A Leader from Within: Moulton ushers in 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Modern Era
When the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees began seeking a successor to the institution鈥檚 longtime founding president, they knew it was vital to attract someone with vast leadership experience and a deep understanding of the issues facing a young urban university.
The board didn鈥檛 have to look far to find a uniquely qualified 30-year faculty member, dean and vice president who had been in the trenches at 吃瓜爆料 almost from day one.
鈥淭he man didn鈥檛 seek the job; the job sought the man,鈥� reminisced Ken Kvalheim, a 吃瓜爆料 alumnus and former trustee involved in the search that resulted in Gordon Moulton being named 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 second president in 1998.
Growing up on a farm in southwest Georgia had prepared an 18-year-old Moulton for the rigorous task of attending the Georgia Institute of Technology as a co-op student. After receiving a hard-earned degree in industrial management, he was awarded a full scholarship for graduate school at Emory University. In 1966, Moulton joined the faculty of the brand-new 吃瓜爆料 College of Business.
Possessing the versatility needed by the young University, Moulton established the department of computer and information sciences, and later served as founding dean of 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 School of Computer and Information Sciences(now the School of Computing).
He served as director of computer services, dean of administrative services and a 15-year appointment as vice president for services and planning.
In 15 years as president, Moulton 鈥渢ransformed the University into one of the nation鈥檚 finest educational institutions, a community partner that sets the tone of excellence, and he created an economic development engine at the University that provides countless jobs and resources for citizens throughout Mobile and the region,鈥� said former 吃瓜爆料 trustee Sam Jones.
鈥淭he man didn't seek the job;
the job sought the man,鈥�
involved in the search that resulted in Gordon Moulton
being named 吃瓜爆料's second president in 1998.
鈥淲hen I think about the success the University of South Alabama enjoys today, Gordon and Geri Moulton immediately come to mind,鈥� said James A. "Jim" Yance, a 吃瓜爆料 trustee who knew the Moultons when he was a student at the University.
鈥淯nder the leadership of President Moulton, the University has achieved significant milestones in every area, including student enrollment and graduation, academic program development, healthcare delivery, enhancement of student life and the campus environment, research funding, private sector giving, community involvement and economic enhancement, and the list goes on and on.
鈥淕eri Moulton, likewise, has contributed generously of her many talents, time, resources and energy and has been fully invested in the success and betterment of not only the University, but the total community in which we live.
鈥淚 find it truly inspiring to work with people who are so committed to the highest and the best for this University,鈥� Yance said.
During Moulton鈥檚 presidency, 吃瓜爆料:
- Grew 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 reputat