Black Alumni Council
Established in 2020, the Black Alumni Council is comprised of 15 individuals who represent 8 different colleges and schools at Auburn University. The purpose of the council is to facilitate the engagement of Black alumni and friends with the Auburn Alumni Association and Auburn University as a whole. The council’s responsibilities include advocating for the concerns of Black alumni and friends, assisting with the recruitment of new students, supporting the retention of current students, promoting greater participation from Black alumni, developing events and programs of interest to black alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, and working to preserve the legacy of Black alumni and those who paved the way for Black people to attend Auburn University alumni.
BLACK ALUMNI WEEKEND
The Black Alumni Council invites Black alumni and friends back to the Plains each spring for Black Alumni Weekend. Black Alumni Weekend is a three-day celebration focused on cultivating community through engaging social events and networking opportunities. It serves as a chance to celebrate the heritage, culture and legacy of Black alumni and forge the future for Black students at Auburn University. The eighth annual weekend will be held April 21-23, 2023.
New Auburn Alumni Association Scholarships
Auburn Alumni Association Dr. Harold A. Franklin Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Help with selecting one of these scholarships, the choice may be easier to understand the funding use of gifts to the scholarship. All gifts to the Black Alumni Council Dr. Harold A. Franklin Memorial Annual Scholarship are immediately available for the stated purpose. All gifts to the Black Alumni Council Dr. Harold A. Franklin Memorial Endowed Scholarship are invested in perpetuity where the income generated from investing these gifts are used for the stated purpose. With endowments, each $25,000 in invested corpus yields about $1,000 in income for the stated purpose.
RECOGNITION of the LIFE AND LEGACY
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Auburn Alumni Association Dr. Josetta Brittain Matthews Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Josetta Brittain Matthews ’66 Endowed Scholarship to support Auburn University’s goal of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion among its student body, which is key to its educational mission. The scholarship will provide support to undergraduate students whose financial need makes attendance at Auburn cost prohibitive.
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2022-2023 RECIPIENTs (Franklin Scholarship)
Jayliana Brown-Johnson Tomball, TX
Miles Knight Atlanta, GA
Clayton Onwere Huntsville, AL
Shyam Patel Auburn, AL
Grace Fry, Troy, AL
John Fultz, Fairhope, AL
Bryson McCrary, Daphne, AL
2021-2022 RECIPIENTs (Matthews Scholarship)
Christian Ford, Adamsville, AL
Alyxandria Harrigan, Birmingham, AL
Lalah Hasbrouck, Atlanta, GA
Trinitee Hughley, Dacula, GA
2021-2022 Black Alumni Council Year in Review
Goal I
Establish Black Alumni Council Operations, Framework, and Foundation
- Established goals and objectives for the Black Alumni Council
- Created Black Alumni Council operating procedures including electing officers and forming committees
- The Black Alumni Council Chair participated in 2021 Auburn Alumni Association Board of Directors Workshop/Meeting
- Selected five new members to bring the total number of council members to 15
Goal II
Create and implement activities to increase Black Alumni Involvement
- Established the Black Alumni Council Dr. Harold A. Franklin Scholarships (annual and endowed); raised nearly $11,000 and awarded four $1,000 scholarships through the annual scholarship for the 21-22 academic year
- Participated in Tiger Giving Day
- Hosted a panel at virtual Auburn Club Leadership Conference
- Hosted a panel at the Auburn Women’s Summit
- Participated as panelists for Uncensored Conversations ) Women in the Workplace and First-Generation Alumni
- Participated in 28 Days of Career during Black History Month
- Hosted first Conversation with the Council
Goal III
Support, develop, and promote activities for student retention and recruitment
- Recorded and shared videos, in partnership with the Office of Enrollment Management, for recruitment of prospective students
- Participated in Connection with Scholars, group of 30 Black male students toured Auburn in June 2021
- Partnership with Black Student Union and Black Graduate Professional Student Association for two Mid-Summer Mixer Series
- Participated in Tiger Takeoff recruitment activity serving on a virtual student panel and visiting in-person for a dinner connection
- Student Recruitment activity with community group United We Save Ourselves with 66 potential students for campus tour, visit, football game and with lunch provided by the Black Alumni Council
- Black Alumni Council Chair represents the council on the Presidential Task Force for Opportunity and Equity meetings and serves on the University Diversity Statement, Student Retention and Graduate Student subcommittees
The Auburn alumni association wants to hear your story
Your story will help us build strong, inclusive and diversity programming for our young alumni.
How can the BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL Help you?
Resources
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Forever AU App
alumni & career resources
Scholarships
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AUSOM – How to Apply for Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions – Black Alumni Council Scholarships
Is there a difference in the Black Alumni Council’s annual scholarship and the endowed scholarship?
Are the Black Alumni Council scholarships renewable?
Each scholarship is for one academic year. New applicants will be given priority. However, prior recipients may be considered during subsequent years if a new applicant cannot be identified.
How do you apply for the Black Alumni Council’s scholarships?
Please visit auburn.edu/ausom for more information on the scholarship application and application deadlines.
Who is eligible for the Black Alumni Council scholarships?
The scholarships shall be awarded each year to a current Auburn student who:
• Demonstrates good academic standing as determined by the Selection Committee.
• Demonstrates financial need as verified by the Office of Financial Aid. If a student with financial need cannot be identified, this criterion may be waived.
• Is actively involved with one of the following Auburn University student organizations: Black Student Union; African Students Association; or is a member of a National Pan-Hellenic organization. However, if a student from one of the above listed organizations cannot be identified, the scholarship will be awarded to another qualified student.
Are gifts to the Black Alumni Council scholarships tax deductible?
Yes. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Auburn University Foundation receives gifts made to these scholarships. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that ensures all donations made to Auburn University benefit the institution as intended. The Auburn University Foundation provides no goods or services in exchange for your contribution.
What is the award amount for each scholarship?
Who makes the final selection of the Black Alumni Council scholarships?
Can a student receive more than one Black Alumni Council scholarship each year?
How do scholarship recipients receive their scholarship funds?
Scholarships are applied as credits on the student’s university billing account on a semester basis. In compliance with federal guidelines, financial aid and scholarships cannot physically disburse on the student’s billing account prior to a maximum of 10 days before each semester begins. If at any time credits on the bill exceed university charges (i.e. tuition, fees, on-campus housing), a refund can be issued for the difference. Refunds are issued as direct deposits to the checking or savings account of the student’s choice, which can be set up on Banking Direct Deposit Information in AU Access on My Finances.