MOBILE, Ala. — A community memorial for University of South Alabama President Emeritus Gordon Moulton will be held Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Mitchell Center, the arena that opened during his presidency. The service begins at 4 p.m.
Moulton died Saturday, Sept. 28, after a battle with cancer. He was 73. His association with the university spanned more than 46 years, covering most of the institution’s 50-year history, and he was only the second president in USA’s history.
From Faculty Member to President
Moulton arrived at South Alabama in 1966, at age 26, as a member of the faculty in the university’s newly formed College of Business. He went on to establish the department of Computer and Information Sciences, which has since become the School of Computing.
He later served as the university’s director of computer services and as dean of administrative services, then spent 15 years as vice president for services and planning. He became president in 1998 and led the university for 15 years.
A native of Donalsonville, Ga., Moulton earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration from Emory University.
A Presidency That Included Football
Among the student life additions made during Moulton’s presidency were the launch of the South Alabama football program and the Jaguar Marching Band, along with new recreation, dining and housing facilities. The athletic facilities built or improved under his administration include the Mitchell Center arena, the renovation of Stanky Field, a football fieldhouse and practice fields, a marching band practice field, and a multi-use facility serving track, softball and soccer.
Moulton and his wife, Geri, also gave to athletics as part of more than $7 million in gifts to the university. Their giving supported the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, the Geri Moulton Children’s Park at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, student scholarships, faculty support, the university’s creative writing program and other priorities.
Growth During the Moulton Years
According to the university, during Moulton’s time as president South Alabama:
- Increased enrollment by a third, to a record 15,000 students.
- Nearly doubled the total number of degrees it has awarded, to 75,000.
- Quadrupled its scholarship program and created the University Honors Program.
- Expanded its academic reputation and degree offerings.
- Added football and a marching band, along with new recreation, dining and housing facilities.
- Completed more than a half-billion dollars in construction.
- Expanded health care through the creation of the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute and a major addition to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, complementing the USA Medical Center and the USA Health System, whose physicians and professionals treat more than 250,000 area residents a year.
- Launched the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $93.5 million.
- Became one of Mobile’s largest economic drivers, employing more than 5,600 people and adding $2 billion a year to the area economy.
- Doubled its contract and grant research program, reaching the same Carnegie research classification as Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
- Created the USA Technology and Research Park, which employs 600 private-sector professionals.
- Made numerous contributions to the art, history and culture of the Mobile region.
A $500 Million Building Program
One of the most visible changes on campus during Moulton’s tenure was a building program of about $500 million aimed at improving the learning environment and student life. Projects completed during his administration include:
- USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
- USA Technology and Research Park
- USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital expansion
- Student Recreation Center
- Shelby Hall, home of engineering and computing sciences
- Health Sciences Building, home of the College of Nursing and the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
- Mitchell Center arena
- Meisler Hall student services building
- University Library addition
- Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza
- Faculty Club
- Specialized Laboratory Building
- Stanky Field renovation
- Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, for dramatic arts and music
- Mitchell College of Business renovation
- Joseph and Rebecca Mitchell Learning Resource Center
- JagTran campus transit system
- Geri Moulton Children’s Park
- Alfred and Lucile Delchamps Archaeology Building
- USA Baldwin County College of Nursing complex
- Student dining facility
- Living-learning residence halls, including Stokes Hall
- Campus entry portals
- Intramural fields and fieldhouse
- Football fieldhouse and practice fields
- Marching band practice field
- Multi-use facility for track, softball and soccer
- Bookstore renovation and Student Center bookstore mall
- Student Center renovation
- Renovation of the PE Building and the former recreation center
- Glass Arts Building
- Sorority and fraternity houses
Honors and Survivors
Moulton received the Civitan Mobilian of the Year award in 2002. In 2009, the USA Board of Trustees named the campus’ new landmark the Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza in recognition of the couple’s service.
He is survived by his wife, Geri (Shelley); a brother, Charles (Rita) Moulton of Albany, Ga.; and a sister, Anne Odom (Donald) of Donalsonville, Ga. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and John Curtis Moulton.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative at the University of South Alabama, in care of the USA Office of University Development, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile, AL 36688-0002.
