#SouthSuccessStories

Tara Keech, a 2006 graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is the founder of Tarah Keech Coaching, which is focused on helping professionals overcome the challenges of insecurity, anxiety and stress.

Coaching Others to Balance and Reignite
April 12, 2021

Tarah Keech, who earned a psychology degree from South, had to learn to refocus from burnout. Now she's made it her life's work to help other professionals manage challenges of insecurity, anxiety and stress. ...

Bailey Trout Stephenson, a 2018 graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, worked in a Brooklyn hospital in the spring, taking care of COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit. The work, like the virus, could be unforgiving. “I was there to help save the life of each patient I cared for, and that didn’t happen,” she said.

At Their Bedsides With Care, Compassion
November 30, 2020

College of Nursing graduate Bailey Trout Stephenson confronted the pandemic in a New York hospital. The battle continued at home. ...

Carlos Moore, a municipal judge and attorney in Mississippi, is the first president of the USA Black Alumni Society.

With Changing Views, a New Banner
July 14, 2020

South alumnus Carlos Moore took the Mississippi flag down in his courtroom three years ago. Now, the state has followed suit. ...

Raed Alsulami, a University of South Alabama graduate in hospitality and tourism management and assistant manager for the main restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, credits his experiences as a student for his current success. “I feel that the program at USA helped me get to where I am today and provided opportunities for me to maximize my goals in the industry,” he said.

Fusing Southern, Saudi Hospitality
March 30, 2020

One of South's first hospitality and tourism graduates, Raed Alsulami works at a top-ranked restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. ...

Lori Baggett, who graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1998 and played on the women's basketball team, has been named managing partner of Carlton Fields' Tampa, Fla., office.

A Legal Mind, a Basketball IQ
March 27, 2020

As managing partner at Carlton Fields, Lori Baggett is showing the leadership she once brought to the classroom and the court. ...

South alumna Lucy Gafford worked with other artists and students from several Boys & Girls Clubs in 2014 to paint this mural attached to the facade of the old Gayfers' building in downtown Mobile. The mural depicts life in Mobile County and includes USA's Moulton Tower. Today Gafford is executive director of the Mobile Arts Council.

Encouraging Artists to do 'Big Things'
March 21, 2020

Alumna Lucy Gafford sees opportunity growing in Coastal Alabama. Her goal is to retain young artists in that cultural renewal. ...

South Alabama alumna Tiffany Whitfield started the Tiffany Whitfield Scholarship for Undergraduate Students to help others pursue a degree at South. Whitfield teaches at the American Creativity Academy for Boys in Kuwait.

Living in Kuwait, Investing in South
January 17, 2020

Tiffany Whitfield had a dilemma: What to do with her earnings from teaching abroad. She decided to pay for others' education. ...

Devin Epps, a 2018 graduate of the Mitchell College of Business, works as a food stylist on contract with the Food Network and is in the process of building his own company. “I see myself as a storyteller, and hopefully that will translate into whatever I'm drawn to.”

From 'Shirtless Chef' to Food Network Stylist
November 20, 2019

Devin Epps, a USA marketing graduate, hustles from Nashville to New York to build his brand as a 'tenacious' entrepreneur. ...

University of South Alabama alumnus and Atlanta BeltLine CEO Clyde Higgs has spent his life's work at the intersection of private and public sectors, or, as he says, "where the magic exists." Photo courtesy of Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

Creating Jobs, Housing and Room to Breathe
October 1, 2019

South alumnus Clyde Higgs leads one of the nation's most ambitious land use development projects at Atlanta BeltLine Inc. ...

Gurinder Singh, a graduate of the USA College of Engineering, is director of global sustainability for the American Bureau of Shipping. “Today’s world is quickly changing, and the shipping industry is navigating a complex regulatory landscape and rapid technology changes,” he said.

Solutions Through Creativity, Innovation
June 27, 2019

Engineering alumnus Gurinder Singh leads efforts to transition the maritime industry to sustainability and lower emissions. ...

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from the University of South Alabama in 2017, was named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others'
June 13, 2019

Andrew Conniff, who earned a strategic communication degree from South in 2017, is named 2019 Photojournalist of the Year. ...

One of Dr. Gloria Wilson's works is her “Blackademic Project,” an ongoing examination of the intersections of race and academic identity. She designed and constructed a doctoral robe to serve as a metaphor to describe the challenges of negotiating a racialized academic identity.

Art Honors Life, Connects to History
May 13, 2019

South graduate Dr. Gloria Wilson's creativity is inspired by family ties and influenced by those who came before her. ...

Grand Rapids, Mich., Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, standing in front of the skyline of Michigan's second-largest city, graduated summa cum laude in 1997 with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. “When I was going through my undergraduate studies, I did not imagine I would be running for office someday,” she said.

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City
March 13, 2019

At South, Rosalynn Bliss '97 wasn't considering a career in politics. Then she became Grand Rapids' youngest mayor in 132 years. ...

Chris Blankenship graduated from South with a degree in political science and criminal justice. His love of all things outdoors propelled him to become commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Conserving Natural Resources for Alabama
February 13, 2019

Chris Blankenship combines his love of the outdoors with his education at South to manage the state's natural resources. ...

Maj. Jason Downey, a 2002 graduate of the University of South Alabama, has been named chief enforcement officer for the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Protector of Alabama's Marine Resources
November 15, 2018

Alumnus Jason Downey, who earned a degree in sociology, leads the state division that enforces laws on Alabama's waterways. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Natalie Fox, who earned three degrees at the University of South Alabama, is director of nursing for USA Physicians Group. “I’m excited to be working for an organization like USA that’s really committed to our community and improving the health of the people who live in Mobile."

Finding Her Home at South
March 8, 2018

Dr. Natalie Fox earned three degrees at USA, where today she sees patients and leads nursing operations at USA Physicians Group. ...

Jonathan Hursh, '04, founded Utopia, a design and urban planning firm, to help the world’s biggest cities harness the power of their most downtrodden inhabitants. "It’s a radically different world that’s coming our way,” he said.

More Than Imagining a Utopia
January 29, 2018

Jonathan Hursh, '04, founded an urban innovation firm focused on reimagining slums after a decade of working in them. ...

Dr. Andrea Kroetz with a smalltooth sawfish, a species whose population has declined as a result of fishing mortality. The fish is found today mainly in south Florida and the Bahamas. Photo courtesy NOAA Fisheries Service. Homepage photo courtesy Desirée Gardner Photography.

Making a Dent in One Species' Recovery
November 3, 2017

With the smalltooth sawfish's numbers shrinking, South graduate Dr. Andrea Kroetz gets to witness several pups enter life. ...

Tinashe Nyatanga, '12, bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles after graduation to break into the film industry. Nyatanga, here in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre just a few blocks from his home, is honing his craft with the hopes of directing full-length movies.

Patience, Creativity and a 'Great Eye'
October 6, 2017

Tinashe Nyatanga, '12, bought a one-way ticket to L.A. after graduation and has launched a promising film career. ...

Stephanie Johnson graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies and is a 23-year veteran educator. "Mediocrity is not an option for our children," she said.

Meet Georgia's 'Turnaround Principal'
August 24, 2017

USA alum Stephanie Johnson, a finalist for National Principal of the Year, has a knack for resurrecting struggling schools. ...

Gráinne O’Dea attended the University of South Alabama on a track and field scholarship and graduated with two degrees before taking a job at Pace Sports Management in London.

Keeping Up With the World's Fastest Human
July 14, 2017

South alum Gráinne O'Dea helps manage the careers of some of the world's top track and field athletes, including Usain Bolt. ...

Returning South Leads to More Career Success
June 9, 2017

The ink on Monica Whatley’s diploma was barely dry before the math and statistics major packed up and moved to Washington, D.C. ...

Thomas Merrigan, a 2000 chemistry graduate, has always had a side project. One turned into Grayle, a water filter and purifier bottle now sold in 250 stores in the United States. Photo courtesy of Thomas Merrigan.

A (One-Press) Push for Innovation
May 17, 2017

Travis Merrigan's busy week: Quit job, got married, moved to Seattle and began full bore developing the Grayl water bottle. ...

SouthSuccess News Archive

Coaching Others to Balance and Reignite April 12, 2021

At Their Bedsides With Care, Compassion November 30, 2020

With Changing Views, a New Banner July 14, 2020

Fusing Southern, Saudi Hospitality March 30, 2020

A Legal Mind, a Basketball IQ March 27, 2020

Encouraging Artists to do 'Big Things' March 21, 2020

Living in Kuwait, Investing in South January 17, 2020

From 'Shirtless Chef' to Food Network Stylist November 20, 2019

Creating Jobs, Housing and Room to Breathe October 1, 2019

Solutions Through Creativity, Innovation June 27, 2019

Creating His Own Story, Telling Others' June 13, 2019

Art Honors Life, Connects to History May 13, 2019

She Leads Michigan's Second-Largest City March 13, 2019

Conserving Natural Resources for Alabama February 13, 2019

Protector of Alabama's Marine Resources November 15, 2018

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

Lessons in English, German and Tolerance June 27, 2018

Finding Her Home at South March 8, 2018

More Than Imagining a Utopia January 29, 2018

Making a Dent in One Species' Recovery November 3, 2017

Patience, Creativity and a 'Great Eye' October 6, 2017

Meet Georgia's 'Turnaround Principal' August 24, 2017

Keeping Up With the World's Fastest Human July 14, 2017

Returning South Leads to More Career Success June 9, 2017

A (One-Press) Push for Innovation May 17, 2017