University of Mobile

University of Mobile
Former name	Mobile College (1961–1993)
Motto	Higher Education for a Higher Purpose
Type	Private university
Established	1961
Religious affiliation	Alabama Baptist Convention
Endowment	$86,000,000
President	Lonnie Burnett
Academic staff	100
Administrative staff	100
Students	1,885
Location	Prichard, Alabama, United States; 30°47′36″N 88°07′44″W / 30.793325°N 88.128789°W
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Garnet, Black & Gray;
Nickname	Rams
Sporting affiliations	NAIA – SSAC
Mascot	Mac the Ram
Website	umobile.edu

The University of Mobile is a private Baptist university in Prichard, Alabama, in Mobile County.^[1] It is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention).

History

The university was founded in 1961 by the Alabama Baptist State under the name of Mobile College.^[2] In 1993, the college was renamed the University of Mobile in reference to its location in Mobile County, not to be confused with the City of Mobile.^[3] For the 2018-2019 year, it had 1,885 students.^[4]

Organization

The University of Mobile is governed by a board of trustees. Members are recommended by the president of the university, reviewed by the Committee on Boards at the Alabama Baptist State Convention, and appointed by the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Elected trustees serve 4-year terms with reelection possible up to a maximum of 12 continuous years, after which an individual must be off the board for at least one year before becoming eligible to return. Life trustees must have held an elected position on the board for 20 years and may then be presented by the president for election to the life position. As of April 2008, the university had 33 elected trustees and four life trustees.^[5]

Academics

College of Arts and Sciences
School of Business
School of Christian Studies
School of Education
School of Nursing
The Alabama School of the Arts

The University of Mobile has also established engineering partnership programs with Auburn University and the University of South Alabama by which students may receive a bachelor's degree from the University of Mobile and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the participating university.^[6]

Student life

The University of Mobile has 1,577 students from thirty states and twenty-four nations.^[7] Overall, sixty-five percent of the students enrolled are from the Mobile area or surrounding counties while seventeen percent are from other areas in Alabama. Forty percent of the student body reside on campus. Sixty-five percent of the students are Southern Baptist.^[5]

Residential life

At its inception, Mobile College was entirely a commuter school until the first residence halls, Arendall and Bedsole Halls (originally named East and West Dorms, respectively), were completed. Along with Arendall and Bedsole, President Weaver also oversaw the addition of housing cottages, which would eventually be named Avery Woods. President Magnoli oversaw the addition of the university's fourth student housing unit, the 3-storied Ingram Hall. Under President Foley the university residential area expanded to include Samford Hall, Faulkner Hall, and the Timbers.^[8]

Athletics

The Mobile athletic teams are called the Rams. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC; formerly known as Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) until after the 2003–04 school year) since the 2010–11 academic year. The Rams previously competed in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) from 1985–86 to 2009–10.

Mobile competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include competitive cheer and spirit squad.

The university colors are garnet, black and gray, and a ram is the mascot. The school's intercollegiate program began in 1985 as one of the first acts of the newly appointed President Magnoli. The university has won national championships in men's tennis in 1993; women's tennis (1994); men's golf, men's tennis, and women's soccer in 1997; women's golf (1998); men's soccer (2002); and women's softball (2006).^[5]

Notable alumni

Michael Azira - professional soccer player
Erin Bethea - actress
Big Daddy Weave - contemporary Christian band
Gina DeVettori - actress
Joe Espada - professional baseball coach
Donna Givens - American politician from Alabama
Miller Reese Hutchison - inventor of hearing aids and Klaxton horn, associate of Thomas Alva Edison
Sunny Mabrey - actress
J. C. Romero - professional baseball player
Saúl Rivera - professional baseball player
Sarah Thomas - college and professional football referee