President Trump recently announced the nomination of Louis V. Franklin, Sr., to serve as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Franklin’s nomination was later confirmed on September 14, 2017.
Franklin has worked in the States Attorney’s office for over 27 years, 16 of which he served as criminal chief where he gained experience in a number of high-profile public corruption prosecutions. He began his career as a staff attorney at the Legal Services Corporation of Alabama and later as an Assistant United States Attorney.
Franklin earned a Master of Science in Justice and Public Safety from Auburn University at Montgomery in 1983.
The Alumni Association is proud to sponsor an annual Faculty Service Award. Since the award’s inception, many outstanding AUM faculty have been honored.
To be eligible for the Alumni Association’s Faculty Service Award, nominees must have five or more years of full-time service at AUM. Emphasis is placed on teaching excellence, university and community service, and research contributions. The recipient will receive a $1,000 prize, and certificate.
Dr. Darren-Harris Fain was presented with the 2017 Faculty Service Award at AUM’s Faculty and Staff Convocation on October 6th. Dr. Harris Fain is a professor in AUM’s Department of English and Philosophy and coaches the university’s quiz bowl. Beyond campus, he finds time in his to represent AUM in the broader community by serving as community judge at forensics and communications competitions and by giving presentations locally to civic organizations and business professional groups.
Pictured L to R: Joey Taff, AUM Alumni Board; Darren Harris-Fain; Carl A. Stockton, AUM Chancellor
Auburn University at Montgomery was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top regional universities in the south. AUM was also included (#37) as one of the best public regional universities in the south, making it the top-ranked university in the River Region.
AUM College of Business’s undergraduate programs and part-time Master of Business Administration program, as well as the College of Public Policy and Justice’s graduate programs, were rated among the best in the country.
Many factors including higher first-year retention and graduation rates, student support provided by the Warhawk Academic Success Center, and new scholarship programs contributed to AUM’s current rankings.
Mark your calendars for #AUMDayofGiving, on February 14, 2018! Show your love for AUM by supporting the many projects and programs from the colleges and departments seeking private support.
A social media based initiative, AUM ambassadors from all areas of campus will utilize Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share information about AUM special projects.
Keep an eye out on social media for more details about projects that need your support!
In January, you can go to www.aum.edu/dayofgiving to check out all the projects highlighted for this special day!
The National Science Foundation recently provided a grant for “Solving Problems of Mathematics Accessibility with Process-Driven Math,” a collaborative project between Rice University and Auburn University at Montgomery. AUM was awarded $298,000 in funding for its part in the project.
The research effort, which began at AUM in 2015, was inspired by Logan Prickett, a bright and motivated AUM psychology student. As a young teen, Prickett had a reaction during a medical procedure that resulted in almost complete blindness and significant mobility deficits. When he began his first college algebra course, Prickett reached out to the AUM Learning Center for guidance. He began to work closely with Ann Gulley, Student Services Coordinator, and alumnus, Jordan Price ’16, who was a math tutor at the time. Together, the team developed the concept of process-driven math which allowed Logan to successfully complete his algebra and pre-calculus courses using mobile technology and audio methods.
The ultimate goal of The Logan Project is to create software with a Universal Design for Learning that will allow students who are blind or have limited vision to learn together with their sighted peers.
Pictured L to R: Jordan Price ’16; Logan Prickett
You can give the gift of scholarships, program support, assistance for faculty and staff and more when you participate in our year-end campaign! A gift of any amount – no matter the size – to the AUM Annual Fund makes a big impact in the lives of students currently following in your footsteps.
This is your opportunity to show today's students that Auburn Montgomery alumni care about their alma mater, so please click here to make your gift before the December 31 year-end deadline. (When you do, you'll be able to count your contribution toward your taxes in the spring. That's what we call a win-win!)
AUM alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club on October 5, 2017 for the 9th annual African American Alumni Reception. Attendees enjoyed reconnecting with former classmates and colleagues, however, the underlying goal of the event was to raise awareness and funds for a scholarship established by five AUM alumnae.
The 2017 African American Alumni Reception scholarship recipient, Destiny Stephen, spoke about her journey to Auburn Montgomery as well as her post-graduation goals. “AUM has provided me with opportunities that will forever have an impact on my future,” she said. Stephen, a senior in elementary education, serves as a Warhawk Recruiter, a Resident Assistant and recently completed an internship with Garrett Elementary School. On December 9th, Stephen became the first in her family to graduate with a college degree. She plans to continue her education and ultimately work as a school counselor. “I have longed for the very moment that I will be walking across the stage with a bachelor’s degree, and I could not have done it without the generous support of alumni like you,” said Stephen. “Thank you again for this amazing opportunity and for the financial ability you have given me to continue my education.”
To contribute to the African American Alumni Reception Endowed Scholarship, click here.
Pictured above: Destiny Stephen
If you are looking for opportunities to give back to Auburn Montgomery, please consider including a bequest in your will. With your planned gift, you will become a member of the George Petrie Society.
After providing for family, friends and others, many alumni include a meaningful bequest to Auburn Montgomery in their will to continue their lifetime support. Including the Auburn University Foundation as a beneficiary of your will is one of the easiest ways to provide for future generations of Auburn Montgomery students and faculty.
For more information about planned giving, contact Auburn Montgomery’s University Development at 334-244-3560 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Kathleen Baxter '89 was recently appointed as comptroller for the State of Alabama. As state comptroller Baxter will serve as the chief accountant in state government and is responsible for maintaining fiscal accounts, ordering payments into and out of state funds, and preparing state financial reports. She was previously an accounting instructor at AUM and has remained involved with AUM's State Initiative Program that provides educational opportunities in accounting for the state's workforce.
Baxter earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from AUM in 1983.
The Executive Board of FBI National Academy Associates announced Scott Dumas '93 as incoming President of the organization. Dumas is the Chief of Police of the Rowley Department of Rowley, Massachusetts.
Rowley earned a Bachelor of Justice & Public Safety from AUM in 1993.
Major General Sheryl Gordon '87 was recently appointed by Governor Kay Ivey as the new leader of the Alabama National Guard. Gordon is the first woman to serve as adjutant general of the Guard.
Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education from AUM in 1987 and 1992 respectively.
David Jernigan '99 was recently sworn in as the new Chief of Madison Police Department. He previously held a position as Deputy Chief for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
Jernigan earned a Master of Justice and Public Safety from AUM in 1999.
Greg Knighton '93 was recently hired as the city of Hoover's first economic developer. He previously served as the Vice President of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
Knighton earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from AUM in 1993.
Retired Brig. Gen. Craig Nixon '82 was recently inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame among a class of 17 soldiers from World War II all the way through today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony was part of the 75th Ranger Regiment's bi-annual change of command activities known as Ranger Rendezvous.
Nixon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from AUM in 1982.
Valerie Russell '97 was recently hired as the newest attorney at Jinks, Crow & Dickson in Montgomery, Alabama. She has tried numerous cases, had a million dollar verdict and settled hundreds of cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.
Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from AUM in 1997.