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Black Alumni Council

Black Alumni Council Demographics

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 Council's Annual Fund for Excellence

With your help, we can make a difference through the Black Alumni Council’s Annual Fund for Excellence. Distributions from this annual gift fund will be used to support the strategic initiatives of the Black Alumni Council.

Dr. Franklin with hand on chin pensive look

Black Alumni Council Dr. Harold A. Franklin Memorial Endowed and Annual Scholarships

The Dr. Harold A. Franklin Endowed and Annual Scholarships support Auburn University’s goal of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion among the student body, which is key to its educational mission. The scholarships provide support to students to help alleviate financial obstacles while attending Auburn University.  RECOGNITION of the LIFE AND LEGACY

2023-2024 RECIPIENTs

Alyxandria Harrigan Birmingham, AL
Vanessa Njuguna Birmingham, AL
Kaitlyn Reedy Chelsea, AL
Kenneth Reese Pleasant Grove, AL

2022-2023 RECIPIENTs

Jayliana Brown-Johnson Tomball, TX
Miles Knight Atlanta, GA
Clayton Onwere Huntsville, AL
Shyam Patel Auburn, AL

2021-2022 RECIPIENTs

Christian Ford, Adamsville, AL
Alyxandria Harrigan, Birmingham, AL
Lalah Hasbrouck, Atlanta, GA
Trinitee Hughley, Dacula, GA

2021-2022 Black Alumni Council Year in Review

N

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
N

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
N

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 Teacher’s Coach

The Teacher’s Coach

She wanted to be a physical therapist, but now Joy Gaston Gayles ’98 helps support and inspire a new generation of professors.

Pannie-George’s Kitchen Gives Back

Pannie-George’s Kitchen Gives Back

What started out as a “plate sale” to fund a family reunion is now Pannie-George’s Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant that serves more than great soul food. 

The Age of Reason

The Age of Reason

Jamie Lowe met me in the front lobby of the Lee County Justice Center.

Writing Warrior

Writing Warrior

CJ Holmes’ rise from Auburn basketball walk-on to beat writer for the Golden State Warriors is the stuff of hoop dreams.

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?

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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?

There are no differences in the application and award of the two Black Alumni Council scholarships. They also have the same selection criteria and award amounts. The only difference is in how the council funds the scholarships – either every year (for the annual) or by the income from the investments (for the endowment).

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?

To receive consideration for the Black Alumni Council scholarships, current students must complete the scholarship application through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) by 4:45 p.m. CST on February 1 to receive consideration. All admission application files must be complete by December 1 for early action admission and scholarship consideration. Students are required to complete the AUSOM application each year.

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?

Each scholarship will be awarded at $1,000 per year.

Who makes the final selection of the Black Alumni Council scholarships?

The General Scholarship Committee within the Office of University Scholarships selects recipients

Can a student receive more than one Black Alumni Council scholarship each year?

As a general practice, students do not receive more than one of the two council’s scholarships in a given academic year. However, students may receive a combination of alumni, merit, general, and department scholarships, provided the total amount awarded in institutional scholarships does not exceed Auburn’s annual estimated cost of attendance. External scholarships do not contribute to this total, and Auburn University does not limit external scholarships by number or amount. However, any amount received in scholarships may affect the amount of federal financial aid for which students are eligible. Individual scholarships awarded by other internal or external sources may have restrictions which require them to be awarded or disbursed at a lesser amount.

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.