FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama will honor alumnus Wendell W. Gunn, Wednesday, March 14, at 5 p.m., at a naming ceremony on campus.

The University Commons will now be known as the Wendell W. Gunn University Commons in honor of the alumnus, who was the first African-American [...]]]>

Wendell Wilkie Gunn (’65)

FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama will honor alumnus Wendell W. Gunn, Wednesday, March 14, at 5 p.m., at a naming ceremony on campus.

The University Commons will now be known as the Wendell W. Gunn University Commons in honor of the alumnus, who was the first African-American student to enter Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama).

Gunn received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry & Mathematics from the University of North Alabama in 1965, an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1971 and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UNA in 2017.

After graduation, Gunn had a prestigious career with many personal and professional achievements in science, finance, politics and as an independent business owner.  In 1982, Mr. Gunn became an international trade adviser to President Ronald Reagan. He later founded Gunn Solutions, technology consultants to institutional investment managers.

In addition to the naming ceremony, Gunn will also be the guest of honor for UNA’s annual “Light the Fountain Ceremony.”  The University tradition welcomes the coming of spring by lighting the iconic Harrison Fountain on campus.

“Light the Fountain” will take place March 14, from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Harrison Plaza on UNA’s campus.

For more information on the Gunn naming ceremony:  Amanda Sherrod at asherrod@una.edu

For more information on UNA’s “Light the Fountain:” UNA Student Affairs at 256-765-4223 or https://www.una.edu/studentaffairs/vice-president-for-student-affairs.html

Staff