As the University of Mobile (UM) focuses on its vision of “Changing Lives to Change the World,” the university is celebrating some changes of its own as the new academic year begins. Construction will begin on a new residence hall, the new Center for Performing Arts welcomes new professors, and new students will arrive soon on campus.
As residence halls open Aug. 16 and classes begin Aug. 20, incoming and returning students will notice new places and new faces at UM.
The largest physical change soon to be seen on campus this academic year will be the construction of a new residence hall. The $2.6- million, three-story dormitory will house an additional 102 students. Ground breaking will take place this fall on the nearly 26,000-square-foot facility, and it is expected to be ready for students enrolling for the fall 2004 semester.
UM will also welcome a new food service provider to campus. Airmark will offer enhanced menu options and extended hours of operation.
Several renovation projects were under way this summer on the UM campus. Some of the summer renovations took place in the J.L. Bedsole Library, the nursing building, the chemistry lab, the athletic training education building, the school of education building and the baseball complex.
The sound of change
The biggest change on campus is the creation of the Center for Performing Arts. Leading the center is director Roger Breland, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and founder of the contemporary Christian group Truth.
Al Miller, a choral director whose choir performed at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., in February has been named senior academic fellow and assistant professor of music for the Center for Performing Arts.
Donald Wolf has been named director of instrumental music. Before joining the faculty at UM, Wolf served as pastor of worship and the arts and producer/music director/arranger of the adult, youth and children’s productions at Evergreen Christian Fellowship in Issaquah, Washington. He also performed as lead trombonist and vocal soloist for the Mach One Jazz Orchestra in Bellevue, Wash.
UM’s recent StarLight outdoor music festival is an example of the types of changes in store through UM’s new Center for Performing Arts.
The festival brought more than 3,300 people to campus last spring and featured Ricky Skaggs, Alicia Williamson and Jason Guy. The next StarLight is set for April 13, 2004.
Some changes have also taken place in faculty and staff positions.
Some are new faces, and some are familiar faces in new places.
Don Berry, formerly professor of religion, is now serving as registrar.
Larry Turner, associate professor of education, has been named dean of the school of education.
Jeffrey Quiett has been named associate professor of leadership development. He previously served as assistant professor of psychology at Houston Baptist University and is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister.
Doug Wilson Jr. has been named assistant professor of religion. He served as minister of music in Baptist churches in Mississippi and as pastor in churches in Arkansas, New York and North Carolina.
Incoming freshmen will be Ram Rushed during their first week on campus. Ram Rush, in its third year, provides incoming students with an immediate group of friends through Ram Fams, or small student groups, led by upperclassmen.
The program also offers various activities throughout the week to help students get adjusted to campus life. Events this year begin on Aug. 16 and include Rush Hour, a luau complete with fire thrower/eater, worship times, pep rally, talent show and pool party among others.
The culmination of the program is The Walk.
The Walk marks the beginning of college with a solemn procession from dormitories to Weaver Auditorium. Students will be welcomed by UM President Mark Foley, and seniors will lead a candlelighting ceremony as they pass the torch to the freshman class. The Walk will be followed by a reception in Martin Hall.
In conjunction with Ram Rush, incoming freshman will have the opportunity to participate in the Freshman Seminar.
The course, designed to help students make a smooth transition from high school to college, provides opportunities for students to develop skills, values, behaviors and attitudes necessary for success.
Some of the topics to be covered include: improving the ability to learn how to learn and utilizing natural thinking skills; managing time and tasks; career planning; financial matters and developing a portfolio.
University of Mobile students are changing the world around them. Students from all areas of study have and continue to volunteer their time in a variety of outreach ministries.
This summer more than 50 students and faculty from the University of Mobile, along with members of area churches, traveled around the world as participants in the university missions program.
Teams traveled to Brazil, Germany, Wales, Norway, Russia and Ireland building chapels, sponsoring VBS and Holiday Bible Clubs for children, working in sports and youth camps and assisting in community outreach.
This school year approximately 80 students will travel each semester to the inner cities of Birmingham; Houston, Tex.; Jackson, Miss.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis, Tenn.; and New Orleans, La., to share the love of Christ with the homeless and needy.
These Urban Plunge participants spend 48-hours giving of their time and themselves to share the gospel with others.
For more information about the University of Mobile, contact the office of admissions
at 251-442-2273 or e-mail them at adminfo@mail.umobile.edu. (UM)
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