Beth Stukes recently matched donations to Auburn University’s Ever Auburn scholarships, including many within the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.
Stukes graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1988 with a degree in early childhood education. Stukes served as a teacher in the Walker County school system.
Following retirement, she continues to advocate for education by working with the Walker Area Community Foundation to create opportunities for children ages zero to five. “As an elementary school teacher, I found myself always encouraging my students to further their training and education because I knew it would create a better quality of life for them,” Stukes said. “Although I am now retired from the classroom, I am invested in student success.”
She is a member of Auburn’s 1856 Society Founders Circle, Petrie Society, Athletics Shug Jordan Society, the James E. Foy Loyalty Society, a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association, a member of the executive committee of Auburn’s Women’s Philanthropy Board in the College of Human Sciences, past chairman and director of the Walker Area Community Foundation, Samford University Board of Trustees and a director of her family’s company – the Drummond Company.
The relationship between the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment and the Birmingham-based, Drummond Company dates to the 1980s, when her mother, philanthropist Barbara Thorne, the daughter of Heman and Elza Drummond and an Auburn University graduate, began supporting the school.
Stukes has continued the tradition of generous and consistent giving, sharing her commitment to enriching education in the areas of forestry and natural resources. Her desire is for the scholarship recipients to have an “AUsome” college experience and to become difference makers within their communities.
Stukes and The Drummond Company are proud to have provided scholarship funds to deserving students, as many of the family members are caretakers of sustainable wildlife properties. “The mission of the college fits nicely with our company’s reclamation and reforestation of lands,” Stukes said.
“Beth Stukes has been a continuous supporter of the college,” said Janaki Alavalapati, dean of the college. “Her contributions help to provide many of our students with the financial means to not only continue their education, but to flourish at Auburn.”
Stukes is married to former basketball coach Rick Stukes and has a son, Brent Uptain and a daughter-inlaw, Karyn Emison Uptain.
(Written by Jamie Anderson)
