Warhawk Weekly 6-17: Stockton elected GSC president; Juneteenth celebration
Stockton elected to serve two-year term as GSC president
AUM Chancellor Dr. Carl A. Stockton has been elected to serve as President of the Gulf South Conference Executive Committee and Chair of the GSC Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Stockton will hold the president’s position for two years, and is currently serving as the conference’s Vice President and Chair of the Finance Committee. Dr. Stockton began as the board’s vice president in May of 2024.
“I am excited to be able to represent GSC member presidents and serve as an advocate for league members in this role,” Dr. Stockton said. “The Gulf South Conference possesses a proud tradition and is, without a doubt, the strongest league, top-to-bottom, in NCAA Division II. Pick any sport at the Division II level, and you will likely find a GSC member institution winning or, at the very least, competing for the national championship.”
AUM has captured six conference championships since becoming full-members of the GSC in the fall of 2019; softball (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), women’s tennis (2024), men’s soccer (2024).
The Gulf South Conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II and will enter its 54th year in the fall of 2025.
Rice to highlight AUM Juneteenth celebration
Rolundus Rice, vice president for student affairs and chief operating officer at Tuskegee University, will serve as the keynote speaker at AUM’s Juneteenth Luncheon on Wednesday, June 18. His talk, titled “From GED to PhD,” will spotlight his unconventional journey through higher education and his rise to academic leadership.
The event, hosted by AUM’s Civil Rights to Civic Virtue Society, will take place at 11 a.m. in Taylor Center 230. It is free and open to all AUM students, faculty, and staff. RSVP is required to reserve your spot.
After earning his GED, Dr. Rice built a career in higher education leadership through perseverance, purpose, and a steadfast belief in education’s transformative power. In addition to his current role at Tuskegee, he has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and was appointed dean of humanities and fine arts at Talladega College at the age of 33. He has also held positions as a dean of both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as assistant vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.
Dr. Rice earned his undergraduate degree from DeVry University, graduating magna cum laude, and went on to complete a master’s degree in history from Alabama State University. While teaching world history at Tuskegee University, he earned a doctorate in history from Auburn University, becoming only the second African American to do so in the university’s history.
“Dr. Rice embodies the spirit of Juneteenth,” said Lynn Stallings, director of the Civil Rights to Civic Virtue Society and organizer of the event. “His life story is powerful and will resonate deeply with anyone who has pursued a nontraditional path to success. He is also a highly respected leader in higher education throughout Alabama.”
The Juneteenth Luncheon is sponsored by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation as part of AUM’s initiative, “From Civil Rights to Civic Virtue: Forming Character through Community.”
Sharpen your media skills at A.V. Storytelling camp
Have you registered for AUM’s A.V. Storytelling Day Camp? If not, spots are still available to help you sharpen your storytelling skills.
This year’s camp is scheduled for July 7-11 and marks the fourth year that AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, along with the Department of Communication and Theatre, has hosted the event for rising 9th-12th grade high school students.
The free, five-day intensive camp is tailor-made for high school students who are passionate about multimedia storytelling. Whether students are into podcasting, TV production, voice acting, news writing, or strategic communication, this camp is an opportunity to create memorable multimedia projects for portfolios.
From crafting documentaries to participating in roundtable talks and fictional radio dramas, campers will gain hands-on experience to build portfolio-worthy projects.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Alabama Press Association and the AUM Office of the Provost, 20 students can attend this year’s AV Storytelling Day Camp to learn from media professionals.
Eligible students must be in high school or recent graduates not starting college until fall 2025. Spots are limited, so get your name on the list and let the storytelling begin! Register online by June 20.
Alumni Night: ASF features Wizard of Oz
AUM alumni are invited to a special “Alumni Night” at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Thursday, July 24, for a performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”
The beloved stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale will start at 7.p.m. on Festival Stage. Featuring music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg and background music by Herbert Stothart, audiences will follow Dorothy Gale from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz in a production filled with iconic songs and timeless charm.
Tickets are $25 each, non-refundable, and may be picked up at the ASF Box Office before the show. Buy ASF Alumni Night tickets.
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival — Alabama’s premier state theater — aims to build community through engaging performances and enriching programs.
Lead, inspire, connect on AUM alumni board
Do you have a passion for Auburn University at Montgomery and a desire to help shape the future of its alumni community? The AUM Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its Board of Directors.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a longtime supporter, this is a meaningful opportunity to give back, grow your leadership experience, and play a vital role in strengthening the bond between AUM and its alumni. Board members also serve as ambassadors for the university, helping to advance alumni engagement, support student success, and promote AUM in the community and beyond.
Candidates must be a graduate of AUM or have earned credit towards one of its degree programs and be a member in good standing with the AUM Alumni Association.
Nominations are open through Sept. 15. Apply or nominate someone today.
Keep up with campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
