Auburn’s North Star

Last November, I had the privilege of participating in the 2024 Auburn Military Appreciation Reception. Key speakers included retired Army Maj. Jody Fuller ’01, who served three tours in the Iraq War, and ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff, who suffered life-threatening injuries from a roadside bomb while covering the Iraq conflict. By most accounts, this was the best-attended reception by Auburn graduates who have honorably served, as well as the families of Auburn graduates who were killed in the line of duty serving our country. This reception was cosponsored by the Auburn Alumni Association, the Auburn Student Veteran’s Association, and the Auburn Veteran’s Resource Center.

It is safe to say that Auburn’s support of its military community positively distinguishes the university among peer institutions. The Auburn Military Appreciation Reception and veteran resource groups are strategic choices made by Auburn and its senior leadership. Having been an Auburn NROTC midshipman some 40 years ago, I am reminded and comforted that Auburn remains faithful to its military community and continues to strengthen its ties.

If you haven’t already, I hope you will read Auburn’s new Strategic Plan. These plans are typically created to look ahead three to five years. Auburn’s Strategic Plan is different, featuring a 10-year outlook extending to 2035, in effect a “north star.”

This north star reflects the visionary and aspirational spirit that President Chris Roberts seeks to capture while being “Grounded & Groundbreaking” in the ethos that makes Auburn unique.

There are five overarching goals of the 44-page plan, two of which resonate most with me personally and in my official capacity with the alumni association: Goal 4-Catalytic Engagement and Goal 5-Distinctively Auburn.

Goal 4 involves the association and advancement teams partnering with returning alumni to build mutually beneficial relationships with them and their respective organizations, serving as a strategic resource.

Goal 5 focuses on honoring, preserving and celebrating the values and rich traditions that distinguish Auburn University and are foundational to an enduring Auburn Experience.

These strategic goals inform the association’s aspirations to deliver more personalized Auburn experiences to you. The Military Appreciation Reception is a prime example. We aim to create innovative and responsive programs and events that meet you where you are on your Auburn journey, whether you are a recent graduate or a “seasoned” alum like me.

Again, I invite you to read Auburn’s Strategic Plan. This plan came together after countless hours of work, including nationwide listening sessions and interviews, with end-to-end stakeholder input incorporated and synthesized into the final document.

As you read the plan, I am certain there will be something that resonates with you directly, just as it did with me.