A New Home

Opening doors through support

The promise of a new College of Education building is the result of years of effort, and it couldn’t have been done without the generous support of so many of the college’s stalwart donors.

Preston Sparks

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The college raised $7,242,460 in support of the new building. In total, 41 spaces have been named so far to make the new facility a reality.

Among such great supporters were the Sanspree, Schmitt, and Frech families, who account for three specially named rooms in the building.

“By naming rooms, we wanted to support the College of Education as the building was planned, approved and begun by making our donations for both the Sanspree and the Schmitt technology labs,” said Dr. Mary Jean Sanspree. “Technology was a specific objective because of the changes in the classroom and the need for future teachers to be prepared to address current and future pedagogy demands.

“The Frech Family Music lab is important to us because each of us have participated in music through band, choir and as enjoyment as a family. Having an appropriately equipped classroom for both music and technology will encourage students to take part in instruction that is state-of-the-art and competitive with other colleges and universities.”

Mary Jean Sanspree and her husband, Danny, said they’re excited for all the new building represents.

Studio portrait of a large smiling family group with five women in the front and two older adults standing behind them, all dressed in shades of blue, gray, and white.

“The new College of Education building is in an ideal location on campus as well as organized for students to have sophisticated instruction with faculty who have all teaching space, materials and equipment within the site where their offices are located,” Mary Jean Sanspree said. “The facilities will be an asset for recruitment of faculty and staff as well as students. The building is a great “update” from the current Haley Center location.”

Roger and Margaret Lawrence also have been long supporters of the College of Education through an endowed scholarship named in honor of their son, Scott. Recently, they furthered that support in great measure with a $5 million planned gift that will honor Scott’s life and legacy for generations to come, benefitting Auburn’s EAGLES program.

In appreciation of the gift, Auburn will recognize the generosity of the Lawrences and Scott’s legacy by naming the EAGLES suite in the College of Education’s new building the Scott Alan Lawrence Suite.

“After Scott’s death, we wanted Scott’s legacy to continue,” Margaret Lawrence said. “This gift, in his memory, gives EAGLES students an opportunity to achieve their goals. His name on the suite will allow others to learn about Scott and how he was able to accomplish so much in his few years on Earth.”

Two vintage-style photos side-by-side: one showing a young man in a wheelchair with his parents, and the other showing a group of five young adults with a photo of the same young man, joined by the Auburn mascot Aubie and another individual.

The Doepke family also has offered its immense support of the new building with the naming of the Suzette and Greg Doepke Family Instructional Early Childhood Education Laboratory.

“We have always chosen to support the College of Education because of the importance we place on the value of education in our world,” Suzette Doepke said. “It is the key to leading a productive, successful life. Ask anyone if there was a teacher who was pivotal in their life and their eyes light up as they say, ‘Yes!’ One of the most important roles of a university is to educate the teachers of tomorrow.”

Large multigenerational family stands and sits together outdoors against a rustic white brick wall for a group portrait, including children and adults casually dressed in jeans and swea

Elderly couple wearing hard hats and reflective orange vests smile while standing in front of a classroom under construction labeled “Charles and Amanda Sorrell Instructional Classroom.”

Group of individuals in hard hats and orange safety vests embrace in a heartfelt hug during a tour of the Auburn University College of Education building.

People wearing hard hats and reflective vests closely examine a document together during a building tour inside Auburn University’s College of Education.

Man and woman pose together smiling in front of a glass wall labeled “Kym Haas Prewitt Instructional Classroom,” both wearing hard hats and orange safety vests.

Two women wearing Auburn hard hats and orange safety vests hold a framed Auburn University dedication plaque in front of a door labeled “Pratt Family Media Production Room,” smiling at the camera.

Studio portrait of an older couple; the man is seated in a black leather chair in a tan suit, and the woman stands behind him wearing a white jacket and light blue slacks, both smiling.

Dr. Gerald Leischuck and the late Emily Leischuck have tirelessly served as volunteers and advocates for the College of Education and other areas of the university. Their support of the new building was through the naming of the Gerald and Emily Leischuck Meeting Room.

“The College of Education had such a significant and sustaining role in preparing Emily and me for our professional future that we felt it important, whenever appropriate, to give back for all that we received,” said Dr. Leischuck. “Upon learning that the college would be receiving a new building, it naturally followed that I would welcome the opportunity to assist in its development. It is an honor that a room in the building carries the Leischuck name.”

Jerry Smith said his donation in naming the Jerry F. Smith Office of Advancement Suite speaks to his belief in the importance of giving back.

“To remain the leading teacher education program in the country, we must continue to invest in the future of the College of Education,” he said. “State funding alone cannot sustain the level of excellence we expect from our institution—it’s up to us to ensure its legacy of quality and innovation endures.”

Candid outdoor photo of an older man and woman smiling together in front of a lake during sunset, with the man wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and the woman in a gray sweater.

Joan Newman’s naming of the Michael J. Newman Instructional Science Education Laboratory was in honor of her late husband. The lab will provide a hands-on learning environment for students to play an active role in the instructional process that will enable them to gain a better understanding of course material.

“It’s about time the College of Education had a place of prominence on the Auburn University campus!” Newman said. “The fields of study are ever-evolving, the areas of specialization are constantly expanding and the need for qualified educators has never been greater. The new facility will attract many more students — it is a gorgeous place to spend career preparation.”

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