On Monday, August 24, Bainbridge State College will hold a special program and public reception honoring the memory of the late Dr. Edward Mobley, founding president of the college, The event will take place at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center on campus.

Current BSC President, Dr. Richard Carvajal, explains, “With our students, faculty and staff returning for the fall semester, we knew that we needed to take a moment to celebrate the life of Dr. Mobley and to recognize the impact he made on our institution and on all of Southwest Georgia. Everything we are today as a college has been built upon the foundation that he and the other founders laid, and his impact on the community at large was just as significant. I look forward to joining our entire Bainbridge State College family for what promises to be a memorable event as we honor a man who will never be forgotten.”

Dr. Mobley, who died on June 9, 2015, will be fondly remembered by former colleagues, staff, and members of the community as representatives from a cross section of his many interests will be present to speak and share their memories. These include the British Brass Band, Bainbridge Little Theatre, BSC Alumni, charter and current faculty, Student Government Association and City of Bainbridge, to name a few.

Prior to coming to Bainbridge to build a college, he served as Academic Dean at Dalton Jr. College and was Director of the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton.

He came to Bainbridge in 1972 after completing a fellowship in the Humanities in Cambridge, Mass.

His assignment here was to build a new college from the ground up. It was necessary for him to recruit both faculty and students, as well as oversee construction of buildings and grounds to house the new learning center.

Mobley graduated with a Bachelors from the University of Georgia, later earned a Masters from UGA and went on to receive his PhD. in Music Education from Florida State University. He continued his life-long love of music and learning with postgraduate study at Harvard University and German language study at The Goethe Institute in Germany,

He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of the band, and later returned to serve as an officer with the 2nd Armored Division of the U.S. Army.

Always active in the community, he, along with three other faculty members from the college, started Bainbridge Little Theatre in 1974, which continues 41 years later. He was often seen playing drums for musical productions. He also started the Bainbridge British Brass Band, which initiated the tradition of playing carols on the square each Christmas Eve.

He remained an active college president for 27 years until his retirement in 1999.

As President Emeritus, he maintained an office on campus and was active with the Board of Trustees.

In 2009 he was given special recognition when the administration building was renamed in his honor.

The public is invited to attend this celebration of Dr. Mobley’s life. At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Carvajal is expected to make two announcements regarding the  ongoing history of Bainbridge State College, while ensuring the continuing legacy of Dr. Mobley.