President Kenneth Kitts approved to change the names of the new hospitality suite in Flowers Hall and softball stadium Nov. 26 for North Alabama.

For the hospitality suite, Steve Pierce a 1975 graduate of UNA, and his wife, Shelia, pledged $100,000 to the suite, and it will be known as the Pierce Hospitality Suite. The Pierces have given $50,000 to the university. They will donate the second half of the payment in 2019.

“The Pierce Hospitality Suite is a showcase for our campus,” said Athletic Director Mark Linder. “It is a multi-functional room that will allow us to cultivate relationships with donors and recruits, and provides the university with another meeting space for meetings, study halls and press conferences.”

The softball stadium will be named Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium after long-time benefactors Hilda and Charles Anderson, who are both 1956 UNA graduates.

“Mrs. Anderson has been extremely influential to softball and not just in financial ways,” Shaw said. “Her commitment to the success of women on and off the field has been impactful. She has consistently encouraged the team and its coaches to reach for the stars.”

The Anderson’s are giving a total of $250,000. $100,000 of the donation will go to stadium enhancements and $150,000 will go to program needs. This is not the first time that the Andersons have supported the softball team.

“We will use this generous gift to create a nice entryway and plaza,” Linder said. “This should enhance the fan experience and allow us to recognize Ms. Hilda B. Anderson. We are getting some cost estimates on other projects, such as a supplemental scoreboard, turf and other items that will improve the experience of being the UNA student athletes.”