List of University of North Alabama people

This is a list of notable alumni of the University of North Alabama or its predecessors such as LaGrange College, Florence Wesleyan University and Florence State University:^[1]

Academia

Donald B. Dodd, emeritus professor of history at Auburn University Montgomery and a noted authority on Southern Unionism in northwest Alabama, particularly the Republic of Winston
Thomas L. Maddin (1826-1908), Confederate physician, professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine^[2]
Danny B. Moore, professor, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, Chowan University
David Weir, professor emeritus at Cooper Union, expert on Decadent Movement in literature and its impact on America

Arts and entertainment

Country music singer and composer Darryl Worley, who holds a degree in organic chemistry from UNA

Walt Aldridge, composer of “There’s No Getting Over Me” and “Holding Her and Loving You”
Clay Bennett, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist
David Hood, world-renowned bassist, member of Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Patterson Hood, composer and front man, Drive-by Truckers
Michael Conner Humphreys, actor who portrayed the young Forrest Gump in the film Forrest Gump
Priyanka Karki, Nepalese actress, former Miss Teen Nepal, VJ, singer, choreographer, model, and dancer
George "Goober" Lindsey, actor and narrator, founder of George Lindsey Film Festival
Pam Long, Miss Alabama 1974, scriptwriter of television's Guiding Light
Michael 'Nick' Nichols ’78, photographer and editor-at-large, National Geographic
Jordy Searcy, singer-songwriter
Glenn Shadix, actor of stage and screen
Thomas Sigismund Stribling, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
Mark Thompson, radio personality, Mark & Brian Morning Show
Steve Trash, magician, environmental advocate, children's entertainer
John Paul White, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, The Civil Wars
Darryl Worley, country music singer-songwriter
Tom York, host of Tom York Morning Show, Emmy Award winner

Business

Jim Blasingame, founder of Small Business Network, author, syndicated radio show host
Wendell Wilkie Gunn, first Black student admitted to Florence State Teachers College
Richard "Dick" Ordway, Deputy Project Manager for the Apache Attack Helicopter Project Management Office, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Huntsville AL. Major, U.S. Army, Airborne Ranger, Huey Helicopter Pilot, two tours in Vietnam, Awarded the Bronz Star Medal with "V" device for Valor (Valor--repeated acts of bravery despite great personal risk) w/three oak leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with "V" device. Commanded UNA ROTC Brigade, 1965.

Law, government and politics

Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Confederate States Army general and Texas governor, 1887-91; graduate of Florence Wesleyan University, now the University of North Alabama

Robert Aderholt, U.S. representative for Alabama's 4th Congressional District
Richard F. Allen, Chief Deputy Attorney General, State of Alabama (1995-2005,2011)(Attorneys General Sessions, Pryor, King, and Strange), Acting Attorney General (April-March 2004), Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections (2006-2011) (Governor Bob Riley), Parliamentary Law Advisor, Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (2013-2017), Chief Legislative Assistant, U.S. Senator Howell Heflin 1978-81.
Miles C. Allgood (graduated 1898), United States representative from Alabama (1923–1935)
Edward B. Almon, United States representative from Alabama (1915–1933)
Sonceria Ann Berry, United States Senate, Secretary of the Senate (2021–2025)
Greg Burdine, attorney and former legislative member, Alabama House of Representatives, representing 1st District
Billy Joe Camp, Alabama Secretary of State, Public Service Commissioner and gubernatorial press secretary
Mike Curtis, former legislative member, Alabama House of Representatives, representing 2nd District
Ronnie Flippo, former member of the United States Congress
Paul Hubbert, executive director, Alabama Education Association; 1990 Democratic gubernatorial nominee
Tammy Irons, attorney and former legislative member, Alabama Senate, representing 1st District
Christopher D. Jackson, political strategist, local government official, and UNA Public Service Alumni Award winner
Hiram Raleigh Kennedy, physician and member of the Alabama Senate representing the 1st District
Jamie Kiel, legislative member, Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 18
Mike Kirkland, member of the Alabama House of Representatives
Edward A. O'Neal, Confederate general and Alabama governor, 1882–1886
Emmet O'Neal, Alabama governor, 1911–1915
Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Confederate General, Governor of Texas, president of Texas A&M University^[3]
Andrew Sorrell, legislative member, Alabama House of Representatives, representing 3rd District
Annette Taddeo, Florida state senator representing District 40
Kerry Underwood, member of the Alabama House of Representatives

Military

James Edward Moore (James E. Moore), Major General, The Adjutant General, Alabama Army National Guard
Richard F. Allen, Brigadier General, U.S. Army Reserve. Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame, UNA Alumnus of the year(1991), U.S. Army War College Outstanding Graduate (2018)
Columbus Womble, Brigadier General, U.S. Army. Airborne Ranger. Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit(two oak leaf clusters). Bronze Star(two oak leaf clusters)
James Noles , Brigadier General, U.S. Army. Airborne Ranger. Riverine with 9th Infantry Division. Twice awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in combat in Vietnam. Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Combat Infantry Badge.
Troy Oliver , Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Alabama Army National Guard. Airborne. Bronze Star medal with "V" device for valor, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal.

Religion

Kip Box, administrative bishop, Michigan, Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Robert Hitchcock Spain, bishop, United Methodist Church

Athletics

Tyrone Bell, former Green Bay Packers defensive back
Bobby Collins, former NFL player
Tony Dorsey, pro basketball player with the Newcastle Eagles
Will Hall, former head coach at University of West Alabama and University of West Georgia, former offensive coordinator at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, current head coach at University of Southern Mississippi
Corey Harris, NFL player
Harlon Hill, former NFL player, namesake of the NCAA Division II Harlon Hill Trophy
Janoris Jenkins, cornerback, New York Giants
Marcus Keyes, football player
Ronald McKinnon, NFL player, Harlon Hill trophy winner and recent inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame
Evan Oglesby, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
Preston Parker, wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Israel Raybon, football player
Wimp Sanderson, former University of Alabama head basketball coach
Brian Satterfield, former Green Bay Packers running back
Robert Steele, former NFL wide receiver
Josh Willingham, former MLB outfielder

References

^ Smith, William E., "Leo's Tale: University of North Alabama Trivia, Florence, AL, Shoals Heritage Publishers, 2000.
^ Allison, John (1905). Notable Men of Tennessee: Personal and Genealogical, with portraits. Atlanta, Georgia: Southern historical Association. pp. 104–106. OCLC 2561350 – via Internet Archive.
^ Benner, Judith Ann (1983), Sul Ross, Soldier, Statesman, Educator, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, p. 37

[Leo's_Tale:_University_of_North_Alabama_Trivia-1] Smith, William E., "Leo's Tale: University of North Alabama Trivia, Florence, AL, Shoals Heritage Publishers, 2000.

[2] Allison, John (1905). Notable Men of Tennessee: Personal and Genealogical, with portraits. Atlanta, Georgia: Southern historical Association. pp. 104–106. OCLC 2561350 – via Internet Archive.

[3] Benner, Judith Ann (1983), Sul Ross, Soldier, Statesman, Educator, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, p. 37

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