Arts and Sciences News

Dr. Kern Jackson is an assistant professor of English and the director of USA's African-American Studies Program.

Highlights in African-American Studies
February 26, 2019

From the "Black Experience" course to a 2016 teach-in, here are nine moments in USA's African-American Studies Program. ...

A photo of the Jan. 20 "blood moon," taken shortly before 11:15 p.m. using a Canon EOS 5D in west Mobile.

Top 7 Astronomical Events This Year
February 22, 2019

This year's blood moon captured the public's attention, to space and on social media. South's expert lists what's next. ...

Associate professor Dr. John Lanicci, whose research focuses on extreme weather events, placed 36 rain gauges around the area of the Kennedy Space Center. He found the amount of annual rainfall varied as much as 16 inches over an area approximately one-eighth the size of Mobile County.

What's the Rainfall Count? It Depends
February 21, 2019

Dr. John Lanicci's research suggests rainfall measurements can vary widely, a potential vulnerability for stormwater infrastructure. ...

Senior chemistry students Madison McBroom, left, of Huntsville and Amanda Tanner of Cantonment, Fla., listen as Dr. William Richert talks about their research with ionic liquids in the field of 3D printing.

Developing a Printer Worth Its Salt
February 5, 2019

Ionic liquids, or liquid salt, may one day be used in 3D printing. Dr. Matthew Reichert is exploring the possibilities. ...

Dr. Thomas Shaw, director of USA Polling, and Dr. Jaclyn Bunch, associate director, have conducted surveys on everything from health care and public policy to schoolchildren’s summer vacations.

Survey Says ... USA Polling Group
January 25, 2019

In a lab in South's Humanities Building, pollsters blend art and science to get accurate answers from the other end of the phone. ...

Jessica Gwinn, a Ph.D. student at South, samples herbivorous fish and algae on a rig south of Dauphin Island in July 2018. Gwinn's work was part of an international research project of ciguatera lead by the University of South Alabama.

No Taste, No Smell and No Effective Treatment
January 25, 2019

A USA marine scientist is leading an international research study of ciguatera, the world's most prevalent seafood-toxin illness. ...

A nearly $500,000 grant awarded to USA will strengthen and help expand existing programs in international studies and modern and classical languages and literature. “This is the first time South and the College of Arts and Sciences have received this type grant," said Dr. Christine Rinne, associate professor of German and the principal investigator on the grant.

South Wins Grant to Expand Global Studies
January 7, 2019

The nearly $500,000 grant will enhance language offerings and global health and international studies opportunities. ...

It's the Most Wonderful Time
November 30, 2018

South will host its free holiday concert, open to the community, on Dec. 6 at the USA Mitchell Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ...

Sam Sangster, Peyton Barlow and Dillon Blount, senior meteorology majors at USA, were awarded American Meteorological Society scholarships.

USA Meteorology Students Receive Top Awards
October 17, 2018

Peyton Barlow, Dillon Blount and Sam Sangster were awarded American Meteorological Society scholarships. ...

Graduate student Yvonne LeBrun prepares to hang the art for the Cross Connections 2018 International Exhibit of Design & Illustration.The exhibit runs through Oct. 31.

International Art Exhibit Opens at South
October 16, 2018

Works of students from 10 institutions of higher education around the world will open Oct. 18 and continue through Oct. 31. ...

Maj. Christopher Dyke, USA alumnus and an aerial weather reconnaissance officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters,” reviews weather data collected during a storm flight. The Hurricane Hunters fall under command of the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes
October 8, 2018

Hurricane Hunter and South alum Chris Dyke heads into the storms that others flee as a major in the Air Force's 403rd Wing. ...

Amanda Watson, left, joins fellow University of South Alabama students Parker McGee and Asia Smith to rehearse the musical “Godspell,” which opens Saturday, Sept. 29.

Theatre USA Opens Season With 'Godspell'
September 26, 2018

The production will run Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 4-6. All performances will be at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. ...

Dusty Norris, a graduate of the University of South Alabama’s anthropology program, is using an archaeology tool to record information about one of the artifacts found at the sites of the shotgun houses in areas of downtown Mobile. This preliminary work is being done as plans for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project moves forward.

Modest Homes, Rich History
August 14, 2018

A USA archaeology team is conducting fieldwork at the site of several shotgun houses; 'These tend to be the forgotten people.' ...

Cataloging the Past for Future Growth
July 12, 2018

A USA archaeology team is doing field work at the future site of the proposed Mobile River bridge and Bayway expansion. ...

Researchers and volunteers are hanging lime-green sticky traps in citrus trees near the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to try and catch bugs that are threatening the trees' existence. Dr. David Battiste, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of South Alabama, teams up with Daniel Forbes, a student at Mobile's Davidson High School.

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus
July 10, 2018

USA chemist Dr. David Battiste and his citrus soldiers are on the hunt to capture the destructive Asian citrus psyllid. ...

University of South Alabama graduate Dana Faye Housch moved to Dresden, Germany, in 2009 and founded a nonprofit organization called German Lessons for Refugees. Photo courtesy of Dana Faye Housch.

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance
June 27, 2018

South graduate Dana Faye Housch found her home in Dresden, Germany. She's now helping refugees do the same. ...

The life and legacy of Clotilda survivors of Africatown will be included in the first feature documentary film with the collaborative efforts of faculty from the University of South Alabama and Spring Hill College. Discussing resources for the documentary are, from left, Dr. Joel’ Lewis Billingsley, producer; Dr. Kern Jackson, co-producer; Ryan Noble, director; and Dr. Pamela R. Moore, co-producer.

'We Needed to Tell This Story'
June 4, 2018

USA and Spring Hill College faculty are collaborating on a documentary film project focused on the settlers of Africatown. ...

Kourtney McCollum is the first recipient of the Hansen and Aucoin Journalism Scholarship. McCollum is congratulated by Dr. Jim Aucoin.

New Journalism Scholarship Created
May 18, 2018

Kourtney McCollum is the first recipient of the Peggy Hansen and Jim Aucoin Journalism Scholarship. ...

The University of South Alabama was one of only five universities in the United States to participate in a pilot exchange program through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. From left, Ilza de Oliveira Feitosa Passos and Jéssica Campêlo de Sá visited Mobile for two months, and South students Eric Anderson and Dale Pate in turn will travel to Brazil.

'The Benefit of Keeping an Open Mind'
May 14, 2018

Two students prepare to head to South America in exchange program; South one of five universities picked to participate. ...

Dr. Roma Hanks, professor and chair of sociology, anthropology and social work, recently received the Heart of Gold Volunteer Award from the United Way of Southwest Alabama. She is joined by Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president.

Hanks Honored for Community Service
May 11, 2018

Dr. Roma Hanks is recognized for improving health and wellness education for seniors and connecting students to internships. ...

Shaniqua Hammock is considering pursing a master’s degree in forensic psychology after graduating Magna Cum Laude during Saturday's Spring Commencement.

Love at First Psych, and Some Guidance
May 1, 2018

Shaniqua Hammock developed a fascination of the mind in a psychology class; a mentor helped her pursue that passion. ...

Dr. Claire Cage, assistant professor of history, was the only Alabama recipient when the NEH recently announced the awards. She will travel to France where she will do research for a book on the history of forensic, or legal, medicine during the early 19th century.

For Early Autopsies, a Trip to France
April 16, 2018

South's Dr. Claire Cage receives a National Endowment for the Humanities stipend to study 19th century forensics. ...

Dr. David Meola, the Fanny and Bert Meisler Professor of Jewish Studies, holds the journal “Der Jude,” created by Dr. Gabriel Riesser and published in the 1830s to advance Jewish emancipation throughout the German states.

Minor Added in Jewish and Holocaust Studies
April 12, 2018

A new minor in Jewish and Holocaust Studies will be offered beginning this fall in the College of Arts and Sciences. ...

USA students, from left, Michael Tanner, Thomas Jefferson Deen IV and Parker McGee prepare for Theatre USA’s production of Shakespeare’s “Pericles,” which opens Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Theatre USA Season Closes With 'Pericles'
April 11, 2018

One of Shakespeare's final plays will close USA's season with its premiere performance on Friday, April 13. ...

Brittney Highland completed a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates fellowship in Africa. "I got to see a part of the world I never thought I would get to see, and I made friends from another country.”

When Opportunity Holds for Political Unrest
April 3, 2018

Brittney Highland's all-expenses-paid anthropology expedition to Africa was postponed, but well worth the wait. ...

Arts and Sciences News Archive

Highlights in African-American Studies February 26, 2019

Top 7 Astronomical Events This Year February 22, 2019

What's the Rainfall Count? It Depends February 21, 2019

Developing a Printer Worth Its Salt February 5, 2019

Survey Says ... USA Polling Group January 25, 2019

No Taste, No Smell and No Effective Treatment January 25, 2019

South Wins Grant to Expand Global Studies January 7, 2019

It's the Most Wonderful Time November 30, 2018

USA Meteorology Students Receive Top Awards October 17, 2018

International Art Exhibit Opens at South October 16, 2018

All in a Day's Work: Flying into Hurricanes October 8, 2018

Theatre USA Opens Season With 'Godspell' September 26, 2018

Modest Homes, Rich History August 14, 2018

Cataloging the Past for Future Growth July 12, 2018

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus July 10, 2018

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance June 27, 2018

'We Needed to Tell This Story' June 4, 2018

New Journalism Scholarship Created May 18, 2018

'The Benefit of Keeping an Open Mind' May 14, 2018

Hanks Honored for Community Service May 11, 2018

Love at First Psych, and Some Guidance May 1, 2018

For Early Autopsies, a Trip to France April 16, 2018

Minor Added in Jewish and Holocaust Studies April 12, 2018

Theatre USA Season Closes With 'Pericles' April 11, 2018

When Opportunity Holds for Political Unrest April 3, 2018