Robert Guillot
Robert Miller Guillot (b. January 2, 1922 – d. November 15, 2000) Dr. Guillot served as mayor of Vestavia Hills from 1960 to 1972. Dr. Guillot was sworn in on October 3, 1960 and served three consecutive terms before he was named president of Florence State University (now renamed the University of North Alabama) by Governor George Wallace. Mayor Guillot was married to Patty Shirley Guillot on September 1, 1947 and together, they raised three children while living in the Birmingham area; Patricia Ann, Robert Miller Junior and Shirley Lynne.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS MAYOR:
• Completed the purchase of a 32-acre tract of land for Wald Park and created the Park and Recreation Board. • Constructed the first Post Office, community center and library, swimming pool, and additions for Vestavia Hills Elementary School. • Established Ordinance #69 defining the order and procedures for City Council meetings, and gave the specifics for enacting legislation and adopting resolutions. • Working with the Mountain Woods City Council President, Dr. John Kent, Dr. Guillot expanded the city limits of Vestavia to include the former town of Mountain Woods. • Established the Vestavia Hills City Board of Education, severing the relationship with the Jefferson County Board of Education. • Expansion of the Police, Fire and Municipal services to cover the rapidly expanding city boundaries. • Helped lead the opposition against the City of Birmingham’s attempt to merge several of the smaller surrounding municipalities into “One Great City”.
EARLY LIFE:
Robert Miller Guillot, a native of Headland, Alabama, was born to Clarence Miller Guillot and Ruth Lindsay Guillot on January 2, 1922. He attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) and graduated with Bachelor of Science in 1943. After the end of WWII and his service in the Air Force, he then attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1948. He passed the Alabama Bar that same year.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS;
Sole practice in Dothan, Alabama, 1948 - 1951. Senior vice president, Vulcan Life & Accident Insurance Company, Birmingham, 1952-1966. Chairman of the Board, American Educators Life Insurance Company, Birmingham, 1966-1972. Association Alabama Life Insurance Companies, 1970-1971. President Alabama League Municipalities, 1971-1972. Chairman of the Board, Colonial Bank N.W., Florence, Alabama from 1990 until his death in 2000.
PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
Dr. Robert M. Guillot served as UNA's President from 1972 to 1989 in Florence, Alabama. President Guillot replaced outgoing President E.B. Norton on April 1, 1972, vowing to transform the small institution into a highly regarded regional university. What followed was one of the most significant periods of growth in the institution's history. Enrollment grew from slightly more than 3,000 to more than 5,000 in fewer than five years. On August 15, 1974, the university underwent a name change from Florence State University to the University of North Alabama, symbolizing its coming of age as a comprehensive, regional university. The following year, the graduate curriculum expanded with the introduction of the master's degree program in business administration. Guillot also directed a substantial expansion of the university's physical plant, including the construction of the Education and Nursing Building (now Stevens Hall), additions to Collier Library, Flowers Hall, and the Student Union Building (later renamed Guillot University Center), and renovation of Braly Municipal Stadium.
UNIVERSITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
UNA Greek life - Dr. Guillot is described as the father of Greek life on campus. By 1974, he chose seven national fraternities to colonize UNA and followed a similar strategy with the sorority recruitment. President Guillot's decision to organize a UNA Greek system met with strong opposition by some segments of the administration. UNA Greek life is alive, well and continues to exert a major influence on virtually every facet of student life. The Robert M. Guillot University Center - the Student Union Building was renamed in 2000 to honor Dr. Guillot. The sprawling Guillot University Center constitutes the hub of UNA student life. UNA Hall of Fame, Induction Class of 1997 – Dr. Guillot made a strong commitment to athletics during his time as the UNA president. His goal of developing UNA into a major educational institution included a desire to achieve national recognition for the school through its athletic program. He accomplished that by laying the foundation for the Lion's rise to athletic prominence in the 1980s and played a key role in setting the stage for the Lions continued successes in the 1990s. He led the way for major improvements in the Lions' athletic facilities, increases in athletic funding and scholarships and the hiring of coaches who have claimed five national championships. Guillot was also instrumental in UNA's early years in the Gulf South Conference, spearheading the search for the GSC's first full-time commissioner and playing an instrumental role in having the league office moved to a more central location in Birmingham, Ala. UNA Mascot - On July 22, 1974, Dr. Guillot brought a 35-pound lion cub to the campus and Leo spent the next 14 years "roaring" the school to victory. The original Leo died on Jan. 20, 1988, and Leo II was brought to UNA in July 1988. Both of these Leos lived in the compound directly adjacent to the president’s house. Robert M. Guillot / The Colonial Bank Endowed Scholarship - This endowed scholarship was established to honor former University of North Alabama president Dr. Robert M. Guillot. This endowed scholarship is open to full time students of every major. Selection is based on academic potential and financial need together with a 2.5 GPA.
Preceded by: Ethelbert B. Norton UNA President 1972 – 1989 Succeeded by: Robert L. Potts Preceded by: Verner Adams Mayor of Vestavia Hills 1960–1972 Succeeded by: J. T. Scates
REFERENCES https://www.una.edu/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Alabama