The University of Mobile (UM) awarded degrees to approximately 450 graduates and presented its first “World-Changer Awards” during commencement ceremonies May 6 at the Mobile Civic Center.
The World-Changer Awards were presented to two Alabama Baptists who are changing the world for the better through their efforts, including commencement speaker John S. Davis, president and chief executive officer of EnergySouth Inc. and Mobile Gas Service Corp.
Also honored for making an impact on the lives of young men and women was Patricia Holliday Dorsett, retired nursing educator who established the George W. and Patricia H. Dorsett Scholarship Fund at UM. Davis is a member of Dauphin Way Baptist and Dorsett is a member of Cottage Hill Baptist, both in Mobile.
World-Changer Awards
UM President Mark Foley presented the World-Changer Awards, which honor persons who exhibit an enthusiastic commitment to changing the world.
“These are persons who are committed to accomplishing this world-changing by utilizing their faith in God, their human and financial resources and their experience. They are individuals who promote and encourage ethical leadership, appreciate the value of Christian higher education and understand and demonstrate the importance of expressing a strong belief in Jesus Christ in everyday living,” Foley said.
Prior to receiving the award, Davis challenged graduates to “change the status quo — leave a wake as you go.
“I believe that deep within each of us is a desire to make a difference for good, a desire that this will be a better place because we were here. I encourage each of you to reach deeply within yourselves and draw that desire to the forefront,” Davis said.
He also urged graduates to “know your purpose, establish a vision, and keep your eyes on the goal.”
Citing Proverbs 29:18 which says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” Davis said every entity and every individual needs a vision which sets the goal toward which they strive.
“In my own case, the answer to the question of my purpose in life is grounded in my belief in and love of God — I believe God, who created me, did so in order that I might honor and bring glory to Him. That, then, is my overarching purpose or vision: to glorify and honor God and to bring joy and pleasure to Him.”
Davis said he determined long ago to live his life according to a simple set of priorities: first, response and responsibility to God; second, responsibiity to others with wife and family at the head of the list; and third, responsibility to career.
“In three decades of my professional career, I have never found these priorities to fail me or to limit my success,” Davis said. “In fact, I believe I am a better employee and a better executive because I place God first, family second and career third.”
During graduation, top honors were awarded to 12 outstanding graduates. The university’s highest honor, the H. Austill Pharr Award, was presented to Lisa Kay Bevill of Pascagoula, Miss. She was selected by the university faculty as the senior who best exemplifies the attainment of educational values consonant with the purpose and objectives of the institution. Bevill, who earned both a bachelor of science degree and a master of business administration degree, also received the Honorary Fellows Outstanding Business Undergraduate Award.
Kelly Jo Hollingsworth of Mobile received the University of Mobile Auxiliary Award for the female senior who best exemplifies the outstanding qualities of character, leadership and service. Hollingsworth also received an Alumni Award for highest grade point average and an Area Award in music education.
Outstanding character
Edward Charles Lyrene III of Fairhope received the University of Mobile Regents Award for the male senior who best exemplifies the outstanding qualities of character, leadership and service. Lyrene also received an Area Award in nursing of children.
The J.L. Bedsole Awards were presented to Jonnie Bea Reeves Locke of Satsuma, David L. Tuyo II of Decatur and Jacob Neal Munday of Mobile. The Bedsole Awards are given to students who have demonstrated the most significant progress while at the university. Locke also received an Area Award in marketing.
The UM Alumni Award is presented to students with the highest grade point average in the bachelor’s and associate degree programs. Those who received the bachelor’s degree award for having a perfect 4.0 grade point average were Iva “Lee” Calton of Saraland, Melanie Brooke Christian of Mobile; Kristel Elizabeth Hoy of Baton Rouge, La.; Kelly Jo Hollingsworth of Mobile; and Jillean Rowell Wiggins of Semmes, Dara Jean Buckalew of Theodore received the associate degree Alumni Award.
Susan E. Wilkinson of Spanish Fort received the UM Honorary Fellows Outstanding MBA Award. She also received the Graduate School of Business Award. (UM)
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