Honors students who have dedicated their time and leadership skills to campus wide organizations will be highlighted during the Involvement Showcase, a new series developed by the Honors College at Auburn University, on Thursday, October 8 at 6 pm in Langdon Hall. Each program will highlight three Auburn University student organizations and feature a keynote address from individuals across the southeast that have professionally and personally committed their lives to teaching the power of leadership, citizenship and the importance of community.

The inaugural showcase will spotlight Honors students from: Auburn for Water, Honors Serves, and the Alabama Rural Ministry at Auburn University, with a keynote address from Mr. Stephen Black, director of the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at The University of Alabama titled “The future of moral citizenship in America.”

Stephen Black, grandson of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo L. Black, grew up in New Mexico after most of his family left the state in the 1950’s and 60’s following his grandfather’s role in controversial Civil Rights decisions, including Brown v. Board of Education. Despite growing up over 1,000 miles away, from a very young age, he was fascinated by Alabama and the legacy of his family’s commitment to public service in their home state.

In 2004, Mr. Black founded Impact Alabama: A Student Service Initiative and currently serves as its President and Chairman of the Board. In October, 2014, Impact Alabama became Impact America with pilot efforts beginning in three states and a full expansion planned for Tennessee in 2015. Housed at the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at the University of Alabama, of which Mr. Black serves as director, Impact America is an award-winning nonprofit with a staff of 53 full-time college graduates who have provided more than 7,000 college students the opportunity to participate in structured service projects designed to promote learning and leadership development.

The Honors College salutes these students for their efforts to carry out the land-grant mission of Auburn University. Honors students challenge themselves through undergraduate research and studying abroad, as well as through a sustained commitment to leading on-campus student organizations.

Involvement Showcase