University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is an American four-year, private, Baptist-affiliated university in Prichard, Alabama, an industrial suburb of Mobile. The master's-level university has an enrollment of 1,577.History
The Alabama Baptist organization first expressed interest in establishing a Baptist college in Mobile in 1946. At that time the organization was considering combining the already established schools of Howard College (Now Samford University) and Judson College and move the newly formed school to Mobile. The proposal was unsuccessful, but the concept of establishing a Baptist affiliated school in the Mobile area persisted.[1]
In 1957 the Alabama Baptist State Convention was formally asked to study the possibility of establishing a junior college in Mobile. In 1959 the convention agreed to the proposal if $1.5 million could be raised by the community. A year later $2 million had been raised by local churches and businesses.[2] Sylacauga Baptist Church pastor William K. Weaver Jr. was elected as the founding president after serving on the convention's study committee. The Alabama Baptist convention approved the establishment of Mobile College on November 14, 1961 and was granted state recognition less than a month later by Governor John Patterson.[3]
Mobile businessman Jay P. Altmeyer donated 200 acres in north Mobile as the site for the newly established college. Ray Loper of Loper Lumber Company donated another 50 acres along the Chickasabogue Creek. Other purchases brought the land total to 400 acres. Today the University campus encompasses 880 acres.[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. [13]
[edit] Schools
[edit] College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Dwight Steedly is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences with Dr. Ted Mashburn currently holding the title of Associate Dean. The college offers degrees in arts, history, political science, psychology, sociology, social science, biology, environmental management, marine science, mathematics, English, humanities, and communication.[14] 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.[15]
[edit] School of Business
Dr. Jane Finley is the Dean of the School of Business which offers fields of study in accounting, business administration (with concentrations in finance, global business, management, and marketing), and computer information systems. The school also offers a master's degree in business administration.[16]
[edit] School of Christian Studies
A Bachelor of Arts or Science in Theology is available from the School of Christian Studies. Dr. Cecil Taylor is the current Dean.[17]
[edit] School of Education
Dr. Peter Kingsford is the current Dean for the school of education which offers degrees in early childhood education and elementary education as well as secondary certification for biology, history, mathematics, language arts, social sciences, and human performance and exercise science. A degree in athletic training is also available.[18]
[edit] School of Nursing
The school of nursing offers associates and bachelors degrees in nursing. The school also offers a Master of Science in nursing. Dr. Richard McElhaney is the current dean.[19]
[edit] Center of Performing Arts
The Performing Arts division is chaired by Roger Breland and offers fields of study in music, theater,and worship leadership.[20]
[edit] Demographics
The University of Mobile has 1,577 students from 30 states and 24 nations.[21] Overall 65 percent of the students enrolled are from the Mobile area or surrounding counties while 17 percent are from other areas in Alabama. 40 percent of the student body reside on campus. 65 percent of the students are Southern Baptist[22]
[edit] Residential life
At its inception, Mobile College was entirely a
nt William Weaver also oversaw the addition of housing cottages named Avery Woods. President Magnoli organized the addition of the university's fourth student housing unit, the 3-storied Ingram Hall. Under President Foley the university has expanded to include Samford Hall and Faulkner Hall.[23]
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