December 2024 Newsletter
December 2024 Alumni Newsletter
- Dr. Donald Amoroso honored with 2024 Faculty Service Award
- AUM introduces new Vice Chancellor for Financial & Administrative Services
- Athletics Hall of Fame: Class of 2025
- Several AUM Alumni Recognized and Honored in the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40 Class of 2024
- Save-the-Date: Alumni Homecoming Celebration 2025
- AUM Launches Two New Graduate Degree Programs to Meet Workforce Needs in the Montgomery Region
- End of Year Giving… It’s Not Too Late!
- 25th Anniversary of Women’s Soccer Reunion
- Class Notes
Dr. Donald Amoroso honored with 2024 Faculty Service Award
The Alumni Association sponsors an annual Faculty Service Award and Dr. Donald Amoroso, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Strategy and Information Systems, was recently recognized at the Chancellor’s Convocation in November as the latest of these outstanding educators.
To be eligible for this honor, 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. The recipient will receive a $1,000 prize and certificate.
Dr. Amoroso embodies the spirit of dedication and excellence in education. As a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Information Systems and former Lowder-Weil Endowed Chair of Innovation and Strategy at AUM, he has transformed the academic landscape for his students and colleagues alike. His commitment to teaching is unparalleled, consistently achieving outstanding evaluations and adapting his curriculum to reflect the latest research and innovations.
In addition to his teaching, he has contributed significantly to academic research, authoring numerous journal articles and participating in vital community and professional service roles. His work on various committees and initiatives reflects his commitment to nurturing future scholars and connecting faculty research with student interests.
Now, we honor not just his achievements, but the genuine passion he brings to his work, inspiring countless students and colleagues. His dedication and service are truly deserving of this award, and we look forward to his continued impact on the AUM community.
AUM introduces new Vice Chancellor for Financial & Administrative Services
Auburn University at Montgomery has selected Christopher White, CPA, to serve as its new Vice Chancellor for Financial & Administrative Services, Chancellor Carl A. Stockton announced in August.
White joined the AUM staff as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Financial & Administrative Services and Controller in September 2017 and had served as the university’s Acting Chief Financial Officer since May. His promotion is effective immediately.
“During his time at AUM, Christopher has played a vital role in helping the university strengthen its net operating margin, revamp its contract review processes and create a solution-oriented approach to customer service across a variety of channels,” Stockton said. “He brings a wealth of experience and ideas that are focused on helping the university fulfill its mission and vision.”
In his new role, White will lead a variety of university financial and administrative units, including the Controller’s Office, Financial Services, Student Accounts, Facilities, Residential Housing, Food and Retail Operations, Fleet Operations, Building Services and Landscape Management.
“I want to thank Dr. Stockton for placing his trust and confidence in me to serve as AUM’s next CFO,” White said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Stockton, [Provost] Dr. [Mrinal] Varma and former CFO, Mr. Scott Parsons, the university has achieved many successes and is on a strong financial footing. I am committed to continuing that legacy and working with students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors to ensure AUM’s vitality for decades to come. Thank you especially to my work family for their support and encouragement throughout the interim period and search process.”
White earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University and an MBA from AUM. Before coming to AUM, he served as Finance Director for Auburn City Schools and as Director of Financial Services for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. His industry experience also includes compliance, financial analyst, audit and accountancy roles with such firms as Aflac, Alfa Insurance and Ernst & Young.
Athletics Hall of Fame: Class of 2025
Auburn University at Montgomery’s 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class features a former chancellor, a four-time women’s soccer All-American, a repeat All-American and standout scholar athlete tennis player, an all-time baseball wins leader and the first inductee from women’s cross country.
This year’s inductees are former AUM Chancellor Dr. Guin Nance, HollyAnn Goble (women’s cross country), Jeff Hawkins (baseball), Lindsey Hudson (women’s soccer), and Daniel Plasa (men’s tennis).
Below is more about the 2025 inductees:
Dr. Guin Nance, whose 35 years of service to AUM included a impactful tenure as its chancellor from 2000-2006. During her tenure, she hired AUM’s first full-time athletic director.
HollyAnn Goble, a women’s cross country standout from 2013-2016 who was the only qualifier for the NAIA National Championship meet in program history.
Jeff Hawkins, who starred as a pitcher from 1999-2002 and finished with a career record of 30-7 with a 2.90 ERA and 174 strikeouts.
Lindsey Hudson, a four-time All-American women’s soccer defender from 2003-2006 who helped the team to a 60-24-5 record, three NAIA Region XIII tournament appearances and one NAIA national tournament appearance.
Daniel Plasa, whose tennis career from 2005-2008 included three team NAIA national championships, an individual record of 70-5 in singles play and a 54-14 record in doubles.
AUM Athletics will induct its new Hall of Fame class in January of 2025.
Several AUM Alumni Recognized and Honored in the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40 Class of 2024
The Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce proudly awarded the Top 20 Under 40 Awards to the 2024 recipients. The award ceremony was held at The Mill, 110 Bridge Street, in Autauga County, Prattville. The Top 20 Under 40 Awards are an initiative of the Prattville Chamber’s Small Business Committee to recognize the young professionals in Prattville and Autauga County. The inaugural class was introduced in 2019.
Congratulations to the following Auburn University at Montgomery alumni for being named to the Class of 2024 Top 20 Under 40:
William “Buck” Frederick – Asst. Commander ALEA’s Training Center
Bachelor of Science in Justice & Public Safety in 2013 from AUM.
Holly McKeown – CPA Jackson Thornton
Master of Accountancy in 2021 from AUM.
Jessica Pigg – Marketing & Advertising Pigg Enterprises
Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2007 from AUM.
Samantha Rose – Public Relations Coordinator J.F. Ingram State Tech. College
Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2016 from AUM. She also currently works as AUM’s Cheerleading Coach.
Save the Date: 2025 Alumni Homecoming Celebration
Save the date to take it back to the 80’s at the annual Alumni Homecoming Celebration! Guests are encouraged to wear school-appropriate 80’s attire for this TOTALLY RAD event, featuring dinner, drinks, arcade games, music and a 360 photo booth!
Friday, January 31, 2025
Mail and email invitation to follow. As they become available, details will be added to our website below.
AUM Launches Two New Graduate Degree Programs to Meet Workforce Needs in the Montgomery Region
Auburn University at Montgomery has introduced two new graduate degree programs to meet evolving workforce needs and the growing regional demand for advanced professionals in speech-language pathology and biomedical disciplines.
When the fall semester began, AUM became the only university in Montgomery’s River Region to offer a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MS-BMB).
“Larger universities in the state have similar degree programs, although these universities tend to focus on doctoral programs rather than MS degree programs,” said Douglas Leaman, dean of AUM’s College of Sciences. “However, our new master’s degree program in biochemistry and molecular biology fulfills an unmet need in the Montgomery region.”
Before launching the MS-BMB degree, AUM did not have a life sciences graduate program of any type, Leaman added.
“Having such a degree provides our graduates with an opportunity to continue their science education right here at AUM before going off to professional school, doctoral programs or careers in biomedical fields,” he said. “It will prepare them to be more competitive for professional schools and biomedical careers.”
AUM’s MS-BMB program prepares students for biotech, pharmaceutical, and biomedical research jobs that can be found in food and product development industries, public health agencies, public or private research organizations, medicine, academia, and within science policy advocacy groups.
The 16- to 24-month MS-BMB program was designed to help students explore whether a career in biomedical research is right for them, but also will provide those already in a job-related field with an avenue to enhance their skillsets and chances of employment or advancement, Leaman said.
“There are significant deficiencies in the region in the healthcare and in technology sectors that need to be addressed,” he said. “Both can be addressed most directly by developing homegrown talent that is most likely to settle in this region.”
AUM’s path to offering the MS-BMB program in the fall included receiving approval from the Auburn University Board of Trustees, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and finally the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the latter of which was received in Spring 2024.
In Fall 2024, AUM will also add a new online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) to its degree offerings. The program welcomed its first cohort of accepted graduate students to campus July 29 to complete their two-week clinical intensive, said Haley Adams, advising and recruiting manager in the Department of Communication Disorders in AUM’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“We are excited to welcome our first cohort to AUM,” she said. The group completed their clinicals on August 9. AUM’s online MS-SLP program is designed to foster an innovative, intellectually stimulating student-centered learning environment, both academically and clinically. Founded on active learning, the program helps students develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, self-analysis, and research-based discovery.
The program’s goal is to prepare graduates for licensure and certification while providing excellence in clinical service. Graduates of AUM’s MS-SLP program are prepared to pursue careers as speech-language pathologists who work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) estimates that approximately 40,500 speech-language pathology jobs will be available over a 10-year period because of growth in the field. Alabama professionals with a master’s degree in the field can earn a median pay of $79,927, according to ASHA.
End of Year Giving... It's Not Too Late!
Forgot to make your 2024 year-end contribution? It’s not too late! You have the power to strengthen Auburn University at Montgomery – by giving back. With every contribution, you are advancing the work of students, athletes, artists, and industry leaders. You are equipping labs, providing student support, and pushing the boundaries of higher education. You are essential to our future. You may give online or by calling (334) 244-3560.
25th Anniversary of Women's Soccer Reunion
All women’s soccer AUM alumni were invited for a reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary in October. Alumni enjoyed a brunch, soccer game vs. Valdosta State, as well as dinner at Pies & Pints. Women’s soccer alumni received a commemorative Senator-Warhawk soccer scarf, honoring both AUM mascots from over the years. We love celebrating our alumni!
Class Notes
Susie Ellison ’13
Susie Ellison is executive assistant to the city clerk and grant coordinator for the City of Clanton. Prior to joining the city, Ellison spent 10 years working with the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and the Alabama Education Association, advocating for PreK-12 public education and public-school employees in Alabama. The Montgomery native earned a bachelor’s degree at Troy University and a master’s degree in Public Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery in 2013. Ellison is active in the Alabama League of Municipalities Economic Development Academy and serves on the Isabella High School Parent Leadership Team.
Neporshaie Jones ’17
Upon graduating from AUM with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, she has conquered many great accomplishments. She was awarded Teacher of the Year for the District of Montgomery in 2021-2022 school year. In 2021, she re-enrolled in AUM in the pursuit of a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. Within her re-enrollment, she’s been recognized as one of AUM’s Scholars. Jones has been initiated in many honor societies such as Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. She was also awarded the Continuing Merit Scholarship in 2023, as well as the Community Engagement Recognition. Jones has been involved with a lot of service projects within her sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated. Her work within the community isn’t done and her willingness to learn and grow is welcomed daily.
