Vanguard

Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News

The University of South Alabama National Alumni Association recognized eight distinguished alumni and service award recipients on Feb. 15 at the USA Mitchell Center.
They were recognized for outstanding achievement and leadership.
The Distinguished Alumni Award presents medallions to recipients who have attained major personal or professional successes in their chosen fields of interest, or to the University of South Alabama.
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes past or continuing service to USA or the National Alumni Association.
Alumnus who have put in a significant amount of time, talents and resources to the association over the years or have serviced the community, state, nation or international country in the form of philanthropy and volunteerism are also lauded for their contributions.
The program, held once a year, began with the presentation of colors by the USA Army ROTC, followed by the national anthem and an invocation.
A history of the awards and introduction of previous recipients presented by Thomas A. Zoghby, event chair, followed dinner.
Awards were then presented to Celia Mann Baehr, who received her M.B.A. in1982, Mobile Mayor Samuel L. Jones and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley for the Distinguished Service Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to E. Thomas Corcoran, Dr. James L. Harris, Robin A. Hurst, R. Bruce McCrory and Dr. Steven H. Stokes, M.D.
"This is a really significant event because it truly honors all of our alumni," Sonia Savani, a USA junior and Southerners ambassador, said.
Celia Baehr, the first Distinguished Service Award recipient of the night, is known as "the force behind the symphony," due to her leadership of the Mobile Symphony board of directors.
In 2006, she received the Greater Mobile Area Arts Volunteer of the Year Award. Baehr is also the president of the Gulf States Chapter of Financial Planning Association, a lifetime member of the USA National Alumni Association, and has also served the University as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Leadership Council.
"This award is the biggest thing that has happened in my life," Baehr said. "You wouldn't have even noticed me if it wasn't for the Mobile Symphony, so I'm glad people recognize the importance and impact of its institution."
Mayor Samuel L. Jones was elected in 2005 as the first African-American Mayor of Mobile. Jones was in the U.S. Navy for nine years and served as a Mobile County commissioner for four terms prior to his election as mayor. Jones currently serves on the board of the University and has been an avid supporter of University initiatives such as the Mitchell Cancer Institute and the new football and marching band programs.

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