Raised on Auburn, giving back for life: One Auburn alumni couple’s story

Jeff and Linda Stone haven’t known a day where they weren’t Auburn fans. With their parents, siblings and three children all attending Auburn, it just makes sense.

“My heart, as a child, was with Auburn and it has been there since,” Jeff said. “Growing up an Auburn fan and wanting to be an engineer, why would you want to go anywhere else?”

Jeff and Linda both grew up in Birmingham and attended Mountain Brook High School, where they were two of a few students who went on to attend Auburn University. Jeff pursued a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and Linda, who started in engineering, graduated in chemistry.

At Auburn, the couple began to date and stayed involved in their respective Greek organizations and in the Student Government Association (SGA). Each served as a senator for their respective college and Jeff went on to serve as SGA president his senior year. There, he played a vital role in bringing Auburn’s iconic Aubie mascot to life through the costume and program alongside Spirit Director James Lloyd.

Linda completed medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she saw peer Auburn alumni succeeding in their challenging courses.

“I really found that my classmates who went to Auburn didn’t have much trouble in med school,” she said. “The College of Sciences and Mathematics really did an outstanding job of preparing us. We had great teachers who exposed us to many of the things we would encounter in med school.”

As Linda completed school and her residency in pediatrics, Jeff began what would become a 45-year career with general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie. Shortly after he began, the company celebrated being ranked in the top 400 general contractors in the nation by Engineering News-Record. Today? Top 25.

“I would never imagine that the company would grow the way it did over the last 40 years,” Jeff said. “I’ve been very fortunate to be along for the ride.”

Last year, Jeff retired from Brasfield & Gorrie as its executive vice president, but the company lets him maintain an office and consult on special projects.

“I guess when you’ve been with the same company for more than 40 years, they feel like you still have something to offer even after you’re retired,” he said.

Linda retired from her private practice in 2018. Between their seven (soon to be eight) grandchildren and numerous areas of civic and philanthropic involvement in Birmingham and at Auburn, the Stones don’t plan to slow down any time soon.

Jeff has served on the Civil Engineering Advisory Board; the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council, including as chair; the Auburn University Foundation, which he also chaired; the Engineering Campaign Committee; and the Tigers Unlimited Council. He also played a major role in the creation of the Auburn Engineering Young Alumni Council. Linda has served on the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) Dean’s Leadership Council, along with her involvement in Birmingham organizations.  

The Stones philanthropically support Auburn through athletics, scholarships in the College of Engineering and COSAM, LEAD Auburn, the Aubie program and much more, impacting countless students.

“It’s certainly gratifying to see the impact of our giving throughout the years,” Linda said. “I feel like the least we can do is give to Auburn and help someone else be successful. Auburn has given us so much.”

“Every time we visit Auburn it feels like we’re home again,” Jeff added. “It’s just that feeling, that spirit, that support you get from the whole Auburn community. I’ve been trying to figure out how to bottle that up.” 

Until then, the Stones are carrying the Auburn Spirit themselves.