University Of North Alabama: Student Population Insights

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama, with a 130-acre campus. It is Alabama's oldest public university. UNA's student enrollment has been steadily increasing over the years, with a record of more than 10,600 students for the 2023-2024 academic year. UNA offers more than 300 degree programs and concentrations, with an average class size of 24 students. The university is divided into five colleges: the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, the Sanders College of Business and Technology, the College of Education and Human Sciences, and the Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College. UNA's five colleges offer a wide range of courses, with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university's athletic teams, the North Alabama Lions, compete in NCAA Division I.

The University of North Alabama is a public university

The University of North Alabama was founded as LaGrange College in 1830 and is one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. LaGrange College opened on January 11, 1830, in a mountain hamlet a few miles south of Leighton in northeast Colbert County, Alabama. The college was reestablished in 1872 as the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River and became co-educational a year later.

The University of North Alabama has experienced significant growth and development over the years, with a current enrollment of over 8,800 students. It offers a wide range of degree programs, including more than 300 bachelor's degree programs and concentrations, 45 master's degree programs, education specialist degree programs, and doctoral programs. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has an established reputation for academic excellence.

The University of North Alabama is committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience for its students. It offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including a thriving Greek life with several fraternities and sororities. The university also has a strong athletic program, with 14 varsity teams that have won multiple conference championships and national titles. The university's lion mascots, Leo and Una, are a beloved part of the school's tradition and have been a part of the campus community for decades.

It is Alabama's oldest public university

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is Alabama's oldest public university. It was founded as LaGrange College in 1830, making it the first state-supported teachers' college south of the Ohio River. It was renamed Florence Wesleyan University in 1855, then State Normal School at Florence in 1872, and has undergone several other name changes since then, reflecting its expanding academic mission. UNA's current name was adopted in 1974.

UNA's campus is located in Florence, Alabama, and occupies 130 acres in a residential section of the city. The university is part of a four-city area, also including Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals, that has a combined population of 140,000 people.

UNA's history is closely linked with the development of public education in the state. It 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. UNA has grown and evolved over the years, and now offers degree programs in more than 80 different areas of study. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has an enrollment of over 10,000 students.

The university has a 130-acre campus

The University of North Alabama is located on a 130-acre campus in Florence, Alabama. The university is part of a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals. The campus is within walking distance of downtown restaurants, shops, and businesses.

The campus facilities master plan was developed by the Olmsted Brothers, the sons of the architect who designed New York City's Central Park. The campus has three antebellum structures: Wesleyan Hall, Rogers Hall, and Coby Hall. All three are listed in the National Historic Register.

The university's campus facilities include:

• The Harrison Plaza, constructed around a large Italian limestone fountain, serves as the principal entrance to the campus.
• Wesleyan Hall, one of UNA's most familiar structures, is considered one of the most eminent landmarks in North Alabama. The building currently serves as the centre for Foreign Languages, Psychology, and Geography.
• Rogers Hall, constructed by planter George Washington Foster, is another of UNA's most distinctive structures. It houses the Offices of Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Communications and Marketing.
• 601 Cramer Way, named after Alabama's "Education Governor", David Bibb Graves, houses the Office of the President, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and other senior administrative offices.
• Coby Hall, donated to the university in 1990, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is now home to the University Admissions office.
• The Robert M. Guillot University Center, popularly known as the "GUC", houses the Post Office, eateries, game rooms, and various student services.
• The Memorial Amphitheater, erected in 1934 as a memorial to World War I veterans, is used for outdoor plays, concerts, and speeches.
• Keller Hall, constructed in 1947, serves as the headquarters of UNA's College of Business & Technology.
• Willingham Hall, constructed by the Works Projects Administration in 1939, houses the Department of English, the Department of History, and the Department of Politics, Justice, Law, and Philosophy.
• The President's Home, completed in 1941, is located next to the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat, home of the university's live lion mascots, Leo and Una.
• Mattielou and Olive, two new residence halls, were completed in 2015 and 2016, respectively. They were built primarily for incoming freshmen students and offer double and limited single rooms, each with its own bathroom.

The university's five colleges offer degree programs in more than 80 different areas of study

The University of North Alabama offers a wide range of degree programs across its five colleges, with more than 80 areas of study to choose from. The university's academic offerings are designed to cater to a diverse range of student interests and career aspirations. Here is an overview of the five colleges and their respective areas of focus:

Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions:

Anderson College is dedicated to preparing students for careers in the healthcare industry. It offers a variety of degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice. The college also provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through its partnerships with local healthcare institutions.

College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering:

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering offers a broad range of degree programs that cover a wide spectrum of disciplines. Students can pursue degrees in fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, English, history, mathematics, and many others. The college also houses the Department of Entertainment Industry, which offers unique programs like the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.

Sanders College of Business and Technology:

Sanders College equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's business world. It offers a variety of degree programs, including Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and specialized programs like the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. The college also has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.

College of Education and Human Sciences:

The College of Education and Human Sciences prepares students for careers in education and human services. It offers a range of degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Education, and Education Specialist degrees. The college also houses the Kilby Laboratory School, a unique on-campus elementary school that serves as a training ground for future educators.

Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College:

The Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College is a selective college that offers enhanced academic opportunities for high-achieving students. It provides a rigorous and enriching curriculum, small class sizes, and a close-knit community. Students in the Honors College can pursue degrees in a variety of disciplines while benefiting from personalized attention and enhanced resources.

The university has more than 9,500 students enrolled

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama, with a 130-acre campus in a residential section of the city. UNA is the state's oldest public university and 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.

UNA has set a new enrollment record with the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, with more than 10,600 students enrolled. This marks the 15th consecutive term of record enrollment.

UNA's growth is sustained and impressive, and it reflects the outstanding work of individuals and departments across campus who continue to share the message that UNA is an exceptional place to get an education. Students of all ages, from undergraduate to doctoral, are listening and responding.

UNA's more than 10,600 students include traditional, campus-based learners as well as online students, Early College students, and degree-seekers in UNA's growing portfolio of international programs. UNA's record enrollment for the 15th straight term – in stark contrast to statewide, regional, and national enrollment declines – is laudable, distinct, and noteworthy.

UNA's student body is diverse and includes over 1,000 international students from 69 countries. UNA's five colleges offer degree programs in more than 80 different areas of study, with more than 300 degreed programs and concentrations. UNA's average class size is 24 students, and it has an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

UNA's tuition is among the lowest in the state, and roughly 1/3 of UNA students receive an institutional or endowed scholarship from the University. UNA is able to award bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist degrees, and it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

UNA's campus facilities include three antebellum structures: Wesleyan Hall, Rogers Hall, and Coby Hall, all listed in the National Historic Register. The university also has two campuses, following a decision in 2006 to purchase J.W. Powell School from the Florence City Schools. The East Campus houses several academic units, including the Office of Continuing Studies and Outreach and the Human Environmental Sciences' state-of-the-art Culinary Facility.

UNA's athletic programs are also renowned, with 14 varsity teams that have collected more than 40 conference championships, dozens of No. 1 national rankings, and seven national titles. UNA operates one of the state's oldest costume mascot programs, with live lion mascots Leo and Una.

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