After 38 years spent as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator for Huntsville (Ala.) City Schools, Fortner will do her part to ensure that Auburn University graduates remain true to their school. Fortner began a two-year term as president of the Auburn Alumni Association in November 2008.

Fortner earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science education and followed it up with a master's degree in counselor education in 1973. She was named one of the Outstanding Woman Graduates at Auburn's Centennial Celebration in 1992.

In her capacity as alumni association president, Fortner's priorities include increasing the association's scholarship endowment for life members' children, working to augment the Auburn University Office of Enrollment Services' student recruitment efforts and using Web-based approaches to connect with alumni residing internationally.

Fortner follows Ralph Jordan Jr., son of the late Auburn football coach Ralph "Shug'' Jordan, as president of the association.

While Fortner retired from Huntsville City Schools in July 2008, she remains an active educator. She serves as an adjunct professor at Alabama A&M and as a trainer and consultant for schools and community agencies in the areas of team building, mentoring, leadership development, facilitation skills, school counseling, workplace wellness and emotional crisis management. She worked as an elementary and middle school teacher, as well as a high school guidance counselor and administrator.

Fortner has been an active supporter of Auburn University and the College of Education. In addition to serving on the Auburn Alumni Association's Board of Directors, she served on a number of committees during a four-year term. Fortner worked with the Trustee Selection Committee, as well as the Programs & Services Committee.

She is a member of the George Petrie Society, as well as the College of Education's 1915 Society. The 1915 Society recognizes donors whose lifetime contributions, pledges and planning giving arrangements to the college are at the $25,000 level or above.