Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Launches Historic $30M Scholarship Program with Gratitude to the Ginn Family
Huntsville, Alabama, a hub for engineering innovation and home to many Auburn University alumni and students, celebrates a transformative milestone in the state’s academic and economic landscape. The Ginn Family Foundation, led by Auburn alumnus Samuel Ginn, has committed $30 million to establish the Ginn Scholarship Program at Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. This landmark gift, the largest single commitment to scholarships in Auburn’s history, underscores the Ginn family’s enduring dedication to Alabama’s future engineers and the Huntsville community’s thriving engineering ecosystem.
Empowering Alabama’s Future Engineers
The Ginn Scholarship Program will award up to 40 merit-based scholarships annually, covering tuition, fees, room, and board for up to five years. Designed to support students from underserved communities, the program targets graduates of Title I high schools in Alabama who demonstrate financial need, leadership in school or community activities, and values aligned with the Auburn Creed. This initiative aligns with Huntsville’s role as a center for cutting-edge industries like aerospace, defense, and technology, where Auburn engineering graduates are in high demand.
“When I was accepted into Auburn, the affordability issue was front and center, but a college education was important to my parents. Once at Auburn, I participated in ROTC, waited tables and worked in a clothing store just to get by. But I was never ashamed of that. In fact, it instilled that ‘hard work’ mentality that is grounded in the Auburn Creed,” Ginn said. “My hope is that this program will lessen the financial burden of a higher education and help families in our state. There are so many students with strong family value systems, and they deserve an opportunity to focus on their studies instead of focusing on their financial situation.”
A Holistic Approach to Student Success
The Ginn Scholarship Program goes beyond financial aid, offering comprehensive support to ensure scholars thrive academically and personally. Recipients will have access to dedicated study and collaboration spaces, fostering a sense of community among Ginn Scholars. The program includes a first-year seminar to introduce students to Auburn’s resources and support services, helping them navigate the rigorous engineering curriculum. Additionally, scholars will attend lectures on personal finance and other topics to equip them for long-term success, building lifelong relationships and skills that resonate with Huntsville’s collaborative, innovation-driven workforce.
A Legacy of Impact at Auburn and Beyond
This $30 million commitment builds on Samuel Ginn’s transformative $25 million gift in 2001, which led to the renaming of Auburn’s engineering college in his honor and the establishment of the nation’s first wireless engineering program. That earlier investment catalyzed advancements that continue to benefit Alabama’s economy, particularly in tech-centric regions like Huntsville.
“Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Ginn made an investment in Auburn Engineering that has propelled us to levels of achievement and excellence that previously we could only have dreamed of,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering. “This new investment in the Ginn Scholars Program will provide access to hundreds of students from the state, further cementing our mission as a land-grant institution. The Ginn Scholars Program will continue our objective to be one of the top engineering colleges in the nation.”
Samuel Ginn: A Trailblazer from Alabama
A 1959 Auburn industrial engineering graduate from Anniston, Samuel Ginn’s career exemplifies the Auburn Creed’s values of hard work and innovation. After serving in the Army Signal Corps, Ginn spent 31 years with AT&T and its affiliates, eventually leading Pacific Telesis. He later transformed a small spin-off into AirTouch, the world’s largest cellular company, sold to Vodafone for $65 billion in 1999. Ginn’s entrepreneurial spirit continued with ventures like Ondot Systems, a credit card fraud prevention company acquired by Fiserv Inc. His leadership extended to corporate boards, including Chevron and Hewlett-Packard, and civic roles like chairman of the California Business Roundtable.
Ginn’s contributions have earned him accolades, including an Honorary Doctor of Science from Auburn in 1998, induction into the Wireless Hall of Fame, and recognition in the Alabama Business and Engineering Halls of Fame. His service on Auburn’s Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2013 further solidified his commitment to his alma mater.
“My Auburn Engineering experience was transformational for my life,” Ginn said. “My wife, Ann, our children and I are proud to celebrate our commitment from 25 years ago with this new gift. Auburn has given so much to us, and we are proud to play a role in laying the foundation for the future.”
Gratitude to the Ginn Family
The Huntsville Commerce Report extends heartfelt gratitude to Samuel Ginn, his wife Ann, and the entire Ginn family for their visionary philanthropy. Their investment not only strengthens Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering but also empowers Alabama’s next generation of engineers, many of whom will contribute to Huntsville’s dynamic economy. This scholarship program ensures that talented students from across the state can access world-class education, driving innovation and growth in Alabama for decades to come.
Source Article: https://www.eng.auburn.edu/news/2025/07/ginn-scholars-gift.html
Media Contact: Austin Phillips, austinp@auburn.edu, 334-844-2444
