Auburn University has named its student center for Harold Melton, chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and the first person of color elected as the university’s student body president.
“The issues we face require input from our stakeholders, a fact-based examination of campus diversity and equality and a vision for meaningful, impactful change,” said Auburn trustee Elizabeth Huntley, who co-chairs the board’s committee responsible for recommending steps focused on diversity and inclusion. “I couldn’t be happier now that the hub of student activity is named for an accomplished graduate who represents Auburn with such distinction.”
Melton, who is from Marietta, Georgia, studied international business and Spanish at Auburn, earning his undergraduate degree in 1988. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1991. He has served on the Georgia Supreme Court since 2005 and was sworn in as chief justice in 2018.
Prior to serving on the Georgia Supreme Court, Melton served as executive counsel to Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. Prior to that position, he spent 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law, serving under two attorneys general, where he dealt with issues such as creating the Georgia Lottery Corp. and the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement.
Melton is also active in the community, serving on the board of the Atlanta Youth Academies and on the national, local and collegiate boards for Young Life Ministries.
“Naming our student center in honor of Chief Justice Melton is an important, historic step in our long-term, deliberative, inclusive effort to strengthen Auburn and ensure that all members of the Auburn family reach their fullest potential,” said trustee James Pratt, who co-chairs the committee on diversity and inclusion.
