Auburn University Announces New Scholarship Program
Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is set to launch a new scholarship initiative, thanks to a $30 million donation from the Gin Family Foundation. This marks the largest scholarship commitment in the university’s history, allowing for the establishment of 40 awards each year, which will cover tuition, fees, and room and board for a maximum of five years.
“When I got my acceptance to Auburn, affordability was a big concern for my family, but college was still important to us,” reflected Samuel Ginn, a native of Aniston and a graduate from the class of 1959. “I really hope this program can lessen the financial strain on families in our state. So many students hold strong family values, and they should be able to concentrate on research rather than worrying about finances.”
Mario Eden, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, expressed the significance of both Ginn’s initial contribution and this new commitment, which he believes will greatly benefit students.
“Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Ginn’s investment in Auburn Engineering elevated our standards of achievement and excellence,” Eden noted. “This latest contribution to the Ginn Scholars program will give hundreds of students in Alabama a chance, reinforcing our mission as a land-grant university.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, Ginn Scholars must demonstrate financial need, graduate from an Alabama high school, and enroll in an engineering program.
Following his service in the Army Signal Corps, Ginn had a lengthy career at AT&T and its affiliates for over three decades. He later became the CEO of Pacific Telesis, one of the firms under Global Telecommunications Corporation, and played a pivotal role in creating AirTouch, which became the world’s largest mobile phone company. In 1999, after selling the company for $65 billion, Ginn moved on to invest in several startups.
Ginn is also involved in various corporate committees and holds memberships in the Wireless Hall of Fame, the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.
