This summer we will say goodbye to Dr. Jay Gogue, who has served Auburn University for the last 10 years as president. Dr. Gogue has been the impetus for much positive growth in many different areas during his tenure with our school. Most notably, since 2007 we have launched—and exceeded—the $1 billion Because This Is Auburn: A Campaign for Auburn University, which will provide funding for a wide range of colleges, scholarships, professorships and programs.

Under Dr. Gogue’s leadership, our average ACT score and GPA for incoming freshmen are the highest they have ever been, allowing us to cultivate a new generation of highly capable, sophisticated graduates. Dr. Gogue has established a community of greater cohesiveness and unity between the students, faculty, administration and alumni—all working together harmoniously to ensure that Auburn is the absolute best it can be. Dr. Gogue has been a president who listened and responded. He visited extension agents in each county and faculty in each department. He wanted to know and understand the needs and accomplishments of everyone associated with Auburn. He held weekly Monday morning meetings that were attended by the heads of all campus stakeholder groups. He wanted to be connected with every facet of the university. He also enjoyed his interactions with students and looked for opportunities to encourage and mentor them.

Perhaps most interestingly, Dr. Gogue used humor in his interactions with others. Through this humor, he was able to engage people (students, faculty and alumni) and motivate them toward creativity and collaboration. I personally witnessed this sense of humor when I ran into Dr. Gogue at the Because This Is Auburn campaign kickoff in Auburn. At the time, my son Walker was SGA president and therefore regularly interacted with Dr. Gogue, attending his Monday morning meetings as well as other meetings. I was a director on the Auburn Alumni Association board at this time. When I saw Dr. Gogue, he looked at me and said, “Your son…he’s more impressive than you are,” and walked off. I had to laugh. At least I think he was being funny, but there is truth in his statement…

President Gogue leaves a tremendous legacy at Auburn. The university is strong and sound—academically, financially and harmoniously. There is a strong sense of purpose and connection among the greater Auburn community as we strive to continually strengthen our school and the impact it can have.

As the sun sets on Dr. Gogue’s term at Auburn and he leaves our school to incoming president Steven Leath, we can all rest comfortably knowing Auburn is poised for even greater growth and accomplishments, as we are always trying to improve the educational experience for our students. This outstanding position is important to every Auburn man and woman because “[we] believe in education, which gives [us] the knowledge to work wisely and trains [our] minds and [our] hands to work skillfully.” This statement resonates with all Auburn men and women, and it certainly is evident in the work and progress that Dr. Gogue directed over the last decade. All Auburn alumni can still confidently say that they “believe in Auburn and love it” due largely to the effort and contributions of Dr. Jay Gogue, and we thank him and his wife, Susie, for upholding that high standard for us.

War Eagle—

Beau Byrd ʼ89
President, Auburn Alumni Association
bbyrd@bradley.com

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.

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Past Executive Directors

Past Presidents