Every Auburn graduate has a story to tell. A campus memory to share. An experience on the Plains they’ll never forget. Whatever a student aspires to be, it all starts here. At Auburn, we roll up our sleeves and put knowledge to work, hard work. We don’t back down from challenges. We meet them with a groundbreaking spirit that’s not afraid. We are the Auburn Family.

Meet two Harbert College of Business new graduates—Beryl Gibson and Valerie Heffernan.

An eye on entrepreneurship

She’ll graduate this month with her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Family Business. Armed with a college degree, her education will open the door to unlimited professional opportunities.

Gibson says hard work pays off. She wants to inspire others that it’s never too late to pursue your goals, learn new skills and make significant life changes.

“My most memorable moment is the day I came to Auburn and did the orientation. I’m looking around and wondering, ‘am I in the right place? Yes, I was.’ My most inspirational professor was Dr. Jim Corman, who teaches several entrepreneurship courses. He and all the staff worked with my schedule. I really was led by the Lord to come to Auburn. I want to let people know that anything you want to do in life that you're not too old and you can fulfill whatever purpose and plan that you have.”

Marketing graduate relishes time at Auburn

The first time Valerie Heffernan stepped onto the Auburn University campus, she knew she was home.

A New Jersey native who grew up in Prospect, Kentucky, outside Louisville, Heffernan fell in love with the Plains from her first visit, and the chance to attend a business school the caliber of the Harbert College of Business sealed the deal for the out-of-state student.

“I wanted to learn at a state-of-the-art business school that offered opportunities for me to grow not only academically but personally as well, and that’s exactly what the Harbert College of Business offers,” said Heffernan, who is graduating with a degree in marketing.

Heffernan made the most of her time in Auburn, working as a marketing intern for the New Venture Accelerator and Auburn Athletics, anchoring sports shows for Eagle Eye TV and taking part in a study abroad adventure in Italy and Spain.

“When I reflect on my time at Auburn, it's nearly impossible to choose just one standout moment,” Heffernan said. “Every minute of the past four years has been truly unforgettable. From rolling the trees at Toomer’s Corner after a big win, to sharing lunch with friends on Samford Lawn, standing on the sidelines to cover sporting events with Eagle Eye TV and Auburn Athletics, or helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses, each experience at Auburn University has left a lasting impression on me that I could not be more thankful for.”

After graduation, she hopes to work in the pro sports realm.

“I aspire to work in the professional sports industry, with the long-term goal of owning my own marketing agency,” she said.

Becoming part of the Auburn Family, Heffernan said, is an extra-special aspect of her time on the Plains she will take with her forever.

“The Auburn Family, to me, means a deep sense of belonging, unity and support that extends far beyond the campus,” she said. “It's about being part of a community where people genuinely care for one another, celebrating victories together and lifting each other up through challenges. The Auburn Family is defined by shared values like integrity, hard work and compassion, and it’s this spirit that makes Auburn feel like home.

“The number of times I’ve been in different cities, states or even countries and heard a ‘War Eagle!’ from a total stranger truly highlights the incredible reach and connection of the Auburn Family. It’s not just about being a student — it's about being part of something bigger: a lifelong network of people who continue to support one another no matter where life takes them.”

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