Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2022 from the College of Engineering included Maj. Jim Hoskins, ’81 electrical engineering, and Bill McNair, ’68 electrical engineering. Other recipients were Jim Bullington, ’62 science and literature, and Anita Newcomb, ’76 accountancy. The Young Alumni Award recipient was Erin McCreary, ’15 biomedical sciences and pharmacy.
Maj. Jim Hoskins, ’81 Electrical Engineering
Jim Hoskins earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1981 and embarked on a career in the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer, ultimately achieving the rank of major while serving as a leader in the United States intelligence community. His government and military experience included key assignments at the Air Force Cryptologic Depot, the National Security Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Central Intelligence Agency. In recognition of his contributions to the defense and intelligence community, he received the Distinguished Intelligence Service Medal from the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Bronze Medallion from the director of the National Security Agency and two Defense Superior Service Medals from the secretary of defense.
In 1994, Hoskins retired from the Air Force and joined Scitor Corporation, one of the nation’s leading providers of engineering services to the intelligence community. He advanced in the company to become president, then CEO and chairman of the Scitor board of directors. His vision, leadership and experience helped Scitor grow from an annual revenue of $16 million to more than $600 million, with more than 1,700 employees.
For his professional achievements and commitment to engineering education, Hoskins was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also received the College of Engineering’s Distinguished Auburn Engineer award in 2006.
Hoskins is a founding member of the Auburn Research and Development Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering scientific and engineering research in the state and enhancing economic development in the region. Hoskins is a former member of the Auburn University Foundation Board, the Auburn University Real Estate Foundation, the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, the BTIA Campaign Executive Committee, the BTIA Engineering Campaign Committee and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Council and Engineering Research Advisory Council. He is currently a member of the 1856 Society, Petrie Society, Shug Jordan Society, Keystone Society, Ginn Society, Foy Society, the Athletics Strategic Advisory Committee and a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association.
Bill McNair, ’68 Electrical Engineering
Bill McNair earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1968 and went on to earn an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery, or AUM, in 1977 and a master’s degree in management through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Fellows program in 1986. McNair’s 33-year career in the telecommunications industry began as an engineer with South Central Bell in 1968. He held positions in the company’s engineering, operations, human resources and marketing organizations before retiring from BellSouth as vice president of network operations.
McNair played a critical role in obtaining BellSouth’s funding for Auburn’s Minority Engineering Program, which was designed to increase the recruitment and retention of minority engineering students.
McNair and his wife, Lana, established the McNair Auburn Creed Scholarships, the McNair Ever Auburn Scholarship, the McNair Distinguished Professorship in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the McNair Endowed Graduate Fellowship in the AUM College of Business. The couple’s contributions have supported the construction of the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology, supported Auburn’s underrepresented students and have been instrumental in establishing the new Office for Academic Advising suite in the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center. McNair has served on the Auburn University Foundation Board, the BTIA Campaign Executive Committee, the BTIA Engineering Campaign Committee, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Alumni Council and the Strategic Leadership Team for engineering. McNair and his wife are members of the 1856 Society, Petrie Society, AUM 1967 Society, the Shug Jordan Society, Ginn Society, Keystone Society, Foy Society and life members of the Auburn Alumni Association.
For his professional achievements and commitment to engineering education, McNair was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2010. He has also received the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Distinguished Auburn Engineer award, the Department of Electrical Engineering Outstanding Alumni award and was recognized as one of AUM’s Top 50 Graduates at its 50th anniversary celebration in 2017.
Presented by the Auburn Alumni Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes recipients for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature and service to the university. It was established in 2001 to honor extraordinary accomplishments by members of the Auburn family. Recipients of Lifetime Achievement Award and the Young Achievement Award are selected by a committee of Auburn administrators, trustees, faculty and alumni.
