During this school year, fall 2015-spring 2016, students at the University of North Alabama have been fortunate to witness both the reintegration of old and the birth of new university traditions. Monday, March 21, the inaugural spring Light the Fountain ceremony took place, and it was a hit.
Students, as well as staff, faculty and alums, came out in droves to celebrate the lighting and welcome spring back to the campus. Everyone has been a-buzz with excitement over the continued formation of traditions at this university that has a knack for growing with and understanding the wants and needs of the students.
UNA has always been a university built on traditions, though. As the oldest 4-year university in the state, this is something that has always been cherished, and that was only proven true as students cheered at the renewal of the university’s Carillon Bell System at the beginning of the fall semester.
While the tradition of the bells has been absent from campus the last few years, UNA did not lack in other traditions. From the Victory Flame, the George S. Lindsey Film Festival, the Lucky Dip, to ghost stories for almost every building on campus and our regal mascots, Leo and Una (you can see them on the Lion Cam here), UNA is rich beyond measure in university tradition.
A large portion of students' greatest thanks for such an outstanding school year goes to our Student Government Association President, UNA Senior Nick Lang. Lang has worked diligently on various boards, in our SGA, and around campus to improve the UNA experience in as many ways as possible for students. It is undeniable that Lang is passionate about this university and about listening to the students to ensure that this university is serving them to the best of its ability.
Helping students feel at home at their university has so much to do with making them feel like contributors to long-standing traditions and empowering them to create traditions of their own on campus. This year, UNA has done an exemplary job of that, and it is showing in the cohesion that I see every day at this school.
Our Honors Program celebrated 10 years on campus this year. The university held its annual Step Sing fundraiser for United Way, a tradition which began in 1973. We also held our second annual Step Show fundraiser, a newer tradition from the same vein. From brand new residence halls to Gothic Revival architecture, UNA has so much to preserve. It has been an important year at the University of North Alabama, and we hope to continue to grow in new and cherish old tradition.
Go, Fight for UNA
We are behind you all the way!
Go Fight! Win ole UNA
The Purple and Gold is here to stay!
