USA National Alumni Association Recognizes Outstanding Faculty, Young Alumnus

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Posted on September 11, 2020

Lance Crawford

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The University of South Alabama National Alumni Association awarded its
Faculty Excellence Awards and Young Alumni Award during its annual membership meeting on
Thursday, September 10. Five USA faculty members were recognized for their achievements as
well as one outstanding young alumnus.

“We have so many top-notch faculty and alumni at the University of South Alabama,” said
National Alumni Association president, Jim Moore. “Each year we have the challenge and honor
of selecting and recognizing these individuals who are making a difference at the University and
around the world.”

The 2020 Faculty Excellence Awards and Young Alumni Award recipients:

Andy and Carol Denny National Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award acknowledges the
central role of teaching at USA by recognizing faculty for their outstanding teaching
contributions. This years’ recipient is Dr. Christy West, associate professor, chemical and
biomolecular engineering in the College of Engineering.

Beth and Don Davis National Alumni Association Excellence in Advising Award acknowledges
the importance of advising at USA by annually recognizing faculty and staff for their outstanding
advising contributions. This years’ recipient is Angie O’Neal, academic advisor, research and
education training in the College of Medicine.

Olivia Rambo McGlothren National Alumni Outstanding Scholar Award honors faculty for high
achievements in the realm of scholarship as appropriate to his or her discipline. This years’
recipient is Dr. Joseph F. Hair, Jr., professor, marketing and e-commerce in the Mitchell College
of Business.

Semoon and Youngshin Chang Endowed Award for Humanitarian Services recognizes
outstanding service by a faculty member. This years’ recipient is Dr. Lesley A. Gregoricka,
associate professor, sociology and anthropology in the College of Arts & Sciences.

National Alumni Association Endowed Award for Faculty Innovation recognizes USA faculty
for outstanding achievement in research. This years’ recipient is Dr. Natalie Gassman, assistant
professor of physiology and cell biology in the USA College of Medicine and USA Health Mitchell
Cancer Institute.

Lisa Bethea Kavanagh Young Alumni Award recognizes outstanding achievement of an
alumnus who is age 40 or younger. This years’ recipient is Michael T. Odair. Odair graduated
from USA in 2004 with a B.A. in communication with a concentration in digital cinema and
television. He is currently senior vice president of creative at Superjacket Productions in Los
Angeles. Over his 16-year career, Odair has served as producer and executive producer on
television series including Ridiculousness, Leah Rimini: It’s All Relative, Bar Rescue, Scream
Queens and Hell’s Kitchen. Notably, Odair served as executive director for the A&E series “Duck
Dynasty” from 2012-2015. He has received numerous industry awards and has been nominated
for others, including two Daytime Emmys.

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