Author: Heather Rodgers

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Restaurant Round-Up: Fall 2024 Edition

Botanic

Whether you are looking for a fine dining meal, a place to grab a quick (but fresh) bite, or want to wander around the greenhouses with a homemade coffee, Botanic is the place for you. One of the newest restaurants in Opelika has everything you want in one space. The Market is my favorite place to go on Saturdays. I usually grab a coffee and a homemade quiche. They offer everything from pastries, to go meals, and dips, down to freshly squeezed orange juice.

The Grille is where you can go for a more upscale dining experience. They will bring you the most delicious bread you’ve ever tasted. It comes in a flowerpot with three types of in-house-made butter. The appetizers were hard to choose from because I wanted them all, but we ordered the bruschetta flight, and it was incredibly delicious. We also ordered the “Marry Me, Three Cheese Tortellini” that lived up to its name. End your day or evening by browsing through the greenhouses and gardens, your experience is sure to be one to remember!  -Emma Donaldson

Tacorita

Looking for unique tacos and the feeling of nostalgia? Look no further than Tacorita! Tacorita celebrates a sense of tradition that current Auburn students and alumni can enjoy together. They celebrated their grand re-opening in late October. Members of the Auburn Family were thrilled to welcome back an Auburn staple. Their new location is just across the street from their former location on North College Street.

It would not be a true taco spot if they didn’t celebrate Taco Tuesday. On Tuesdays, guests can enjoy $3 Southern Fried Chicken, Chicken Tinga, Carne Asada and BBQ Pork tacos!

While Tacorita’s entrée dinner is limited to solely tacos, guests at Tacorita can enjoy bold flavors and unique taco combinations. Guests order tacos individually, so they are free to mix and match tacos as they please! -Bree Davis

Staks

Voted Best Breakfast/Best Brunch in Auburn by the Auburn University Parent & Family Association, Staks Pancake Kitchen in downtown Auburn, Alabama is a vibrant eatery specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Owned by Auburn alumni Brian and Kim Wirth, Staks offers a diverse menu featuring creative takes on Southern classics like buttermilk pancakes, Conecuh Pancake Dogs, and homemade biscuits with sausage gravy.

Signature dishes include unique pancake flavors such as Cinnamon Roll and Lemon Blueberry, as well as lighter options like acai bowls and egg white omelets. Not only do they serve delicious food, but they have great options for all coffee lovers too. With locally sourced ingredients, generous portions, and a bright, inviting atmosphere, Staks is a popular destination for diners seeking both comfort food and modern twists​. -Sarah Turquitt

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Oh Hey, Hey Day!

Auburn University celebrated Hey Day this past Wednesday, October 16th, and it was one for the books! This beloved tradition dates back to 1947, when students who served in WWII returned back to classes as usual at Auburn. When they returned, they struggled to reassimilate with their fellow classmates. In response, the student body and Student Government Association advocated for a day that would “unite the Auburn family and promote a friendly atmosphere known as Hey Day”. Hey Day is now a day where every student gets the opportunity to wear a name tag, giving everyone a sense of belonging and reminding them that they are part of the Auburn family.

One of our very own admissions advisors, Emma Donaldson, shared her Hey Day experience:

“Ever since I’ve been at Auburn, I look forward to Hey Day – formerly as a student and now as an employee of the University! Everyone comes together, wears name tags, and literally says hey to each other! My favorite memory from Hey Day was my sophomore year. My friends and I all gathered on the green space, ate lunch, hung out, and met new people. We even met the Athletic Director and took pictures with the eagle! Hey Day is such a special tradition at Auburn, and I am so glad we continue it every year!”

You can learn more about the Hey Day tradition here!

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CAREER DISCOVERY & SUCCESS: EXPLORATORY ADVISING & OTHER SERVICES

After undergoing some changes over the last few years and transitioning from being the University Career Center to now being Career Discovery & Success, some people may be wondering exactly what we do. We primarily assist exploratory freshmen students and other students who want to change their majors, but there is so much more that we offer to students!

Campus Career Closet

The Campus Career Closet is still going strong on the third floor of Mary Martin Hall. As always, students are welcome to take advantage of the Campus Career Closet to get four items of professional clothing free of charge each academic year. In addition to the clothing being free, students are welcome to keep the clothing. Should you want to take advantage of the Campus Career Closet, go to Handshake and make an appointment, as access to this resource is by appointment only.

Career Strategists

Students in the Colleges of Forestry, Agriculture, Education, and Human Sciences have Career Strategists to assist them as they search for jobs. Carlos Acosta (Forestry & Agriculture) and Jelisa Bass (Education & Human Sciences) serve students by assisting them with job searches, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and more. Carlos and Jelisa can be found on Handshake for appointments and also spend time out in their respective colleges giving presentations and meeting with students.

Career Connections

Our Career Connections Team works to host career fairs and bring employers to campus to interact with our students. The Stay Local career fair and Disney Day on the Plains are examples of the work being done by the Career Connections Team. Events and all of the specifics can be found on Handshake.

Exploratory Advising

Our Exploratory Advising Center is where we work with students who are unsure about their majors and want to spend time exploring all the options available to them. Exploratory Advising is divided into four areas: Exploratory classes (EXPL1010 and EXPL1020), academic advising, career counseling, and students changing their major.

EXPL1010 & EXPL1020

Students who are undecided when it comes to their major can enroll in our exploratory major classes. We teach EXPL1010 in the fall and EXPL1020 in the spring. Students can select a major and move from the exploratory major at the end of fall or spring semester. Some students figure out their major quickly, while other students need more time. The great thing about this program is that all of our instructors (career counselors and academic advisors) want to help these students and don’t judge them if they need more time to figure out their major and / or career. To help students figure out their majors and career paths, we take them on a journey that teaches them about themselves, various majors, and career possibilities. We use the tools and resources on the Career Discovery & Success website to aid our students in their exploration. The number of students taking advantage of this program has been increasing each year.

Academic Advising

The academic advisors in Exploratory advising work to provide students with the best advice possible as our students explore different majors. The goal is to keep our students on track to graduate in four years. So many exploratory students feel like they are behind their peers because they haven’t declared a major, so the Academic Advising Team works to help these students to understand that they are making real progress toward their futures.

Career Counseling

While the Academic Advising Team works mainly on the academic side to assist students, the Career Counseling Team works with students to help them learn about different careers in which they might be interested. Assessments are sometimes used to assist students in narrowing down their options. In all cases, the career counselors discuss what the student is thinking to assess where the student is and where they might be wanting to go. Theoretically, academic advising and career counseling are two different things. In reality, some of the work each team does overlaps with the other. As a result, we sometimes have to work together to assist our students.

Major Changers

We also assist students who want to or need to change their majors. When we have a student come to our office for this reason, they may start with academic advising or with career counseling, depending on the student’s needs. With major changing students, we go through the same process of advising them as we do with our exploratory major students. This assistance is given in a less formal setting than a classroom and is usually done through assessments and / or discussion in a one-on-one setting. Even though these students are not exploratory majors, we still want to make sure that they make a solid decision when changing their major so they don’t have to repeat the process anytime soon.

            We are located on the first floor of Mary Martin Hall and would love for anyone who is interested in what we do to drop by and see us!

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Serving Auburn University’s Military-Affiliated Community

Auburn University’s military community is a valued and important part of the AU tradition.  To aid and assist this community, the Veteran’s Resource Center carries a service-driven mission to help veterans, active duty, reservists, dependents, and spouses use their federal VA benefits at the university and advocate for the community through outreach and programming.  

Programs and Resources

Though the bulk of the VRC’s work revolves around the process of certifying students, the department hosts a variety of programming, events, and resources to aid the military-affiliated community.

Math Bootcamp:

Dr. Schenck, a veteran and Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, leads a weekly math tutoring session for veterans in the VRC.

Textbook Library:

The Mike Patterson Library is a collection of donated textbooks and manuals for Auburn Student Veteran Association members to utilize and borrow on a semesterly basis.

Rucksacks to Backpacks:

Rucksacks to Backpacks is an initiative created to assist veterans with technology needs. Students, with financial need, apply for electronic devices necessary for their academic success. In the past, the VRC provided laptops and other devices, such as headphones that helped an Aerospace student combat their tinnitus.

Green Zone Training:

The goal of Green Zone Training is to provide departments on campus with opportunities to learn about veterans and the challenges and successes they face as they return to education.

Professional Clothing Locker:

The Professional Clothing Locker provides interview attire to military-affiliated students in need. Veterans can also come by the VRC to receive “Veteran” labels to indicate their military affiliation as they approach career fairs and other opportunities.

Auburn Student Veteran’s Association

The ASVA is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides student veterans and military-affiliated students with resources to support the body, mind, and spirit through higher education into employment. Creating a safe space for veterans and like-minded individuals to recreate the bonds of camaraderie that most miss when leaving the military, the organization accepts all students no matter their military background.

Upcoming Events

7TH Annual Veteran’s Gala:

Hosted by the ASVA, the annual Gala provides an opportunity for members of the community to come together to help raise monies for Veteran scholarships. Join us on October 11th at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa for an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating our student veterans. For more details, please visit: https://asvastore.com/gala/        

Operation Iron Ruck:

During the week of Thanksgiving, the Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA) partners with the Campus Veterans Association (CVA) at the University of Alabama to complete a 151-mile ruck mark from Jordan-Hare Stadium to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Participants will carry a 22-pound rucksack in honor of the 22 veterans a day who lose their lives to suicide. For more information and to support, please visit: https://operationironruck.com/

Veteran’s Golf Classic:

In Spring, the VRC holds a Golf Classic with the Auburn University Club that allows student veterans to join a team of community and business members so that they can create relationships and hold fellowship with members of the area.

Contact Us!

Do not hesitate to email the office at veterans.auburn.edu. Whether regarding benefits or programs and events, the VRC aims to serve the military-affiliated population and help lead them to their next stop.   

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What is The First 56?

The First 56 at Auburn University will run from August 12th through October 6th, 2024, and is THE BEST way to get connected to the University and your fellow classmates!  Organized by the University Program Council, the First 56 is eight weeks of special programming, events, and initiatives to promote student engagement, healthy decision-making, and academic achievement.

Throughout these eight weeks, there are over 400 events that students can choose from as simple as Class Tours & Kona Ice and as extravagant as an on-campus concert featuring The Driver Era. Attending these events is no additional cost to Auburn students and they can attend as many or as few events as they wish.

A fan favorite event during the First 56 was Waffles with Woodard. At this event, students are able to get a free waffle from the infamous Waffle House Food Truck from Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bobby Woodard.

Convocation 2024 is Sunday, August 18th, in Jordan-Hare Stadium, which is the night before the first day of classes. Convocation is basically a big pep rally in our football stadium, and an official welcome into the Auburn Family! Various Auburn traditions, including watching the band run out on the field, seeing the eagle fly, and singing the fight song & alma mater, will be celebrated on this special night.

If you are interested in seeing the complete list of events, visit the AU Involve website!

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Pre-Health Programs

Thinking about a career in healthcare? Pre-Health Programs is here to support you!

Pre-Health Programs works with Auburn students who are interested in becoming doctors, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, anesthesiologist assistants, pharmacists, and veterinarians. We provide students the foundational knowledge and professional guidance necessary to explore their options, prepare for professional school, and – when they are ready – apply. Our goal is to make sure that Auburn students have everything they need in order to become exceptional healthcare professionals.

Comprehensive Preparation

Pre-Health Programs provides the foundation for a successful professional healthcare career. We offer opportunities to learn and grow professionally such as:

  • individualized counseling
  • workshops
  • mock interviews
  • school fairs
  • test prep
  • internships
  • and more!

We help students develop an academic plan covering the required coursework for their intended professional school, pursue experiential learning opportunities, and communicate the core competencies they gain along the way.

Proven Path to Success

Through tailored advising, we empower students to reach their individual goals. Pre-Health Programs has a track record of success. Each year we assist over one hundred students as they apply to professional school. Students who regularly engage with our office and complete PPAC (our application course) are consistently accepted to professional school at a rate much higher than the national average. This past year, 84% of students who participated in PPAC were accepted into professional school!

Supportive Environment

Navigating the path to professional school can be challenging, but Pre-Health Programs offers specialized, personal guidance from day one. We are committed to helping students navigate their path to professional school. Our friendly staff can’t wait to get to know you. Come see us!

Visit our website or email us at pre-health@auburn.edu to discover more about Pre-Health Programs at Auburn University.

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Summer on the Plains

Summer is here and so are some of our students! While campus is definitely less busy during the summer, many students stay for the summer semester and there are still a ton of fun things to do!

1. Spend time in the great outdoors

Chewacla State Park
The Pavillion at Kiesel Park

Explore Chewacla State Park, take a guided hike through the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center on the second Thursday of the month, or check out Kiesel Park.

2. Go to a farmer’s market

The Market at Ag Heritage Park

Hosted by the College of Agriculture at Auburn University, The Market at Ag Heritage Park is held on Thursdays each summer from 3pm-6pm.

3. Savor a sweet treat

https://www.aotourism.com/listing/the-yard-milkshake-bar/1577/

Grab an Instagram-worthy milkshake at The Yard Milkshake Bar, beat the heat with a Tiger’s Blood from one of the many snowcone spots, or stick to the tried and true and enjoy a flavored lemonade from Toomer’s Drugs.

4. Groove to the music

The Standard Deluxe

The Standard Deluxe, a music venue about 15 minutes down the road in Waverly, has live music regularly. You can see their schedule of upcoming events here.

Free to the public, the Summer Swing Concert Series is held every Tuesday night in the summer through July 30th at Monkey Park in Opelika.

5. Visit a museum

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University is a true cultural gem, and just a short drive from campus on S. College Street.

6. Take a weekend road trip

Gulf Shores, Alabama

One of the best things about Auburn is how close you are to some really cool places. Head up 85 to Atlanta for a Braves game or concert, or drive a quick 4 hours south to the beach or north to the mountains!

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Why I Love Auburn: A Series

By: Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English-Literature

When asked my reason for loving Auburn, I had no shortage of stories, explanations, or accolades to share. If I had to condense it all into one simple reason, however, I would choose the word “community.” 

I grew up as a military BRAT, which is an acronym for “being relocated all the time.” I attended eight different schools growing up and lived in ten different places before coming to Auburn. My graduating class had all of thirty-three kids in it, and I was the only one who had committed to Auburn. 

Needless to say, I came to college ready to make those “life-long friends” everyone talks about and to finally put down some roots. College is a season of incredible growth for a young person, and it is an experience whose impact lasts way longer than four years. 

I remember watching my family drive away after helping me move into my dorm room; it was sometime early in August of 2021. That first night, after making awkward introductions with my random roommates, I remember sitting on my twin sized bed thinking “well, what now?”

Auburn — both the city and the university — embraced me with open arms. Envision a montage of new situations, countless introductions, good days, and bad days too. The community here is unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The people are inviting and authentic. The culture is lively and kind. 

Not only was I able to find people who were supportive, but I was also able to find a space that was inspiring. I was encouraged to pursue new interests. I realized new extents of my passions and talents. I found outlets to serve the people and places around me. 

One story in particular exhibits the intentionality of the Auburn community to help me on this journey: 

Freshman year, I was sitting in my world literature lecture. We were reading The Odyssey, and the professor liked to use the phrase “sailing into the wine-dark sea of human experience” when comparing us freshmen to Odysseus, the hero of the book. 

We had taken the exam on the first few chapters the day before, and at the end of class the professor asked if I could stay after for a second to talk about “something.” A brief zing of panic ran through my mind, but I calmly said “sure.” 

“I wanted to talk to you about your exam grade,” he said, his stern tone causing me to rethink nearly every life decision I’d ever made. “You had the highest grade in the class, and that was not an easy test. I’ve noticed your dedication to the subject, and I’m wondering why you’re not an English major. I think it would be a great fit for you.” 

I didn’t have an answer for him. To tell the truth, even with all my interest in reading and writing, I had never considered making it my major. For some reason, I hadn’t put two and two together. I had already changed my major multiple times that year, and my search for something both fulfilling and practical was still unresolved. 

To make a long story short. My professor was right. Auburn’s English program is a great fit for me, along with its many other writing organizations and opportunities. It is one of the most academically fulfilling experiences I’ve encountered. But even more than that, the fact that he went out of his way to recognize and guide me in that journey meant the world to me. 

That professor has remained a confidant and friend, offering professional advice, an editor’s wise hand, and even personal recommendation for my future pursuits. I have also found a plethora of relationships through the classes, organizations, and events through that one simple decision of changing my major. 

One characteristic about the Auburn Family — the term for the interactive web of community we have here in Auburn, Alabama — is its care. It will seek you out and surprise you with its endearment. People here make positive impacts on each other, and together we sail onto that “wine-dark sea of human experience,” helping each other through the storms, cheering each other on incredible feats, and encouraging each other when we find success. 

We have a saying here that goes, “If you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back.” It is so true. I came to this town looking for room to grow, inspiration, friendships, and memories. What I’ve found cannot even be described by those powerful words; it is so much more.

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Restaurant Round-Up: Spring 2024 Edition

Agave Loco

Any place I visit, it is always one of the most important tasks to find the best Mexican restaurant in town. Something about the bustling atmosphere, chips and queso, and the sizzling sound of fajitas coming out to a neighboring table makes you feel right at home. With various weekly specials, Agave Loco is sure to have a crowd nearly every night of the week. Whether you are just trying to grab a quick bite or celebrating a birthday with a large group, this is the Mexican spot for you. This is truly a place where locals, students, and families come to gather in fellowship with customer service that makes you feel like you are a part of the Auburn family. Stop by and dine at Agave Loco on your next trip to Auburn, and you might just find me there!

-SeAnna Graddy, Auburn Class of ‘23

Little Italy Pizzeria

Little Italy in downtown Auburn

Craving pizza and just want a slice? Look no further… Little Italy is the place to go. A few shops down from Toomer’s Drugs on Magnolia Avenue is where you can find this Italian gem. Open daily, Little Italy offers lunch specials from 11am-3pm, serves New York style pizza (by the slice or pie), calzones, strombolis, sandwiches, salads, and even has tasty ranch dressing! This is the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat between classes or a meet-up with friends at the end of the day.

-Heather Rodgers

Niffers

Corn nuggets with honey mustard

Are you craving corn nuggets and a great atmosphere? Then I have the place for you! Niffer’s Place is an Auburn staple that has been loved by students and community members since 1991.  While their famous corn nuggets are a fan favorite, Niffer’s offers a variety of menu items from burgers to chicken to sandwiches. It is a tried-and-true casual dining hit. Niffer’s is also known for Singo Bingo, which is held every Wednesday and Trivia that is held every Monday night. Be sure to check out Niffer’s website to learn more and visit their location at Lake Martin if you are in the area!

-Bree Davis

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New Major Spotlight: Public & One Health

The new Public and One Health (PAOH) undergraduate degree program in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine is a unique public health curriculum that utilizes One Health as its guiding principle. This holistic approach prepares graduates to proactively devise and implement solutions to pressing local and global health issues, preparing undergraduate students for entry into public health positions, as well as graduate or professional programs.

By highlighting the One Health concept throughout the curriculum, students will obtain a comprehensive public health education that emphasizes the interconnectedness and mutual interdependency of humans, animals and the environment, recognizing that human health can only be improved if the health of animals and the ecosystem are concurrently addressed.

Diverse faculty from multiple scientific fields across the Auburn University campus will provide expert instruction to foster deeper insight into organismal and environmental health, and how various systems coexist and change together. The Public and One Health undergraduate degree program will educate future health professionals to take a transdisciplinary approach that establishes a conceptual framework of the complex web of factors affecting health.

There is a strong demand for professionals with bachelor’s-level public health training and this employment demand is projected to increase both regionally and nationally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected change in job placement opportunities for public health professionals over the next decade is expected to grow faster than the national average for other professional fields.

PAOH students may choose various electives depending on interests and career goals. Program graduates may begin working in entry-level careers in public, animal or environmental health. Or if interested in attending medical, veterinary, or other professional or graduate programs, all prerequisite academic requirements for those programs can be completed within the credit hours required for this major.

Public and One Health also offers a Minor in Public Health open to all majors as well as an Honors Minor in Public Health. When offering advice to prospective students, Kynslie Barnett, said this of the Public and One Health programs:

“I would tell any student that was thinking about pursuing either of these degrees to try out the first class and I promise they will be immediately pulled in and intrigued! Once you take your first Public Health class, you start to see public health in every single thing you do because it truly applies to everything in the world around us. I encourage every student that is curious to just go for it and they will be so happy they did! The knowledge and skills you will learn through this degree are applicable to everything you do in your life from now on.”

Contact Information:

Webpage: aub.ie/paoh

Email: paoh@auburn.edu