Dr. Tony Waldrop, former President of South Alabama, dead at 70
by Riley Conlon
Dr. Tony Waldrop, former President of South Alabama, dead at 70 (USA)
MOBILE, Ala (WPMI) —
Dr. Tony Waldrop, former President of The University of South Alabama, has died at the age of 70.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Waldrop was the third president of USA, having served from 2014 to 2021.
News of his death was announced in a message released by current University President, Jo Bonner:
To the University community and our friends,
It is with genuine sorrow that I share the sad news of the passing of Dr. Tony Waldrop, the third president of the University of South Alabama, who died today after a lengthy illness in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Dr. Julee Waldrop, an assistant dean in the Duke University School of Nursing, as well as their two children, Cabe and Dallas, and their many friends and family.
Dr. Waldrop, 70, served as president from 2014 to 2021. He was a pivotal leader who worked tirelessly to improve our graduation rates, elevate our research profile and raise our academic standards. He insisted on sharing credit for the many accomplishments made during his administration with our incredible faculty and staff.
Even so, some of the many highlights of his presidency include expansion of USA Health, construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium on our campus, the development of the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences and the launching of an Honors College and the Pathway USA program for transfer students.
Under Dr. Waldrop’s leadership, the University completed its Upward & Onward comprehensive fundraising campaign that raised more than $160 million. He also helped guide our University through the challenging and uncertain times of a global pandemic.
While I never had the privilege of working at the University when Dr. Waldrop was president, I know his legacy lives on in each of us through this commitment to education, research, service and healthcare. He left us with a strong foundation, and we will honor him as we build on his contributions at the Flagship of the Gulf Coast.
Funeral plans will be announced later by the family; a guestbook for all who knew, admired and respected Dr. Waldrop will be placed this coming week in the lobby of the Whiddon Administration Building, next to Dr. Waldrop’s portrait, for all who would like to send their sympathies to the Waldrop family.
Jo Bonner
President
Dr. Waldrop is survived by his wife, Dr. Julee Waldrop, as well as their two children, Cabe and Dallas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Load more...