Expansion, consolidation of education programs and libraries reflect the growth and commitment to educational resources.  Public and private educational institutions continue a legacy of excellence.

January 2001 – Heritage Christian University – International Bible College changed its name to Heritage Christian University.

April 18, 2001 – The New Florence/Lauderdale Public Library – A contract for the construction for the new Florence/Lauderdale Public Library was approved by the Florence City Council.  It was to be built on the city block surrounded by Wood Avenue, Tuscaloosa Street, Tombigbee Street, and Walnut Street.

2002 – The New Florence/Lauderdale Public Library – The new Florence/Lauderdale Public Library opens.

Spring of 2004 – Coffee High School and Bradshaw High School  – Coffee and Bradshaw High Schools close.

2004 – Florence High SchoolFlorence High School opens in the fall.

2005 – The University Of North Alabama – The University of North Alabama celebrates its 175th Anniversary.

2006 – The University Of North Alabama – The University of North Alabama is designated a Literary Landmark in honor of author and alumnus T.S. Stribling.

September 13, 2013 – The University Of North Alabama – Former special assistant to Ronald Reagan, assistant director for commerce and trade in the U.S. Office of Policy Development, and Florence State alumnus, the university’s first African-American student, Wendell Wilkie Gunn, returns to the University of North Alabama as guest speaker for the fall convocations ceremony.

2017Wendell W. Gunn, the First African-American student to attend Florence State University, now the University of North Alabama (UNA), received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

March 14, 2018 – The University of North Alabama renamed the University Commons for the first African-American, Wendell W. Gunn, who attended Florence State University (now UNA).  The University Commons will be now known as the Wendell W. Gunn University Commons.