Una, Rep. Tammy Irons Announce Two Grants For University

May. 26, 2010

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@rrmbaojie.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - State Rep. Tammy Irons (D-Florence) recently presented the University of North Alabama with two state grants from the Education Trust Fund and General Trust Fund. Collectively, the grants equal more than $51,000. "We are deeply grateful to Rep. Irons for her dedication and support to UNA and this region," said Dr. John Thornell, UNA's vice president for academic affairs and provost. "Funding opportunities like this are vital to the university's success." One of the grants, in the amount of $45,760, is being distributed to various academic departments and colleges for general educational purposes. The second grant, for $5,500, is being used to complete renovations for a pediatric simulation lab in the College of Nursing and Allied Health. The university hopes to have the renovations complete by fall semester. "Education is critical to good-paying jobs in the Shoals and in our state," Irons said. "I am always looking for opportunities to secure funds for our schools and universities and will continue to do so." The UNA College of Nursing recently acquired its new pediatric simulator, a computerized manikin designed to mimic an actual infant patient. The college obtained a similar adult simulator about two years ago. "The clinical components of the UNA nursing program are greatly enhanced through the use of human simulators," said Dr. Birdie Bailey, dean of the College of Nursing. "To add a pediatric simulation lab to the program is valuable. We are greatly appreciative to Rep. Irons for her efforts to make that happen."

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: rrmbaojie.com and rrmbaojie.com/unaworks/.