HELLO AUBURN FAMILY!

As I write this letter in early April, we are in full “shelter in place” mode. While that has come with a host of challenges, we are blessed with ways to stay connected as the Auburn Family while we isolate for the greater good.

I hope you have noticed that Dr. Gogue and Auburn faculty and staff are in constant communication with Auburn alumni and students. It’s often the small things that mean the most, like calling every Auburn Club president to offer assistance and encouragement, or sending ready-to-color pictures of Aubie, an Eagle, an Auburn-themed ‘I Spy’ and a quote from the Auburn Creed for our children to enjoy. I was tempted to find my old box of 64 Crayolas with the built-in sharpener!

The executive director of the Auburn Alumni Association, Gretchen VanValkenburg, and her outstanding staff have also been keeping alumni connected through enhanced social media efforts. If you haven’t yet, NOW is the time to download the Forever AU app onto your smartphone. Meanwhile, Auburn Clubs around the country have been encouraging support of alumni-owned small businesses via Facebook.

Instead of starting a new series on Netflix in your newfound downtime, take advantage of the huge Auburn University Digital Library at http://diglib.auburn.edu/browsecollections.php. You will be entertained for hours walking down memory lane. Some of my digital collection favorites include hundreds of pictures of campus and student life, board of trustee minutes beginning in 1856, historical football program covers, copies of Glomeratas and The Auburn Plainsman going back more than 120 years and, for you WWII enthusiasts, the Eugene B. Sledge and Rickenbacker collections.

At this time of year, we would usually be enjoying the magic of springtime sports at Auburn. Our basketball, golf and baseball teams were all positioned to make deep runs in their respective playoffs. Of course, Coach Williams and the outstanding young ladies that make up the equestrian team completed another undefeated season ranked No. 1 in the nation. Though many of these athletes missed the chance to finish what they started this season, we look forward to watching them compete for Auburn in the future.

In the meantime, the athletics department under Allen Greene’s leadership has been providing extra reading and video content for our enjoyment. I will admit to having clicked on the link to watch the 2019 Iron Bowl highlights more than once!

No doubt, we all share a common sorrow for opportunities and experiences lost this year. At Auburn, things won’t be quite the same without spring graduation, Coach Pearl and Coach Malzahn’s AMBUSH events, the outstanding performances at the Gogue Performing Arts Center and one of my personal favorite alumni events: Golden Eagles.

But our primary concern is with those who are hurting as the result of sickness, financial concerns or the distance imposed by quarantine. During this time of disappointment and sadness, I have been personally comforted by reading the encouraging words in Psalms, especially Psalm 46.

We may not be together in person, but we ARE together in spirit, and when it is possible to be on the Auburn campus again, I look forward to seeing you for a big Auburn Family reunion!

Until then, God bless and War Eagle!

M. Van Henley ’80
President, Auburn Alumni Association

Past Executive Directors

Past Presidents