The Rebecca Roden Award, established in May 2021, honors the 41-year service of the Associate Dean of the Auburn University Graduate School. Rebecca Roden joined the Graduate School in 1956 when Auburn was still officially Alabama Polytechnic Institute. “She has had a hand in the progress of practically every doctoral student and the majority of master’s degree recipients in Auburn’s history,” said then Graduate School Dean John Pritchett, upon her retirement in June 1997.
“In all the capacities with which I have worked with her, Mrs. Roden’s commitment to the Graduate School, its students and the university always came through,” Pritchett said. “She was truly one of our unsung heroes.”
Gifts from family and friends helped to establish the Rebecca Roden Award at the Auburn Graduate School, which recognizes an Auburn staff member for their Excellence in Service to graduate education. Nominations can be made to the Graduate School. A review committee will then select and identify the recipient, who will receive the award during the spring Graduate Awards Brunch.
The nomination deadline is February 15, annually. If this date falls over a weekend or holiday, submissions are due by 8:00 a.m. CT on the next business day. Please complete the nomination form and provide a brief summary of the nominee’s service and dedication to graduate education in a letter format (PDF upload).
Nominators must include the name, title, and department plus email address for the nominee as well as the nominator. Please upload the letter of nomination in PDF at the end of the submission form.
For questions or concerns, or to update any submission, please contact Dr. Maria Witte, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, at (334) 844-0299 or wittemm@auburn.edu.
Previous Rebecca Roden Award Recipients
| Name | Department | |
| 2023 | Audrey P. Grindle | Forestry, Wildlife and Environment |
| Caroline Leonard | Graduate School | |
| Elaine Manning | Chemical Engineering | |
| 2022 | Sherry Ray | Graduate School |
| 2024 | Theresa Morgan Kirby Norrell Lisa Ross | Graduate School Biological Sciences Curriculum and Teaching |
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