Watson set to retire after 20-year service to Auburn University

Auburn University’s Graduate School announces the retirement of Lt. Col. (Ret.) Furman Dale Watson, effective May 1.

Watson has passionately served Auburn for over 20 years. He most recently served as the director of professional development in the Graduate School for the past eight years.

While at the Graduate School, Watson collaborated with multiple units across campus for recruiting, professional development and graduate student support programs. He launched unprecedented professional development programming which directly fulfilled strategic commitments in the university’s Strategic Plan. He led the campus-wide effort to organize the postdoctoral fellows community and establish internal leadership. Watson had a dramatic and positive impact by providing this previously non-existent support for graduate students and postdocs.

“Dale Watson is an outstanding example of a true Auburn man, and I am proud to call him a friend and colleague,” said George Flowers, dean of the Graduate School. “We recognize the time, resources and expertise that he has brought to this role and are grateful for his tireless work to further our mission.”

Watson began at Auburn in 2002 as the newly created director of flight education within the Harbert College of Business. He made immediate, substantial contributions to address many long-standing issues in the aviation program – in particular, a top-to-bottom overhaul of the professional flight degree program to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of flight laboratory operations at the airport. During his 13 years in the aviation program, Watson achieved numerous official positions of authority in federal, state government and accrediting agencies and served as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of Aviation Accreditation Board International.

“I am forever grateful to Auburn University for the opportunity to lead the aviation programs and to teach and develop Auburn students. I just hope Auburn doesn’t regret giving it to me,” said Watson.

Watson credited Auburn for his successful 20-year U.S. Air Force career. He said he is “fulfilling a debt of gratitude for the education, work and leadership experience I received as an undergraduate student at Auburn.”

Watson received a Bachelor of Science in aviation management from Auburn, a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and a master’s degree of military operational art and science from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Watson and his wife, Janet, an Alabama graduate, plan to remain in Auburn, where they joyfully coexist 364 days per year.