UNA hosted the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Science and Technology Building today at 1 p.m. Members of the campus community involved with the planning and development of the building spoke at the event.

The event began with President Kenneth Kitts commending each individual for attending the official opening.

The building is “the largest capital construction project of the 185 year history of UNA,” he said.

Former UNA President William Cale reflected on the beginnings of the project during the ceremony.

Cale said he met with Student Government Association leaders in spring 2005 to discuss the possibility of a facilities fee for students. He said SGA was more than happy to adopt the fee.

“The promise of this building behind me is what inspired our students to act,” he said. “And it’s that fee today which remains key to the success we’re here to celebrate.”

He said the university adopted the fee, which helped fund the building, in June 2005.

Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock spoke about the affect the Science and Technology Building made in drawing students to UNA.

“We attract them not only with great programs and great disciplines, but we attract them with state-of-the-art buildings,” Haddock said.