Longtime Secretary to Auburn University’s Board of Trustees Grant Davis to retire and be succeeded by University Counsel Jon Waggoner

Grant Davis, who began his journey with Auburn University more than four decades ago as a student and has been the secretary to Auburn’s Board of Trustees since 1999, recently decided to retire.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to have had a career working with exceptional students, administrators and trustees who exemplify the Auburn Family," Davis said. "To be a part of Auburn has been such a blessing."

Davis received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn in 1975 and 1977, respectively. While a student at Auburn, Davis was president of the Auburn University Graduate School, president of the Auburn University chapter of DECA, vice president of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity and a Student Government Association senator representing the College of Education. Davis held various leadership roles in Student Affairs from 1980 to 1999, including assistant to the dean of students, assistant dean of students, director of student activities and assistant vice president.

"Throughout his many years of service, Grant has devoted his tireless efforts to the betterment of Auburn University and, more specifically, to that of Auburn’s Board of Trustees for nearly two decades," said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who is the president of Auburn’s Board of Trustees. "I am grateful for his years of support of the Board and all he has done to further the mission of Auburn."

Just this past week, Davis was named a recipient of the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award is given annually to individuals who embody high qualities of service and nobility of character. As part of the award presentation, Davis was lauded for his passion to guide students to become productive citizens of society and as servants to mankind. A true "Auburn Man," Davis will be remembered and loved in his retirement by the many students whose lives he so profoundly improved.

"Grant’s dedicated work and many contributions through the years have been integral to the success of Auburn and have helped build upon our solid foundation," said Board President Pro Tempore Mike DeMaioribus. "We greatly appreciate his commitment and distinguished service to our beloved university and wish him a happy and well-deserved retirement, knowing he leaves his role in very capable hands."

Recently, Auburn’s Board of Trustees approved Jon Waggoner, university counsel, adjunct professor in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and interim associate vice president of Auxiliary Services, as the successor to Davis upon his June 30 retirement.

"I am excited to be chosen to assist Auburn’s Board of Trustees as its secretary," Waggoner said. "I look forward to helping Auburn’s citizen leaders connect with Dr. Leath to achieve his exciting agenda as Auburn’s 19th president. Auburn men and women everywhere appreciate the tremendous investment of time and energy that this Board spends in service to the university, and I plan to do everything possible to support them in their efforts."

Waggoner is a corporate attorney who has counseled the university in commercial transactions as well as in issues related to corporate, educational and foundation governance. He served as Auburn’s interim dining director from August 2011 to October 2012. In 2013, he served as interim vice president for Student Affairs. In 2017-2018, he has served as interim assistant vice president for Auxiliary Services.

A native of Tucker, Georgia, Waggoner is a 1992 Auburn alumnus, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While attending Auburn, he was elected president of the Student Government Association and sat as an ex officio member of Auburn’s Board of Trustees. His Juris Doctorate was awarded from the University of Alabama, where he contributed as an editor of the Alabama Law Review. He has been admitted as a member of the state bar associations of Alabama, Georgia, New York and Florida. His professional legal background includes: clerking for Chief Justice Perry Hooper Sr. of the Alabama Supreme Court; practicing corporate and commercial law in Atlanta; and serving as a partner in the law firm of Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom LLC.

Waggoner returned to his alma mater in 2004 as special counsel to the president and later as university counsel in the Office of the General Counsel. He has assisted on Auburn’s Prestigious Scholarship Committee and holds an appointment as an adjunct professor in the School of Accountancy. Waggoner has co-advised the War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen since 2006.