College of Human Sciences future home to be named Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility

A generous lead gift to the College of Human Sciences will etch the name of a beloved, lifelong civic volunteer on the college’s newly planned state-of-the-art facility that will be known as the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility.

A vote of approval by the Auburn Board of Trustees at the latest meeting on Nov. 15, confirmed the naming as plans move forward in designing the new College of Human Sciences building to replace Spidle Hall, which has been in existence since 1962.

The philanthropic gift from the Thorne sisters — Beth Thorne Stukes, Rebecca "Becky" Thorne Carroll and Barbara "Babs" Thorne Anderson — will honor their late mother Barbara Drummond Thorne. The generosity of the three sisters will enable the College of Human Sciences to enhance its commitment to academic excellence by providing a new state-of-the-art learning environment that will further support the nationally recognized and ranked programs in the college.

The Thorne sisters describe their mother as a lifelong learner and a woman of great faith who was well versed in current events and someone who always yearned to learn more. Her main interests were health, wellness, nutrition and well-being and was viewed as a strong, independent woman.

“Two years ago, the College of Human Sciences had the great honor and pleasure of opening a brand-new facility — the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, home to the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management,” said College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard. “That project taught us many things. As leaders and administrators, it taught us the important decisions that must be made as you are considering the future and thinking through a building that will outlast you. We learned many lessons walking through that process recently that will certainly benefit us for this next project.”

The discussions for the need of an upgraded facility for the college can be traced back nearly 30 years but the dream of a new building became a reality after the trustees approved the initiation of the project in August.

Now as technology has advanced and learning styles have transformed, a new facility is needed to adequately accommodate the college’s growing needs and the large number of students.

Hubbard added that the new facility will meet the needs of the current strategic plan for a college that, over the last 20 years, has grown 51% and in just the last five years has seen a 38% increase in the incoming freshmen class.

“I’m truly excited about the new building,” said Carroll. “The current one holds so many memories, but it’s no longer in the best condition. A new, modern space will not only inspire more students to engage with the College of Human Sciences, but it will also provide the resources and environment needed to expand the college’s impact. This new building will help our mother’s vision for high quality education thrive for generations to come.”

The Board of Trustees also approved Perkins & Will of Atlanta as project architect to construct the new Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility that aims to expand space, consolidate resources and provide a modern learning environment. The new facility will also support the college’s mission to prepare students to have a global perspective while impacting quality of life for individuals, families and communities.

“A facility does make a difference in your mental state when you walk through the doors and the expectation level is set with your surroundings and your environment,” said Hubbard. “Our students are extraordinarily successful now, and I cannot wait to see what they do with a facility at the level we are currently planning. More importantly, I can’t wait to see how they will positively impact the world using their educational preparation through the disciplines of human sciences.”