South Magazine Fall 2023

SIX DECADES OF SOUTH
1980
1980s: Research and Innovation
South’s first patent comes in 1983, for a mechanical torque converter
invented by Dr. Eugene Odell, professor of mechanical engineering. Seven
more patents follow in the 1980s; the total now stands at 108. Dr. June
Ayling and Dr. Steven Bailey of the College of Medicine’s Department
of Pharmacology collaborate on 11 of them, which generate millions of
dollars in revenue for the University. Many of their patents involve ways
of formulating and administering folates — B vitamins that can decrease
the risk of birth defects, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and
other disorders.
JOHN A. COUNTS SR.,
standing far right,
becomes the first South
alumnus to join the Board
of Trustees. He serves
until his death in 1995.
1980
COMPUTERS
ON THE RISE
South creates a
Department of
Computer Science,
with about 300
student majors
enrolled.
1983
WHERE BABIES
COME FROM
South establishes
Children’s & Women’s
Hospital within
University Hospital
and later purchases
Doctors Hospital,
its current location.
Today, USA Health
Children’s & Women’s
Hospital delivers
more babies annually
than any other
hospital in Mobile.
Its Hollis J. Wiseman
Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit is the
region’s only Level III
neonatal intensive
care unit. And the
Arlene Mitchell
Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit is the only
facility of its kind in
the region.
22 SOUTH MAGAZINE