Bob and Susan Parker
Why Auburn Engineering?
Susan – Coming out of high school I had a keen interest in computers and wanted to attend a university offering a computer engineering degree, which Auburn was just starting as I graduated high school. Having always wanted to attend Auburn, it was an easy decision to choose Auburn’s engineering program.
Bob – Coming out of high school I had a desire to get into the field of electrical engineering due to my interest in power systems, automation and computers. After spending his first year at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, I transferred to Auburn due to the additional opportunities Auburn’s College of Engineering provided and to have an opportunity to attend college with Susan.
How did you meet? If you met on campus, could you tell us your Auburn story?
We met in high school while working as lifeguards at a local swimming pool in the Birmingham area. We dated from high school through college and were married the October following our graduation from Auburn in 1984.
Where are you now? Tell us about your engineering journey after graduation!
Susan - After graduation I joined Southern Company writing firmware for test remotes and user interfaces for their power management system. After our first child was born, I decided to be a stay at home mom. As the kids grew older, I worked several part time jobs performing computer training and maintenance for various schools and business in the Birmingham and Atlanta areas. Once the kids left for college, I provided computer training, maintenance and administrative support activities for a large church in the Atlanta area.
Bob - After graduation I joined a Birmingham area electrical engineering firm designing building communication and auxiliary support systems for about two years. In 1986, I joined Southern Company as a telecommunication engineer and I have been a part of Southern Company ever since. I have worked in multiple Southern Company affiliates over the years, primarily focused on the various disciplines within the area of Information Technology. I am currently a vice president of technology responsible for Southern Company’s IT infrastructure. In April of this year, I will celebrate my 35th anniversary with Southern Company.
We currently reside in Auburn.