Distinguished Auburn Engineering alumni Michael DeMaioribus and wife Leta have joined Charles Gavin III and wife Carol Ann in making generous gifts to bring the College of Engineering to the next level of excellence.

Thanks to an endowed faculty chair established by Charles and Carol Ann, the Gavins will assist in retaining the talented faculty that are such an integral component of the instructional and research missions of Auburn University. The inaugural recipient of the chair is Bruce Tatarchuk, director of Auburn’s Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing Center and professor of chemical engineering.

Gavin, ’59 textile management, chairman of the board for MFG Chemical, and Carol Ann, have been active supporters and contributors of the College of Engineering. In addition to their generous gift of the endowed faculty position, the Gavins funded the Charles E. Gavin III Textile Chemistry Scholarship, established through the Alabama Textile Education Foundation, as well as scholarships in the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering. The Gavins also made a donation to the construction of the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology, which resulted in the naming of a classroom and the dean of engineering’s office suite in their honor.

For Michael and Leta DeMaioribus, giving back to Auburn Engineering runs in their blood, and both have been significant contributors to the college. To honor their generosity, the College of Engineering has named the arches located at the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology between the central building and west wing as the Michael Arthur and Leta Hornbuckle DeMaioribus Archway.

DeMaioribus graduated from Auburn with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering in 1976 and 1977, respectively, and began his career at Dynetics, headquartered in Huntsville, Ala. His nearly 40-year career at the company earned him the title “engineering renaissance man,” with his involvement in working with transmitters, antennas, signal processors and control systems to overseeing the construction of buildings totaling more than 450,000 square feet.

While obtaining professional success at Dynetics, DeMaioribus has always found time to give back through service to both Auburn Engineering and Auburn University. He has provided leadership as chair of both the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council. In addition, he served as a member of the Engineering Campaign Leadership Committee, culminating in his appointment to the Auburn University Board of Trustees.

Together, he and Leta continue to elevate the college through their generosity and are members of the Engineering Eagles Society and the Engineering Keystone Society, and they belong to Auburn University’s Petrie Society and 1856 Society. DeMaioribus was also instrumental in securing the gift to name the Dynetics Student Gallery in the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology.

“Through Mike and Leta’s dedication and contributions, the College of Engineering continues to grow, and we are able to provide the highest level of education to our students,” said Christopher B. Roberts, dean of the College of Engineering. “It is an honor to have the archway named after both of them and remind all of our alumni, students and friends of the impact their gifts have had on our college.”