UNA commemorates Gunn enrollment, 60th anniversary of integration

FLORENCE — Once denied admission to his hometown college, Dr. Wendell Gunn went on to integrate it when he enrolled on Sept. 11, 1963.

Today, Gunn is a member of the university’s board of trustees.

In honor of Gunn’s accomplishments, and to celebrate the desegregation of the University of North Alabama, the school will host “Breaking Barriers: Honoring Dr. Wendell Gunn and 60 Years of Integration at UNA” on Monday.

“The admission of Dr. Wendell Gunn to the University of North Alabama and the desegregation of the institution laid the foundation for the admittance of hundreds UNA alumni and students who not only add to the diverse fabric of campus, but also to the local, state, and national landscape,” UNA’s interim Chief Diversity Officer Minnette Ellis said. Ellis is also associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students.

Upon being told he could not enroll, Gunn was encouraged by then-President Dr. E.B. Norton to consider seeking a federal court order. Gunn and his family worked with legendary civil rights attorney Fred Gray to sue the university, then known as Florence State College, and win admittance.

Sixty years ago, Gunn enrolled in chemistry, calculus, physics, and choir at the university and secured his place in history.

In addition to a photo recreation ceremony of that day, Gunn will also share his experiences with students and employees in a Q&A session.

Gunn, who grew up in Tuscumbia, graduated from UNA in 1965 and went on to an illustrious career in business, including as vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank, assistant treasurer at PepsiCo, and as a senior advisor, Special Assistant for International Trade, to President Ronald Reagan.

The university’s student commons was renamed the Wendell W. Gunn University Commons in 2018. And in 2019, Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Gunn to the UNA board of trustees.

On Monday, the university will recognize and honor Gunn and his decision to make it a more welcoming and inclusive community.

“Together we celebrate progress, unity, and the power of education,” Ellis said. “We look forward to celebrating this important anniversary in UNA’s history.”