The University of North Alabama received a $6.5 million donation, the largest gift in the institution’s almost 200-year history, from the Charles C. Anderson family. The contribution will be used in the areas of academics and athletics with $1 million specifically earmarked for the women’s athletic programs, in memory of Hilda B. Anderson.
The Andersons have deep ties to Florence and to UNA where Charles graduated in 1956. The University of North Alabama is located within a four-city area that includes Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.
Charles grew up working in the family’s corner newsstand and bookstore in Florence, overseeing most the family’s business growth into the Anderson Media Corporation, American Promotional Events, Anderson Press, Books-A-Million and other affiliated companies.
Mrs. Hilda Anderson, who passed in March 2020, had a history of supporting UNA women’s athletics programs. She was particularly fond of UNA softball, and, in fact, UNA’s softball team plays their games at the stadium named in her honor – the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium.
“Hilda was very passionate about the women’s athletic programs at UNA, and she wanted to ensure they had the necessary funding,” said the family patriarch Charles C. Anderson. “Our sons Charlie, Terry, Clyde, and Harold, wanted to honor her and her legacy with this gift.”
UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts said the gift is transformative.
“This gift by the Anderson Family makes clear that UNA is a great philanthropic investment,” Kitts said. “It will change the lives of our students, faculty, and staff throughout all areas of campus as we continue to serve the Shoals and the Northwest Alabama region.”
