Campaign Newsletter - Spring 2017 by University of North Alabama

CA M PA I G N N E W S L E T T E R SPRING 2017 • VOLUME 1 • No. 2

Dear Alumni and Friends of UNA, It is with gratitude I serve as the Chair of the University of North Alabama’s Foundation, a term I began Fall 2016. This position provides me the wonderful opportunity to work with others who are very committed to supporting our great University. It’s a blessing to serve with my fellow board members along with Dr. Debbie Shaw and her staff. It’s a great time to be a Lion! As I reflect over my 57-year relationship with UNA, I am reminded of the great leadership we have had. This leadership includes past presidents and their administrative staffs, the board of trustees, faculty members and so many others who have been responsible for the enrollment growth from 2,500 to 7,500 during those 57 years. We are thankful for our current president, Dr. Ken Kitts. Under his leadership, we are closing in on meeting our campaign goal. Our initial goal of $25 million for the Build the Pride Campaign was reached in the spring of 2016, and the Foundation Board was in support of University President Ken Kitts when he requested we increase the goal by an additional $10 million. Today, we are proud to relay we are close to $30 million, thanks to so many of you who have given generously. The Anderson family of Florence has pledged $3 million toward a new nursing facility. Laura and Don Harrison, co-chairs of this campaign, have pledged $2.5 million toward nursing as well. The McKinney families, of Muscle Shoals and Florence, have donated $1 million in honor of their

Campaign Messages

Foundation Board

Donor of Distinction

mother toward the Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design. The city of Florence gave $3 million toward the new Science and Technology building. While these gifts made a significant impact toward meeting our campaign goal, it does not diminish the importance of each and every gift made to our university, no matter how small. Every dollar is needed and appreciated. As the cost of educating our students continues to increase and state funding decreases, I’m hopeful our community will step up to ensure UNA remains strong and a big contributor to our community and to our students. We are proud of the fact UNA is a huge economic engine for the Shoals community. Everyone has a good reason to help our University. Let’s all join together with our gifts and with our influence to encourage others and reach $35 million. Accomplishing this goal will raise our University to a higher level. Roar Lions! Harry Smith ‘64 Chair, UNA Foundation

McKinneys

Colton Scott

Build the Pride Campaign

$29 million

Laura ’55 and Don Harrison Co-chairs of the UNA Campaign “Don and I are so pleased with the progress of the campaign. When we agreed to serve as co-chairs, we felt conﬁdent supporters of our University would come forward to contribute, and many have. We are grateful! Now we hope you will join us as we continue our journey to reach our campaign goal of $35 million.”

I sincerely ask that you make a contribution to UNA, giving back to the university which gave you so much. We are proud of the accomplishments of our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the University. We know you are proud, too. Together we can make sure UNA reaches new levels of excellence and increases its significant impact on the region. Roar Lions! Members of the UNA Family, It’s a great time to be a friend of the University of North Alabama! There’s a lot of excitement around the University, led by our outstanding president Ken Kitts and a very active Board of Trustees. In addition to that, we have a new set of officers of the UNA Foundation, led by long-time UNA supporter and successful businessman Harry Smith ’64 of Germantown, Tennessee (formerly of Florence). Serving as Vice-Chair is Florence resident Jeff Johnson ‘85 and Treasurer is David Sunseri ‘98 of Nashville. I round out the group as Secretary. All of us are committed to placing UNA in our personal top three philanthropic priorities. We humbly ask that you follow us and do the same, as we need your help to meet the University’s campaign goal and make UNA the best it can be! Many have stepped forward and contributed to the campaign. As a result of those efforts, the University has built and is currently using the Science and Technology building. The University is beginning construction on a new nursing facility - the “Laura M. Harrison Hall” which will host the newly named “Anderson College of Nursing.” Lastly, the College of Education and Human Sciences has renovated a downtown building

for the newly named Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design. The number of scholarships for students has increased, as have endowments for the same. We held our first annual “Day of Giving” in November, which was a social media fundraising effort, and over $40,000 was collected online in a 24-hour period. The money went to various needs all over campus, per the donor’s desire, and will become an annual event. In December, we completed the annual Faculty and Staff Campaign, with almost 50 percent giving to the campaign.

Debbie Shaw ‘82 Vice President Ofﬁce for Advancement & Executive Director UNA Foundation

David Sunseri, Treasurer; Jeff Johnson, Vice Chair; Harry Smith, Chair; and Debbie Shaw, Executive Director & Secretary

UNA Foundation Board of Directors Marty Abroms ‘81 Pamela Baschab Brad Botes ‘83 Richard Cater ‘67 Sybil Cleveland ‘84 Weldon Cole ‘60 Jeffrey “Jeff” Daniel ‘85 Robert “Chuck” Hunt ‘95 Jeffrey “Jeff” Johnson ‘85 Kenneth “Ken” Kitts, ex officio Bill Lyons ‘89 David Marbury, IV Macke Mauldin David Muhlendorf Nancy Opler Deborah Bell Paseur Robert Potts Uhland Redd, III Thomas Ross ‘80 Nancy Sanford ‘78 Deborah Shaw ‘82, ex officio Harry Smith ‘64 David Sunseri ‘98 Douglas “Doug” Tallman ‘74 Evan Thornton ‘15, ex officio Walter “Rusty” Trapp William “Will” Trapp, ex officio Lucy Trousdale ‘89 Tom White

OFFICERS Harry Smith, Chair Jeff Johnson, Vice Chair David Sunseri, Treasurer Debbie Shaw, Executive Director & Secretary EMERITUS DIRECTOR William “Bill” Cale, Jr., Emeritus

THANKS

A MILLION . . .

DONORS OF DISTINCTION LIFETIME CUMULATIVE GIVING

DONOR OF DISTINCTION DINNER • NOVEMBER 15, 2016

Grace and Howard Roberts Memorial Endowed Scholarship Maurice Mull ’16 BBA in Professional Management “The University of North Alabama has become a place I have called home over the last four years. UNA has allowed me to partake in many activities that have helped me to grow and develop professionally. Thank you all for making this possible through your generous donations to our wonderful university.”

During November, we held the annual donor recognition event to honor our donors. When we elevated the goals of the comprehensive campaign for UNA, we decided to change the donor dinner to a Donor of Distinction dinner as well, in order to increase expectations by encouraging our most loyal donors to join the Foundation in setting higher goals. This year, donors who gave a minimum of $2,500 over the past fiscal year were invited. We believe this brings our Donor of Distinction event to a completely new level of recognition and an esteemed honor.

ARGUS Software, Inc. City of Florence Estate of Ezra and Edith Culver Estate of Mary Deeters Estate of Susan Delony Estate of G. William Huckaba Estate of Henry McGill Harrison, Donald and Laura Martin, Charles Raburn, Herbert Robbins, Harvey and Joyce Ann

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 2 Diamond Pin • $500,000+ Anderson Foundations Anderson, Charles and Hilda Anderson, Joel and Carmen Anderson, Terry and Susan Bank Independent David Brubaker Colonial Bank Estate of James P. Braly Listerhill Credit Union Moody, John and Jane

More importantly, we changed our donor recognition and were proud to welcome our first ever group of distinguished donors to the giving group known as the Leadership Circle. Members of the Leadership Circle have attained a lifetime cumulative giving of $100,000 or more. The badge of honor for this Leadership Circle is a lapel pin boasting the following:

• One diamond for a cumulative giving level of $100,00 - $499,999 • Two diamonds for a cumulative giving level of $500,000 - $999,999 • Three diamonds for a cumulative giving level of $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 • Four diamonds for a cumulative giving of $5,000,000 or more We currently have donors represented in the first three tiers, and look forward to the opportunity to recognize recipients for their outstanding leadership achievement in the fourth tier, of $5,000,000 or more, in the near future!

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 3 Diamond Pin • $1,000,000+

Dr. Ken Kitts, Louise McCoy, and Dr. Debbie Shaw ’82

Dr. Ken Kitts, and Shirley Self ’60

Dr. Ken Kitts, Kristen Anderson, and Dr. Debbie Shaw ’82

Dr. Ken Kitts, Sherri Ann Logan, Steve Logan ’64, and Dr. Debbie Shaw ’82

Dr. Ken Kitts, Kathi Wade, Mitch Wade, and Dr. Debbie Shaw ’82

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 1 Diamond Pin • $100,000+

Barnes & Noble College Bookstores Barnes, Garry and Connie Bottimore, Bob and Wilma Brazos Sportswear, Inc. California Community Foundation CB&S Bank Cink, Stewart & Lisa Coca-Cola Bottling Company Cole, John and Rosie Craig, Ann Dailey, Mildred Daugherty, Patrick and Becky Doughty, John and Gail Drummond, John and Toni Edwards, Harry Estate of Jean Paxton Rogers Estate of Virgina Bayless O’Connell First Southern Bank Glasscock, Neil and Ann Global Special Effects Grandview Campus Housing, LLC Howard, Dan and Anne Kanuru, Narendra Kanuru, Srihari and Kamala Killian, Wilburn Lewis, Harold and Tricia Logan, Steve Mann, Elizabeth Matthews, Joseph

McCoy, Louise Morris, Barry & Suzanne National Geographic New Generation Food, LLC (dba Bojangle’s) North Alabama Bone & Joint Oracle Academy Osborne, Tom and Jacqueline Petty, George and Anne Pressure Concrete Risner, Greg Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Self, Shirley Smith, Harry and Beth Sodexo Campus Services SouthTrust Bank State Farm Companies Foundation Strong, Bill and Rachel SunTrust Bank – Tennessee Valley Teaff, Walter and Elaine Terry, Jane The Coca-Cola Foundation UNA Alumni Association UNA Sportsman’s Club Wade, Mitch and Kathi Welborn, William and Linda Wise Metals Group, LLC Wood, Freddie and Carol Yokley, Paul Zhang, Zhiting

Dr. Ken Kitts, Linda Welborn, Dr. Bill Welborn, and Dr. Debbie Shaw ’82

THANKS

A MILLION . . .

Drummond Family Endowed Scholarship Kelly Muston Senior, Social Work “I am a full-time student who works thirty hours a week to support myself. Between tuition, rent, and bills, sometimes it is a struggle to make ends meet, but with your generous scholarship, I can breathe a little easier knowing that some of that ﬁnancial burden has been lifted off my shoulders.”

McKinney Family Celebrates Department Naming with President and Mrs. Kitts

McKINNEYS

PROVIDE GIFT TO NAME DEPARTMENT On February 13, UNA friends and alumni gathered to recognize two generous brothers, Chester L. McKinney, Jr. and his wife Jenny of Florence, and Joe M. McKinney and his wife Genia ’83 of Muscle Shoals in a gesture honoring their mother in a special way at UNA. Connie D. McKinney was a 1950 graduate of Florence State Teachers College majoring in Home Economics. Mrs. McKinney was an exemplary alumna representing her alma mater in an exceptional manner in the way she lived, worked and served her community. In recognition of the gift honoring their mother, President Kitts officially announced the newly named Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design. “The McKinneys’ gift to the University for the Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design is the largest of its kind to this area of study,” Kitts stated. In addition to the McKinneys’ initial gift of $1,000,000, they have pledged to

nie) Daily

Cornelius (Con

match many remaining naming opportunities in the facility. This matching gift offers an outstanding opportunity to double additional contributions to this department. The Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design is a most fitting tribute to Mrs. McKinney’s legacy. Kitts also stated, “The University is honored for this department to bear her name.” In an expression of the University’s gratitude, President Kitts presented Chester and Joe each with a handmade glass vase in traditional UNA colors of purple and gold, created by a Fort Payne, AL artisan to commemorate this special occasion. Dr. Deborah Shaw ‘82, Vice President for Advancement was pleased to announce that the first gift eligible for the McKinney match has been donated by Tommy Mathis for the Marigail Mathis Reception Hall in memory of his beloved late wife. Dr. Shaw remarked, “we invite you to consider supporting the Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design and be a part of its success.” For more information, please contact Johnette Davis at jdavis29@una.edu.

Mrs. Connie D. McKinney’s passion for helping to improve the quality of life for families in her community was exempliﬁed by her work with the Franklin County Extension Service of Auburn University. In her role as a Demonstration Agent, Mrs. McKinney made a positive impact on those she served by providing valuable, practical information on budgeting and meal planning, modeling new appliances and hosting a weekly radio program on similar topics. The Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design is an extraordinarily ﬁtting tribute to Mrs. McKinney’s dedication to the community she loved and served. A young Connie Evelyn Daily studied Home Economics at Florence State Teachers College, now the University of North Alabama, graduating in 1950. The Connie D. McKinney Department of Human Sciences, Hospitality, and Design will ensure opportunities for generations of students to receive training preparing them for industries Connie D. McKinney ’50 relating to the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter which relates to the work Mrs. McKinney so enjoyed.

THANKS

A MILLION . . . wells in specific geographic locations in northern Ghana, an area that has historically been plagued with extreme poverty. “My first well dedication had a huge impact on me personally,” states Scott. “We had completed a project near a school on the outskirts of Yendi, and were making a water well operational for the first time. The whole village danced for us, and gave us a goat.”

Bonnie Dell Treece Endowed Scholarship Holly Persell Junior, Elementary Education “It is my promise to you to not take for granted what has been given to me. I will work hard and make the University of North Alabama proud. I thank you again for your generosity.”

COLTON SCOTT DRIVEN TO MAKE THINGS BETTER Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Growing up in Greenhill, Alabama, water was not an issue for Colton Scott. The small hamlet just north of Florence had ample creeks and ponds, and if you needed water all you had to do was simply turn a faucet. Now Scott, who will be graduating this summer with an MBA from UNA’s College of Business, is very water conscious and is working diligently to assist those affected by the lack of the life-giving substance.

In addition to his studies, Scott serves as the Director of Development for Ghana West African Missions (GWAM) that provides resources to create opportunity, and builds capacity and knowledge for the sustainability and well-being of all people. The general scope of the organization’s effort is to provide clean water for drinking, washing, and cooking by drilling

Scott said it was a humbling experience as an American, standing in front of them in shoes that cost more money than the villagers will ever see in a lifetime, receiving such an precious gift from those who had just about nothing. But cultural etiquette would only allow Scott and his colleagues to accept the gift graciously. The MBA process has already assisted Scott in his current position as a non-profit fundraiser. With an undergraduate degree in Political Science, he felt comfortable dealing with public policy and legislative affairs, but his coursework in the MBA program has broadened his awareness of the day to day operations of the organization. The comprehensive curriculum of UNA’s MBA degree program incorporates strategic elements that Scott integrates into his day-to-day work methods. He is able to recall coursework in accounting, marketing, economics, management, and organizational behavior and put it to good use at GWAM. “I came up with the idea that I could institute a peerto-peer fundraising mechanism that would fund an expansion of our well-drilling program. The program is called ‘A Walk In Her Shoes.’ Every day, young ladies in Northern Ghana walk anywhere from 3-5 miles (one way) to collect water for their families, and our program is a fundraising walk to raise awareness of their situation. We still have a long way to go as far as marketing and branding, but we have completed our first walk, and have several more on the schedule for this spring.” Scott says that the pathway to earning his MBA has not been easy given his busy schedule. He states, “I met my beautiful wife Chelsea in my first semester as an undergraduate at UNA and was smitten from the start. In 2016, we decided to bring a daughter, Raleigh Claire, into the chaos.”

University of North Alabama Sees Great Success with Inaugural

DAY OF GIVING EVENT The University of North Alabama Foundation hosted the first ever UNA Giving Day Nov. 29, to coincide with the global day of philanthropy. While the event mainly focused on social media, the University also hosted a phone-a-thon during the day and set up credit card machines around campus to collect additional donations. Official numbers show UNA raised $41,868 from 224 donors, with a majority of the money going toward current use funds in the foundation. Twenty-four of the donors were first-time donors to UNA.

So how does a full-time Director of Development, who feels he is still on his honeymoon and with a one-yearold daughter, find the time and the desire to obtain an advanced degree? “I’ve got the drive to reach that next step,” he says. “Who knows, someday I might be the Mayor of Florence or the President of UNA, or maybe even both. And when that’s finished, maybe I’ll sell everything I own and buy a nice little farm on the outskirts of town. Maybe I’ll grow some vegetables, raise some goats, and write sweet poetry to my lady. Then, I’ll call it a life.”

Through the 1830 Fund, supporters at any giving level can make a difference. Unrestricted annual gifts allow the University to fund immediate campus needs and strengthen financial stability. The 1830 Fund echoes the mission of the UNA Foundation by providing important support for academic and student program initiatives. The annual fund is dedicated to enriching the lives of current and future students, and to making a difference in their overall university experience. Together with others, your support allows the University to be a fully functional and vital institution.

As alumni and friends of UNA, help BUILD THE PRIDE! YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT BY

Making an online gift https://alumni.una.edu/annualgiving • Responding to a mail appeal Responding to a Phonathon call from UNA students • Establishing a payroll deduction (for UNA faculty and staff)

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

University of NORTH ALABAMA • The UNA Foundation • UNA Box 5113 • Florence, Alabama 35632-0001

For more information about giving opportunities please contact Elizabeth Tyson at 256-765-5080 or etyson@una.edu

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