FLORENCE. – Officials with the University of North Alabama announced that the University has completed its first comprehensive campaign, and well ahead of schedule.

Not only did UNA reach the $35 million goal announced publicly in 2016, but the state’s oldest four-year public institution surpassed it by raising a total of [...]]]>  

FLORENCE. – Officials with the University of North Alabama announced that the University has completed its first comprehensive campaign, and well ahead of schedule.

Not only did UNA reach the $35 million goal announced publicly in 2016, but the state’s oldest four-year public institution surpassed it by raising a total of $36,674,395 for the “Build the Pride” comprehensive campaign.

“This is truly a milestone in the history of this University,” said UNA’s President, Dr. Ken Kitts. “Reaching this goal signifies that the University of North Alabama is on an amazing trajectory, and we couldn’t have done it without our generous donors and friends. Even as we close this campaign, I want us to begin thinking about new objectives and priorities that will carry UNA forward. We can move mountains when we work together,” he said.

A comprehensive campaign is different from a typical capital campaign, in that the money raised goes to all facets of the University, not just capital projects like buildings, etc.

Here are a few of the accomplishments made during the “Build the Pride” campaign, thanks to UNA’s generous donors:

72 new student scholarships (46 endowed)
11 additional scholarships (supplements to endowments)
One named academic college
Two named academic buildings
One named academic department
One named academic center
10 planned gifts received totaling over $8.2 million
16 planned gifts (unrealized) totaling over $4.25 million
28 new funds established to support academic and student programs
Six new funds established to support athletic programs
Two endowed professorships at $250,000 each
Two new Speaker Series; one new Visiting Artist Series.
Officials with the UNA Foundation were quick to point out that the “Build the Pride” comprehensive campaign did not happen overnight; there were many people who laid the groundwork years before, so that something like this could be successful.

“As Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors, I take extra pride in the work that has been done at this institution and thank our donors for allowing the Foundation Board to help further the mission of the University of North Alabama,” said Harry Smith, chair of the UNA Foundation Board of Directors. “If the campaign success says anything, it’s that together we can bring this University to new heights.”

While the “Build the Pride” comprehensive campaign was a first in the history of UNA, it certainly won’t be the last. Officials with the UNA Foundation are already looking toward the next campaign, which will help make up for the lack of state funding and keep UNA competitive in terms of scholarships, facilities, etc.

“We’re very excited to close this successful campaign, but the work never stops,” said Dr. Debbie Shaw, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the UNA Foundation. “UNA deserves our full attention, and we will happily continue to support its mission with the support of generous donors.”

FLORENCE, Ala. – Edsel Holden will present “What a Wonderful World,” a fundraising concert for UNA Bands, Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 2 p.m., in Norton Auditorium on the UNA campus.

Holden, who is a well-known name in the Shoals area, has performed fundraising concerts for the past 10 years, and he’s excited [...]]]>

FLORENCE, Ala. – Edsel Holden will present “What a Wonderful World,” a fundraising concert for UNA Bands, Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 2 p.m., in Norton Auditorium on the UNA campus.

Holden, who is a well-known name in the Shoals area, has performed fundraising concerts for the past 10 years, and he’s excited this year’s concert will benefit UNA Bands.

“I’ve always liked the UNA Band,” he said. “The first time I performed with my grandson was with the UNA Studio Jazz Band. Arguably, the UNA Band, under the direction of Lloyd Jones, is the finest college band in the state, but even they need help from time to time. That’s why I decided to do this concert for them.”

Holden is a self-proclaimed lover of jazz and big band music. The lack of this type of music in today’s music scene is what propelled him to start hosting these concerts each year.

“I grew up during the 1940s and ’50s, when big band music was the style that was most popular, and my favorite singer was Frank Sinatra,” Holden said. “Unfortunately, there’s no market for big band music anymore. The only way to get it done is to do it yourself, so that’s what I did when I started performing these concerts.”

But performing for an audience isn’t something new to Holden—he’s performed most of his life.

“When I was at Florence State Teachers College, now UNA, a group of students headed by Tommy ‘Chigger’ Parish got together and formed a big band,” he said. “We called ourselves the FSTC Starlighters.”

The big band he works with now is the Edd Jones Orchestra. Jones, former director of UNA Bands and professor emeritus at UNA, leads the group, which performs for ballroom dance clubs throughout the South. The orchestra will be joined by a diverse group of guests for the June 11 concert.

“Through the years, I’ve always tried to have the widest possible variety of guests—pop, country and blues,” said Holden. “This year is no different.”

Holden and the Edd Jones Orchestra will be joined by the Wagnon Sisters, Michael Curtis, Garrett Miles, Aubrey Holden, Lloyd Jones, Louise McCoy and David McCullough. The program will feature big band favorites like “Sing Sing Sing,” ballads such as “To Make You Feel My Love” and jazz tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon.” The program promises something for everyone.

“The audience is going to get a fabulous concert with great songs played by a great band and performed with great guests,” said Holden. “I don’t know what else an audience could ask for than that!”

Tickets are $15 and are available at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and the Tennessee Valley Arts Center. Military veterans are admitted free, but a ticket is required. Complimentary tickets may be picked up at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts. Complimentary tickets will not be issued the day of the show.

For more information: the UNA Department of Music at (256)765-5122 or una.edu/music.