I Was an Auburn Tiger Before I Was a Bulldog

Key Concepts

• Naval ROTC Scholarship: A scholarship program providing financial aid in exchange for a military service commitment.
• Gulf War (1990-1991): A conflict that significantly impacted US funding priorities, including scholarship programs.
• University Selection Process: The factors influencing a student’s choice of college, including campus impressions, financial considerations, and academic programs.
• Academic Transition: The process of changing academic majors within a university.

Early College Aspirations & Initial Choice: Auburn University

Brian recounts his college selection process during his junior year of high school in the early 1990s. His initial campus tours included Georgia Tech, Auburn University, and the University of Georgia. Auburn made a particularly strong impression due to a positive, memorable experience – a tour guided by a student he described as “the most beautiful young woman I’d ever seen in my life.” This subjective experience heavily influenced his initial desire to attend Auburn, believing it indicated a vibrant and welcoming campus environment. He specifically intended to study civil engineering at Auburn.

Financial & Geopolitical Shifts: The Impact of the Gulf War

Brian’s plans were contingent on receiving a Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship. He was actively involved in his high school’s Junior ROTC program and had been working with a Navy recruiter. However, the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1990-1991 dramatically altered this trajectory. Funding allocated to ROTC scholarships was redirected to support the war effort. This funding reduction, combined with his parents’ inability to afford out-of-state tuition at Auburn, forced a rapid reassessment of his options. He states, “a lot of funding that was going into RTC scholarships got yanked for the war effort and my parents quickly let me know, hey son, we can't afford out of state tuition.”

Pivoting to the University of Georgia & Academic Adjustment

Faced with these challenges, Brian turned to the University of Georgia, located nearby. He initially applied and was accepted into the art program, rather than his desired business program. He subsequently transitioned into the business program during his sophomore year, marking a shift in his academic focus. He summarizes this change succinctly: “Oh, they have a great business program. By the way, I didn't get into the business program. I got into the art program and then I was able to transition into the business program my sophomore year and the rest is history.”

Personal Reflection & Introduction

The narrative concludes with Brian identifying himself as the host and framing the story as a personal anecdote explaining his background and connection to both Auburn and Georgia, noting he was “an Auburn Tiger before I was a Georgia Bulldog.” The story highlights the unpredictable nature of life plans and the importance of adaptability in navigating unforeseen circumstances.