University of North Alabama

University of North Alabama
Former names
LaGrange College (1830-1855)
Florence Wesleyan University (1855-1872)
State Normal School of Florence (1872–1929)
Florence State Teacher's College (1929–1957)
Florence State College (1957–1967)
Florence State University (1967–1974)
MottoVeritas Lux Orbis Terrarum (Latin)
Motto in English
Truth is the Light of the World
TypePublic university
Established1830; 194 years ago (1830)
Endowment$53 million[1]
PresidentKenneth D. Kitts[2]
Academic staff
365
Students8,832[3]
Location
Florence
,
Alabama
,
U.S.

34°49′N 87°41′W / 34.81°N 87.68°W / 34.81; -87.68
CampusUrban, 130 acres (53 ha)
Colors    Purple and gold[4]
NicknameLions
Sporting affiliations
MascotLeo & Una
Websitewww.una.edu
Harrison Plaza at the University of North Alabama in Florence. The school was chartered as LaGrange College by the Alabama Legislature in 1830.

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama. It is the state's oldest public university. Occupying a 130-acre (0.5 km2) campus in a residential section of Florence, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. The four cities compose a metropolitan area with a combined population of 140,000 people.[5]

The University of North Alabama was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century. [6] It was founded as LaGrange College in 1830. It was reestablished in 1872 as the first state-supported teachers college south of the Ohio River. A year later, it became one of the nation's first coeducational colleges.[7][8]

  1. ^ "North Alabama Foundation Endowment Tops $53 Million". Una.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Kenneth D. Kitts, Ph.D."
  3. ^ "UNA's Enrollment Breaks Records, tops 8,800 Students for First Time". Una.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Color Palette | University of North Alabama". Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  5. ^ ""Description of the University: History and Location," University of North Alabama Catalog, 2006-2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  6. ^ Christine Ogren, The American State Normal School: 'An Instrument of Great Good' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) pp. 1-5, 213-235; online.
  7. ^ "Jarnigan, Bill. "Facts and Figures about UNA," Office of University Relations, University of North Alabama". Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  8. ^ Palmer, Michael E. (April 25, 2009) "LaGrange College is Alabama's birthplace of higher education" Tuscaloosa News