Auburn College of Education Dean Jeffrey Fairbrother receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Florida State University, extending a notable FSU–Auburn legacy

Florida State University’s Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences recognized Auburn University College of Education Dean Jeffrey Fairbrother as one of its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients during a Feb. 20 ceremony in historic Dodd Hall. 

Fairbrother, who earned his Ph.D. from Florida State in 2000, was honored alongside four other alumni for their professional achievements and contributions to their fields.

“I am so proud to call all of these individuals alumni of Anne’s College,” said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College. “Each one of them represents excellence, whether in a classroom, in a sport, in business, or in our communities. The Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony is not only our way of honoring these individuals but also to elevate them as role models to our current students, who are inspired to see the incredible heights achievable by our graduates.”

Andrew also reflected on the university’s milestone year, noting, “For 175 years, FSU’s reputation has ultimately been built by its people — the generations of graduates who took what they learned here and did something meaningful with it.” He later added, “Our alumni are defining what is possible in our fields, and they’re showing our students what a Florida State degree can become.”

Fairbrother has served as dean of Auburn’s College of Education since October 2020 and is the Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology. Fairbrother earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Santa Barbara, his Master of Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and his Ph.D. in Movement Science from Florida State. He served three years as an assistant professor at Towson University, followed by 17 years at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he rose to the rank of professor and served as department head, associate dean, and interim dean.

Fairbrother’s scholarly expertise is in motor behavior with a focus on factors that influence motor learning and performance. He is a past president of the American Kinesiology Association and the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity. In 2025, he was inducted as an active Fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology, a prestigious global group of elite scholars that has included such members as a Nobel Prize winner and university presidents.

Fairbrother’s recognition continues a notable tradition: several Auburn-affiliated leaders have previously received the same honor from Florida State. Former Auburn College of Education Dean Fran Kochan, along with former School of Kinesiology Director Mary Rudisill and alumni and donors Sissi Carroll and Imogene Mixson, are past recipients of FSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. 

This recurring connection underscores a shared commitment to advancing education and highlights the influence of FSU-trained scholars who go on to shape academic leadership at Auburn. Fairbrother’s award strengthens this distinctive bond between the two institutions, reflecting a legacy of collaboration, shared values and professional excellence.