John Thornell Announced As Una's New Vpaa/provost

Feb. 25, 2009

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

FLORENCE, Ala. - Dr. John Thornell, of Rocky Mount, N.C., has accepted the position of vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of North Alabama. He accepts the position following UNA's extensive nationwide search. Thornell plans to join the UNA community in mid summer.

"My wife, Nita, and I are pleased and honored to join the UNA community," Thornell said. "Our visit to Florence showed us firsthand what a special place it is. We look forward with anticipation our arrival to campus." Thornell has served as vice president for academic affairs and professor of history at North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount since 2007. He had previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., where he also served as interim president in 2003. While at DSU, Thornell also held positions as associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of graduate studies and continuing education, and director of institutional research. "John brings a wealth of experience in academic administration," Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president, said in an announcement to the university's faculty and staff. "His many successes in program creation, accreditation, distance learning and policy development suggest that his background fits extraordinarily well with our future plans." Thornell replaces Dr. Garry Warren, who retires in July. -30-

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering credential, certificate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs in the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. The first-choice University for more than 10,000 on-campus and online students, UNA is on a bucolic campus in Florence, Alabama, part of the historic and vibrant Shoals region. Lions 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 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/