosperity, when a nurse relieves pain and fear, or a minister leads a congregation to a closer relationship with the Lord, our graduates are changing lives to change the world,” Foley said.

The university has special preview days during the year for high school juniors and seniors to visit campus and take a closer look at the school, which offers 45 areas of study through the College of Arts and Sciences; Center for Performing Arts; schools of business, Christian studies, education and nursing; Center for Adult Programs and graduate school.

Preview days provide an overview of the university, with information sessions on financial aid, admission, campus life, academics and more.

Preview days are Sept. 26 and Nov. 7 in 2008; and Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and March 27 in 2009.

Visit Fridays are more individualized campus visit days where students meet with admissions and financial aid counselors, visit a class and talk with professors and current students in their chosen field of study. Visit Fridays are Sept. 12; Oct. 3, 10 and 24, and Nov. 21.

To register for a Preview Day, Visit Friday or arrange a campus visit on another day, sign up online at www.umobile.edu/visit or call Enrollment Services at 251-442-2273 or 800-WIN-RAMS.

A variety of mission trips are offered to the general public and UM students through the University Missions program of the School of Christian Studies.

College credit is available for trips which are scheduled for Chile, New Zealand, Greece, Ireland, Guatemala, Brazil Wales, England, Mali, Isle of Man and the Middle East.

Since 1992, University Missions has sent 1,266 people to 33 nations, raising more than $3.5 million including in-kind gifts for construction, supplies and travel expenses and recording more than 10,300 professions of faith.

For information, visit www.umobile.edu/universitymissions or call Dr. Cecil Taylor, dean of the School of Christian Studies, at 251-442-2255.

From small-group Bible studies to the weekly True Spin campus-wide Bible study and monthly First Wednesday chapel, students are growing spiritually as well as academically at the University of Mobile.

The annual “Dinner on the Run” progressive dinner Aug. 15 introduces students to college ministry programs at area churches.

“Urban Plunge,” a 48-hour inner-city missions trip, will send teams of students to Auburn, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Starkville, Miss.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 31–Nov. 2.

A variety of concerts are planned throughout the school year, as well as activities ranging from the annual Snowman Build to the Crawfish Boil.

With graduates performing at the Dove Awards, leading worship in churches throughout the nation and acting in nationally released movies, the Center for Performing Arts (CPA) is gaining national attention.

A variety of concerts are planned throughout the year; contact the CPA at 251-442-2420 or visit www.umobile.edu/news for details.

The popular “Christmas Spectacular” showcasing the talents of students and faculty will be presented Nov. 19 and 20 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile. Admission is $5 to the 6:45 p.m. performances. More than 5,000 people attend the event each year, which celebrates the Christmas season with sacred and secular music.

The new Early Decision Program assures high school seniors and incoming college freshmen a seat in the School of Nursing without waiting to complete several years of college before admittance.

Students may begin hands-on clinical observations at area hospitals during their freshman and sophomore years. For information, call Enrollment Services or the School of Nursing at 251-442-2337.

Keep up with news and events throughout the year by signing up for UM NewsNet email newsletter at www.umobile.edu/news. (UM)