The Mr. University competition, held at the University of North Alabama, has become a tradition. It has been held for the last eight years and has no end in sight. The event was hosted by the College Panhellenic Council, in collaboration with Fraternity and Sorority Life, on Nov. 19. Mr. University acts as a fundraiser for the Period Project, ensuring students have access to feminine products on campus.
The event was presented by Miss UNA 2024, Madeline Cooper. It featured seven contestants who were nominated by a fraternity or sorority. The constants were Colby Harmening, a junior nominated by Zeta Tau Alpha, John Brake, a senior nominated by Sigma Chi, Nathan Thackston, a senior nominated by Alpha Delta Pi, Nate Renicks, a sophomore nominated by Alpha Gamma Delta, Sam South, a senior nominated by Lambda Sigma Phi, Brody Gravitt, a junior nominated by Phi Mu and third-time competitor Louis Alcala, a senior nominated by Pi Kappa Alpha.
Four awards were given to the contestants: People’s Choice, 2nd Runner-Up, 1st Runner-Up, and Mr. University’s Award.
These awards were presented to Nathan Thackston, who was titled People’s Choice, Nate Renicks, the 2nd Runner-Up and Brody Gravitt, the 1st Runner-Up.
The title of Mr. University was awarded to Louis Alcala.
Alcala has participated in this event for three years now and this was his first win. Cooper joked that Alcala was back for his revenge tour.
“It’s just a great honor to be chosen to be Mr. University, because UNA is such a great school and I think it has such great values…” He said.
His advice to future participants was to relax and try to have fun.
Alcala said, “The other two years, I wasn’t relaxed. I didn’t try to have fun. I tried too hard to win. This year, I wasn’t even trying to win, I was just trying to have fun.”
Alcala planned to celebrate his victory by going home to be with his dog, Koda, and play Call of Duty.
The event was divided into five segments, to allow the judges to get to know the contestants. First, the judges and the audience were introduced to the contestants; Cooper called their names and the fraternity or sorority they were representing.
Next, the constants were able to show off their talents to the judges. All of the contestants decided to show off their musical talents, except Nathan Thackston, who presented the judges with a magic card trick.
Harmening played his guitar while singing Mcnown’s “A Lot More Free,” followed by Brake who channeled Billy Joel’s “Vienna” with his piano. Both Renicks and South gave upbeat performances, complete with singing and dancing, to Perry’s “Dark Horse” and Brooks and Dunn’s “Boot Scootin Boogie.” Gravitt sent the audience back in time with an iconic throwback to Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” before Alcala concluded with Carpenter’s “Please, Please, Please.”
After their talents were showcased, their formal apparel was put to the test. Using tips and tricks from Miss UNA, they strutted across the stage in their suit and ties.
Before the judges could make their final decision, they needed to hear a question and answer from the contestants. The contestants walked on stage and picked a random question, unseen to all the contestants, from a glass bowl and answered without any preparation.
Alcala pulled a question about what he thought made a good leader. He said, “A good leader can delegate. A good leader can take responsibility for their own actions.”
While the judges delegated, Cooper asked the contestants more questions to allow the audience to get to know them better and crown their “People’s Choice” and when the judges came back, the winners were crowned.
Those interested in having a chance at being the next Mr. University would need to be nominated by a registered student organization and reach out to the current director of programming for the CPH.
