Two new performing arts programs, a women’s volleyball team, construction projects, a midweek chapel program and a scholarship banquet are just a few of the highlights for the 2005–2006 academic year at the University of Mobile (UM).
The campus will come alive Aug. 20 as students move into residence halls. Classes begin Aug. 24. During the first week of school, freshmen and transfer students will experience Ram Rush, a flurry of activities designed to help new students make friends, learn about college life and get connected with a local church.
Among the activities are Dinner on the Run, a progressive dinner for new students that introduces them to area churches. Ram Rush activities culminate in The Walk as freshmen start at the residence halls and walk together across campus to a candlelighting ceremony in Weaver Auditorium.
One change that will impact all students is a new academic schedule that leaves one hour each Wednesday free of classes. During that time, a 30-minute chapel program, Mid-Week, will be offered for students, faculty, staff and the public.
This program will focus on practical Christian leadership with speakers from a variety of professions discussing the challenges they face in their lives and how they as Christians approach those issues.
As part of an emphasis on developing Christian leaders in all academic disciplines, the university will offer bimonthly leadership-development training sessions for interested students.
The Center for Performing Arts (CPA) is launching a new instrumental strings program and a new vocal ensemble, the Chamber Singers, as the CPA continues to grow under the leadership of Roger Breland, former director of the award-winning contemporary Christian group TRUTH.
Music ensembles
The 16-member Chamber Singers will concentrate on the choral classics under the direction of Duane Plash, assistant professor of music. Recording artist Alicia Williamson Garcia continues as artist-in-residence.
UM graduate Steven V. Taylor, an award-winning Nashville producer and Christian music composer, will work with students in the Voices of Mobile vocal ensemble during a Labor Day weekend retreat at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega. Internationally known drum and bugle corps clinician Jeff Queen will consult with UM’s RamCorps drum and bugle corps in August.
Students in UM’s many performing groups continue to receive practical experiences, with performances aboard a cruise ship, at the Southern Baptist National Church Music Conference, accompanying Garcia at worship events throughout the region, at Christian music conferences, in operatic performances for the community and at UM’s popular Christmas Spectacular and StarLight music festivals.
RamCorps and University Singers will depart May 2006 for a 10-day missions tour in Germany to work with Southern Baptist missionaries and perform at U.S. military bases, concert halls and churches. During winter semester 2006, Voices of Mobile will be featured at the Alabama Baptist Evangelism Conference in Mobile.
The university is reaching out to nontraditional adult students by offering many degree programs at times convenient for working adults. The School of Leadership Development offers courses leading to a bachelor’s degree in organizational administration and leadership.
The School of Education, which recently received an “A” on the annual Alabama Department of Education report card on teacher education programs, now offers night courses leading to a bachelor of science in elementary education.
The School of Nursing’s new Friday Program is designed to complement the working schedules of registered nurses and offers courses leading to a bachelor of science in nursing. The School of Business offers night courses leading to bachelor’s degrees in accounting and computer information systems with a concentration in information security.
On the athletic front, UM is expanding its championship National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics sports program by starting a women’s volleyball program this fall. Overall the university was awarded the 2005 Thomas Howell Cup, making this the 15th time the school has won the award for the most outstanding program in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
In keeping with an emphasis on new technology, freshmen who participated in Compass, UM’s summer orientation, received USB flash drives with the university’s catalog stored in them.
Technology capability continues to increase, with wireless Internet access available throughout campus and a new computer-integrated telephone system in offices.
Changing environment
The look of the campus is continually changing. Just a few hundred yards from Samford Hall — a residence hall that opened in August 2004 — a larger 150-bed residence hall is under construction and will be completed in spring 2006.
Renovation of Weaver Hall, funded by a $50,000 grant from The Crampton Trust as well as in-kind donations from friends of UM, will expand the front entrance and lobby of the university’s oldest building. The covered area, which now serves as a front porch, will be enclosed with beveled-glass doors topped with curved transoms and surrounded by beveled-glass windows. Extending the entrance by 14 feet and adding approximately 400 square feet to the area will provide an area for receptions and event registration.
Also tennis courts damaged by Hurricane Ivan have been repaired, and all courts in the Dr. Gerald L. Wallace Tennis Complex have been updated. Campus Affairs offices have been renovated in Weaver Hall, and new offices for CPA faculty in Martin Hall have been constructed.
Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the keynote speaker at the first UM Scholarship Banquet.
The event will be held Oct. 13 at the Mobile Convention Center. The gala will feature special performances by students in CPA. Banquet tables of eight and sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact the UM Development Office at 251-442-2226 or visit www.umobile.edu.
The university’s goal is to raise $200,000 to fund academic scholarships. UM’s merit-based awards provide students with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 annually for tuition, room and board.
A major focus during the academic year will be the university-wide process of developing a three-year strategic plan. The process, launched by the UM board of trustees in April, will involve faculty, staff and students in envisioning the future of the 44-year-old institution. (UM)
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