Now in its 14th year, Auburn Engineering’s Minority Engineering Program is getting a new name – and a new partner. The program is now known as the Alabama Power/Southern Company Academic Excellence Program, thanks to a commitment of $250,000 annually from Southern Company Services. Launched in 1996 with a mission to recruit and retain underrepresented engineering students, the program works in partnership with business, industry and engineering professionals to ensure that students are successful in their undergraduate studies and are well prepared to enter graduate school or the work force. Its collaborative learning groups, mentors and interactive learning laboratory provide academic and social resources that enable the college to attract and retain a diverse student body. "An investment in education is an investment in the future," said Charles McCrary, Alabama Power president and CEO. "We are proud to be part of developing the engineers of tomorrow."

It begins with ... a few

Auburn Engineering students demonstrated their support for the university by contributing more money than any other school or college during the university’s inaugural “It Begins with One” student fundraising campaign. Nearly 150 engineering students participated, donating approximately $2,700 during the campaign, which will be conducted annually and is designed to encourage students to understand the importance of private funding to the university’s departments and programs. The college’s Formula SAE and Baja SAE teams saw 100 percent participation. In addition, the Formula team came in second place for the number of gifts given, earning team members a $2,500 donor match designated for their team.

Standing ovation for faculty

As part of a strategic initiative to recognize the exceptional merit of its faculty, Auburn University developed a targeted one-year campaign to fund 81 new professorships. This goal was exceeded by more than 17 percent, with a total of 95 professorships being funded. Thirteen of them are in engineering.

Funding for the named professorships, one of the highest honors that a university bestows on its faculty members, was provided through private support from alumni and friends. From left, Auburn Engineering faculty who were recognized at a campuswide ceremony in August include:

Mario Eden, Joe T. and Billie Carole McMillan Endowed Professorship

Y. Y. Lee, Uthlaut Family Endowed Professorship in the Department of Chemical Engineering

Bruce Tatarchuk, Charles E. Gavin III Endowed Professorship

Mark Byrne, Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Endowed Professorship

Kevin Gue, Tim Cook Endowed Professorship in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Roy Hartfield, Walt and Virginia Woltosz Endowed Professorship in the Department of Aerospace Engineering

Brian Thurow, W. Allen and Martha Reed Endowed Professorship

Bryan Chin, McWane Endowed Professorship in the Department
of Mechanical Engineering

Thomas Denney, Ed and Peggy Reynolds Family Endowed Professorship in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Hareesh Tippur, McWane Endowed Professorship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

(Not pictured:)

David Bevly, Albert Smith Jr. Endowed Professorship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Ram Gupta, Walt and Virginia Woltosz Endowed Professorship in the Department of Chemical Engineering

Chan Park, Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Endowed Professorship