Moulton Memorial Set For Wednesday, Oct 2
President Emeritus V. Gordon Moulton 1940-2013 | Photo southalabama.edu
President Emeritus Gordon Moulton lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, September 28 at the age of 73. He has been with the University through most of it’s 50 years of existence.
Moulton joined the faculty of the brand new USA College of Business in 1966 at age 26. Later Moulton established the department of Computer and Information Sciences, now the School of Computing. He served as director of computer services, dean of administratove services and a 15-year appointment as vice president for services and planning. He served as president of the University since 1998 and was only the second president in USA’s 50 year history.
In his 15 years as president he was instrumental in transforming the University into one of the nation’s finest educational institutions. He created an economic development engine at USA that provides countless jobs and resources for citizens throughout Mobile and the region.
Moulton, a native of Donalsonville, GA, earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his master’s degree in business administration from Emory University.
In addition to more than 46 years of service, the Moultons have supported USA with more than $7 million in gifts toward numerous institutional priorities, including the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, Geri Moulton Children’s Park at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, student scholarships, faculty support, USA’s creative writing program, athletics and many others.
Moulton’s contributions have been widely praised by the community. He was awarded the Civitan Mobilian of the Year award in 2002, and the Moultons’ service was forever commemorated in 2009 with the naming by USA’s Board of Trustees of the new landmark Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza.
During Moulton’s presidency, USA has:
• Grown in enrollment by a third to a record 15,000.
• Nearly doubled the number of degrees awarded to 75,000.
• Quadrupled its scholarship program and created the University Honors Program.
• Expanded its academic reputation and degree programs.
• Implemented student life enhancements including football and marching band and new recreation, dining and housing facilities.
• Completed more than a half-billion dollars in construction, supporting every mission of the University.
• Expanded health care through creation of the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute and a major addition to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, complementing efforts of the USA Medical Center and the physicians and professionals of the USA Health System, who treat more than 250,000 area citizens annually.
• Initiated the first comprehensive fundraising campaign at USA, generating more than $93.5 million to support all missions of the university.
• Become one of Mobile’s most powerful economic drivers, employing more than 5,600 people, and adding $2 billion annually to the area economy.
• Doubled its contract and grant research program, achieving the same Carnegie research ranking as Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
• Created the USA Technology and Research Park, employing 600 private sector professionals.
• Made numerous enhancements to the art, history and culture of the Mobile region.
One of the most visible transformations at the University during Moulton’s 46-year tenure has been an ambitious $500 million building program to provide a state-of-the-art atmosphere for learning, and to enhance the quality of student life.
Highlights of campus improvements during the Moulton administration include:
• USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
• USA Technology & Research Park
• USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital Expansion
• Student Recreation Center
• Shelby Hall (Engineering and Computing Sciences)
• Health Sciences Building (Nursing and 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 (Dramatic Arts and Music)
• Mitchell College of Business Renovation
• Joseph & 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 — Track, Softball, Soccer
• Bookstore Renovation
• Student Center Bookstore Mall
• Student Center Renovation
• Renovation of PE Building and Old Recreation Center
• Glass Arts Building
• Sorority and Fraternity Houses
A community memorial is set for Wednesday, October 2 at the Mitchell Center. The memorial will begin at 4pm.
Moulton is survived by his wife, Geri (Shelley); a brother, Charles (Rita) Moulton, Albany, Ga.; and a sister, Anne Odom (Donald), Donalsonville, Ga. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and John Curtis Moulton.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, 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.