Margaret Sullivan, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of South Alabama, was born and raised in Mobile but has lived in Fairhope with her husband and four (now grown) children for more than 38 years. She and her family have almost reached "Native" status on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.

Other than the commute to South's campus four days a week, she gets the best of both worlds. "Working on a university campus is a wonderful thing. It's invigorating. There is so much going on at all times!"

South has had a satellite campus in Fairhope for many years. One day, as Margaret and close friends enjoyed an inshore fishing trip with Dr. Sean Powers, Director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at South, a guest and longtime friend, Kenny Muscat, commented, "Y'all aren't doing enough with your Fairhope campus." Margaret agreed with Kenny's assessment and the seed was planted.

"The Fairhope campus really is a jewel," she told me during a recent visit. She came up with the idea of bringing in guest lecturers and inviting the Eastern Shore public to hear what the University is doing throughout the community. She pitched the idea of USA by the Bay to President Jo Bonner. He agreed wholeheartedly.

Beginning in January 2024, South launched USA by the Bay with a series of fall and spring presentations held on the Fairhope campus. The first one Linda and I attended featured Dr. Sean Powers, who described how the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences works closely with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, including involvement in the annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, the largest and longest-running fishing rodeo in existence. It was a fascinating lecture. This was just one of many endeavors the school undertakes to understand our biodiverse area better and to protect and preserve this amazing natural resource.

Since its inception, USA by the Bay has hosted 22 guest lecturers on a variety of subjects. "It's meant to bring a taste of the University to the Fairhope community," says Margaret. In addition to Sean Powers, past lecturers include local icon Ben Raines, who is also deeply entrenched in the natural world surrounding the Scenic 98 Coastal area.

Others include Dr. Ellen Harrington, Professor and Chair of the English Department, and Grayson Glaze, a real estate professor at South, who discussed the growth of the Gulf Coast. The campus also works closely with Hatch Fairhope, a premier innovation hub, and its director, Keith Glines. The campus held a pitch competition this year, with hundreds of young entrepreneurs participating.

With football season underway, Major Applewhite, Head Football Coach of the Jaguars, talked about the athletics programs, and Dr. Will Peterson, Director of the South Alabama Bands, presented on the marching band and music programs.

"I wasn't sure how USA by the Bay would be received, but so far it's been great and has given us a chance to highlight the many programs where South is making an impact throughout the area," says Margaret. "Most people who attend USA by the Bay do not have a direct connection to the University, so it's a great opportunity to raise awareness and invite people to get involved."

Other programs have featured Natalie Fox, CEO of USA Health, and Dr. Ashley Williams Hogue, a trauma surgeon at USA Health and the founder of Project Inspire. Project Inspire is a semester-long curriculum for young people who have some sort of nonviolent firearm offense. The curriculum deals with the traumatic outcomes of gun violence as well as confidence building, financial literacy, professional development, and mentorship. Participants also take a hands-on cooking course focused on healthy eating.

In January 2027, Dr. Jeffery La Rochelle, the new Dean of the College of Medicine, will speak about the medical school soon to be completed on the Mobile campus, which will provide state-of-the-art medical education with a research building when it opens in Spring 2027. The new building will allow the Whiddon College of Medicine to increase the number of medical students per class from 80 to 100. The vast majority of these students remain in the area after earning their medical degree.

The USA Fairhope campus is also home to the College of Nursing Accelerated BSN Pathway program, which has one of the highest passing rates in the U.S. for nursing students. Dr. Heather Hall, Dean of the College of Nursing, provides outstanding leadership in Alabama's largest college of nursing.

The USA by the Bay speaker programs are scheduled on Thursday evenings throughout the fall and spring. South's own Judy Culbreth will be the last fall guest lecturer on October 29. She will share her experience as a student and her journalism career in New York and, later, in Mobile as editor of Mobile Bay Monthly. She is also an author and recently published Bedford Garden Club Originals.

Held at USA by the Bay's theater on campus, Margaret tells me there is an effort underway to spruce up the Fairhope campus. Plans call for a complete renovation of the theater and reception center, as well as improved visual aesthetics and landscaping across campus.

"All the programs have been different," says Margaret. "I love living in Fairhope and watching the campus become an integral part of the community." She tells me they're rebranding the Fairhope campus as USA by the Bay Campus.

Way to go, Margaret! Your vision has become a reality, and USA by the Bay and its programs offer a terrific opportunity for all of us to learn more about our community. As they say, Education Opens Doors to Opportunity. We encourage everyone to look for upcoming programs and make plans to attend!

Thanks so much!