Through a generous endowed gift from Mr. Joe W. Forehand, Auburn University BIE 1971, the Forehand Leadership Scholarships have been established.  These scholarships recognize current Auburn University Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) students who have demonstrated academic excellence along with strong evidence of leadership accomplishments and potential.

About Joe Forehand

Joe W. Forehand ended his 34 year career with Accenture in 2006 as the company’s Chairman. In this role, in addition to chairing the board of directors, Mr. Forehand provided input into Accenture’s business strategy and helped build strong relationships with Accenture’s clients as well as with business and government leaders.

Mr. Forehand served as Accenture’s CEO from November 1999 through August 2004, leading Accenture through a period of significant change and growth. In August 2000, Mr. Forehand orchestrated the successful conclusion of the company’s arbitration process with Andersen Worldwide. Shortly thereafter, the company changed its name to Accenture and undertook one of the largest global rebranding campaigns of its kind in record time. In July 2001 Mr. Forehand led the company in its IPO, one of the largest in US history. Mr. Forehand has also overseen the company’s strategic change initiative, moving Accenture from a conventional consulting model to a focus on business consulting, technology leadership and outsourcing.

During Mr. Forehand’s term as CEO, Accenture grew from $9.6 billion in revenue and 66,000 employees to $13.7 billion in revenue and 103,000 employees. As a public company under his leadership, Accenture’s total return to shareholders was 74 percent at a time when the S&P 100 Index decreased 14 percent. Accenture’s fiscal year 2004 return on invested capital would rank No. 1 relative to the S&P 100 companies.

Mr. Forehand joined the company in 1972 in the Atlanta office and became a partner 10 years later. He was named Accenture’s CEO in November 1999 and chairman of the board of directors in February 2001. Immediately prior to becoming CEO, he led Accenture’s Communications & High Tech operating group.

Mr. Forehand has received many honors for his visionary leadership. Among them are the Carl S. Sloane Award for Excellence in Management Consulting and the Morgan Stanley Leadership Award for Global Commerce, sponsored by the Computerworld Honors Program. Mr. Forehand was also named as a distinguished alumnus by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University and was elected to the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

Raised in Alexander City, Alabama, Mr. Forehand graduated from Auburn University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. He received a Master of Science degree in industrial administration from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University in 1972. Mr. Forehand also holds an honorary doctorate of management from Purdue University. He and his wife have two sons.

Scholarship Application

Applications can be submitted through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM): www.auburn.edu/scholarship/ausom