Auburn Family
A hunting guide holds a waterfowl call to his mouth while looking upward out of a hunting blind.

It’s been all focus and feathers for Auburn University alumnus Spencer Parker since graduating from the Plains. Transforming a lifetime’s passion into a career in guided hunting and shooting sports changed the trajectory of his life, allowing for unique professional growth, critical thinking and fun. Today, he leads others in experiencing their own outdoor passions while providing top-tier hospitality and expertise. Parker says that if it wasn’t for Auburn, his journey might have looked significantly different.

April 10, 2026

Illustration of a flower with a chess piece in the center

Environmental Design Assistant Professor Eilís Finnegan has been named the 2025 Architectural Visionary of the Year.

April 10, 2026

Kelia Browder is pictured holding an award while standing in front of a marketing banner.

Auburn College of Education doctoral student Kelia Browder was recently honored as the Principal of the Year by the Alabama Education Association Administrator Division, an award that reflects her deep commitment to students, educators and rural communities across Alabama.

April 08, 2026

A group of students hold up signs with numbers reading

Dancing and hospital stays don’t usually share a spotlight — but one Auburn organization is proving they’re the perfect pair.

April 02, 2026

Bradley DeBose

Liberal Arts alumnus Bradley DeBose ’10 never quits. As a successful architecture professional, he’s never quit on a project, a chance to help people or an opportunity to support young professionals.

March 27, 2026

Models are shown during the 2025 Fashion Event.

After the successful debut of The Fashion Event at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center in 2025 that brought more than 1,200 attendees to see Auburn University’s premier fashion showcase, this year’s edition returns to the Gogue where College of Human Sciences Consumer and Design Sciences students will take center stage Thursday, April 2.

March 27, 2026

guests on podcast set talking

Tiger Giving Day connects the Auburn Family to purpose-driven projects, driving meaningful change. Assistant director of cAUse marketing Lisa Lofland and adapted athletics director Robb Taylor breakdown the impact of Auburn’s annual day of giving in this episode of the Everything Auburn Podcast.

March 19, 2026

Beth Thorne Stukes headshot

The distinction, only the 163rd honorary degree conferred in Auburn’s 170-year history, recognizes Stukes’ lifelong commitment to education, service and philanthropy and her lasting impact on the university and communities across Alabama.

March 18, 2026

Kennedy Chizik, physician assistant and College of Human Sciences alumna, speaks to a patient.

In response to the growing demand for well-prepared applicants to health-related graduate programs, Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences offers pre-health pathways that equip students with the academic foundation and hands-on experience needed for careers in the medical field.

March 13, 2026

Dylan Thomas and his wife, Hannah, pose with their bird dogs in a field.

Dylan Thomas had a change of heart during his undergraduate career at Auburn University. A new hobby led him to experience his true passion: outdoor recreation and bird dogs. With this newfound purpose brought adventures, expertise and a new career path within the outdoor recreation industry. As a graduate of Auburn’s Wildlife Enterprise Management (WLEM) major, Thomas now returns to his alma mater to shepherd the next generation of wildlife enterprise professionals.

March 09, 2026

Stacy Brown, a 1999 Auburn alumna, founder of Chicken Salad Chick and co-owner of Botanic, will serve as the 2026 Horst Schulze Award for Excellence in Hospitality honoree.

Stacy Brown, a 1999 Auburn alumna, founder of Chicken Salad Chick and co-owner of Botanic, will be honored at this year’s Hospitality Gala.

March 09, 2026

A man stands behind a podium, speaking with his hands held in front of him.

As a young child, Rehman Qureshi had a fascination with space travel and a dream of working for NASA, so he did what any ambitious kid would do: he went to the NASA career website, sorted by alphabetical order and decided he would become an aerospace engineer. Now, Qureshi is in his final semester of earning a doctorate in aerospace engineering, and his ambitious nature hasn’t slowed down.

March 03, 2026

A bakery display case filled with loaves of specialty sourdough, honey whole wheat, and other baked goods, each labeled with small signs and prices.

Stinson Breads has become a community hub for area residents who yearn for the European bread and pastry culture that is usually absent in the deep South.

March 03, 2026

Class of 2026 inductees associated with the university included (L-R) Lloyd Pitts, ’83 civil engineering; Jonathan Pettus, executive director of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute; Keith Jones, ’84 chemical engineering and ’86 electrical engineering; Barry Pike, ’83 and ’85 chemical engineering; and Glenn Rolader, president, CEO and co-founder of Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc. (IS4S), a company headquartered in Huntsville with satellite offices in Auburn and Opelika, which was selected in the corporation category.

The State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame inducted seven individuals — including three Auburn University alumni and one Auburn University staff member — and one corporation during a ceremony Feb. 28 at the Bryant Center in Tuscaloosa.

March 02, 2026

Charlotte Baker

Charlotte Baker, a 2022 Auburn alumna who received her Bachelor of Science in child life, passed away Dec. 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Her family established the Charlotte C. Baker Endowed Scholarship to help future Auburn students wishing to pursue a degree in child life in her honor.

February 27, 2026

A woman sits in a studio full of art, smiling at the camera as she works on a painting.

When Katie Cooper started working as an academic advisor for Auburn’s College of Sciences and Mathematics, the last thing she expected was to contribute her artistic abilities to units across campus — but now, it’s hard to find a person on the Plains who hasn’t come into contact with Cooper’s artwork.

February 26, 2026

Riley Johnson is being held in the air by several students in celebration after she was named Miss Auburn.

When College of Education student Riley Johnson heard her name announced as Miss Auburn recently during Auburn’s beloved callouts tradition, the Elementary Education major was stunned.

February 24, 2026

Dr. Ruth Galbraith, center, dean emerita 1985 in the College of Human Sciences, is shown at an IQLA Lecture Series in 2022.

Dr. Galbraith, dean emerita 1985, was a pioneer who devoted 15 years of service to Auburn University, mainly serving as dean of what was then the School of Home Economics. She passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the age of 102.

February 20, 2026

three men talking on a podcast set

When COVID-19 shut down Auburn’s campus in 2020, Brooks Fuller didn’t just pack up—he packed for thousands. Discover how this Auburn baseball alum and finance major turned a crisis into a booming college moving business, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.

February 16, 2026

Two years ago, Harbert Business senior Paige Keener donated her bone marrow to a cancer patient she'd never met, and they recently got together on campus for a memorable visit.

February 16, 2026

Joseph Haslag

Joseph Haslag, the new department head for the Department of Economics, joined the College of Liberal Arts this year to drive the value of and demand for Auburn Economics degrees.

February 12, 2026

Riley Sue in Hey Day Market outside of the podcast booth.

In this episode of How Very Human Sciences, Nutrition Wellness alumna ’24 Chef Riley Sue Walker shares how an unexpected diagnosis in 2016 redirected her life and ultimately led her to a career rooted in healing and fulfillment.

February 09, 2026

Photo of AIAs leadership members standing together for a photo

For Auburn’s chapter of American Institute of Architecture Students, providing extracurricular programs and connections between year-levels, faculty and professionals is key to creating a community of future architects.

February 05, 2026

A woman dressed in a fancy skirt suit set with a matching hat and gloves smiles for the camera.

When Lisa Burdette graduated from the College of Education in 1982, the last place she expected her career to take her was professional development. Now, she’s the owner of The Dallas School of Etiquette and author of the popular advice column, Burdet-tiquette.

February 04, 2026

The three winners hold their awards, surrounded by four members of the board of directors

The Auburn University Parent & Family Association Board of Directors recently honored three faculty and staff members whose support of students exemplifies the Auburn Creed.

February 03, 2026

Leslie Harper Worthington poses in a stone window frame with her glasses and a book

Worthington's upcoming poetic memoir, “Why Would You Leave Me?” explores a childhood shaped by painful revelations about parentage and the confusion of growing up without steady guidance.

February 02, 2026

Maggie Haggerty in business attire posing for a photo on Auburn

Maggie Haggerty found her place at Auburn through her involvement in student organizations such as Mock Trial. Now she’s creating community for students by leading the Women in Law organization.

January 30, 2026

Two men and two women smile for a photo in front of a Student Veterans of America backdrop.

For Madeline Graf, one of 10 finalists for national Student Veteran of the Year, everything ties back to a commitment to service — whether that's her nursing education, military service or involvement on campus.

January 30, 2026

A father and child play together in a therapist office.

Through outreach, compassion and innovation, Auburn is helping Alabama’s families live healthier and happier lives.

January 28, 2026

Photo of a student in a hard hard pointing at a piece of wood in a large pnuematic press

Three colleges unite to advance mass timber construction, a faster, cheaper and more sustainable way to build houses and buildings.

January 26, 2026

Photo of a group of your female professionals posing after a clay shoot

When Sarah Carrico ‘20 arrived at Auburn as a freshman, she wasn’t yet sure what direction her career would take.

January 26, 2026

Daniel smiles for a photo in the woods

A graduate of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Daniel Crawford develops investment strategies that benefit corporations, investors and timber landowners.

January 22, 2026

Paul St. Onge posed in front of weight racks

An Auburn University College of Education graduate channels his teaching roots into aircrew readiness in the Department of Defense.

January 21, 2026

three students referring a basketball game

Auburn’s competitive sports program isn’t just top tier competition, it’s shaping students into leaders with balance and real world skills.

January 20, 2026

A student club started more than 60 years ago has had a far-reaching impact on the state of Alabama.

January 15, 2026

Katherine Sechrist smiles at a table at an Auburn University philanthropy event

The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is proud to announce the establishment of the Katherine Owen Sechrist Endowed Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

January 14, 2026

Band members playing clarinets sit in the first row of a symphonic ensemble

Last fall, the Reeltown High School band came to campus to record a song in memory of one of its members alongside the Auburn University Symphonic Winds.

January 13, 2026

Marvin J. Price accepting award from the North Carolina Economic Development Association

Community planning alumnus Marvin J. Price ’11 became an economic developer to see spreadsheets turn into smiles in his community.

January 12, 2026

Cecily Jacob is pictured standing at the door of her classroom, with a sign on the door stating

When Cecily Jacob walks into her classroom each morning as a teacher at Southview Primary School in Opelika, Alabama, she brings more than lesson plans. She enters equipped with the latest strategies she has learned as a doctoral student at Auburn’s College of Education.

January 06, 2026

podcast logo with samford hall in background

The Everything Auburn Podcast’s year-end rewind is here – and our best moments of 2025 will have you laughing-out-loud and beaming with Tiger pride.

December 17, 2025

Eight students were selected to participate in the 2025 IQLA Study Tour in Washington, D.C.

This year, eight students were chosen for the tour — an educational enrichment opportunity where students served as ambassadors for the college while getting to experience Washington, D.C.

December 16, 2025

Sheila Sjolseth posing with her husband and sons after graduating.

After decades of building a career, raising a family and running a nonprofit, Sheila Sjolseth came to pursue a doctorate at Auburn University’s Graduate School.

December 16, 2025

Kelli Fischer is pictured outside standing in front of Opelika High School

When College of Education alumna and grad student Kelli Fischer walked onto the field before Opelika High School’s second-round football playoff game this fall, she was stunned to hear her name announced as the 2025–26 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.

December 16, 2025

A young man walks past an orange wall displaying the Auburn Creed

In honor of Auburn’s rich history of students and alumni serving in the U.S. military, the Veterans Resource Center is paying tribute to veterans with two new installations in Foy Hall.

December 03, 2025

Lauren Anderson is pictured on a stage singing.

From leading impromptu music lessons as a child to championing music education through her own initiative, Project Crescendo, junior music education major Lauren Anderson is turning her passion into a mission.

December 02, 2025

Dr. Chance Armstrong stands in front of a barn door

The Auburn Family fuels Auburn's Veterinary Emergency Response Team, providing future lifesaving impact during emergencies and natural disasters.

November 24, 2025

Caleb Eason sitting beside a statue of SpongeBob

When Nickelodeon’s 2025 NFL Wild Card simulcast aired, one of the most talked-about moments was the return of SpongeBob's nemesis, DoodleBob. The animator behind him? Auburn University graduate Caleb Eason ’23.

November 21, 2025

Photo of a man standing at a podium accepting an award in front of a crowd

Pat Arrington, a 1985 graduate who played for Coach Pat Dye, has spent nearly 40 years in the construction industry.

November 21, 2025

A large group stands on the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium during a night game, with bright stadium lights overhead and a packed crowd in the background. Auburn student veteran Tommy Gaither stands near the center holding a football and waving, surrounded by family members and supporters who are smiling and applauding.

Once responsible for neutralizing explosive threats around the world, Auburn veteran Tommy Gaither is now studying the chemistry behind them. His next mission: turning real-world experience into a career teaching science.

November 17, 2025

Nic stands in a hallway in a graduation cap and gown

Nic Smith is graduating with a doctorate in higher education and a graduate certificate in workforce education, training and development.

November 17, 2025