Author: Heather Rodgers

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The College of Education

In the College of Education, we are building better futures for all! We do this through outstanding teaching, innovative and impactful research, and meaningful outreach in four departments: Curriculum & Teaching; Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology; Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling; and the School of Kinesiology.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do. They are future educators, trainers, health professionals and leaders who will have an impact in schools, medical facilities, industry and society as a whole.

Maddy Messick, president of the college’s Student Ambassadors, is a junior majoring in elementary education. Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Maddy plans to return to Baldwin County to teach elementary school students after graduating in 2025.

Maddy Messick, junior majoring in Elementary Education

Why Auburn?

I’ve always loved Auburn. Every year I would go to the Auburn homecoming football game and every year I would reassure myself that it was the school for me. Auburn is so welcoming and everyone here is just so supportive. 

What is your favorite thing about the college and your department?

I love how big Auburn is, but how small it feels. It can be overwhelming at first because there’s a big difference between a college campus and high school. The College of Education makes the student experience so welcoming. By this I mean that you aren’t necessarily in the huge classes you would expect. Once you get accepted into the college, you are broken up into cohorts and you will stay with that cohort until graduation. Not only will you graduate with your classmates, but you will also graduate with supportive, lasting friends who have watched you develop throughout all four years. 

What is your favorite class? How big are your classes?

I absolutely love all the elementary math classes. It’s so cool relearning all the material in ways that will help you teach in the future. My classes are not big at all. When you take your basics, you’ll most likely have a lot of people in your class, but once you get into your curriculum, your classes usually have 25-30 students each.

Do you get any kind of real-world experience in the College of Education?

Yes! One of my favorite things about the College of Education is that you are required to have five consecutive days of teaching before you can even apply to the college. This will help you see if it’s something you really want to do in the future. You will also have lots of other required times to be in a classroom.

What are some perks to being a College of Education student?

I love being a College of Education student because of the smaller classes. I love getting to know everyone around me and hearing about what ideas they have for their future classrooms. I also love our college because there are so many ways to be involved. I am currently a Student Ambassador and I have met so many amazing alumni through this experience.

Goals after graduation?

My goal after graduation is to be the best teacher I can be. I want to make a difference in the lives of every child who comes through my classroom. Not only do I want to be a great teacher, but I also want to make sure each child feels welcomed and loved.

Through instruction, research, outreach and service, Auburn’s College of Education is transforming health and education as we equip students like Maddy to have an impact in our communities and the world.

Want to know more? Visit our website or contact our recruiter for more information at edurec@auburn.edu.

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Campus Safety & Security

Safety is an important factor in the decision to attend Auburn. Auburn has robust infrastructure, programs, and partnerships in place that contribute to a safe environment for learning and living. A key component is engaging the whole community in our safety programs.

The Department of Campus Safety & Security and the University Precinct of the City of Auburn Police Department work hand-in-hand to provide 24/7 services to the campus community out of the state-of-the-art Campus Safety & Security Building. Don’t hesitate to call or stop by to discuss safety questions or concerns, or to report a crime.

Programs and Resources

The Auburn Safety app provides information on a lot of our programs and is a great resource for students and family members. Features include push notifications, emergency guidelines, in-app security shuttle request, personal safety tips, sexual violence and other resources, access to the campus weather station, and more.

Training

Campus Safety offers a variety of training for the campus community, including students and organizations. Watch for announcements or request training for a group by completing an online form. Topics include RAD self-defense for women, emergency preparedness, active shooter response, first aid/CPR, Stop the Bleed, crime prevention, and security awareness.

Communications

An important component of safety is staying informed. Auburn sends a variety of safety messaging to the campus community:

– AU ALERT emergency notifications for emergencies requiring immediate action on campus

–Campus Safety Notices for crimes on or immediately adjacent to campus that may pose a serious or ongoing threat

-Campus Safety Advisories for general safety information

Other public disclosures available on our website include daily crime logs, daily fire logs, and the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes crime and fire statistics as well as important information about security and fire safety policies and programs. We encourage all students and their families to check it out!

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Campus Safety works with departments across campus daily to promote safety, encourage personal responsibility, and empower members of the Auburn family to look out for each other. Here are some tips to help keep our campus safe:

-Download the free Auburn Safety app and be aware of the resources available.

-Review personal safety tips in the Auburn Safety app or at www.auburn.edu/safety.

-Take advantage of training and outreach opportunities.

-Stay engaged with @AuburnSafety on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

-Stay alert to your surroundings, trust your instincts and report concerns immediately.

–911 for emergencies or crimes in progress

–334-501-3100, option 1 for delayed reports of crime to City of Auburn Police

–334-844-8888 or campussafety@auburn.edu for general safety concerns

Campus Safety is always open to questions, concerns, and suggestions. Please stay in touch so we can keep our campus safe together.

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Life as an Auburn Army ROTC Cadet

By Grace McNairy, Command Sergeant Major, War Eagle Battalion

Auburn University is unique in the fact that we have all three branches of ROTC. Within the Air Force ROTC programs, cadets have the option to serve in either the Air Force or Space Force. Students in the Naval ROTC have the option to serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps.

The Army ROTC program is the oldest program on campus and was established in 1872 through the Morrill Land- Grant Act. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps with the signing of the National Defense Act of 1916. Auburn Army ROTC is a four-year program in which students earn a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. The War Eagle Battalion has had many notable graduates throughout the years. Some of them include Coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan ‘32, Congressman William Nichols ‘39, Astronaut COL (R) Jim Voss ‘72, LTG (R) Ronald Burgess ‘74, NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene ‘84, LTG (R) Darsie Rogers ’86, Olympic Gold Medalist Ruthie Bolton ‘89, and LTG Flem Walker ‘87.

Joining Army ROTC at Auburn has been the best decision I have ever made. Throughout my time as a cadet, I have met people who will be my friends forever. The War Eagle Battalion has given me numerous opportunities to expand my leadership and experiences. After my junior year, I attended Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets from all over the country descend on Fort Knox to test their skills among their peers. There are 11 regiments with roughly 600-800 cadets in each regiment. At CST, all of your training from day one of freshman year to that point is tested. For three years, you will have attended physical training 3 to 4 times a week, Military Science classes twice a week and leadership lab on Wednesdays which has prepared you to perform at CST.

Auburn ROTC is one of the best battalions in 6th Brigade producing future leaders for our Army. The stakes are high for cadets in the War Eagle Battalion. We are traditionally one of the top performers in the brigade and expect a lot from our cadets. A typical week as a cadet includes physical training 3 mornings a week, 2 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and leadership lab on Wednesday. Once a semester, we attend a Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Benning, GA. Due to our proximity to Fort Benning, we are awarded numerous training opportunities.

Throughout my time in the War Eagle Battalion, I have learned so much. Peer leadership is hard, everyone knows it, but it is not impossible. Through ROTC, I have been given opportunities to practice leading my peers. My confidence has grown exponentially throughout my time in the War Eagle Battalion. The lessons I have learned in ROTC has translated to my involvement on Auburn’s campus. Last year, I served as my panhellenic sorority’s president. The lessons I learned from peer leadership helped me lead my sorority.

The opportunities I have had throughout the years are unmatched compared to my peers. Over the past two summers, I have spent time at Fort Knox, Kentucky expanding my leadership abilities. Throughout my time at Fort Knox, I was tested mentally, physically and emotionally. After my time at Fort Knox, I attended Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) this past summer. At Fort Campbell, I was attached to 3-187 IN, 3BCT, 101st ABN DIV where I spent a month learning from an Infantry Platoon Leader. While at Fort Campbell, I participated in numerous ranges, CDQC and a helocast.

May 7th, I will commission into the US Army as an Active-Duty Aviation Officer. I would not be the leader or person I am today without the War Eagle Battalion. I highly encourage any student who is thinking about joining ROTC to join and give it a try.

Life as an Auburn Army ROTC Cadet in the words of Jackson Bowman

              Throughout my four years at Auburn, Army ROTC has opened the door to more opportunities and life experiences than I could have possibly imagined. First and foremost, it is where I met my future wife as well as some of my best friends. It has also given me a base of people with whom I can network further on down the road. The shared experiences of being rained on in the field, freezing cold and blazing hot temperatures, and funny stories told have made my Auburn experience more full and better than the average student’s. ROTC also paid for my college which I am eternally grateful for. Being an out-of-state student and having my entire tuition paid for is a blessing that I cannot emphasize enough. Finally, upon graduation, I will commission as an Aviation 2nd Lieutenant. Having a job immediately after college is another aspect of ROTC that I am grateful for and one that I did not fully understand until my senior year. Overall, I would highly recommend Auburn Army ROTC to any student at Auburn or any high school senior looking to attend here. While there are some stressful and hard moments, the perks of being an ROTC cadet substantially outweigh any and all the cons. War Eagle and Above the Best!!

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Restaurant Round-Up: Spring 2023 Edition

Lucy’s

Lucy’s located in Auburn AL, is known to be a modern American neighborhood eatery. With locally sourced food made from the heart, Lucy’s continues to be one of the most loved and sought out restaurants in town. The dainty and bright interior with a warm southern flair compliments the experience itself while the exterior is simple and elegant. The employees are attentive, professional, and genuine throughout dining at Lucy’s and look to accommodate anyone’s needs. Known for their truffle parmesan French fries and juicy steak frites,  many find that the food is consistently cooked to perfection. Additionally, Lucy’s has a variety of fresh caught seafood including a catch of the day, raw oysters, and scallops. A unique trait about Lucy’s is that it changes out its menu routinely to practice new techniques and incorporate new ideas on their menu. If you thought that sounded good, you are in for a treat. On Saturday and Sunday from nine to two, Lucy’s provides an innovative and tasty brunch menu. Not only are they serving mimosas and bloody Mary’s but also meals like smoked salmon tartine, chicken and waffle Bennie, and shrimp and green chili grits. The kitchen staff takes pride in introducing new flavor combinations as well as a fresh ingredient to level up recipes.  Lastly, the restaurant is accompanied by a top shelf bar, extensive wine list and fantastic cocktails. Lucy’s is a must try when visiting Auburn, Alabama! -Shea Labbato

Momma Goldberg’s

Momma G’s is an Auburn favorite that was founded in 1976 right here in our college town! There are locations all over the state of Alabama and a couple in Georgia, but nothing beats the original location on Magnolia Avenue!

Photo courtesy of Momma Goldberg’s Deli

They’re known for their world-famous Momma’s Love, their delicious nachos, and other steamed sandwiches. In addition to the classics, you can also get a wide array of wraps, soups, and salads. Momma Goldberg’s is a perfect lunch spot during the week and even better on gamedays in the fall! The history, the flavors, and the atmosphere all make Momma G’s an Auburn staple.

My go-to order is the turkey delite with a side of Momma’s nachos and a cherry Coke (which goes perfect with their nugget ice)!

Photo Courtesy of Momma Goldberg’s Deli

If you’re on the Plains and looking for an Auburn classic, be sure to check out the original location and get yourself a Momma’s Love! -Ansley Phillips

The Depot

Photo Courtesy of Trip Advisor
Photo Courtesy of The Depot

If you’re looking for a fine dining option to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or just a good time with friends, look no further than The Depot! Located in a former train depot in downtown Auburn, this spot has a unique atmosphere as guests are able to enjoy the passing trains while dining on some delicious food. Originally built in 1847, the train depot has been a prominent location for much of Auburn’s history. The restaurant today features the original black and white tile floors and heartwood pine train platforms from this historic Auburn landmark. A great option for lovers of seafood, The Depot boasts the “Finest and Freshest Seafood” in Auburn and has received the James Beard Smart Catch Leader Award. The menu changes seasonally and provides a variety of options. Featuring items such as oysters, fresh fish, and sushi to a wagyu burger, chicken, or steaks, the food is always incredible. My personal recommendation is the Spicy Blue Crab Dip appetizer. Whatever you decide to get, you will not be disappointed. Make sure to visit The Depot the next time you’re in town! -Haylee Dorrill

Umami

Photo Courtesy of GrubHub

Umami is a fantastic choice for off the beat eating. With traffic, it will take around 14 minutes to get there which makes it a great spot to eat when you are coming from campus. Umami specializes in fresh ingredients and delivering on the umami flavor that the name suggests. Since it is a pacific rim restaurant, Umami’s menu ranges from traditional Indian dishes and high quality sashimi and sushi to wonderfully seasoned Asian courses. Personal recommendations would be the Seattle teriyaki chicken, butter chicken, or (if you want to splurge) the filet mignon fried rice. I highly recommend having this restaurant as an option in your arsenal of restaurant recommendations for family/friends. Umami truly is a treasure that is often overlooked by popular chain restaurants around it, but I have a feeling that it is going to be receiving plenty of new regulars in the fall. -Cole Irwin

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Top 5 Things to Know About On-Campus Housing

Your college experience is exciting. When you live on campus you get the opportunity to build relationships and foster a community. Living on campus can also be challenging, but Auburn University Housing (AUH) is here to provide some essential things to know about on-campus housing.

1. Stay Up To Date With Communications Sent By AUH

It is important for both current and incoming residents to stay up to date with all communications sent out by AUH. The majority of our updates and reminders will be sent to students via their respective Auburn University email address. We recommend students check their AU email weekly for important messages from AUH.

2. Be Familiar With Your Resident Assistant (RA)

Your RA is there to make your on-campus experience more enjoyable. Make time to meet your RA and introduce yourself. If you need help in your hall, reach out to your RA. Keep an open line of communication with them. RAs will also host programs monthly to help build community. 

3. Choose The Best Space For You

We want your resident experience to feel like home. It is important that you choose the best space for you. AUH offers a variety of different residence hall styles at different price points. Students should research the different options we have available. We also have tours every day of each of our residence halls. If you cannot make it to campus, students can also view our residence halls by checking out our virtual tours.

4. Get To Know Your Roommates

Whether you already know your roommate or you are meeting them for the first time on move-in day, living with another person can be an adjustment. It is important for you to choose a roommate you feel you will be compatible with and set ground rules with each other. More than likely, your roommate will be great!

5. Utilize Your On-Campus Resources

By living on campus, you are within walking distance of all of Auburn’s on-campus resources. Take advantage of your close proximity to everything. Many of our residence halls are within walking distance of the campus rec, the library, and our dining halls. 

Living on campus can be an exciting time for our students. Auburn University Housing offers multiple different options to make sure our residents feel at home. To stay up to date with AUH make sure you continue to check your university email and follow us on social media @housingatau.