Human Sciences celebrates 1975 graduates and prior at Golden Eagles luncheon

Griffith, who was accompanied by her daughter Wanda Bared, was excited for the reunion luncheon as College of Human Sciences alumni spanning several decades got to reconnect, learn of future updates regarding the construction of the new Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility and reminiscence on fond memories of their time on the Plains.

“My favorite memories are just the good, friendly people and I always enjoy these reunions,” said Griffith, who has attended four Golden Eagles celebrations.

After graduating from Auburn, Bared shared more details of her mother’s background saying she taught as a home economics teacher at Elmore County High School in Eclectic, Alabama and even taught Bared’s husband Roy Granger who is now 84 years old.

While addressing the Golden Eagles, College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard recognized Griffith and shared current and future updates from the college mentioning another record-breaking incoming Camp War Eagle freshmen class, recapping the farewell to Spidle Hall event and fielded questions about the future new home for the college coming in 2027.

“As I have said many times when you have heard me speak, we have nationally ranked and recognized programs in every single department in the College of Human Sciences and our facilities are the last thing to come aboard,” said Hubbard. “Finally, we will have nationally ranked facilities and that is exciting, so we look forward to moving toward that point. Thank you for allowing us to rekindle friendships, make new ones and we want you to be a part of us in human sciences as we continue to grow and make you proud. We want to work hard every single day to do just that.”

A first-time attendee of the Golden Eagles celebration was Edith Hovater Jones, a 1975 alumna who majored in fashion merchandising and recalled a special trip north as one of her favorite memories.

“One of my favorite memories was of my professor Dr. Barry taking a group of us to New York where we were able to go to a lot of cool places and one of the things we got to do was meet Oscar de la Renta,” said Jones. “We also went to the cotton headquarters, and it was just a fabulous trip and I learned a lot from that.”

After finishing at Auburn, Jones said her entire career revolved around retail and she really credited the College of Human Sciences for laying a solid foundation.

“I would say it was a combination of both the classes I took, the professors and some of the business classes I took that really prepared me for a career in retail,” said Jones.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, attendees left with a special tea towel featuring a rendering of Spidle Hall.