Stukes Establishes $1.5 Million Endowment to Support the Auburn University International Quality of Life Awards

Charlotte Tuggle | Communications Editor

Beth Stukes accepts the IQLA Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her parents, Buddy Larry Thorne and Barbara Drummond Thorne, at the 2016 ceremony.

Longtime educator and Auburn University College of Human Sciences (CHS) supporter Beth Thorne Stukes has pledged a $1.5 million gift to endow the International Quality of Life Awards, and other activities promoting the IQLA mission and global programming in the college.

The International Quality of Life Awards were launched in 1994 through a partnership with the United Nations and celebrated its 25th anniversary at the United Nations in New York in December 2018. The 25th anniversary IQLA celebration honored legendary broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff and music icon Lionel Richie — powerful role models who exemplify the belief system of the College of Human Sciences.

Because of the Beth Thorne Stukes Emerging Global Leaders Endowed Fund in the College of Human Sciences, IQLA will be able to continue its legacy of honoring those who have made significant and lasting contributions to improving quality of life locally and around the world.

“It is imperative that the Auburn University College of Human Sciences continues the IQLA academic experience,” Stukes said. “The rich program history and global recognition IQLA brings to Auburn University and the College of Human Sciences is unparalleled.” Stukes graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1988 with a degree in elementary education. Since retiring as an elementary school mathematics teacher, Stukes has devoted her time and resources to serving Walker County, Ala., and Auburn University. She is a member of the Walker Area Community Foundation and Drummond Company boards of directors and the Samford University Board of Trustees. She also served on the Cordova, Ala., area tornado relief team.

Stukes currently serves on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for the Auburn University College of Human Sciences, and for the past four years has been a member of the Executive Committee of Auburn’s Women’s Philanthropy Board. She also served Auburn as co-chair of Because This is Auburn – A Campaign for Auburn University, the university’s largest fundraising campaign which raised $1.2 billion. Stukes is a member of the Auburn University Foundation Board of Directors, the 1856 Society’s Founders’ Circle, James E. Foy Loyalty Society, the Women’s Philanthropy Board (Visionary member), the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences’ Woodlands and Wildlife Society, Petrie Society and a lifetime member of the Auburn Alumni Association. Her husband, Rick, graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with an education degree in 1988 and her son, Jeremy Brent Uptain, is a 2000 Auburn architecture graduate.

College of Human Sciences Dean June Henton said Stukes has wholeheartedly embraced the college’s mission. “This is the most wonderful gift that we could’ve imagined getting,” Henton said. “For those of us who have been a part of it for all these years, we know how much this will mean to our students. To have someone like Beth, and all of our board members and friends step up, is so important.”

Stukes is funding the $1.5 million endowment in support of IQLA. The fund for excellence will be used to support IQLA event expenses at the United Nations in New York City, the IQLA New York Study Tour — an invaluable educational enrichment opportunity that exposes students to the city’s art, fashion, finance and diversity — and other events promoting IQLA on campus and beyond. The endowment will also be used to fund scholarships in the College of Human Sciences with preference given to students who reside in Walker County and who have been accepted into a study abroad program or domestic study tour.

"We are extremely grateful to Beth for this generous commitment to Auburn University," said Jane DiFolco Parker, vice president for development and president of the Auburn University Foundation. "Beth has a vibrant history of supporting Auburn, the College of Human Sciences, and the International Quality of Life Awards, and her personal engagement, both with the university and the college, further enhances the impact of her support. Her most recent gift will provide significant resources for IQLA and the work of Human Sciences.”

Stukes credits her parents, Buddy Larry Thorne and the late Barbara Drummond Thorne, for instilling in her the importance of philanthropy.

“This gift is a beginning place, a starting point to build a multiple donor endowment dedicated to support the IQLA program,” Stukes said. “This spirit of collaboration and partnership is at the heart of human sciences.” For more information on the International Quality of Life Awards, visit iqla.auburn.edu.