South Magazine Winter 2022/Spring 2023

Members of the Mitchell family have been philanthropic
leaders at the University of South Alabama for half a
century, making their family one of the most generous
private donors to higher education in the history of the
state of Alabama. The Mitchell Center, the Mitchell
College of Business and the Mitchell Cancer Institute
have been named in their honor.
Arlene Mitchell was married to Mayer “Bubba”
Mitchell, a USA trustee who built a Mobile-based realestate
empire with his brother, Abraham “Abe” Mitchell.
She was appointed to the USA Board of Trustees after
the death of her husband.
She grew up in Atlanta and met her husband at the
University of Pennsylvania, where he and his brother
were studying fnance. Years later, Abe Mitchell served
on the board at the Wharton School of Business.
The family’s pull to South has made a
transformational impact through education in Mobile,
where there are not as many big-dollar donors
compared with larger universities with long histories
and wealthy alumni.
Arlene Mitchell, a winner of the Mobilian of
the Year award, is active with the Ahavas Chesed
Synagogue. Her civic work includes support of the
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, Senior Citizens
Services of Mobile and the Boys and Girls Club of
South Alabama.
The family’s work with the USA Health Mitchell
Cancer Institute began with her husband, who was
frst diagnosed with cancer in his 30s. He was given
just six months to live, but lived to be 74, surviving fve
diferent cancers.
Mitchell believes that experience made her a
stronger person. There were hard times. Yet she laughs
when she tells the story of a low moment that became a
turning point.
Her husband spent time at the University of
Rochester Medical Center, so they rented an apartment
in Rochester, New York, where the weather was often
miserable. She remembers going grocery shopping in
the snow, then slipping and falling on their front steps,
with bags spilling everywhere.
Just then, Mayer opened the front door, frustrated
with their time in Rochester, saying that if he was going
to die, he might as well go home to Mobile.
“’You’re not going to go home!’” Arlene insisted.
“You’re going to stay here and take all that medicine!’
And he just looked at me, because I’d never screamed at
him like that before. And he decided to stay.”
Her husband lived long enough to join his wife
and brother at the “topping out” ceremony for the MCI,
signing a beam during construction of the Mitchell
Cancer Institute, a place other cancer patients could
go to for academic healthcare treatment close to
home. In the last 15 years, South and the USA Health
system have continued to grow, with new buildings
and programs.
“It’s mind-boggling to me,” she said. “So much had
changed since Mayer was on the board.”
In their marriage and in Mobile, Arlene and
Mayer Mitchell were a team who complemented each
other and worked together in community projects
and philanthropic endeavors. The couple raised three
daughters and a son.
“I have three daughters, and lots of
granddaughters, and I know it means
a lot to them. That makes me proud.”
– ARLENE MITCHELL
Through the years, the family traveled the world for
pleasure and in advocacy, visiting the White House and
meeting heads of state. Along the way, they also picked
up an appreciation and knowledge of art. When asked
about pieces they collected, Mitchell’s answers almost
always include a family story about where they were
going and what drew them to a scene.
“A lot of our paintings have children in them,” she
said. “In fact, one of Mayer’s favorite pictures is at
South right by the president’s ofce.”
Mitchell is a strong supporter of Jo Bonner, the
former Alabama congressman who in January 2022
became the fourth president of the University. His
experience is something she relies upon as the new
chair of the USA Board of Trustees.
“I think Jo is going to be such an asset,” she said. “I
think Jo will make sure we have these contacts in the
state and beyond to get the support we need.”
She approaches her own job with humility.
“It’s an interesting experience, and I hope I’m up
to fulflling it,” Mitchell said. “It’s a little overwhelming,
but I’m learning. Just learning to be with a lot of
diferent people, dealing with diferent personalities,
and being able to handle that and not step on too
many toes.”
That shouldn’t be a problem for the new chair of
the Board of Trustees. In a way, she’s been preparing for
this job her whole life.
SOUTH | FALL 2022/SPRING 2023
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