Dr. Tony Waldrop, who has served for the last seven years as president of the University of South Alabama (USA), announced on Thursday his plans to retire after the end of the current academic year.

USA said in a release that a national search will soon commence to find Waldrop’s replacement.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as president of the University of South Alabama, and to work alongside an outstanding group of talented and dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and administrators,” Waldrop stated in the announcement.

“President Waldrop has accomplished so much during his time at USA that it is almost impossible to catalog his impact on the University,” said Jimmy Shumock, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, in a statement. “His guiding principle is to put students first, and he has substantially enhanced academics, student life, athletics and facilities, and developed new programs and initiatives that have propelled USA to higher levels of teaching and research.”

Dr. Julee Waldrop, wife of Dr. Tony Waldrop, recently accepted a high ranking position at Duke University’s School of Nursing, and USA said Thursday that Dr. Tony Waldrop will be joining her in North Carolina after he completes his duties in Mobile.

During Waldrop’s time at the helm, USA engaged in aggressive upgrades to its facilities and offerings. The college built a new football stadium, residence hall, a new student health center, a new simulation program building and a new alumni center in the last seven years.

Waldrop presided over “the most significant expansion of USA Health in the history of the University,” per a release.

“During his presidency, USA Health has added dozens of new physicians and practices to its roster of providers, expanding and improving options for patients. In recent years, USA Health also opened the Strada Patient Care Center, dedicated the Fanny Meisler Trauma Center at University Hospital, expanded USA Health’s footprint in Baldwin County with a new Mitchell Cancer Institute clinic, and recently announced plans for the new Mapp Family Campus in Baldwin County,” the university relayed.

Notably, Waldrop oversaw the completion of USA’s Upward and Onward capital campaign, which set out to raise $150 million and ended up exceeding that, garnering $160.9 million in contributions.

“As a community, we have together made great strides forward on all fronts – academic, healthcare, research, and student life – and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to continue the upward trajectory of this great University,” concluded Waldrop.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.