Carol E. Hutcheson and James W. Hutcheson Scholarship

A conversation with Jim Hutcheson.

Why did you choose to create a scholarship at Auburn University?
My wife and I wanted to give to the institutions and organizations that helped shape us into the people we are today. We have been blessed and have an obligation to support efforts to build future citizens.

What would you want the recipients of this scholarship to know about the person for whom it is named?
I am a person who cares about people and finds great joy in altruistic activities.

Tell us about your Auburn story, favorite tradition, a “War Eagle!” moment, or what Auburn has meant to you.
I thought I wanted to be a CPA as I was good in math. I took an economics course from probably the weakest instructor in the department and decided accounting had too many economics-type courses. Walking back across campus from my final exam, I passed a building with Education on the top…decided to be a math teacher…how’s that for career guidance! It turned out to be a wonderful choice for me. I moved into system administration after a few degrees and got to teach in a graduate degree program after retirement from the local school system. The path across campus that brought me past the Education building was the turning point of my career.

What do you hope your recipients gain through this scholarship?
The actual cash rewards are not so much, but I hope you will remember to take the opportunity to help others outside of your profession as an educator as well.