Nine seats need filling on the Auburn University Board of Trustees.
From a pool of 170 candidates, the trustee selection committee chose 35 to advance to the interview stage.
Six of those candidates hope to be chosen to serve for District 3-Lee County.
"It's a big responsibility," said Denson Lipscomb, one of the District 3-Lee County nominees.
The other nominees include Al Cook, Charles Pick, Joe Beckwith, Howard Porter and Robert Dumas.
"I do know that it will be an investment of time," Porter said.
District 3-Lee County is part of the group interviewing Monday. The selection committee will announce its selections in early February.
Each candidate brings something different to the table.
Porter said the career advice from a former mentor about getting into appraisal and real estate brought him where he is today.
"If you're going to be successful in this, you've got to learn a little bit about engineering, a little bit about architecture, a little bit about construction, a little bit about banking ... and I took that to heart," Porter said.
He said he thinks the range of knowledge has led to his success and would serve him well as a trustee.
Lipscomb said his experience working on other boards, like Auburn City Council, has given him the experience he needs to serve as a trustee.
"I think one of the biggest problems most boards have ...you've got to encourage people in the committee to speak their mind during the meeting," Lipscomb said. "There's so many times when people sit there silent because they're scared to say anything, then when you get out of the meeting, people start talking ... Say what you believe, and nobody's going to dislike you for that."
Dumas also said background is a factor in his suitability for an Auburn trustee.
"I believe I have a background in education and business, which I would certainly love to bring to the table for Auburn," Dumas said.
Gov. Robert Bentley announced Jan. 18 the nominees who would move on to the interview process.
Porter said he felt "sort of like the dog that catches the car: What now?"
Porter didn't initially seek a trustee position, but a friend urged him to consider it.
"At first I blew it off and said it was not something that I thought I would be qualified for," Porter said. "But he was persistent."
Lipscomb said he has put his name up to be on the board previously.
"I believe I've got the training experience right now to assist the board and lead Auburn and help Auburn improve and go the direction I'd like to see it go," said Lipscomb, who specifically mentioned availability of scholarships. "I would like to make sure that we don't get into the situation some of our neighboring schools have gotten in, and that is turning down qualified Alabama students that could come to Auburn that may get displaced because of scholarships we're giving to all over the country."
Dumas said his main goals, if chosen as a trustee, would be to uphold Auburn's mission of instruction, research and outreach, as well as help to continue its academic output and national reputation.
"I'm sure there are a number of challenges in the future, some financial, others I probably don't even know about," Dumas said.
The possibility of unknown challenges is a common theme among the candidates.
"Obviously you're going to learn a whole lot more once you're on the board," Lipscomb said. "The challenge is there, the opportunities are there. We all love Auburn and we all want the best for Auburn."
Porter said one of the best assets he could bring as a trustee is something he's lacking.
"I'm not real invested in ego," Porter said. "I think sometimes in the past there have been people, not that they didn't bring ... great strengths to the table, but had a little ego that might have gotten in the way."
But whatever the outcome, Dumas said District 3-Lee County will be in good shape.
"I think all of the nominees of Lee County would do a great job," Dumas said. "They're all friends. We're not running against each other; it's something to help Auburn University."
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