HELLO AUBURN FAMILY!

In my initial letter as President of the Auburn Alumni Association, I wrote about my first trip to Auburn. Watching my childhood heroes Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley whip the Florida Gators was delightful. Pat Sullivan was a great Auburn football player. Pat Sullivan was a great Auburn man.

This past football season was filled with highs and lows on the field, but the Auburn spirit was strong throughout, highlighted by the exciting finish and celebration after the Alabama game. But the Auburn spirit extends far beyond the football field, as I observed last fall.

For example, the evening before the Arkansas game, I met Cindy ’77 and Ron Terry. Cindy and Ron personally created a banner for Tiger Walk more than 25 years ago and have faithfully supported home-game Tiger Walks, with banner in hand, ever since. They also took it on the road by arriving hours early to away games to stake out the perfect spot, and helped rally traveling Tiger fans for Tiger Walk.

On the day of the Ole Miss game, I attended the biennial Cater Circle reception. This reception honors those who have made gifts to Auburn for 25 or more consecutive years. Believe it or not 2,800 families have reached this milestone; 374 families have given for more than 40 consecutive years, and six families for more than 60 years! Their faithfulness in support of Auburn is another example of the strong Auburn spirit. While not every alum can make a major gift, all alumni can
give some amount every year, which helps with national university rankings. I hope you will consider making a long run of consecutive annual giving.

And finally, on the Friday before the Georgia game, my good friend and industrial engineering alumnus Gary Martin ’57 was honored by the Auburn chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA. Through his 9-year commitment, Gary’s philanthropic support has been a huge component of all the lives the chapter has been able to improve through their work. His generosity is representative of thousands of Auburn alumni who exemplify the Auburn spirit by supporting Auburn students in unique ways.

Like the Terrys, you might consider showing your Auburn Spirit by service to the university. Auburn Alumni Association Board of Directors’ nominations are being accepted through March 20. Speaking from experience, serving on the alumni board is fun and fulfilling. Go online or read in this issue about the eligibility and nomination process and decide whom you would like to nominate. Even nominate yourself if you would like! It’s a great way to serve.

I apologize in advance, but there is just something this superstitious sports fan must do. In the spring edition of last year’s Auburn Magazine, I mentioned Auburn’s basketball team, how well they were playing at the time, and even predicted a potentially deep run in the NCAA tournament. So, hoping history repeats and for good luck, here it is again, verbatim:
“At the time of this writing, the team is off to a great start to the season. A strong finish will keep both an SEC Championship and a deep run at the NCAA tournament a possibility we can all be excited about.” Go Tigers! Do it again!

Until next time, God bless and War Eagle!

M. Van Henley ’80
President, Auburn Alumni Association

Mission

The Auburn Alumni Association is dedicated to enhancing the engagement and connection of all Auburn University alumni and friends.

Vision

To advance Auburn University by engaging our global community and cultivating their passion for and loyalty to the university.

By Laws & Resources

Past Executive Directors

Past Presidents