History, Affiliations, and Rankings
In Florence, Alabama, the University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university. It is the oldest public university in the state. In 1830, LaGrange College became the University of North Alabama. It was reopened as the first state-supported teacher’s institution south of the Ohio River in 1872. It became one of the country's first coeducational institutions a year later. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has granted the University of North Alabama accreditation to offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. The University of North Alabama is ranked #27 in Regional Universities South in the Best Colleges 2022 edition of the US News.
Infrastructure, Campuses, and Courses
UNA is part of a four-city region that includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals, and is on a 130-acre (0.5 km2) campus in a residential suburb of Florence. A metropolitan region with a total population of 140,000 people is formed by the four cities. The University of North Alabama has a long history, as does the surrounding residential area. The Seminary-O'Neal Historic District, which includes the UNA campus, is named after the street where the Synodical Female College was located as well as two Alabama governors. The five schools of the University of North Alabama offer degree programs in more than 80 distinct fields of study. In the academic year 2020–2021, UNA awarded 1,304 undergraduate degrees and 643 graduate degrees.
Accomplishments and Alumni
UNA's student-run yearbook, The Diorama, has won multiple accolades in competition with other yearbooks at the national level. The university's award-winning literary and art journal, Lights & Shadows, is produced once a year. The journal has won several accolades since its inception in 1956 as a publication of the Florence State Teachers College English Club, including first place in the Southern Literary Association's annual competition. Business executives, governors, lawmakers, other government and military officials, professional sports, artists, and entertainers are among the University of North Alabama's alumni and former students. A few of them are Walt Aldridge (composer of “There’s No Getting Over Me” and “Holding Her and Loving You”), Jim Blasingame (founder of Small Business Network, author, syndicated radio show host), and Corey Harris (NFL player).
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
UNA benefits from a varied and active campus community because it understands that everyone has their own unique life experiences. The Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity at the University of North Alabama is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus community. UNA achieved a College Factual diversity rank of #302 out of 3,514 total schools in the ranking. High overall diversity means a high variety of students of different races, ethnicities, ages, and genders, from all parts of the country and abroad. The university also takes care of providing its students with the best placement opportunities. Several well renowned and popular companies visit here such as Lockheed Martin, Nucor, and Tennessee Valley Authority.
