On graduation from high school in 1954 Cole joined the army. He was discharged in the summer of 1957 and married his childhood sweetheart, Delores, and followed her to Florence State College. Cole graduated from Florence State (University of North Alabama) in 1960 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting (with the highest GPA in that curriculum). He was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, The Florence State Hall of Fame and was presented the highest honor fellow students could bestow, The Turris Fidelis Award.

Weldon earned his MBA in 1961 at University of Alabama.  Following graduation, he began his career at Price Waterhouse in New York City.  Later he became president of Beloit Corporation and then Senior Vice President of Albany International. After retiring in 2000 he returned to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and became active in support of both his alma maters.

Weldon is a President’s Cabinet member at UNA. He was honored as Alumni of The Year in 2008. The Cole’s are supporters of The Honors Program at UNA and have established a testamentary gift for its continued support.