Mabon E. (Bud) Pugh Scholarship

A conversation with Nancy and Allan Bissinger.

Why did you choose to create a scholarship at Auburn University?
Allan and Nancy established this scholarship to honor Nancy’s father and to provide an ongoing opportunity for students to enjoy the benefits of an Auburn University education in engineering.

What would you want the recipients of this scholarship to know about the person for whom it is named?
Mabon E. (Bud) Pugh came to Auburn from Navco, AL (just outside of Mobile) and earned his bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry in 1951. After working on a ranch in Fairhope, he returned to Auburn in 1957 with his young family to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Pugh graduated in 1962 with his DVM degree and subsequently practiced veterinary medicine in Pensacola, FL, where he is now retired.

Tell us about your Auburn story, favorite tradition, a “War Eagle!” moment, or what Auburn has meant to you.
Nancy was born at the Auburn University Infirmary while her father pursued his bachelor’s degree and returned to elementary school at Samford Elementary School while he finished his DVM degree. Allan (BSEE ‘75) and Nancy (BS ’73, MISE ’10, PhD ’15) met at Auburn when he was an electrical engineering student and she was an industrial engineering graduate student. They were married soon thereafter Allan’s graduation. They have three grown children and the youngest is also an Auburn graduate (BS ’07).

What do you hope your recipients gain through this scholarship?
We hope to ease a student’s financial burden so that he/she is free to enjoy and take full advantage of the Auburn student experience.