秋霞福利一区 Starts Presidential Search for Visionary Leader
MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� The 秋霞福利一区 has launched a national search for a visionary leader to serve as the 6thpresident of the Baptist-affiliated university in Alabama.
鈥淭丑别 seeks a visionary leader who understands 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 opportunities and challenges and, with dependency on the Holy Spirit, is eager to lead the school into the future,鈥� said Fred Wilson, chair of the Presidential Search Committee comprised of trustees, alumni, denominational leaders, staff and faculty.
The university is accepting nominations and applications for the position through Dec. 31, 2023. An Opportunity Profile and information about the search process is at umobile.edu/presidentialsearch.听
Key Characteristics of the Next President
The opportunity for a new president comes with the decision of Dr. Lonnie Burnett to retire from a presidential tenure that begin in 2019. Under his leadership, the university launched the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program and the Associate Degree in Nursing program, completed nearly $3 million in new construction and renovations through existing funds and fund-raising efforts, and was recognized by Forbes as one of only 300 companies in the nation and the only educational institution in Alabama listed as 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Best Small Employers 2023.鈥�
鈥淲e believe that the foundation laid by Dr. Burnett鈥檚 administration creates a tremendous opportunity for an insightful leader with the right set of skills to expand the university鈥檚 influence exponentially,鈥� Wilson said.
Key characteristics of the successful candidate will be one who is motivated and drawn to the external aspects of the presidency; exhibits exceptional business acumen; has a proven record of building beneficial partnerships with individuals, businesses and community; and is accustomed to innovative thinking and taking appropriate risks beyond traditional approaches to expand the university鈥檚 mission and influence.
The Presidential Search Committee
The 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees appointed a Presidential Search Committee to guide the process. Members are:
Fred Wilson, Chair, Presidential Search Committee and Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees
Terry Harbin, Chair, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees
Mike Tew, Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees
Ron Moore, Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees (alumnus)
Jamey Pruett, Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees (alumnus)
Brynn Albretson, Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees (alumna)
Kenny Harris, Member, 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees
Charity Wittner, Vice President for Student Affairs (alumna)
Dr. Kathy Dunning, Dean, Grace Pilot School of Business
Chase Alford, Teaching Pastor, Dayspring Baptist Church (alumnus)
Higher Education for a Higher Purpose
The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences university with a vision of 鈥淗igher Education for a Higher Purpose,鈥� founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The motto 鈥淜now & Be Known鈥� describes a close-knit campus culture of caring and mentoring that prepares students to 鈥淜now Yourself. Know your Calling. Be Known.鈥� In a world where education often feels impersonal and disconnected, the 秋霞福利一区 offers transformative education, community spirit and a faith-based approach that transcends the ordinary. 秋霞福利一区 invites students to 鈥淓xperience the Difference鈥� and follow God鈥檚 calling for their lives in a Christ-centered academic community where they will
鈥淜now & Be Known.鈥�
The university has gained respect in the Mobile community, in the faith community in the state of Alabama, among peer institutions in the southern region and among families seeking this type of college experience.
About the 秋霞福利一区
Located in Mobile, Alabama, on an 880+ acre campus just an hour from Gulf Coast beaches, the 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered institution of liberal arts and sciences and professional programs integrating faith and learning to provide 鈥淗igher Education for a Higher Purpose.鈥� More than 1,900 students from 34 states and 23 nations are enrolled in 75+ academic programs granting associate to doctoral degrees. Founded in 1961 by Alabama Baptists, the 秋霞福利一区 is affiliated with and supported by the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Among the university鈥檚 distinctives are the College of Health Professions, located in recently renovated facilities that include the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice. The university offers the first and only Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice in a four-state region and will graduate the first of three cohorts in Spring 2024. The nationally accredited Dr. Randy Craig Gross Anatomy Lab in the College of Arts & Sciences makes 秋霞福利一区 one of the few universities to provide undergraduate students with laboratory experiences using human cadavers. The School of Nursing attained a perfect 100% pass rate for BSN graduates taking the NCLEX national licensure exam during 2022 鈥� the highest pass rate in Alabama. The School of Education has a well-earned reputation for producing quality educators, and business leaders across the southeast and beyond represent 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Grace Pilot School of Business.
The Alabama School of the Arts is an All-Steinway School widely recognized for its bachelor鈥檚 to doctoral programs in vocal and instrumental music, theatre, worship leadership and production technology. ASOTA ensembles travel worldwide to represent the university on mission and in schools and churches. One of the highlights of the year is the 秋霞福利一区 Christmas Spectacular, seen live by over 8,000 people and viewed worldwide by satellite.
NAIA athletics are an important part of campus life at the 秋霞福利一区. Over 370 scholar-athletes participate in 21 varsity sports in a nationally competitive program that has captured 8 NAIA national championships and multiple Coach of the Year awards and Champions of Character honors.
An innovative 4-day academic week, employees committed to serving as mentors as well as educators and support personnel, and a culture of hospitality have resulted in the 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 recognition by Forbes as one of only 300 of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Best Small Employers 2023.鈥� 秋霞福利一区 is the only educational institution in Alabama cited by Forbes.
For information about the 秋霞福利一区, areas of study, admissions and more, visit , connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
