Beth Thorne Stukes: Creating a meaningful legacy of her own

Thanks to her mother, Barbara, Beth Thorne Stukes grew up an Auburn fan with a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. 

That’s why Stukes and her sisters, Barbara “Babs” Thorne Anderson, a 1988 alumna, and Rebecca “Becky” Thorne Carroll, a 1986 alumna, recently made a transformative gift to the College of Human Sciences in honor of their late mother.  

The lead donation will support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art academic building named the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility. 

While the new building will be a lasting symbol of their mother’s influence and commitment to education, Stukes herself was recently recognized for the impact she’s had on others. Last fall, she was named Alabama’s Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Alabama Chapter.  

Like her mother, Stukes was an educator. She spent 16 years teaching in rural Walker County, Alabama, positively impacting students and helping them achieve a better quality of life. 

“I'm the oldest child in our family, which makes me a ‘Bossy Flossy,’” joked Stukes. “I’m a little nurturing, but we must make sure our students are ready for this world today, that they can be nimble as they go through their life.” 

Stukes’ joy of giving can also be traced back to her mother’s influence. 

“I started going to Women’s Philanthropy Board meetings with Mom,” recalled Stukes. “I began to learn things that affect women and their lives and how to be a better steward of my time, talent, treasure and trust.” 

And Stukes continues to serve others as a member of Auburn’s 1856 Society Founders Circle, the Petrie Society, Athletics’ Shug Jordan Society, the James E. Foy Loyalty Society and the Auburn Alumni Association. She is a member of the executive committee of the Women’s Philanthropy Board, and over the past decade, she has supported Ever Auburn Scholarships and created an endowment to support the International Quality of Life Awards.  

As co-chair of the $1 billion “Because This Is Auburn” campaign, Stukes played a pivotal role in securing significant funds that bolstered scholarships, faculty development and infrastructure enhancements. Her support for students has never wavered. 

“It’s very important for Auburn to create critical thinkers,” she said. “As a land-grant university, that’s our mission; that’s why we’re here. I’m very proud to say I don’t think anybody’s doing it better.” 

This year, Stukes is serving as the chair of the Auburn University Foundation. 

“When Auburn comes knocking on your door, you say yes,” she said. “The more I’ve been engaged, the more I’ve learned to love Auburn and come to know about the great efforts our different units are making for change that will benefit our community. 

By continuing the traditions of her family, she aims to create a meaningful legacy of her own and motivates others to follow suit — a tribute her mother would surely take pride in. 

“Auburn has allowed me to live my best life,” Stukes said. “The more you know about a good organization, the easier it is to support it. Different generations all give differently.  

“We have to learn all those languages, and we have to speak to people where they are, and introduce them to the coolest thing going, which is Auburn University.”