< PreviousVisit us at www.diversifiedmb.com • (334) 246-2537 You can feel Safe with us! OUR TEAM IS COMMITTED TO TACKLING THE RIGHT MORTGAGE PRODUCT FOR YOUR NEEDS. Je Chastain Cell: 334-524-8640 jchastain@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #1248498 Luna Choi Cell: 334-707-3911 lchoi@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #1790235 Kent Hayley Cell: 334-444-9691 khayley@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #1777868 Molly Perry Cell: 217-622-7546 mperry@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #1929169 Trey Salatto Cell: 334-319-2223 tsalatto@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #2160591 Josh Yerta Cell: 251-402-6975 jyerta@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #715038 Elizabeth Milner Cell: 334-559-9521 emilner@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #1699844 Bobby Huddleston Cell: 334-391-7106 bhuddleston@diversi edmb.com Loan O cer #505471AUBURN UNIVERSITY 41 Auburn University is a comprehen- sive land-, sea- and space-grant institu- tion with a renowned history of pioneer- ing research, life-changing outreach and innovative instruction. Auburn students, graduates and faculty transform the fruits of the university’s research and scholarship into products and services that meet society’s most pressing needs. More than 30,000 students are enrolled on the picturesque, 1,841-acre campus known as “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.” Throughout the years, the institution has had four official names: East Alabama Male College (1856-72), Agricultural and Mechanical College (1872-99), Alabama Polytech- nic Institute (1899-1960) and Auburn University (1960-present). Students can choose from more than 150 majors in 12 colleges and schools at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. Auburn has awarded some 300,000 degrees in agriculture, architecture, business, education, engi- neering, forestry, human sciences, liber- al arts, nursing, pharmacy, sciences and mathematics, and veterinary medicine. The university provides real-world learning laboratories where students can gain experience and leadership princi- ples, better preparing them to compete in the marketplace and make mean- ingful contributions to society. When freshmen arrive on campus, they find an array of community service opportu- nities. Auburn students are involved in more than 500 clubs and organizations that enrich their educational experienc- es outside the classroom as they serve others on campus and in the community. In addition to societal impact, Au- burn makes a $5.6 billion yearly eco- nomic impact in the state of Alabama and is designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Auburn is led by President Christo- pher B. Roberts, who began his ap- pointment as Auburn University’s 21st president in May 2022. Roberts began his tenure at Auburn as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and became the depart- ment chair in 2003. Roberts served as the dean of Auburn’s Samuel Ginn Col- lege of Engineering from 2012 to 2022. Generations of alumni have been propelled to success by their Auburn ed- ucation. The list of accomplished alumni includes the CEO of Apple, the founders of Habitat for Humanity and Wikipe- dia, an Oscar-winning actress, many sports legends and six astronauts. The worldwide network of Auburn alumni is 300,000-strong. The Auburn Alumni Association has more than 45,000 members and contributes to a significant number of scholarships, professorships and faculty awards each year. In addi- tion, there are more than 100 Auburn Clubs throughout the country dedicated to raising and supporting scholarship funds for incoming freshmen. Tigers Who Yell “War Eagle!” Aubie the Tiger is the university’s mascot, and all Auburn athletic teams are nicknamed the Tigers. “War Eagle” is the battle cry. For more than 100 years, eagles have been associated with Auburn’s football program, and, since 2000, an eagle has flown above the crowds before home football games. To the Auburn Family, it’s very simple: They are the Tigers who yell “War Eagle!” Auburn retired its famed golden eagle Nova, War Eagle VII, in November 2019 and named golden eagle Aurea as War Eagle VIII. Aurea, a six-year-old female, is Auburn’s eighth official War Eagle to carry on the storied tradition of golden eagles at Auburn Tiger football games. The Southeastern Raptor Center, a division of Auburn’s College of Veter- inary Medicine, also flies a bald eagle, Indy, at home games. Indy made her debut Auburn pre-game flight during the 2021 football season. The center’s mission is to rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned raptors and to ed- ucate the public about their role and im- portance and to research raptor-related issues. All birds used in the educational programs, including pregame flights, are non-releasable due to injury or human imprinting. AUBURN UNIVERSITY: MAKING A SOCIETAL IMPACT AUBURNTIGERS.COM Samford Hall, Auburn UniversityAspire to Give Bright Investments Grove Solutions Charloe Gaston Interiors Community Financial Services Fountainview Mansion Karen Turner/Tracie West Realtors State Farm-Lauren Bland Magnolia James Boutique Pythoge, LLC Railroad Investment Group Stroll Moore’s Mill Magazine Stroll The Waters Magazine Stroll Wynlakes Magazine Three Sixty Real Estate WPB Corporate and Business Partners 2022-2023 For more information about WPB membership, scan the QR code. Celeating W OMEN’S P HILANTHROPY B OARD Education, Inspiration and Philanthropy Years of 2002-2003 2022-2023 Women’s Philanthropy Board 334-844-9156/334-844-3524 wpb@auburn.edu Join WPB during the 2022-2023 year as it celebrates its 20th year of sponsoring inspirational educational programs, meaningful mentoring initiatives and collective philanthropic impact. The year-long commemoration will feature outstanding speakers and memorable special events. To find out about upcoming programs and to purchase tickets, please visit aub.ie/wpb20th or scan QR code to access ticket link. The Flagship Division of the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit StudiesUNIVERSITY PRESIDENT 43 Christopher B. Roberts began his appointment as Auburn University’s 21st president in May 2022. President Roberts leads the univer- sity’s four divisions, including Auburn’s main campus with its more than 31,000 students and 5,500 faculty and staff, as well as Auburn University at Montgom- ery, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, a joint enterprise with Alabama A&M University. Rob- erts is an accomplished scholar who understands that research and teaching excellence, together with service and public engagement, are at the very heart of the state’s R1 land-, sea- and space-grant institution. The R1 desig- nation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education rec- ognizes Auburn as a top-level research institution. As the university’s CEO, Roberts marshals the institution’s $1.54 billion annual budget and vast resourc- es, while spearheading the university’s strategic vision and advancing Auburn’s ever-growing research enterprise and economic development. Prior to his presidency, Roberts served as the dean of Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering from 2012 to 2022. The college has more than 6,000 students and about 400 faculty and staff members. Roberts was a factor in the success of the university’s Because This is Auburn — A Campaign for Auburn University, which raised $1.2 billion. Under Roberts’ leadership, more than $357 million in donations to the college were made during and since the campaign. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engi- neering from the Universi- ty of Missouri and master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He began his career at Auburn in 1994 as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and became department chair in 2003. He also served as the George E. and Dorothy Stafford Uthlaut Profes- sor of Chemical Engineering. He has a strong record of scholarly and academic achievement in nanotechnology and synthetic fuels. Roberts has published close to 150 peer-reviewed journal arti- cles and book chapters in leading chem- ical engineering, chemistry, materials and related journals and has given over 300 conference presentations, invited seminars and lectures. He has received 45 research grants and contracts from government agencies and corporations, such as the National Science Founda- tion, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, the USDA- Agriculture and Food Research Initia- tive and Boeing. He has been honored with numerous awards for his accomplishments and contributions to the field of engineering. Some of those recognitions include the University of Notre Dame’s Graduate School Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015; the University of Missouri’s Chemical Engineering Academy of Dis- tinguished Alumni in 2014; the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers President’s Award for Fostering Minority Engagement in 2012; and the SEC Academic Consortium Faculty Achievement Award in 2012. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children and enjoy cheering on Auburn’s national championship-winning Division 1 athletics programs. DR. CHRISTOPHER B. ROBERTS, PRESIDENT AUBURNTIGERS.COMYellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood ® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission. YellaWood ® brand pressure treated pine stands unrivaled in providing the best available protection against rot, fungal decay and termite attack. Enjoy the uncompromising beauty of a backyard made with high quality natural wood products from YellaWood ® brand pressure treaded pine. Visit yellawood.com for more information. THE BEST IS ALWAYS IN DEMAND .BOARD OF TRUSTEES 45 AUBURNTIGERS.COM GOV. KAY IVEY President (Ex-officio) BOB DUMAS (Auburn) Banking Executive President Pro Tempore Third District - Lee WAYNE T. SMITH (Nashville, Tenn.) Healthcare Executive At Large B.T. ROBERTS (Mobile) Commercial Real Estate Executive First District ZEKE SMITH (Birmingham) Utility Executive At Large CLARK SAHLIE (Montgomery) Business Executive Second District JAMES H. SANFORD (Prattville) Agriculture Executive Fourth District ELIZABETH HUNTLEY (Clanton) Attorney Sixth District JAMES W. RANE (Abbeville) Business Executive Third District CAROLINE MCDONALD ADERHOLT (Haleyville) Nonprofit Executive Seventh District MICHAEL A. DEMAIORIBUS (Huntsville) Retired Technology Executive Eighth District TIMOTHY VINES (Birmingham) Healthcare Insurance Executive At Large JAMES PRATT (Birmingham) Attorney Ninth District RAYMOND J. HARBERT (Birmingham) Investment Management Executive At Large QUENTIN P. RIGGINS (Birmingham) Utility Executive Vice President Pro Tempore At Large SHERRI M. WILLIAMS Deputy Board Secretary JON G. WAGGONER Board SecretaryTHROUGH THE LENS: MISSOURI 47 THROUGH THE LENS AUBURNTIGERS.COMJason Isbell • Legally Blonde • Damien Sneed • MOMIX: Alice Jay Leno • Complexions Contemporary Ballet • Fiddler on the Roof Tab Benoit • Jessica Vosk • Smokey Robinson • and many moreUNIVERSITY NEWS 49 The Integrated Financial Leadership Program, or IFLP, at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business is leading the way in producing some of the very best financial students in the world. The accomplishments of Auburn’s IFLP students include the extraordi- nary record of the university’s chapter of the Financial Management Asso- ciation, or FMA, which secured top international honors at the 2022 Kroll One Team Challenge for the second straight year in May in London (the team has taken the national title for the past three years). This prestigious interna- tional contest pits teams from hundreds of colleges representing some of the highest-ranked programs in business education in the world who square off to conduct an analysis of a hypothetical company, establish a valuation and then develop a business strategy. Since its inception in 2014, Au- burn’s FMA has been recognized as the premiere organization for preparing stu- dents for elite finance careers through professional development, industry exposure and alumni engagement. The exclusive student honor society in the Harbert College of Business consistent- ly helps place Harbert graduates into some of the nation’s top investment banking firms, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo and Regions, among others. Auburn’s fifth-annual FMA Summit will take place on Sept. 30, and will include keynotes, breakout sessions, panel discussions, a rooftop reception overlooking the Auburn campus and the Summit Tailgate. But the Auburn FMA’s leadership in finance is just one of the components of the IFLP program that demonstrate how uniquely valuable this flagship initiative has become. Real-World Investment Experience Matters, Too The Auburn Student Investment Fund, or ASIF, within the IFLP works to foster members’ interests in financial markets to help students develop in- vestment analysis skills while instilling in each member the high standards of Wall Street investment ethics. ASIF members utilize Bloomberg terminals, SEC filings, current news and private equity re- search to analyze and manage their now $530,000 fund’s investments in equities and other investment vehicles. A Tradition Continues Another highlight is the recent $3.2 million expansion of the Harbert Invest- ment Center, a world-class, finance stu- dent-oriented center equipped with 12 Bloomberg terminals, a training center and collaboration spaces designed to accommodate a wide range of educa- tional and professional development resources and services. The lab itself began in 2007 thanks to Raymond J. Harbert’s first gift to Auburn’s College of Business, well before his landmark endowment that resulted in the school being named The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business in 2013. That initial investment has since been expanded by donations of time, energy and financial resourc- es from Harbert and numerous other alumni, business partners and even students themselves over the years. Joe Hanna, Regions Bank Professor and interim dean at Harbert, noted all the people who help make these initia- tives possible. “We are grateful for the vision of Raymond Harbert and all the others whose commitment and financial support have been so critical to the suc- cess of the Financial Lab and the IFLP, which includes both FMA and the ASIF. These entities have become the pillars of undergraduate and post-graduate fi- nance education at the Harbert College of Business today,” said Hanna. Hanna also pointed to the students, faculty, alumni and business partners responsible for the IFLP’s success. “The Integrated Financial Leadership Program at Auburn represents the very best we have to offer our students and business partners who support our mission,” said Hanna. “While success requires many contributions, I’d like to specifically acknowledge Tracy Richard, a faculty member in Harbert’s Depart- ment of Finance, for her extraordinary leadership in helping to establish and build the IFLP into what it is today.” Richard concurred that Harbert finance students are making an impact: “On the world stage, not only are we winning competitions year after year, but we’re also placing our students into career opportunities at some of the top investment banks on Wall Street. I couldn’t be more excited about that.” Nick Iannone, a junior in Finance at Harbert and leader of this year’s winning FMA team, put the value of the IFLP, the FMA and recently expanded Financial Lab facilities of the Harbert Investment Center this way: “The ‘secret’ to Harbert’s unprec- edented record of success in interna- tional competitions and in securing promising positions at premier financial institutions is two-fold: 1. The willingness of all team mem- bers to go above and beyond. 2. The tremendous, virtually unlim- ited support we are blessed with here at Auburn.” UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: MICHAEL ARES AUBURNTIGERS.COM Auburn’s Integrated Financial Leadership Program leads the way in student success FMA members visit the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on their annual trip to New York. Next >