Transforming Futures: Ginn Family Foundation Donates $30 Million for Innovative Engineering Scholarship Program at Auburn University

The Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is launching an exciting scholarship program, thanks to a generous $30 million donation from Samuel Ginn and the Ginn Family Foundation. This donation marks a historic moment for the school, as it creates 40 scholarships each year. These awards will cover tuition, fees, room, and board for up to five years.

Samuel Ginn, an Auburn graduate from 1959, recalls how important affordability was for his family when he attended college. He hopes this scholarship will ease financial burdens for students, allowing them to focus on their studies. “There are so many students with strong family values,” he says. “They deserve a chance to succeed without the constant worry about money.”

Mario Eden, the dean of engineering at Auburn, highlighted the impact of Ginn’s commitment. “Dr. Ginn’s initial investment 25 years ago set the stage for our achievements today,” he noted. “This new funding will help hundreds of students from Alabama, reinforcing our role as a land-grant institution dedicated to access and opportunity.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must show financial need, have graduated from a Title I high school in Alabama, and be accepted into the College of Engineering.

Ginn’s background illustrates that big dreams can lead to great successes. After serving in the Army, he worked at AT&T for over 30 years, eventually becoming CEO of Pacific Telesis. Under his leadership, AirTouch became the largest cellular company in the world before being sold for $65 billion in 1999.

Scholarships like Ginn’s reflect a growing trend in education: enhancing access to higher education for those who need it most. Research shows that financial support significantly increases graduation rates, particularly for low-income students. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that college completion rates are 50% higher for students who receive need-based aid compared to those who do not.

This scholarship initiative is a powerful reminder of how investment in education can change lives, setting the stage for a more equitable future.

For more on Auburn University’s new scholarship program and its implications for students, you can check the official announcement here.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on social media here.

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