Auburn University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Auburn University (AU or Auburn), a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama, boasts a rich history and a long list of accomplished alumni. Chartered in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College, Auburn has evolved into one of Alabama's two flagship public universities, playing a significant role in shaping leaders across various fields. With a current enrollment exceeding 34,100 students and a faculty of over 1,400, Auburn continues to uphold its motto, "For the Advancement of Science and Arts," fostering an environment of research, instruction, and extension.

From Humble Beginnings to a Leading University

Originally affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the institution transitioned to state control in 1872 under the Morrill Act, becoming the first land-grant university in the South separate from the state university. This pivotal moment shifted the focus towards agricultural and mechanical education while maintaining a commitment to military tactics training. Over the years, Auburn has adapted to societal changes, becoming coeducational in 1892 and officially gaining university status in 1960.

A Campus Shaped by History and Progress

The Auburn campus has undergone significant transformations since its early days of boarding houses and barracks. An initial campus master plan was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. in 1929. Today, the campus is characterized by a grid-like pattern, with distinct building groups housing various colleges and departments. Recent construction projects reflect a commitment to modernizing facilities while preserving a traditional architectural style. Notable additions include the Mell Classroom Building, the School of Nursing building, the Brown Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, and a new Graduate Business Building. The ongoing STEM+Ag Complex project further demonstrates Auburn's dedication to cutting-edge research and education.

Academic Excellence and Innovation

Auburn University has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to innovation. Auburn's College of Architecture pioneered the nation's first interior architecture degree program, offering a dual degree in Architecture & Interior Architecture. The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, with its 134-year history, consistently ranks among the top engineering programs in the United States. Auburn was also the first university in the Southeast to offer bachelor's and master's degrees in software engineering. The university's dedication to research is further exemplified by the Old Rotation, the oldest continuous agricultural experiment in the Southeast, dating back to 1896.

Notable Alumni: A Diverse Tapestry of Success

Auburn University has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions to society. These individuals have excelled in diverse fields, including sports, entertainment, business, politics, and science.

Athletics

Auburn's athletic programs have produced numerous stars, with several alumni achieving national and international recognition.

Bo Jackson: A true Auburn legend, Jackson won the 1985 Heisman Trophy and is considered one of the greatest athletes in history. He excelled in both the NFL and MLB, earning All-Star honors in both sports.
Charles Barkley: A dominant force on the basketball court, Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA, earning numerous accolades and Hall of Fame honors. He is now a popular television analyst.
Cam Newton: Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a national championship in 2010 and won the Heisman Trophy. He went on to become an NFL MVP and led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl.
Frank Thomas: One of the greatest hitters in baseball history, Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was named the SEC Player of the Year as a senior.

Read also: Auburn Student Statistics
Pat Sullivan: He doesn't get the recognition he probably deserves as the first Heisman Trophy winner in Auburn history, but Sullivan was easily one of the best football players to ever suit up for the Tigers. Sullivan passed away on December 1, 2019.
Rowdy Gaines: An Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Gaines was a member of the Auburn swim team.
Sunisa Lee: An Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, Lee is currently a student at Auburn and a member of the university's gymnastics program.

Other notable athletes who attended Auburn include:

Tom Banks (1970), NFL professional player and four-time Pro Bowler with the St.
Fred Beasley
Mark Bellhorn
Rob Bironas
George Bovell III
Dieter Brock
James Robert Brooks
Bryce Brown
Ronnie Brown
Aundray Bruce
Jason Campbell
Kirsty Coventry
Marquis Antwane Daniels
Stephen Davis
Josh Donaldson
Frank Gatski
Kevin Greene
Jared Harper
Dave Hill
Margaret Hoelzer
Roderick Hood
John Hudson
Tim Hudson
Stephen Huss
Eddie Johnson
Rudi Johnson
Beverly Kearney
Marcus McNeill
John Mengelt
Dave Middleton
ALVIN MITCHELL
Mike Mitchell
Chris Morris
Chuck Connors Person
Wesley Person
Jay Ratliff
Tony Richardson Stats
Carlos Rogers
Frank Sanders
Takeo Spikes
Marcus Washington
Ed West
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams

Arts and Entertainment

Auburn University has also produced a number of successful figures in the arts and entertainment industry.

Lionel Richie: A Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer, Richie briefly attended Auburn before graduating from Tuskegee University.
Octavia Spencer: An Academy Award-winning actress, Spencer has starred in numerous critically acclaimed films and television shows.
Jimmy Buffett: The singer, songwriter, author and businessman attended Auburn but did not graduate.
Taylor Hicks: Winner of "American Idol" in 2006, Hicks is a singer and musician.
Victoria Jackson: An actress and comedian, Jackson was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live."
Josh Hutcherson: The actor is known for his roles in "The Hunger Games" film series.
Toni Tennille: The singer, part of the former duo The Captain and Tennille, sang for the Auburn Knights band for freshman and sophomore years before moving with her family to California.
Ace Atkins: The novelist played defensive end during Auburn's 1993 perfect football season.
Thom Gossom Jr.: The actor on TV shows such as "In the Heat of the Night" and films such as "Jeepers Creepers 2." Gossom, a wide receiver, became the first black student-athlete to graduate from Auburn.
Bobby Goldsboro: The pop singer, known for the No. 1 hit, "Honey," left Auburn when Roy Orbison hired his band as his backup.
Michael O'Neill: Graduated in 1974; became an actor on the advice of Will Geer, better known as Grandpa Walton on "The Waltons."
Anne Rivers Siddons: The novelist majored in illustration and minored in English at Auburn, where she wrote for The Auburn Plainsman.

Business and Technology

Auburn alumni have also made significant contributions to the business and technology sectors.

Tim Cook: The CEO of Apple Inc., Cook graduated from Auburn with a degree in industrial engineering.
Jimmy Wales: The co-founder of Wikipedia, Wales attended Auburn University.
Raymond J. Harbert: The founder, chairman and CEO of Harbert Management Corporation; trustee; namesake of the Raymond J.

Politics and Public Service

Auburn University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in politics and public service.

Lloyd J. Austin III: The current United States Secretary of Defense, Austin is a retired four-star general.
Kay Ivey: The current governor of Alabama.
Vince Dooley: The quarterback and head coach played at Auburn, where he received bachelor's and master's degrees. Head coach at University of Georgia from 1964-1988.
Gordon Persons: Governor of Alabama from 1951-1955.

Other notable figures in politics and public service include:

Wilford S. Bailey
P. O. Davis
Jeffrey S. Ginn
John Junkins (B.S. 1964)
E. T. York, Jr.
Kenneth R. Reed
Thom Gossom, Jr.
Sophia Bracy Harris (B.S. 1966)
Daniel L. Whitsett
Richard Marcinko (M.A. 1973)
Travis S. Taylor
Arthur L. Williams, Jr.
James R. Thompson
LTG Ronald L. Burgess, Jr.
Harold D. Melton
Brady E. Mendheim Jr.
Major Gen. Wilton B. Persons, Jr.
Renee A. Price
Sidney A. Wallace
Douglas J. Watson
Jimmie V. Reynouze
Lloyd J. Austin III
Robert E. Noble (B.S. 1890, M.S. 1893)
Michael S. Rogers
James C. H. Merritt
Joni E. Taylor
Hugh S. Branyon
Cherri M. Murphy
Pancake (Ph.D. 1994)
Jessica A. Wright
Paul B. Bell Jr.
Frank W. Boykin
Herbert W. Sears
Thomas M. Stell

Science and Technology

Auburn University has also produced notable figures in science and technology.

Jan Davis: A retired astronaut who logged 673 hours in space.
Ken Mattingly: An astronaut who flew on Apollo 16 and Space Shuttle missions.

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