Donor spotlight: Dr. James D. and Hollace M. Krudop

College of Education Donor Support Spotlight

Auburn’s College of Education is grateful for Dr. James D. Krudop and Hollace M. Krudop and their generous naming support of the Dr. James D. Krudop and Mrs. Hollace M. Krudop Conference Room in our new College of Education building that’s set to open for classes in fall 2025! Below are details about the Krudops, their named room and our new building.

New Education Building Room name:

Dr. James D. Krudop and Mrs. Hollace M. Krudop Conference Room 

Named after:

Dr. James D. Krudop and Mrs. Hollace M. Krudop 

Their Story

Dr. James D. Krudop (1969) and Mrs. Hollace M. Krudop (1970) met while attending Auburn University. In Andalusia, Alabama, Jim’s hometown, Holly and Jim immersed themselves in the educational systems, community affairs and church involvements of Andalusia. They raised two daughters, Dr. Ashley K. Powell (Kyle) and Dr. Hadyn K. Swecker (Bart). Both graduated from Auburn and share their love for Auburn University. They have five grandchildren, Sara Frances Powell (Francie), Foster Deas Powell, Adeline Lorraine Powell (Addie), Clifton James Swecker and Oliver Johnson Swecker.

Dr. Krudop serves on the College of Education National Alumni Council, now ENGAGEment Council, to help further the mission of the college. They spent their entire careers serving others through the field of education.  After more than 49 years of service to educational institutions, Dr. Krudop retired from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College on Jan 1, 2018.  In honor of his educational leadership, he was designated on his retirement as vice-president emeritus by the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System.  This honor was recognized by the Alabama House of Representatives, the city of Andalusia and entered into the U.S. Congressional Record.  He was recognized as the 2019 Auburn University College of Education Outstanding Alumnus and serves the college as a member of the Alumni Council /ENGAGEment Council.

After 28 years of service in the field of education, Mrs. Krudop retired from the Andalusia City Schools System on June 1, 2010.  In her career, she served in elementary, middle and high schools in both private and public education.  She taught students in biology, science and informational skills.  She obtained a master’s degree of science education in biology and a second master’s degree in library science.  Throughout her career, she encouraged students to become lifelong learners.

Endowment Scholarship

The Krudops established a scholarship in the College of Education, named the Dr. James Deas Krudop and Mrs. Hollace Moore Krudop Endowed Scholarship. Proudly celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6, 2020, Dr. Krudop established this scholarship.

The conference room area of focus:

The conference room’s purpose is to be a collaborative meeting space for the Office of Academic Faculty Affairs.

Q&As:

Why did you decide to name a room in the College of Education’s new building?

The conference room will serve students and faculty through our love of Auburn. The College of Education is unique. It directly influences today’s generation of students and future generations of students. Our college is more than academic knowledge, quality leadership, quality administration, logistics of classroom management and time management.  The college strives to have students apply all these qualities as they collaborate, teach, innovate, dream and influence our next generations of state, national and world generations.

What excites you most about the College of Education’s new building?

The new building will fill a need through the construction of our first major construction project for the Auburn College of Education. Our new building dedicated to the College of Education will give students a sense of “home,” a gathering place, collaborative areas, problem solving areas, networking of people and a place of deepening friendships. As reflected in the Auburn Creed, the new College of Education building will be a place where the foundations of knowledge, working wisely, and training of minds and hands work for today’s world and our future world.

There’s so much to love about Auburn and its College of Education.  What do you love the most?

It is the fine individuals who serve, teach, learn and administer in the College of Education. As the Auburn College of Education mission statement indicates — it is about people as well as the academic knowledge. The mission states it is to educate students and prepare them for life, with a strong work ethic, core values and character, citizenship skills, problem solving tools and innovative ideas and research. The College of Education is people-equipping and being equipped for our communities, our states and the global world.

What do you hope future generations will know about you and your family and the importance of the room that bears your family’s namesake?

In a simple sentence, it is our family priority of education for now and future generations. Scripture states when you have been given much, much is expected. Our family is a family of faith, integrity and service. War Eagle!