Engineering gala celebrates 150th anniversary

Auburn Engineering alumni, friends, faculty and staff gathered in the Brown-Kopel Center on Saturday, May 13, for a gala to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.

The event was thrown in recognition of the more than 400 individuals who have made a planned gift to the college. During the year-long anniversary celebration, nearly $30 million was donated in the form of planned gifts.

 The program included addresses from Mario Eden, dean of engineering, and former interim dean of engineering Steve Taylor. 

“Each of you has established a planned gift, and through your gift, you’ve planted a tree for future generations, knowing that even though you will not get to see the true fruits of this labor and sit in its shade, you are doing something noble, something that has real meaning, something for which future generations will look back on and be grateful,” said Taylor, who currently serves as the university’s senior vice president for research and economic development.

 Auburn President Chris Roberts, who served as the dean of engineering from 2012-22, also addressed guests.

“During the past 20 years, Auburn Engineering has risen to levels some thought could not be attained. Record enrollment, applications, research awards, research expenditures, faculty, scholarships, facilities and so much more,” Roberts said. “This is because of people like you. People who believed in Auburn. People who lived and loved Auburn."

Jessica Taylor, the director of recruiting, outreach and scholarships also gave an address to thank the donors for their generous giving toward scholarships.

“Whether it’s through a scholarship, a study room, laboratory enhancements or a professorship that provides that student with a mentor, they will know that there were Auburn Engineering alumni who chose to invest in a student they would never meet – all because of their dedication to Auburn Engineering,” Taylor said.

Guests were given a copy of “They Came from Auburn” by Art Slotkin, ’68 aerospace engineering. Slotkin, who has written 11 books on Auburn history, was commissioned by the College of Engineering to write this comprehensive history book in honor of the college’s 150^th anniversary.