UNA Pressroom

Una's Annual Convocation To Feature Speaker And Alum Anne Clem Whitaker

Sep. 22, 2014



Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Bryan Rachal, Public Affairs and Media Relations

The University of North Alabama's 24th Annual Fall Academic Convocation will take place Wednesday, Sept. 24. The event, which will take place in Norton Auditorium on campus at 11 a.m., is intended to welcome new freshmen and transfer students to the University. This year's special guest speaker is alumnus Anne Clem Whitaker.

Whitaker graduated from UNA in 1989 with a degree in chemistry and a minor in business administration. In September of 2014, she joined Synta Pharmaceutical Corp., as president and CEO. Prior to that, Whitaker served as president of North American Pharmaceuticals at Sanofi Aventis U.S., a global integrated healthcare leader focused on patients' needs; there she led more than 5,000 employees in generating over $10 billion in net sales for Sanofi. Whitaker also served in various roles with GlaxoSmithKline. She is married with two sons.

In addition to the guest speaker, student scholarship winners will be recognized. A description of the academic regalia will be on display, and students will learn UNA's Alma Mater. A picnic lunch will be served at the UNA Amphitheater following the event.