Auburn University receives a historic $30 million gift from Samuel Ginn and family to launch a full-ride engineering scholarship program for Alabama students.
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| With a record-setting $30 million gift, Samuel Ginn and his family launch a groundbreaking scholarship program at Auburn University to support future engineers from Alabama. Image: AUCE |
AUBURN, United States – July 31, 2025:
AUBURN, United States – July 31, 2025: Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has received a transformational $30 million donation from alumnus Samuel Ginn and the Ginn Family Foundation — the largest single scholarship commitment in university history.
The new Ginn Scholarship Program will provide up to 40 full-ride scholarships annually, covering tuition, fees, room, and board for up to five years. The scholarships are designed for high-achieving students from Title I high schools in Alabama who demonstrate financial need, show leadership potential, and align with the values outlined in the Auburn Creed.
“When I was accepted into Auburn, affording college was a serious concern,” said Ginn, a 1959 Auburn industrial engineering graduate. “This program aims to ease that burden and empower students to focus on their education and future.”
In addition to financial support, Ginn Scholars will receive academic and transitional assistance, dedicated study spaces, and access to lectures on topics like personal finance. A mandatory first-year seminar will introduce students to the university’s support services and foster early peer connections.
“This is a game-changing gift,” said Mario Eden, dean of Auburn Engineering. “It not only provides financial relief to deserving students, but also supports our mission as a land-grant university and elevates our standing among top engineering institutions globally.”
This gift builds on Ginn’s previous $25 million donation in 2001, which led to the renaming of the college and the creation of the nation’s first wireless engineering program.
Samuel Ginn, a native of Anniston, Alabama, built a career leading telecommunications giants including AT&T affiliates and AirTouch, which later merged with Vodafone in a $65 billion deal. Post-retirement, he co-founded startups like Ondot Systems and served on multiple Fortune 500 boards.
“My Auburn Engineering experience changed my life,” said Ginn. “Our family is honored to give back and help shape the next generation of Auburn engineers.”
The Ginn Scholars Program will officially launch in the upcoming academic year and is expected to impact hundreds of lives across Alabama in the years to come.