“It’s about nurturing the next generation,” said Mary, an artist who has served as an educator among numerous artistic and faith-based organizations.
The ethos of the Rodning family has always been that of servant leadership – a great respect for education, a vigorous work ethic, a striving for excellence, a strong sense of community, benevolence, gratitude, and humility.
Dr. Rodning, who serves as professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, said his family has always aspired to service, both in the academic arena and the community at large.
To honor this commitment, the Rodning family recently made a gift to the USA Department of Surgery to provide funding for educational endeavors. The gift, totaling $100,000.00, will be used to establish the Charles Bernard and Mary Elizabeth Rodning Endowed Surgical Educational Fund.
Dr. Rodning, who has been with the University for more than 30 years, hopes the gift will inspire others to contribute. “We wish this gift to exemplify our commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the University of South Alabama, and desire the institution to flourish and thrive.”
Dr. Rodning joined the USA College of Medicine in 1981 after a military assignment in Okinawa, Japan. Since then, the Rodnings have been heavily involved in the USA Anatomical Gifts Program, the Mobile Medical Museum, the Mobile Museum of Art, the Mobile Symphony, and the Semmes Public Library.
As a mentor to medical students and residents at the USA College of Medicine, Dr. Rodning has the opportunity to counsel them daily. “Physicians must be philosophically grounded in the liberal arts if they would serve humanity effectually and meaningfully,” he said.
In addition to the Department of Surgery gift, an endowment was also established to support the Mobile Medical Museum, which preserves the unique medical heritage of our community as a repository of artifacts and documents.
“We have the opportunity to educate Mobilians every day,” Mary said. “These gifts represent our enthusiasm for both institutions to capitalize on every opportunity to preserve the past and prepare for the future.”
