Una Announces Homecoming 2020 Award Winners

Jul. 21, 2020

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

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - The University of North Alabama has announced the winners of the annual Homecoming awards, with the event scheduled to take place from Oct. 29-31. "This is an exceptional group of individuals we're honoring this year," said Justin "Bishop" Alexander, the Director of Alumni Relations at UNA. "Our committees worked earlier this summer to select those who best embody each of the awards, and the list speaks volumes of the caliber of UNA's alumni and friends." The winners are: Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Robert L. Potts, of Florence. Alumni of the Year Award: Tyrone Jerrell Dennis, of Lithona, Ga., graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Friend of the University: UNA Police Officer Gregory M. Kirby and K9 Toby, of Killen. Military Service Award: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joerle "JB" Blaine Blackman, of Fayetteville, Ga., graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. Faculty/Staff Alumni Service Award: LeRoy "Lee" Franklin Brownell Jr., of Phil Campbell, graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education; he also has a Master of Arts in Education in Counseling P-12. Community Service Award: Sonja Redonna Croone, of Florence, graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. Educator of the Year Award: Ana Carolina "Carol" Behel, of Florence, graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, German 7-12 and Spanish 7-12. Public Service Award: Casey Jerome Eggleston, of Tuscumbia, graduated in 1997 with a Master of Arts in Education, Counseling P-12. Young Alumni Award: Indigo Jade Shanice Fort, of Muscle Shoals, graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and again in 2018 with a Master of Arts degree in Family Studies. As a result of the pandemic, a modified Homecoming schedule will be released at a later date. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, 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 the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. 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: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/