Bates To Receive University Of Mobile Medal

The University of Mobile (UM) recently announced that 2004 alumnus Ira Bates, Jr., vice president – community development officer for The First Bank, will be honored with the 2023 Samuel Boykin Medal of Excellence on April 1 at UM’s Alumni Brunch. The award was established in 2019 to honor the life of the late Samuel M. Boykin, the first African American UM graduate. The award acknowledges exceptional African American graduates of the Christian university who reflect the humility Boykin exemplified throughout life. Bates is a member of the UM President’s Advisory Council and serves the community through a variety of organizations, including United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Housing First, Victory Health Partners, the Foley Housing Authority, the Africatown Redevelopment Corp., Junior Achievement, Goodwill Gulf Coast, Ella Grant Elementary Mentors, Toastmasters International and the Greater Gulf State Fair.