Black Alumni Weekend
The Auburn Alumni Association hosted its seventh annual Black Alumni Weekend on November 12-14, 2021, an annual three-day celebration that featured vibrant, family-friendly social events and networking opportunities. It served as a chance to celebrate the heritage, culture and legacy of Black alumni and forge the future for Black students at Auburn University. The weekend coincided with the Auburn vs. Mississippi State football game.
2021 Black Alumni Weekend Welcome Event Photo Album
2021 Black Alumni Weekend Tailgate Photo Album
Black Alumni Weekend Awards
The Black Alumni Weekend Award recognizes recipients for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature and service to the university.
2021 RECIPIENTS
Apollos Abercrombie, Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Brenda Allen, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Joshua Ekandem, College of Architecture, Design & Construction
Sophia Bracy Harris, College of Human Sciences
Jerlando Jackson, College of Education
Lawrence Martin, Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Jocelyn Richardson, College of Veterinary Medicine
Jamesa Stokes, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Latricia “Vonnie” Stone, School of Nursing
K-Rob Thomas, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Marquita Winder, Harrison School of Pharmacy
Stay up-to-date on the weekend’s events!
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Tell Us Your Story
Share your own personal story and add to the history of the African-American experience at Auburn University by clicking the button below.
Alumni can also donate scrapbooks, diaries, journals, letters, photographs and other items related to their time at Auburn University to the Special Collections and Archives Department. In doing this we can ensure that future generations know what life was like for years to come.
To make a donation, contact Tommy Brown at 334-844-1733.
RESOLUTION
RECOGNITION of the LIFE AND LEGACY of
DOCTOR HAROLD ALONZA FRANKLIN, SR.
WHEREAS, Dr. Harold A. Franklin, Sr. began his young adult life
serving his country in the United States Air Force as an active-duty
officer from 1951-1955 and thereafter, a reservist until 1958; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin received his undergraduate degree from
Alabama State University where he graduated with honors in 1962; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin exhibited a “spirit that is not afraid” when
he walked onto Auburn’s campus as the university’s first Black student
on January 4, 1964 to pursue his master’s degree; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin ultimately earned a master’s degree from
the University of Denver after being denied the opportunity to defend
his thesis at Auburn University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin achieved an impressive career in higher
education, including prominent faculty and administrative posts at
Alabama State University, North Carolina A&T University, Tuskegee
Institute, and Talladega College; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin retired in 1992 after nearly three decades
of service to higher education; and
WHEREAS, Auburn University has honored the historical role of Dr.
Franklin at Auburn University by awarding Dr. Franklin an Honorary
Doctor of Arts in 2001 and placing a historical marker on its main
campus in 2015 to forever commemorate the desegregation of Auburn
students; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin has returned to Auburn’s campus on multiple
occasions to serve as a lecturer for various events and during the
recognition of historical milestones of Auburn University namely
the university’s Sesquicentennial Lecture Series and the celebration
of the 50th Anniversary of the integration of Auburn; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin successfully defended his thesis and
graduated from Auburn University with a master’s degree in
history in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin returned to Auburn’s campus for his final
time in December 2020 for the fall commencement to participate
in a hooding ceremony for Auburn’s first female African American
doctoral graduate in the Department of History; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin passed away on September 9, 2021 at his
home in Talladega, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Auburn University has endeavored to further honor
Dr. Franklin’s achievements by expanding and beautifying the area
surrounding the existing desegregation marker which celebrates
the contributions of Dr. Franklin; and
WHEREAS, the commemoration of this historical space on campus
and a celebration of Dr. Franklin’s life and legacy will be honored
during Auburn’s esteemed Black Alumni Weekend.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees
of Auburn University that the university hereby honors the life
and legacy of Dr. Harold Alonza Franklin, proclaiming the profound
impact he had on Auburn University, the state of Alabama, and
higher education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby expresses its
sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Franklin
in this period of sadness and that a copy of this resolution be presented
to them so that they know of the university’s actions and deep sympathy.
