CA M PA I G N N E W S L E T T E R • Fa l l 2 0 1 6 To the UNA Family, As the volunteer co-chairs of UNA’s comprehensive campaign, we wish to thank those who have remembered our university with your gifts, pledges and plans. It is because of individuals like you that UNA will continue to strive to reach new levels of excellence in academics, research, and teaching. Our campaign just went public last spring, and we still have much work to do to reach our goal of $35 million. With the support from this campaign, UNA can remain a premier institution serving North Alabama. Personally, we believe so strongly in the University of North Alabama’s future we were more than happy to donate a gift which provided incentive to build a new nursing facility on the campus, which should begin construction in 2017. The board of trustees approved the naming of this building the “Laura M. Harrison Hall”, of which we are both so grateful. It is our hope and desire others will follow our lead, no matter the size of your gift, and donate to build a better tomorrow for the students of today. We sincerely ask for your support in helping us reach our campaign goal. Roar Lions! Laura ’55 and Don Harrison Cincinnati, Ohio
A Historical Night
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Campaign Messages
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Campaign Priorities
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Smith Scholarship
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Isbell Scholar Program
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THANKS
A MILLION . . .
Jocelyn Barnes Senior, Public Communications “To all of the UNA donors, I want you to know just how important you are; it’s because of you that students like me get to attend a University that not only provides you with an education, but helps shape you into the kind of person you want to be, and we are all so thankful for your generosity!”
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UNA Campaign Kick-off Gala A H I STO R I CA L N I G HT TO R E M E M BE R
UNA’s Office of Advancement held a gala to announce the start of the campaign’s public phase. The event included a live performance from UNA alumnus Dillion Hodges ’12 (Firekid). But, the biggest performers of the night were UNA’s donors, whose generosity already helped raise over $25 million during almost three years of the campaign’s silent phase. Dr. Deborah Shaw ’82, Vice President for Advancement stated: “We believe this campaign will not only advance UNA to a point of national recognition, but it will also be a benefit for the area we call home, the Shoals. We have a great relationship with our surrounding area and if we benefit and grow, the area does as well. It’s a win-win for our
students and residents.” Dr. Ken Kitts, UNA President, said at the event that his main goals are to celebrate the Shoals, provide an extraordinary experience for our students, and to tell UNA’s story. “I think the kick-off of the public phase for this campaign does all three,” said Kitts. “We’re celebrating the heritage and work ethic of the region by starting new programs and supporting existing ones. We are raising funds to provide our students with the ultimate experience, of which over $25 million has already been raised; and, we’re letting everyone know that we’re one of the best institutions in the country thanks to our students, faculty/staff, alumni, friends, and donors.”
For more information on “Build the Pride: The Campaign for UNA” go to una.edu/campaign
Dr. Deborah Shaw ’82
This is truly an exciting time to be at UNA. For more than 185 years, the university has played an essential role in preparing students for lives of personal and professional achievement. Now we are building on our distinguished past, and the years ahead offer even greater opportunities for growth.
Dr. Kenneth D. Kitts
To help with this growth, we have welcomed UNA alumna Dr. Deborah Shaw to the Office of Advancement. Dr. Shaw joins us as the Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the UNA Foundation after over 30 years of service at Auburn University. Dr. Shaw offers a wealth of experience in university advancement and alumni affairs, and she is passionate about her alma mater. We are currently in the midst of the public phase of our first ever comprehensive campaign. “Build the Pride” has seen great success in these early months. We’ve already raised $26 million on our way to an overall goal of $35 million, and we are working hard to keep this momentum going. I believe that with help from you, our friends, we will realize this new campaign goal. Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of our students. I invite you to join with us in this endeavor.
Alumni & Friends of the University of North Alabama, There is not a better time to be on board the UNA train than right now – and I encourage you to join us in celebrating the numerous accomplishments achieved by our faculty, staff and students! Fall enrollment has broken all records. Faculty research is on the rise. Our institution was recently selected as a top institution for its commitment to diversity by a prestigious conference. On-campus living is at an all-time high. Many people are working very hard to strengthen UNA’s academic reputation, and that work is paying off. However, to keep the wheels moving, we need your help. It takes money to do the things we are striving to do, all to plan for UNA’s future. That support starts with you. Please consider making a gift during this campaign. I promise it will make a huge difference in UNA continuing to reach new heights of excellence. We want to make sure our university will always be one you will be proud to be a part of, whether as a graduate or supporter. We will continue to keep you informed of our progress through future e-newsletters. Roar Lions! Dr. Debbie L. Shaw ’82
It’s our time to ROAR! Dr. Ken Kitts
President
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THANKS
A MILLION . . .
Campaign Priorities THE NEXT STEPS
Jacob Danley Senior, Physical Education “You have tremendously helped my financial burden which allows me to focus on my classes and doing well this semester academically.
As we successfully conclude our private phase of UNA’s Build the Pride: The Campaign for UNA, we begin to focus on the three priorities that President Kitts has communicated to the campus and community. Those priorities are:
Elevate the Honors Program to the next level of excellence by establishing an endowed Honors College.
Celebrate the deep musical roots of the Shoals Area by renovating and expanding the performing arts center to reflect the quality of the UNA performing arts program, while recognizing the impact the Muscle Shoals sound has had on the community.
Enhance student experiences as we launch the four-year program in Engineering Technology.
Words cannot express how thankful I am to receive this scholarship from you. I hope one day I am financially able to give back like you have.”
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In this issue of our Campaign Newsletter, we will highlight one of our campaign priorities – elevating our current Honors Program to an endowed Honors College In 2005, the University of North Alabama created a campus-wide Honors Program to attract academically well-prepared students to the campus. Beginning with an inaugural class of 30 students, the Honors Program has today recruited a strong and diverse group of more than 300 students representing all four academic colleges. The Program provides students with a truly transformative experience by focusing on six key areas: Civic Engagement & Service, Experiential Learning, Research & Performance, Global Cultural Exchange, a Living/Learning Community, and Dynamic, Small Group Instruction. Since its inception in 2005, the primary goal of the Honors Program has been to maximize post-graduate success for students as they pursue their chosen careers or seek further work in graduate and professional programs. With the recent completion of the 166,000 square-foot science and engineering facility on Pine Street, the upcoming addition of the new Laura M. Harrison Hall to house the Anderson College of Nursing in the center of campus, and the soon-to-be renovated Keystone Building that will house the Human Environmental Sciences department in downtown Florence, a new Honors College would play a crucial role in linking together these exciting academic developments and attracting an even larger cohort of the best and brightest students to the University. The new Honors College would incorporate the existing emphasis on post-graduate success into its new mission while providing the University with a higher visibility academic unit to further enhance the institutional brand for excellence. Establishing new scholarships and professorships would be central to the success of an Honors College at UNA and would support increased enrollment of the highest quality students. As the competition for outstanding students has intensified in recent years, financial incentives are a crucial aspect of any strategy to attract elite students. Through a newly endowed and high profile Honors College, UNA would be poised to attract an ever larger critical mass of exceptional students and provide them with the kind of transformative experience that produces successful, productive citizens. A prestigious endowed Honors College at UNA would pay great dividends to the University, the Shoals community, and the region. For more information, visit una.edu/honors.
@NorthALHono rs UNA Honor s Pro g ra m north_alabama _ h o n o rs 5
THANKS
A MILLION . . .
Join us today • Make an impact • Make your pledge
The Smiths Create
THE GRACE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP Anna Katherine Curlee Senior, Nursing “Your gift reminds me of the attitude essential to the kind of nurse I want to be: selfless, putting others before yourself, and to always want to see others succeed.”
Harry and Beth Smith have a passion for sharing their values of integrity, compassion, love, and generosity in a practical and life-affirming way. The Smiths, who had already made a generous donation to the “Build the Pride Campaign”, knew that Laura M. Harrison Hall was in the final stages of architectural approval. So when they sat down to eat lunch with Dean Vicki Pierce of the Anderson College of Nursing Beth and Harry Smith to ask her how their dream could translate into another tangible gift to UNA, Dean Pierce shared with them the reality that many of our nursing students unfortunately do not have the financial means to finish a degree without incurring student loan debt. Encouraged by the Dean’s passion for her college’s mission of “improving health in the community by effecting change in systems and policies, and to promote research and scholarly activities that advance nursing knowledge,” the Smiths realized their gift would have a lasting impact helping students graduate. With the expectation of additional nursing students in the new facility, the Smiths knew that additional scholarships would be needed. Thus, the Grace Foundation Excellence Scholarship was created as the Smiths realized they could incorporate biblical principles of helping the sick by educating the nurses who would minister to the infirm. The Grace Scholarship offers a 1:2 match to any new gift to the Anderson College of Nursing program, as well as any named gift opportunity to Laura M. Harrison Hall.
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ANDERSON College of NURSING LAURA M. HARRISON HALL
Founded in 1973, the Anderson College of Nursing has two departments: traditional and online. Currently housed on the second floor of Stevens Hall, the ACON has access to approximately 15,000 square-feet. However, the new Laura M. Harrison Hall will be a 55,000 square-foot stateof-the-art building located in the footprint of Floyd Hall. A main focal point for Laura M. Harrison Hall will be an increase in personnel space. Housing all faculty members on campus will allow students to have more face-to-face communication with their professors and it will also increase communication with committee work and assignments. To this end Harrison Hall will also house a much larger conference room to encourage team meetings. Currently, the Anderson College of Nursing has two classrooms and two computer labs which accommodate approximately 50 students each. In order to meet new demands, the new facility will have four classrooms and two computer labs equipped with the latest teaching technology and will accommodate 72 students each. An additional goal for the ACON is to move all testing
to an online format. This step will better prepare students for the online NCLEX-RN examination and the new computer labs will help make this goal a reality! Research has shown that high-fidelity simulation is an excellent teaching technology to use in nursing education, because students can learn clinical decision making and nursing skills in a safe environment before they practice on actual patients. The new simulation lab in the ACON will have eight dedicated simulation rooms, each equipped with the latest technology. The simulation labs will also provide students with two debriefing rooms for discussions. Laura M. Harrison Hall will serve as a place for students to study, but it will also be an inviting environment that encourages peer interaction. In order to help encourage this, the new building will provide four designated study rooms and student lounge areas. Laura M. Harrison Hall will not only provide UNA’s nursing students with a top notch education, it will provide them with the tools and experiences that make for a top notch life.
Please contact Gift Officer Barbie Terry at bterry5@una.edu, or call her at 256.765.5082 if you are interested in making a gift to the Anderson College of Nursing program or a naming opportunity to the Laura M. Harrison Hall. Any gift will be matched by the Grace Foundation Excellence Scholarship.
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THANKS
A MILLION . . .
Mia Adam Junior, Physical Therapy “Thank you again for your generosity and support. I promise you I will work very hard and eventually give something back to others, both as a physical therapist and possibly a scholarship to future students like myself.”
Dr. Raymond Isbell, Dr. William Strong, and Dr. Clark Mueller
The Isbell Scholar Program A SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR RETIRED UNA EMPLOYEES
University employees who are near retirement may submit a request to their immediate supervisor to be designated as an Isbell Scholar. This program allows employees an opportunity to be employed one additional year after retirement for the purpose of establishing an endowment fund to support the mission of the University. Up to one year of additional volunteer service is permissible with appropriate approvals.
Dr. Raymond Isbell ’58 first initiated the idea of contributing volunteer service after retirement in lieu of salary in 1997. In 2008, the program of funding scholarships in retirement was formalized and guidelines were developed. In 2011 the program was renamed after Dr. Isbell.
There are currently 18 Isbell Scholars; three of which have signed their paperwork and created their endowments within the last year. 8
OUR NEWEST ISBELL SCHOLARS Dr. Paul Kittle began his service as an Isbell Scholar in 2015. He was hired at UNA to teach in the Biology Department in 1983 and served as the Department Chair from 1992 – 2014. Through his service as an Isbell Scholar, he has established the Paul D. Kittle Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will be used to support students majoring in Biology.
Dr. Kerry Gatlin began his service as an Isbell Scholar in 2016. He was hired in 1987 to teach in the Department of Management and Marketing. In 2001, he began his service as Interim Dean for the College of Business and then served as the Dean from 2003 – 2013. Dr. Gatlin’s service as an Isbell Scholar will provide for two endowments that will benefit the College of Business: The John and Gladys Gatlin Endowed Scholarship and the Gatlin Endowment for Innovation.
ISBELL SCHOLARS Dr. Raymond Isbell ’53 Dr. Charles Richmond Dr. Barry Morris
Dr. Thomas Murray Dr. Clark Mueller Dr. Alyce Brown
Dr. Thomas Osborne Dr. Walter Teaff
Dr. Teresa Leonard ’81
Dr. Gregory Risner ’81 Dr. Janice Myhan ’81 began her service as an Isbell Scholar in 2016. She was hired at UNA in 1985 to teach in the Department of Elementary Education. Through her service as an Isbell Scholar, she has established the Janice Gargis Myhan Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will be used to support students majoring in Elementary Education.
Dr. William Strong
Dr. Linda Lewis ’97
Dr. Michael Moeller Dr. Larry Adams
Ms. Cathy Malone Dr. Paul Kittle
For more information on the Isbell Scholar Program, contact Deborah Hensley at dlhensley@una.edu or 256.765.4861
Dr. Janice Myhan ’81 Dr. Kerry Gatlin
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THE CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
Strengthen Your Future and Ours
HOW A GIFT ANNUITY WORKS
A gift annuity is a simple contractual agreement between you and a charity in which you give money or assets in exchange for the organization’s promise to provide you, the annuitant, with fixed payments each year for your lifetime.
WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH
By establishing a charitable gift annuity, you can accomplish two things: 1. You receive fixed payments for yourself and/or another individual. 2. After your lifetime, the remaining amount supports your chosen charity.
SAVINGS YOU CAN EXPECT TO ACHIEVE
Your donation is divided into two parts: (1) the amount of the donation attributable to the gift portion and (2) the amount of the donation attributable to your annuity payments. A portion of each payment you receive is considered a nontaxable return of your contribution, from the start of your payments until you reach your estimated life expectancy. This tax-free amount further increases your after-tax dollars available for whatever you choose, such as spending or investing. You are entitled to a charitable income-tax deduction for the gift portion of your contribution – usually between 30 and 50 percent of the value of the gift, assuming you itemize your deductions.
In addition to the payments and the deduction you receive, a gift annuity funded with appreciated property has these advantages: 1. The capital gain allocated to the gift portion completely avoids the capital-gains tax. 2. In most cases, the portion of the taxable capital gain can be spread over your life expectancy.
Why Choose a Charitable Gift Annuity?
RECEIVE fixed payments for your lifetime, or supply loved ones with payments for life. ENJOY a charitable income-tax deduction. OBTAIN tax-favored payments you can never outlive. SUPPORT a cause you care about. AVOID a portion of the capital-gains tax when you fund your gift annuity with appreciated property.
CALL US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UNIQUE WAY TO GIVE THAT BENEFITS YOU AND US. University Foundation • One Harrison Plaza, Box 5113 • Florence, AL 35632-0001 256-765-4896 • 1-800-TALK UNA • jtjackson@una.edu