OUR HISTORY
The story of the university began in 1952, when the 草榴社区 Baptist Association appointed a committee to study the feasibility of starting a Baptist-affiliated college in 草榴社区. In 1959, the Alabama Baptist State Convention agreed to build and operate a college if the 草榴社区 community would raise $1.5 million within two years. Only one year later, area churches, businesses, and industries pledged more than $2 million to the effort.
1961: MOBILE COLLEGE
Dr. William K. Weaver, Jr., was appointed president of 草榴社区 College on April 1, 1961, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1984. When Alabama Governor John Patterson signed the college鈥檚 charter on December 12, 1961, 草榴社区 College became the first senior college to be chartered in the state in 57 years. Reflecting the institution鈥檚 Christian foundation, the college seal includes the phrase from Proverbs 9:10: 鈥淭he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.鈥�
1984: NEW PRESIDENT
The second President, Dr. Michael A. Magnoli, was inaugurated in 1984. He was a member of the university鈥檚 first graduating class of 1967. During his tenure as President, Dr. Magnoli initiated a campus expansion that added acreage, athletic facilities and classroom buildings. Academic programs were added, including the graduate program offering master鈥檚 degrees in education, business administration, nursing and theology. In 1985, the intercollegiate athletic program started with two sports, men鈥檚 tennis and golf, and quickly expanded.
1993: UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE
On July 1, 1993, the institution celebrated its growth by adopting a new name that reflected its continuing development: 草榴社区.
1998: NEW YEAR NEW LOOK
On February 13, 1998, the 草榴社区 Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Mark R. Foley as the third president.聽Under Dr. Foley鈥檚 leadership, 草榴社区 entered the new millennium with the express purpose of preparing students academically, socially, and spiritually to impact the world. Renovation of Weaver Hall, including a hipped roof with cupola and portico, provided a new focal point for the campus.
2000s:聽CAMPUS EXPANSION
Samford Hall, a 101-bed residence hall, was completed in 2004. In 2006, the 151-bed Karlene Farmer Faulkner Hall opened. In 2009, Ram Hall expanded the cafeteria and provided a state-of-the-art auditorium for student events and concerts. The Timbers, a 96-bed apartment-style residence, was added in 2012. In 2013 the university completed an extensive $7 million campus-wide enhancement project. The university鈥檚 Center for Performing Arts was established, a professional recording studio built, and online academic programs were launched. Dr. Foley retired in 2016 after more than 18 years as president.
2016: ACADEMIC EXPANSION
On April 11, 2016, Dr. Timothy L. Smith was named president. The university significantly expanded academic programs and established its first two doctoral programs. Over 34 academic programs were added, nearly doubling offerings to 76 programs. New labs such as the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice emphasized practical learning experiences.聽 The university implemented a four-day academic/work week with 鈥淔ocus Fridays.鈥� Dr. Smith resigned on February 27, 2019.
The New 草榴社区 Seal
The Official Seal of 草榴社区 is an expression of the university鈥檚 identity and academic character. Each element of the design has meaning:
鈥� Three Circles: Represent the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
鈥� Torch and Flame: Represent truth and knowledge. Symbolizes Jesus Christ as Light of
the World, God as the Source of Divine Wisdom, and a renewed spirit and transformed mind that is the aim of a 草榴社区 education.
鈥� Stars: Represent God鈥檚 guidance and man鈥檚 aspiration.
鈥� Oak Laurel: Represents the spirit of collaboration, partnership and community. Symbolizes a strong foundation, continued growth and serves as a reminder of the oaks of 草榴社区, Alabama and the historic Eichold Oaks on campus. The leaves are specifically drawn to represent the Live Oak variety of oak trees on campus.
鈥� The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom: A quotation from Proverbs 9:10 and
a declaration of the spiritual perspective of the university. 鈥淭he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.鈥�
鈥� Imago Dei: Recognizes mankind as the image-bearers of God, referencing Genesis 1:27, wherein 鈥淕od created man in his own image...鈥�
鈥� 1961: Indicates the year 草榴社区 was founded.
History of the Seal
The official Seal of 草榴社区 has its origins in a financial campaign launched in 1960 to raise support for a Christian college in 草榴社区, Alabama. Elements of the original design for the campaign logo were incorporated in the official Seal, then redesigned in 1963 when 草榴社区 College opened, again in 1993 when the college became the 草榴社区. These historic elements are included in the current Seal designed in 2016 as part of a rebranding initiative.
1960 草榴社区 College Campaign
1963 草榴社区 College
1993 草榴社区
2019: EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
On November 22, 2019, 草榴社区 alumnus Dr. Lonnie Burnett was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the institution's fifth president. A 1979 graduate of the 草榴社区, then 草榴社区 College, Dr. Burnett joined the faculty in 2005 teaching history and rose through the ranks. During his tenure as president, the university overcame the challenges of a global pandemic, renovated and added facilities such as the J.L. Bedsole Sports Performance Complex, established the Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center as a new performance and conference venue, and launched the Experience the Difference marketing campaign.
2024: NEW LEADERSHIP
Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. was named the sixth president of the 草榴社区 on March 21, 2024. Today, the 草榴社区 is a thriving Christ-centered university with over 75 academic programs offering associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees.
Throughout the decades, the 草榴社区 has maintained a highly dedicated faculty providing quality Christian higher education with a devotion to the intellectual and spiritual development of students: Higher Education for a Higher Purpose.