Miss University of Mobile 2008 Crowned

Alana Swindler of Lexington, S.C., was crowned Miss University of Mobile 2008 on Feb. 2.

Alana Swindler of Lexington, S.C., was crowned Miss University of Mobile 2008 on Saturday, Feb. 2. She will compete in the 2008 Miss Alabama pageant, a preliminary that leads to the 2009 Miss America Pageant.

Swindler received a one-year, full-tuition scholarship, valued at $13,500, along with her crown.

“It’s a great honor,” said Swindler of becoming Miss UM 2008. “It really means a lot.”

Swindler, the daughter of John and Jennie Swindler of Lexington, is a sophomore majoring in music in the UM Center for Performing Arts. She is also involved in VOICES of Mobile, UM’s elite vocal ensemble, the University Singers, and is a senator in the Student Government Association.

As Miss University of Mobile 2008, Swindler’s platform is “Mentoring: The Charlotte Project.” The program, which Swindler founded, will help young men and women to begin at an early age to develop a clear understanding of the importance of friendship, to instill leadership qualities in students as they experience the joy of being a mentor, to encourage students to believe in themselves, and to help the students realize their destiny and purpose. Its mission statement is based on Ecclesiastes 4:9, that two are better than one.

“I felt there was a great need, especially at a college level, for students to have someone you could share experiences with,” Swindler said of her platform.

Miss University of Mobile serves as the official hostess of the university. Her responsibilities include participation in alumni activities, homecoming, dedications, receptions and various community and student events.

Miss University of Mobile “should be someone who has strong godly character, is consistent in what she says and how she acts, and encourages other students, staff, and professors to live striving for excellence in all things through Jesus Christ,” said Swindler.

Other winners in the Miss University of Mobile 2008 pageant include:

Stacey Whitfield of Gulfport, Miss., first runner-up, a junior majoring in social science education. She is the daughter of Bill and Anita Whitfield;

Tiffani Tallent of Dalton, Ga., second runner-up and talent winner, a freshman majoring in music. She is the daughter of Greg and Pam Tallent;

Joelle Rosen of Mobile, Ala., swimsuit winner and Miss Congeniality, a freshman majoring in communication. She is the daughter of Arnie Rosen and Roxanne Rosen.

Pictured from left are Stacey Whitfield, Alana Swindler, and Tiffani Tallent.	Joelle Rosen, left, poses with Miss University of Mobile 2007 Jaye Herrod.
Michelle Quimby Photography, class of '99

The Miss America Organization is one of the nations’ leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organizations and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to the over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well.

The University of Mobile is a private university affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Nearly 1,600 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Christian Studies, School of Education, School of Nursing, Center for Performing Arts and Center for Adult Programs. For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu, or call Enrollment Services at 251-442-2273, or toll free at 1-800-WIN-RAMS.