History of Auburn University in Timeline

Auburn University, located in Auburn, Alabama, is a public land-grant research university. As the second-largest university in Alabama, Auburn has a student body of over 34,000, including more than 26,800 undergraduates and over 6,100 post-graduate students, supported by 1,330 faculty members. Auburn is one of Alabama's two flagship public universities and is classified as an 'R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity' institution, indicating its commitment to research.

1913: "War Eagle" Origin Story

During a pep rally in 1913, a cheerleader's speech about fighting the whole game coincided with an eagle emblem falling on a student's hat, leading to the cry of "War Eagle".

1913: First Perfect Season and National Championship

In 1913, Auburn's football team had its first perfect season, going 8-0, claiming a second SIAA conference championship and the first national championship in school history.

1913: National Championship

The 1913 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

1914: "War Eagle" Becomes a Chant

During a game against the Carlisle Indian Team in 1914, Auburn players used "bald eagle" to single out a player, which the crowd misinterpreted as "War Eagle", leading to the team and crowd yelling "War Eagle" during the game.

1914: National Championship

The 1914 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

October 1, 1918: Student Army Training Corps

On October 1, 1918, almost all able-bodied male students at API joined the United States Army, forming the Student Army Training Corps. This included academic and vocational sections for radio and mechanics training.

1929: Initial Campus Master Plan by Olmsted Jr.

In 1929, Auburn's initial campus master plan was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

1937: First Bowl Appearance

In 1937, Auburn's football team made its first bowl appearance in the sixth Bacardi Bowl played in Havana, Cuba.

1939: Jordan-Hare Stadium Opened

In 1939, Jordan-Hare Stadium opened as "Auburn Stadium".

1940: Participation in Engineering, Science, and Management War Training (ESMWT)

In 1940, API joined the Engineering, Science, and Management War Training (ESMWT) program, offering concentrated courses across Alabama to address the shortage of engineers and scientists for defense industries.

1941: API Training of U.S. Military Personnel

Starting in 1941, API trained U.S. military personnel on campus during World War II; in total, 32,000 troops attended the university.

1945: API Training of U.S. Military Personnel

By 1945, 32,000 troops had been trained at API.

1952: Cannon Lathe Presentation

In 1952, brothers of the Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Omega fraternity presented a cannon lathe, used for Confederate Army cannon manufacture and recovered from Selma, Alabama, to the college. The lathe is now displayed on the lawn next to Samford Hall.

1955: "War Eagle" Introduced as Fight Song

In 1955, "War Eagle", written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, was introduced at the beginning of the football season and has served as the official fight song ever since.

1957: National Championship

The 1957 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

1958: National Championship

The 1958 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

1959: Aubie the Tiger's First Appearance

In 1959, Aubie the tiger, Auburn's mascot, made his first appearance on the October 3 gameday football program versus Hardin-Simmons College. Aubie was created by Phil Neel.

1960: Auburn Granted University Status

In 1960, the Alabama Legislature granted the school university status, renaming it Auburn University. This change reflected its growth beyond its agricultural and mechanical origins.

1960: Name Changed to Auburn University

In 1960, the school's name was officially changed to Auburn University, recognizing its expansion beyond its original agricultural and mechanical focus.

1963: Segregation prior to 1963

Prior to 1963, Auburn University was racially segregated, admitting only white students.

1964: First African-American Student Admitted

In 1964, Harold A. Franklin became the first African-American student admitted to Auburn University, though he had to sue the university to gain admission.

1967: First Degree Granted to an African-American

In 1967, Auburn University granted its first degree to an African-American student.

1967: Establishment of Auburn University Montgomery

In 1967, the Alabama Legislature chartered an additional campus in Montgomery, which became part of the Auburn University system.

1967: Southern Humanities Review Publication

Since 1967, Auburn's literary journal, the Southern Humanities Review, has been published at the university by members of the English faculty, graduate students in English, and the Southern Humanities Council.

1971: Pat Sullivan Wins Heisman Trophy

In 1971, Pat Sullivan became the first Auburn player to win the Heisman Trophy.

1972: Jim Kennedy Graduate

In 1972 Jim Kennedy graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

1973: Auburn University Rugby Football Club Founded

In 1973, The Auburn University Rugby Football Club was founded. It competes in Division 1 of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference and is one of two club sports at Auburn with an endowment fund.

1980: Tiger (War Eagle VI) born in captivity

In 1980, Tiger, also known as War Eagle VI, was born in captivity.

1981: Auburn places Top 10 in NCAA Wrestling

At the end of the 1980-1981 NCAA Wrestling season, Auburn University became the first SEC team to place in the Top 10 nationally. Led by coach Tom Milkovich, Auburn also won the SEC title, boasting three All-Americans and six NCAA qualifiers. After the 1980-81 season, the program was cut.

1982: First NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1982, the Auburn University women's basketball team made their first appearance in the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

1982: Dominance in Women's Swimming

Since 1982, only eight teams have claimed national championships in women's swimming and diving.

1983: National Championship

The 1983 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

1985: Bo Jackson Wins Heisman Trophy

In 1985, Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy, adding to Auburn's football legacy.

1986: Tiger Given to Auburn University

In 1986, Tiger (War Eagle VI) was given to Auburn University.

1987: Previous Outright SEC Championship

Auburn's 2004 SEC championship win was the school's first outright title since 1987.

1988: First National Championship Game Appearance

In 1988, Auburn played in the first of three consecutive national championship games in women's basketball.

1989: Previous SEC Championship

Auburn's 2004 SEC championship win was the school's first conference title since 1989.

1990: Third Consecutive National Championship Game

In 1990, Auburn played in their third consecutive national championship game in women's basketball.

1992: SEC Division

Since the division of the conference in 1992, Auburn's football team has won eight western division championships and six trips to the SEC Championship game.

1993: Undefeated Season with Probation

In 1993, Auburn went 11-0 under Terry Bowden, but was on probation and not allowed to play in the SEC Championship game.

1993: National Championship

The 1993 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

1996: SEC Championship

Auburn's women's golf team won an SEC Championship in 1996.

1997: Men's NCAA Championship

In 1997, the Auburn men's swimming and diving team won an NCAA national championship.

1998: Spirit Arrives at Auburn for Rehabilitation

In 1998, Spirit, a baby bald eagle with an injured beak, was given to Auburn University for rehabilitation after being nursed back to health. Due to the extent of the beak damage, he was unable to be released back into the wild.

1999: Winning Streak Begins

Between 1999 and 2007, Auburn and Georgia won nine straight national championships in women's swimming and diving.

1999: Economics Department Ranking

In 1999, Auburn's Economics Department was ranked 123rd in the world by the Journal of Applied Econometrics.

1999: Start of Competitive Run

Since 1999, Auburn's women's golf team has had a highly competitive record in the NCAA.

2000: Ongoing Construction Period Began

Around the year 2000, Auburn University began a period of ongoing construction, characterized by a return to a more traditional architectural style.

2000: SEC Championship

Auburn's women's golf team won an SEC Championship in 2000.

2000: Spirit's First Pregame Flight

In 2000, Spirit, the bald eagle, made his first pregame flight for Auburn University.

2001: Samuel Ginn Gift

In 2001, Samuel L. Ginn donated $25 million to the College of Engineering and spearheaded an additional $150 million in support, resulting in the first Bachelor of Wireless Engineering degree program in the United States.

2001: First African-American Initiated into White Sorority

In 2001, the first African-American student was initiated into a historically white sorority at Auburn, marking a step towards full integration of the Greek system.

2002: NCAA Tournament Finish

Auburn's women's golf team tied for second place in the NCAA tournament in 2002.

2002: Tiger Flies at the Winter Olympics

In 2002, Tiger (War Eagle VI) flew at the Winter Olympics.

2003: Disappointing Season

After a disappointing 2003–2004 season for Auburn Baseball, Tom Slater was named head coach.

2003: SEC Championship

Auburn's women's golf team won an SEC Championship in 2003.

2003: African American faculty percentage at 4.3%

In 2003, the African American faculty percentage was at 4.3%.

2003: WNIT Win

In 2003, the Auburn women's basketball team won the WNIT.

2004: Disappointing Season

After a disappointing 2003–2004 season for Auburn Baseball, Tom Slater was named head coach.

2004: Coach Ciampi Retirement and Fortner Hired

At the end of the 2003–2004 season, Coach Joe Ciampi retired, and Auburn hired Nell Fortner as the new head coach of the women's basketball team.

2004: SEC Championship Victory

Auburn completed the 2004 football season with a 13–0 record, winning the SEC championship, the school's first conference title since 1989 and the first outright title since 1987.

2004: Samuel Mockbee Receives AIA Gold Medal

In 2004, Auburn alumnus Samuel Mockbee, a MacArthur Genius, received the AIA Gold Medal.

2004: Closure of Thach Avenue to Vehicular Traffic

In 2004, a significant portion of Thach Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic due to growing interaction issues between pedestrians and vehicles.

2004: Marching Band Wins Sudler Trophy

In 2004, the Auburn University Marching Band was awarded the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy, the most prestigious collegiate marching band award.

2004: National Championship

The 2004 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

October 2005: Named #3 Team Nationally

In October 2005, Auburn's women's golf team was named the #3 team nationally out of 229 total teams since 1999 by GolfWeek magazine.

2005: "It Begins at Auburn" Growth Campaign

In 2005, Auburn began the "It Begins at Auburn" growth campaign to raise $500 million. It became the most successful campaign in school history.

2005: First Round NFL Draft Picks

In 2005, Jason Campbell, Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown, and Carlos Rogers, all from the 2004 team, were subsequently drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

2005: Closure of Roosevelt Drive to Vehicular Traffic

In 2005, a similarly sized portion of Roosevelt Drive was closed to vehicles, continuing the movement toward a pedestrian-only campus.

2005: Men's NCAA Championship

In 2005, the Auburn men's swimming and diving team won an NCAA national championship.

2005: Completion of the Science Center Complex

In 2005, the Science Center complex, including chemistry labs, traditional classrooms, and a large lecture hall, was completed.

May 2006: PEMBA Program Ranked Ninth in the Nation

In May 2006, Modern Healthcare ranked Auburn University's Physicians Executive M.B.A. (PEMBA) program in the College of Business ninth in the nation among all degree programs for physician executives.

September 2006: Jordan-Hare Stadium Ranked Ninth-Largest

As of September 2006, Auburn's Jordan–Hare Stadium, with a capacity of 87,451, was ranked as the ninth-largest on-campus stadium in the NCAA.

2006: SEC Championship

Auburn's women's golf team won an SEC Championship in 2006.

2006: Legal Challenges and Settlement

In 2006, Auburn University settled legal challenges related to the underrepresentation of African Americans in its faculty.

2006: Equestrian team captures national championship

In 2006, Auburn's equestrian team won the national championship, which was the first in the school's history. Kelly Gottfried and Whitney Kimble achieved team-high scores at the Varsity Equestrian Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

2006: Mention in the State of the Union Address

In 2006, David Bransby's work on switchgrass as a biofuel was mentioned in the State of the Union Address, highlighting Auburn University's contributions to biofuel research.

2006: Tiger Retires

In 2006, Tiger (War Eagle VI) retired after the Georgia game.

2006: Women's track and field team wins national title

In 2006, the Auburn women's track and field team secured their first national title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. They scored 57 points, surpassing the University of Southern California. The team achieved All-American performances in nine events, featured two individual national champions and broke two school records during the competition.

2007: NCAA Championships

In 2007, Auburn's swimming and diving program won consecutive NCAA championships for both men and women.

December 13, 2008: Gene Chizik Hired as Head Coach

On December 13, 2008, Gene Chizik was hired as Auburn's new head football coach.

2008: Brazilian Swimmer at the Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Brazilian swimmer César Cielo Filho, representing Auburn, won bronze (100m freestyle) and gold medal (50m freestyle) at the Beijing Olympic Games.

2008: John Pawlowski Named Head Coach

In 2008, John Pawlowski replaced Tom Slater as head coach of Auburn Baseball.

2008: Opening of Shelby Center and New Student Center

In 2008, Phase I of the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology opened, and a new Student Center also opened.

2008: Equestrian team captures Hunt Seat National Championship

In 2008, the Auburn equestrian team won the Hunt Seat National Championship, with over fences riders achieving a 12–1–1 overall record for the week.

2009: Men's SEC Championship

As of 2009, the Auburn men have won the SEC Championship fifteen out of the last sixteen years, including the last thirteen in a row, and also won eight NCAA national championships.

November 2010: Toomer's Corner Trees Poisoned

In November 2010, following Auburn's victory over the University of Alabama in the Iron Bowl, an Alabama supporter poisoned the large live oak trees at Toomer's Corner using Spike 80DF (tebuthiuron).

2010: Auburn Defeats South Carolina

Auburn defeated South Carolina 56–17 in the 2010 SEC Championship Game, claiming the school's eleventh conference championship.

2010: Cam Newton Wins Heisman Trophy

In 2010, Cam Newton became the third Auburn player to win the Heisman Trophy.

2010: National Championship

The 2010 Auburn team has been recognized as national champions by various ranking organizations.

2011: BCS National Championship Victory

In 2011, Auburn defeated Oregon 22–19 in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game to secure the school's second national championship.

2011: Auburn Ranked Fourth Among Peer Public Universities

In the 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report, Auburn was ranked fourth among the 12 pre-2024 merger peer public universities.

2012: Full-time Faculty African-American Percentage

As of 2012, African-Americans comprised 4.1% (49) of the 1,192 full-time faculty members at Auburn University.

2013: Undergraduate African-American Percentage

As of 2013, African-Americans comprised 7.35% (1,828) of Auburn University's 24,864 undergraduates.

2013: SEC Championship and BCS National Championship Game Appearance

In 2013, Auburn won the SEC Championship Game over Missouri and fell short in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game to the Florida State Seminoles.

2014: Campus Recreation Center Recognized

In 2014, Athletic Business recognized Auburn's 240,000 square foot campus recreation center as one of its Facilities of Merit.

2014: BCS National Championship Game Loss

In 2014, Auburn fell short in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game to the Florida State Seminoles 34–31 in Pasadena, California.

2014: Tiger (War Eagle VI) Dies at 34

In 2014, Tiger (War Eagle VI) died at the age of 34.

April 2015: FAA Approval for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School

In April 2015, Auburn University received the nation's first FAA approval to operate a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School as part of the Auburn University Aviation Center.

2016: Toomer's Corner Replacement Trees Damaged by Fire

In 2016, the replacement trees at Toomer's Corner were damaged in a fire, requiring them to be replaced again.

August 2017: Completion of Mell Classroom Building and New Nursing Building

In August 2017, the Mell Classroom Building was completed, attached to the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. Additionally, a new 89,000 square foot nursing building was also finished.

2017: "Because This is Auburn" Campaign Raised $1.2 Billion

By 2017, the university raised over $1.2 billion in the "Because This is Auburn" campaign, being the first university in Alabama to raise over $1 billion.

2017: New Trees Planted at Toomer's Corner

In 2017, the most recent replacement trees were planted at Toomer's Corner.

2018: Endowment Increased

By 2018, Auburn University's endowment had risen to $778.2 million, thanks to the "It Begins at Auburn" growth campaign.

2018: Critical Conversations Speaker Series

In 2018, Auburn University launched a speaker series called Critical Conversations to promote racial diversity.

2018: First Person of Color President of White Greek Organization

In 2018, an African-American student became the first person of color president of a historically white Greek organization on campus at Auburn.

2019: Ranked First for Happiest Students

In 2019, Auburn was ranked first by The Princeton Review's list of happiest students on college campuses, thanks in part to its wide variety of campus activities and events.

2019: Equestrian team captures national championship

In 2019, the Auburn equestrian team won the national championship.

2019: Completion of Brown Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center and New Graduate Business Building

In 2019, two significant projects were finished: the Brown Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, and a new Graduate Business Building.

2020: Greek Population Statistics

As of Fall 2020, Auburn's total Greek population is 7,541 members, or about 33.6% of all undergraduate students.

2020: Ranking as LGBTQ-Unfriendly Campus

In 2020, Auburn University was ranked as the 6th most LGBTQ-unfriendly campus by The Princeton Review.

2020: Harold Franklin Awarded Master's Degree

In 2020, Harold A. Franklin was belatedly awarded his master's degree in history, after it had been denied to him upon completion of his thesis.

2021: The Auburn Plainsman Goes Primarily Online

As of 2021, The Auburn Plainsman, the student-run newspaper, is primarily an online publication, though some special editions are still carried out in print.

2021: Central Dining Hall Opens

In 2021, Auburn opened the $26 million Central Dining Hall, which spans 48,000 square feet and features a capacity for more than 800 seats and eight different meal stations.

August 2022: Completion of Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center

In August 2022, the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center was completed, combining instructional and laboratory space with operational food venues and hotel spaces.

November 2022: Hugh Freeze Named Football Head Coach

In November 2022, Auburn named Hugh Freeze as the new football head coach.

2024: Southeastern Conference (SEC) Membership

By 2024, Auburn is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

2024: New College of Education Building Scheduled to Open

The new college of education building is scheduled to open in 2024 on the site of the former Hill dorms.

2025: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In the 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report, Auburn University is ranked as tied for 105th best national university overall in the U.S., 51st among public universities, and 171st in "Best Value Schools".

2025: STEM+Ag Complex Scheduled to Open

The new 265,000 square foot $200 million STEM+Ag Complex is scheduled to open in 2025, replacing older STEM-related and agricultural science facilities.