Auburn Alumni Association Celebrates Award Recipients At Ceremony

On June 6, the Auburn Alumni Association celebrated its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) recipients and Young Alumni Achievement Award (YAA) recipient at a ceremony and reception at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

It marked the 25^th anniversary of the awards, which have recognized 100 honorees since 2001 for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature, and service to the university.

Bennie Bray ’72, Harold D. Melton ’88, George E. Uthlaut ’54 and James W. Rane ’68 were named LAA recipients while Emily Traylor ’10 received the YAA award, given to alumni under the age of 40. The black-tie event featured videos and photos of the honorees and recipients spoke of their life and love of Auburn.

“It was an incredible night to celebrate our honorees,” said Kurt Sasser, associate vice president for engagement and director of the Auburn Alumni Association. “They are the living representation of the passion and excellence that these awards have celebrated for the past 25 years.”

Go here for full bios of the LAA honorees and here for our YAA recipient.

The Lifetime Achievement Award and Young Alumni Achievement Award recognize Auburn men and women for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature, and service to the university. Established in 2001, the awards are the highest given by the association. A committee of Auburn administrators, trustees, faculty and alumni select the recipients.

Nominations for the 2027 awards open on July 1.