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Originally from Tuskegee, Alabama, Harbert College of Business student Beryl Gibson has lived in Opelika for more than two decades. With a dream to start her own business, Gibson enrolled in classes at Auburn in 2018, balancing a full-time job in banking while taking multiple classes per semester. She’ll graduate this month with her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Family Business. Armed with a college degree, her education will open the door to unlimited professional opportunities. Gibson says hard work pays off. She wants to inspire others that it’s never too late to pursue your goals, learn new skills and make significant life changes.

“My most memorable moment is the day I came to Auburn and did the orientation. I’m looking around and wondering, ‘am I in the right place? Yes, I was.’ My most inspirational professor was Dr. Jim Corman, who teaches several entrepreneurship courses. He and all the staff worked with my schedule. I really was led by the Lord to come to Auburn. I want to let people know that anything you want to do in life that you're not too old and you can fulfill whatever purpose and plan that you have.”

Court Green-Johnson’s Auburn journey is anything but conventional – it reflects determination and transformation. At just 16 years old, the Bibb County, Alabama native left high school following the birth of her first daughter. Over a decade later, she made another bold move, leaving her career in cosmetology to pursue her true passion for animal science. After earning her GED and an associate’s degree in animal science at a community college, Green-Johnson transferred to Auburn. She’s balanced a rigorous academic schedule with leadership roles in Sigma Alpha and Ag Peer Mentors, all while managing family life and work. Green-Johnson’s time at Auburn has been enriched by a supportive network within the College of Agriculture, including numerous mentors who have provided her with invaluable career discovery opportunities. Upon graduation, she will begin her new role as the West Central Regional Extension Agent for Animal Sciences and Forages with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), where she interned this summer.

“When I got to Auburn and found out what ACES was, I immediately became almost obsessed with it. I wanted to know everything there was to know. It is my passion. At the end of my summer internship with ACES, I got a call from Dr. Becky Barlow (Assistant Director/Associate Dean, ACES/College of Agriculture), and she was like, ‘we want to hire you.’ I accepted immediately! I’ll be covering ten counties of west central Alabama all the way from Tuscaloosa, down to Marengo and Wilcox counties and everything in between. I will try to do at least one educational program in each county every month.”

“I’m at the point now where I can honestly say I’m proud of myself and I see how far I've come. I’m thankful for the Auburn Family. I would not be where I am if it wasn't for them. I can name 50+ people that have influenced me and encouraged me from faculty, staff and students. I think that's part of the Auburn spirit.”

When Valerie Heffernan reflects on her time at Auburn, it's nearly impossible for her to choose just one standout moment. A New Jersey native who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, Heffernan fell in love with the Plains from her first visit. The Harbert College of Business marketing major made the most of her four years on campus. Heffernan worked as a marketing intern for the New Venture Accelerator and Auburn Athletics, anchored sports shows for Eagle Eye TV and took part in a study abroad adventure in Italy and Spain. A self-described ‘outgoing extrovert who loves to collaborate with others,’ Heffernan hopes to work in the professional sports world with a long-term goal of owning her own marketing agency. Becoming part of the Auburn Alumni Family is something she will take with her forever.

“Every minute of the past four years has been truly unforgettable. From rolling the trees at Toomer’s Corner after a big win, to sharing lunch with friends on Samford Lawn, standing on the sidelines to cover sporting events with Eagle Eye TV and Auburn Athletics, or helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses, each experience at Auburn University has left a lasting impression on me that I could not be more thankful for. The Auburn Family, to me, means a deep sense of belonging, unity and support that extends far beyond the campus. It's about being part of a community where people genuinely care for one another, celebrating victories together and lifting each other up through challenges. The Auburn Family is defined by shared values like integrity, hard work and compassion, and it’s this spirit that makes Auburn feel like home.”

For Lauren Ann Holmes, Auburn tradition comes full circle. While on the Plains, Holmes made a lasting impact on the lives of incoming students as a 2023-2024 Camp War Eagle (CWE) counselor. Interestingly enough, Holmes parents met as Camp War Eagle counselors back in 1998. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Holmes is the 14th person in her family to attend Auburn University. In addition to her involvement in CWE, Holmes served as a College of Education Ambassador and Eagles Program WINGS Mentor. She is also part of the Council for Exceptional Children and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society and Rho Lambda Honor Society.

Majoring in Collaborative Teaching Special Education K-12, Holmes aims to return to her hometown to teach the next generation as a special education resource teacher in the middle school setting. She credits her time with CWE, friends, family and her Auburn College of Education academic advisor Ashley Sullivan, for keeping her grounded and on the right path.

“Camp War Eagle really brought me out of my shell a lot, and just continuing that tradition of what my family has instilled in me. They've always said, ‘do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.’ And that's what I've done here at Auburn.”

For Keith Matthews, his work in the healthcare field is not only a rewarding career, but also his calling. The Montgomery, Alabama native is a graduate student in the DNP Program in Auburn’s College of Nursing. He also received both his bachelor’s degree (2009) and master’s degree (2014) from Auburn. As an undergrad, Matthews was a part of the Auburn Marching Band and still treasures memories of early morning practices at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Fast forward 15 years, Matthews is now in his tenth year of working as a nurse practitioner at Unity Wellness Center, an AIDS Service Organization (ASO), in Opelika, Alabama. He received the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in 2023, which allowed him to develop research projects to assess and treat mental health conditions of patients living with HIV. Through his research, Matthews has been able to positively impact HIV care, connecting his patients with counseling services and treatment with medications.

Matthews is quick to credit his wife, along with several mentors in Auburn’s College of Nursing, for giving him the push he needed to obtain his doctorate.

“My wife was very encouraging, and my professors were really focused on helping me be the best nurse I can be. Dr. Chris Martin is a lifelong friend of mine. Dr. Drew Frugé helped me with my data analysis. Dr. Linda Gibson-Young is a mentor that helped me through my Fellowship, as did Dr. Eleanor Howell with my projects. Getting my doctorate will allow me to continue to practice medicine, but also to teach. I love having students. I've really given thought to teaching at the collegiate level.”

Even though he grew up just 40 miles west of Tuscaloosa, Lawrence Scott bleeds Auburn orange & blue.

A Microbiology major, Scott is a Marine Staff Sergeant in Auburn’s Naval ROTC Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. After graduation, he’ll do four years of service in the Marine Corps, going back to the fleet as a second lieutenant. His career goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Scott also cherishes his role as husband and father. He says receiving on-field military honors with his family by his side at last year’s New Mexico vs. Auburn football game will be his top Auburn memory. He’s also especially grateful to his military mentors and College of Sciences & Mathematics (COSAM) professors. Scott credits Captain Nicolas Novak, his marine officer instructor, for giving him insight into what his life would be like as an officer. On the scholastic side, Scott says biological sciences instructor Dr. Rebecca Riggs was his favorite professor, while Dr. Rachel Prada, his chemistry instructor, helped Scott solidify his career path.

Scott pays it forward, too, working with young prospective marines to help them acclimate to the college environment. He says he’ll take the Auburn spirit with him wherever he goes.

“No matter where I go, no matter who I meet, they're going to know that I graduated from Auburn University. I have it on my car and my civilian clothes when I'm walking around. I came to Auburn because I wanted to be an officer in the Marine Corps and to eventually become a doctor. I’ve had a lot of people in my life who couldn't afford healthcare, so to help someone in that situation would mean the world to me. That's what I want to do. It's part of who I am.”