FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama alumnus and Chairman Emeritus of Anderson Companies, Charles Anderson Sr., ’56, will be the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from UNA, which will be conferred at the December 2018 commencement ceremonies.

Charles is the first son of Clyde Anderson, who built [...]]]>

Charles Anderson Sr.

FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama alumnus and Chairman Emeritus of Anderson Companies, Charles Anderson Sr., ’56, will be the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from UNA, which will be conferred at the December 2018 commencement ceremonies.

Charles is the first son of Clyde Anderson, who built a newsstand from piano boxes and began selling newspapers in downtown Florence.  The newsstand became successful and Clyde moved to a storefront. The younger Anderson began learning his father’s business as a paper carrier at age 9 and later worked in the newsstand during high school.

Charles Anderson graduated from Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in 1956 with a B.S. degree in marketing and a minor in economics.

In 1956, he began working full time in the family business, which today consists of four merged companies: Anderson Media, one of the leading in-store merchandisers in Walmart; TNT Fireworks, the largest distributor and merchandiser of fireworks in the U.S.; Books-A-Million, the second largest bookstore chain in the nation; and Anderson Press, a book publisher focusing on the numismatic and sports market.

Anderson now serves as chairman emeritus of the companies founded by the Anderson family.  His many honors include receipt of UNA’s Alumni of the Year Award in 1979, induction into the Horatio Alger Association in 2015, and recognition as the Shoals Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2016.

UNA President Ken Kitts praised Anderson for his strong support of the University.

“His success and international reputation add to the luster of the UNA brand,” Kitts said.  “He cares deeply about his alma mater, leads by example through his generous giving, and encourages all of us to set high goals and strive for excellence in all that we do.”

Anderson and his wife, Hilda, have four sons, Charles Jr., Terry, Clyde and Harold

FLORENCE–Spring Break season is here, which means plenty of downtime, recreation, and R&R – rest and reading, that is! To help students steer clear of wordy textbooks during the well-deserved week off, Books-A-Million has released top-rated titles to tote along for the vacation fun – from fantasy tales and suspenseful thrillers to contemporary romance [...]]]>

FLORENCE–Spring Break season is here, which means plenty of downtime, recreation, and R&R – rest and reading, that is! To help students steer clear of wordy textbooks during the well-deserved week off, Books-A-Million has released top-rated titles to tote along for the vacation fun – from fantasy tales and suspenseful thrillers to contemporary romance and funny fictions. Whether Spring Breakers are beach bound or sticking around for a staycation, these books will keep them enthralled and entertained all hiatus long.
Highlighted Spring Break picks:

“Be Frank With Me” by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Specially selected as Books-A-Million’s Spring 2016 President’s Pick, “Be Frank With Me” is filled with humor, love and only-in-Hollywood moments. The charming story follows a mother and son, and the intrepid young woman who is pulled into their unforgettable world.

“Lady Midnight” by Cassandra Clare
The first book of the “Dark Artifices” series, “Lady Midnight” is the heartrending sequel to the internationally bestselling “Mortal Instruments” series. Emma Carstairs is bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. She must learn to trust her head and heart as she investigates a demonic plot.

“The Widow” by Fiona Barton
For fans of “Gone Girl” and “The Girl on the Train,” “The Widow” is an electrifying thriller that takes readers into the dark spaces that exist between a husband and a wife. There is a lot Jean hasn’t said over the years about the crime her husband was suspected of committing, but now there’s no reason to stay quiet.

“A Girl’s Guide to Moving On” by Debbie Macomber
A powerful new standalone novel, “A Girl’s Guide to Moving On” follows two women who become unlikely best friends: a former mother and daughter-in-law who each leave their cheating husbands only to discover a kindred spirit in one another.

“The High Mountains of Portugal” by Yann Martel
From the author of “The Life of Pi,” “The High Mountains of Portugal” offers a haunting exploration of great love and loss. Filled with tenderness, humor and endless surprise, it takes the reader on a road trip through Portugal in the last century—and through the human soul.

For more Spring Break picks from Books-A-Million, visit http://bit.ly/BAM_Bestsellers.

Books-A-Million, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the second-largest chain of bookstores in the United States. Books-A-Million got its start in 1917 as a magazine stand in Florence, Alabama and now operates over 250 stores in the 32 states as well as an online store at http://www.booksamillion.com.