Board of Directors

Former presidents of the Auburn Alumni Association Board of Directors (l-r): Ralph Jordan ’70, Nancy Fortner ’71, Bobby Poundstone ’95, Bill Stone ’85, Batey Gresham ’57 and Jack Fite ’85

Batey M. Gresham Jr.
April 5, 1934 – August 6. 2022

Batey M. Gresham, Jr. was born in Lebanon, Tenn. He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1952 and came to Auburn as part of Army ROTC, where earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the Auburn University School of Architecture and Applied Arts (now the College of Architecture, Design and Construction) in 1957.

While a student at Auburn, in addition to ROTC, Gresham was involved in SGA, Squires, Spades, Blue Key and Scarab and served as president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, the student body for the School of Architecture and as editor of the 1956 Glomerata.

Following graduation, Gresham entered the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he served for eight years before being honorably discharged in 1965, with the rank of captain.

After his military service, Gresham and his wife, Ann ‘54, moved to Nashville, where he opened an architectural firm in 1966. A year later, he partnered with Fleming W. Smith Jr. to establish Gresham, Smith and Partners (now Gresham Smith). The firm was on the ground floor of the (then) new industry of multi-hospital systems and was the exclusive architect for Hospital Corporation of America for more than a decade. The firm now specializes in health care, aviation, transportation, corporate architecture and environmental services with multiple locations nationally and around the world.

Gresham was a member of the Auburn Alumni Board of Directors from 1981-1990, serving as president from 1987-89 and was president of the Greater Nashville Auburn Club for two years. He has served on the Auburn University Engineering Council, the Architecture Advisory Board, the Auburn University Foundation Board and the Museum of Art Advisory Board. Gresham was a member of the 1856 Society, the CADC Dean’s Club and a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association.

Batey and Ann Gresham have given back to Auburn in numerous ways. In 2001, they established the Gresham Professorship, the first endowed professorship in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. They have also supported scholarships and programs in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the Jule Collins Smith Museum, the School of Journalism, AU Singers, the Women’s Philanthropy Board, athletics and university construction projects.

Gresham, Smith and Partners designed the Jule Collins Smith Museum at Auburn, which opened in 2003, and Gresham served on the museum board. In 2006, he was a recipient of the Auburn Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award given at Auburn University.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, of Auburn.

LEARNING FROM NOSTALGIA

“Gone too soon.” This is the way I feel about the last two years that I have been fortunate to serve as your president of the Auburn Alumni Board of Directors. One of the effects of the pandemic has been a time warp of sorts that leaves one feeling either too much time has passed, or not enough. One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to serve our great university as well as what I consider the best alumni base in the country.

As I reflect on my term as president, one word comes to mind: resilience. The Auburn Creed also alludes to this when it mentions a “spirit that is not afraid” and “mutual helpfulness.” This is the stuff we are made of and which we have embodied during this time. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the past two years: establishment of our young alumni and Black alumni councils, hosting our first Women’s Summit, pivoting to virtual events during the pandemic and embracing the move to Auburn Advancement. With these events and initiatives, we have broadened our alumni reach and engaged more Auburn men and women than we thought possible. And all of it despite the events that tried to disrupt all we love about Auburn.

Through it all, the affinity that we have for our university remains constant. It connects us and unites us. It is our safe place, our happy place and a place we can be carefree and reminisce. It is the place where I formed my best friendships, grew into adulthood, prepared to be a professional and made an impact though my own philanthropy and service. When we witness violence and oppression, it is one of the things that we can hold on to when the world doesn’t always make sense. It is my Auburn. It is your Auburn. It is our Auburn.

And just as one chapter closes, another opens to continue the story as I pass on the mantle to LuAnne Hart. Having served with LuAnne on the Alumni Board of Directors for the past eight years, I know firsthand the love and dedication that she and her husband, Charlie, have for Auburn. She will continue to demonstrate the resilience that is characteristic of Auburn men and women.

Thank you all for this great opportunity and I will continue to serve our great university in the future.

War Eagle!

Regenia Sanders - Auburn Alumni Board of Directors

Regenia Sanders ’95
President, Auburn Alumni Association

2022 Board of Directors Recommended Candidates

Board of Directors Recommended Candidates

The Auburn Alumni Association board of directors’ nominating committee, having solicited nominations from the membership as required
in the association bylaws, has submitted its list of candidates for four new directors to the full board.

The recommended candidates have been approved by the board and are presented below for the membership’s consideration.

View Recommended Candidates