A monumental act of Higher Education Philanthropy has reshaped the landscape for aspiring engineers, with the esteemed namesake of Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Samuel Ginn, and the Ginn Family Foundation, committing an unprecedented $30 million to establish a new, transformative Scholarship Program. This historic pledge represents the largest single commitment to Student Aid in the university’s illustrious history, poised to dramatically expand access to world-class education.
The newly endowed Ginn Scholarship Program is meticulously designed to alleviate financial burdens, offering up to 40 annual awards. Each scholarship is comprehensive, covering tuition, fees, room, and board for up to five years, ensuring recipients can fully immerse themselves in their studies without constant financial concern. Eligibility for this merit-based scholarship extends to students demonstrating need, graduating from a Title I high school in Alabama, and securing admission into the demanding curriculum of Auburn Engineering.
Reflecting on his own challenging collegiate journey, Samuel Ginn expressed profound empathy for students facing financial hurdles. His personal experience, where he balanced academics with various jobs to fund his education, instilled a deep appreciation for hard work and the core values espoused in the Auburn Creed. This personal conviction fueled his desire to create a program that empowers students to focus solely on their academic and personal growth, rather than their financial situation.
Beyond monetary support, the Ginn Scholarship Program is structured to provide holistic assistance, including transitional aid for incoming freshmen and robust student support services vital for navigating a rigorous curriculum. Scholars will benefit from dedicated study and collaboration spaces, alongside lectures on crucial subjects like personal finance, fostering a strong bond among peers and cultivating relationships that promise to last a lifetime. This initiative aligns perfectly with Auburn’s mission as a land-grant institution, dedicated to serving the state and its populace.
This latest commitment from Samuel Ginn builds upon a legacy of impactful University Giving. In 2001, his $25 million contribution to the college marked the largest gift to a higher education institution for academics in Alabama’s history, leading to the renaming of the college in his honor. That initial investment also served as the catalyst for establishing the nation’s first wireless engineering program, cementing Auburn’s position at the forefront of technological innovation.
Ginn’s illustrious career is a testament to his vision and leadership. A 1959 graduate of Auburn Engineering with an industrial engineering degree, he spent 31 years with AT&T and its affiliates. Most notably, he transformed a nascent wireless division with 300 employees into AirTouch, which became the world’s largest cellular company with operations across four continents. AirTouch’s eventual sale to Vodafone in 1999 famously created numerous millionaires among its original workforce.
Post-AirTouch, Samuel Ginn continued to demonstrate his entrepreneurial prowess, engaging at senior levels in various startups, including Ondot Systems, a company focused on credit card fraud prevention, which was later acquired by Fiserv Inc. His extensive corporate acumen is further highlighted by his service on 11 corporate boards, including Chevron and Hewlett-Packard. A recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Science and an inductee into multiple Halls of Fame, Ginn’s dedication to progress is undeniable.
“My Auburn Engineering experience was transformational for my life,” Ginn stated, emphasizing the profound impact the institution had on him. This new University Giving initiative, made in conjunction with his wife Ann and their children, celebrates their enduring commitment to Auburn. It signifies their pride in contributing to the foundation for future generations, ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to experience the same life-changing education that shaped his own remarkable journey.
Leave a Reply