University of Mobile announces Alumni of the Decade for 60th Diamond Anniversary

The University of Mobile announces six exceptional alumni chosen as alumni of their decade as part of the university’s 60th Diamond Anniversary. Alumni from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s are recognized with the award.

Formerly known as Mobile College, the University of Mobile officially changed its name in 1993 and celebrates its 60^th anniversary on Dec. 12, 1961. Alumni of both eras were invited to nominate their peers to be voted on for Alumni of the Decade. Nominations were reviewed by a committee from the UM Alumni Board, and recipients were chosen by a panel representing alumni, faculty and staff.

Recipients will be honored at a luncheon at the university on Nov. 19 and featured in the upcoming issue of the TorchLight alumni magazine.

Alumni of the Decade honorees are:

• Tom Holmes, Class of 1967. Holmes is a retired CEO/executive director of the Arc of Alabama and an award-winning human rights advocate for citizens with intellectual disabilities. Today, he serves as board president of The ARC of Mobile County.
• John Bruns, Class of 1978. Burns became a registered nurse after completing his associate degree in nursing, continued his education, and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with Southern Anesthesia Management in Mobile. He helped recruit many others to the University of Mobile over the years, including his children.
• Suzanne Cobb, Class of 1987. Cobb worked at Providence Hospital for 15 years and became the first lactation consultant. She currently serves on the UM Alumni Board.
• Julie Clow, Class of 1995. Clow is the head of Global People Development at Chanel and is based in London, England. She encourages everyone to forge their own unique path by trusting God to open the right doors, which inevitably happens through nurturing your talent.
• Tracey Henry, Class of 2002. Henry is an associate professor of medicine at Emory University, clinical educator, attending physician, assistant director of the Grady Primary Care Center, and co-director of Health Equity Advocacy Policy track for Emory’s Graduate Medical Education Programs. She was the first recipient of UM’s Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence in 2021.
• Charles “Cody” Waters, Class of 2018. Waters is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy training to become a F/A-18 pilot. He became a commissioned officer in August of 2018 and hopes to receive his Wings of Gold this November.