Blog – Page 11 – On The Lawn

December 18, 2020

AU Traditions – Don’t Step On the Seal!

By Jeremy Mack

Colleges across the country are full of traditions, and Auburn is no different.

As you walk from Toomer’s Corner onto campus after grabbing an ice cold lemonade, you’ll pass by Langdon Hall. It’s imperative that you watch your step as you pass by Langdon Hall! On the ground at the front of the building you will find the Auburn Seal.

Step on the seal if you dare! Legend says if you step on the seal you won’t graduate in four years, you won’t find your true love at Auburn, AND you’ll have seven generations of Alabama fans in your family. Those are some pretty harsh consequences for not being careful!

In the event that you do step on the seal, there is a little hope for you to reverse the curse, though we don’t recommend trying it. The curse can be reversed by jumping in the fountain at the president’s mansion at midnight on the leap day of a leap year. While our president, Dr. Jay Gogue, is friendly and loves being around students, we’re pretty sure he’d prefer not to meet you in the middle of the night in his fountain.

War Eagle!

December 11, 2020

Why I Chose Auburn

By Elaine Shankute, current Auburn student

War Eagle! My name is Elaine Shankute. I am a junior here at Auburn studying psychology, hailing from just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. As an out of state student, I understand there’s a lot more that you have to consider when looking at Auburn. For any of you that are from Georgia like me, you’re familiar with the HOPE scholarship and the role that it’s playing in your respective situations. Personally, I have always wanted to go to school out of state, so I understood what that sacrifice was going to look like for me from early on. I do want to stress the importance of considering logistics like distance and finances, but keep an open mind while exploring your options. Consider my Auburn story as proof that life on the Plains can be for anyone. It’s a long one, but there are lots of lessons that I still carry with me today, and of course, I wouldn’t be here without it.

I first visited Auburn as a sophomore in high school. It was my first time ever visiting a college campus and I had absolutely no expectations. The tour wasn’t even for me; my best friend wanted to check out the architecture program while we were on spring break together, and I agreed to making a stop along the way. Little did I know, that day was going to change my life forever too. Auburn felt like a dream. I was in awe of everything I saw and how much older everyone was than me, and how happy they all looked to be here. That day is when I fell in love with the idea of college life and really started getting serious about what I wanted out of my university one day.

I kept this in the back of my mind, and once I got to my junior year I started doing some research, spent a lot of time on the CollegeBoard website, and began visiting other campuses. I noticed that no matter how excited I was about visiting a school, they all fell short of the way I felt when I was at Auburn. I would listen to tour guides share facts and figures and each time I would be comparing them to what I remembered about Auburn. After giving a few more schools a chance, I decided I wanted to come back to Auburn for another tour— just to make sure I was remembering it correctly. Sure enough, I left that tour even more excited, not just about college, but by the possibility of my future here as a student.

So one year and two tours later, I was finally sure of the fact that this is where I wanted to be. But college decisions are a big deal, and as sure as I was about Auburn, I was still scared to make things final; I was on the hunt for as much affirmation as possible. This is the part of my story where things get a little crazy.

New age philosophy suggests that if you make a wish when the clock is at 11:11, whatever you wish for will come true. It’s something about how that number is supposed to represent the universe telling you to listen to your heart, follow your dreams, etc. Well, personally, I just don’t think there is enough luck out there for the whole world to be wishing at the exact same time, so I’ve always preferred to wish at the time that matches my birthday just to make things feel a little more personal between me and the universe. My birthday is February 17th, so for my entire senior year of high school I dedicated 2:17pm to making the exact same wish. Every single day for months, I wished for a sign to come to Auburn. I knew this is where I wanted to be, but I needed one small push to tell me to go through with it, give up that HOPE Scholarship, and make myself a Tiger once and for all. During that year of wishing, I also applied for scholarships, talked to as many alumni as I could, all while I waited for my sign to come.

Well, as I’m sure you suspected, nothing happened. Eventually deposit season came around, and I decided to pay my deposits at Auburn and the last few schools I was considering. I gave up my daily wishing in exchange for pro-con lists and running the numbers in an effort to think more practically. I was half-way to convincing myself that life on the Plains was a little too good to be true, when I got an email from Auburn with my housing assignment—Glenn Hall, Room 217. My Auburn student email shares these digits as well, and according to the university, this was pure coincidence. But to me, it meant finally saying yes to my dream.

Now I am not suggesting that all of you will have your destiny spelled out for you the way mine was. Your journey to Auburn could be a lot simpler, and that’s great too. But if there’s one thing I hope you can take away from my story, it’s that the Auburn family wants you here just as much as you want to be—however big or small that amount may feel to you. If you’re passionate about this place after just one tour, or maybe you have been for a while and the numbers aren’t adding up the way you need them to, whatever part of you that’s not ready to give up just yet, pursue that. If you’re like me and need a little something extra to say yes, I promise you, the fact that you’re looking for a sign is symbolic enough and there’s nothing wrong with owning what you want. You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your academic career, and your decision should be a celebration of that.

Maybe you came here today looking for some more practical advice. Well don’t worry, I have some of that too. Please, if you’re able, come visit campus. Our admissions office offers a few different options for you to get a feel for life here at Auburn, but nothing beats planting your feet on the land and getting to explore your future home. Secondly, do your research. Consider the factors that are important to your college experience and see what they look like in the context of each school you’re considering. For me, financial aid, involvement, and quality of life were under a microscope everywhere I visited. Ultimately, all of that falls under how you feel and how hard you’re willing to work to make sure those boxes are checked. Since my decision to attend this university, the Auburn family has stepped up massively through scholarships and anonymous donors, virtually eliminating any financial burdens I faced when making my decision. That truly goes to show if you care enough about where you are, people will notice. HOPE scholarship is an amazing opportunity, and your in-state schools may be sending you some very intriguing offers right now, but I challenge you to think about where you would be if that wasn’t a factor. For me, that was Auburn by a mile. And you can call me the poster child of a high-risk-high-reward mentality, but I know that looking back at these last two years, I wouldn’t trade the outcome for anything. I hope I get to share that joy with all of you one day being here at Auburn too, but truthfully I just want you to feel this good about wherever you end up. I was in your shoes not too long ago and I wish I heard that more often. Now all I hear is “War Eagle” and that sounds really good too.

December 4, 2020

The Auburn Creed: Part IV

By Lenzy Borden

“I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body, and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.”

The Auburn Creed embodies the Auburn Spirit in every way. In stanza 4, we see how it represents the importance of holistic health for our students, faculty, and staff. We, as the Auburn Family, believe that in order to be the best that you can be, you have to have a sound mind, sound body, and a spirit that is not afraid; so, I want to share with you a few opportunities offered at Auburn University to allow you to create yourself in the best way possible.

Pictures Left to Right: Dr. Moose, Dr. Hankes, & Dr. Nessie

A Sound Mind – Student Counseling & Psychological Services

Student Affairs has brought to campus a way for students to feel supported through every step of the college experience. Through Student Counseling and Psychological Services, students are able to connect with Counseling professionals to better strengthen their mental health. These meetings can range from one-on-one, to group self-help goal oriented sessions. They are ready to discuss all steps of life, whether you are facing test anxiety, relationship issues, the adjustments to college, and many more. You can also get some time with our Therapy Dogs, Dr. Moose & Dr. Nessie.

a sound body – recreation & wellness center and the AU Medical Clinic

Following the same theme, Auburn University has dedicated not one, but two, buildings on campus devoted to the physical health of our students. The Campus Recreation & Wellness Center (or “The Rec”), is our state of the art facility for all things fitness. Here, you can find everything under the sun when it comes to “working out”. We have a 1/4 mile indoor track, a pool, a hot tub, 2 rock climbing walls, fitness classes, basketball and volleyball courts, and all of the necessary equipment to workout. The membership cost is included in a student’s fees, so you can access the Rec as much as you would like during your time at Auburn.

The Medical Clinic is one of the best college health centers in the country. This building is home to some of the greatest medical staff, ready to perform a wide range of medical health services that you may need. The Med Clinic offers services in primary care, urgent care, women’s health, lab work, x-rays, and chiropractic care; just to name a few. Whether you moved 2 or 20 hours from home, the Medical Clinic on campus will provide you with a comfortable doctors visit to get you back on track.

Click the picture above to check out the organizations available at Auburn University!

A spirit that is not afraid – Challenge yourself to be involved

Are you ready to push yourself to new measure, redefine who you are, and make those everlasting connections? If so, you have over 500 student organizations to choose from. If you loved your time in your high school’s Student Government Association, you can join Auburn’s once you get here. Want to learn a Foreign Language? There are 6 to choose from; join one or join them all! You have the ability to be a part of some of the best student organizations in the country and with so many to choose from, you cannot go wrong. Our organizations are all built on the foundations of knowledge, skill, and connection through community. Want to learn more of what we have to offer? Click the picture above to check them out!

War Eagle!

November 27, 2020

The inside view from a former athlete Auburn vs Alabama Experience.

Auburn vs. Alabama Rivalry
Jawara White

As a former Auburn University athlete, the Auburn vs Alabama Rivalry is one I will never forget. Growing up in the football spotlight, I was able to experience both sides of the rivalry. Thankfully I decided to always say “War Eagle.” As I made trips to Auburn my junior and senior year of high school, I slowly learned the depth of the rivalry. The rivalry begins the moment you are born and you pick a side. No seriously, you really have to pick a side.

What does the Auburn vs Alabama rivalry mean to me? The rivalry means blood, sweat, grit, and tears. It means dedication, hard work and determination. The hard work, dedication and determination begin in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the Iron Bowl. Every practice, weight room session, and film session builds up to the Iron Bowl. It is always the last game of the year and it is always the most important game of the year.

My favorite Iron Bowl memory? There are WAY too many to choose from but my freshman year is the easiest memory to pick because it ended with a National Championship under our belt. We were playing in Tuscaloosa. It was my first trip as a player to Tuscaloosa and I had no idea what to expect. People can prep you, warn you, and try and help you the best they can, but the experience is truly one that words cannot describe. As we walked into Bryant Denny Stadium in 2010 we only heard one thing: “Take the Money and Run” playing over the loud speakers. I guess it was a form of intimidation. Sadly, for Alabama, it was a form of motivation. We came out slow but responded from a 24 – 0 deficit and ended up beating Alabama 28 – 27. After the game we could not do anything but smile and laugh, our hard work, determination, grit, sweat and tears pushed us above the rest. We had a few days to celebrate before focusing on a National Title and the SEC championship. During those few days I was able to think about my first experience as a player in the Iron Bowl. I realized then the rivalry is deeper than football; it’s a way of life.

November 20, 2020

What’s the Deal with War Eagle? I Thought You Guys Were the Auburn Tigers…

“What is your mascot?” “Are you the War Eagles or the Tigers?” As a former Student Recruiter and current Admissions Advisor at Auburn University, I’ve heard almost every Auburn question under the sun. However, arguably the most common question I’ve been asked comes in some form of the questions above.

First, let’s clear the air on the debate surrounding the mascot at Auburn University. We are the Auburn Tigers, and this is proudly displayed through our mascot, Aubie the Tiger, who’s a nine-time national champion and the first mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

So where did the phrase “War Eagle” come from? “War Eagle” is our battle cry at Auburn. Depending on who you talk to, you may hear a variety of tales about how this battle cry originated. However, the most common origin dates back to 1892.

At Auburn we love our football. Our first ever football game was played back in 1892 against the University of Georgia at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, thus beginning the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Among those in attendance that day included a veteran from the Civil War. Towards the end of the Civil War, this veteran came across an injured eagle in a battlefield, and nursed the eagle back to health. He then kept this eagle as a pet for almost 30 years, and brought the eagle with him almost everywhere he went. Sure enough, the eagle was also in attendance at this game back in 1892. The eagle broke free from its perch on the veteran’s shoulder and began majestically circling the field. While the eagle was in flight, Auburn’s football team started and finished a thrilling game winning touchdown drive to win their first ever football game. Auburn students, alumni and fans were thrilled by this outcome, and began to yell “War Eagle” as a way to cheer on their team. Ultimately, this is the first way the legend of “War Eagle” translates to today. Roughly 16 minutes before kickoff of every Auburn home football game, one of our two War Eagles, Nova or Aureau, will circle Jordan-Hare Stadium as 87,451 (or as I like to say, 87,450 of my closest friends) scream “WARRRRRRR EAGLE! HEY!” As Nova or Aureau lands at midfield, thousands in attendance erupt, and it gets the crowd fired up just like it did back in 1892.

In addition to the Eagle Flight before football games, the battle cry “War Eagle” can be heard all over the world as a way for the Auburn Family to greet and identify with each other. I guarantee you that if you’re ever wearing an Auburn logo, you’re going to hear a “War Eagle” no matter where you are! This is a symbol of the Auburn spirit. It’s been part of our spirit for more than 100 years, and I’m sure it will continue for hundreds more.

WAR EAGLE!

November 13, 2020

Thank You Veterans

By Tina M. Temm

Listen up YOU!

Well that’s over, time to go to school

There are men and women that decide to join the armed forces versus going to college or a community college. These men and women may have joined the regular/reserve federal forces, Coast Guard, or the assorted state Guard forces. Whether it was for one or more enlistments or maybe a career, they put a formal civilian education largely on hold. All those military personnel have to go through different steps to training just as a college student goes through orientation before starting classes. The difference is that screwing up in military training can be physically painful while screwing up in college is costly both financially and time wise.

For those who embark on a tour of the military, at the start they have their lives being told what to do, 24/7. The lives that they had led no longer exist. First stop off would be the reception station which is equivalent to orientation for students that are attending college except people here are not so polite. This will last for usually a week or more depending on the individual’s brushes with the military’s bureaucracy.

Next comes Basic Training in which they will be controlled by their sergeant/chief depending on the service they are in. They will be told when to wake up, when to eat, when to sleep, time to do PT (physical training) and when it’s time to do training.

After basic they go to their actual military occupation schools. This is where they will be trained on what to do for their “job” in the service. From there, unless they get further specialist training, they are posted either State side or overseas. Military life can be hard not just for the serving member but for the family as well. Many jobs in the armed forces
involve constant family separations and even for unmarried personnel, life is very different from what they may have known before enlistment.

Once a soldier decides to separate from their service and start a new life, such as attending college, they have to regroup and figure out the civilian way of life. That often is pretty hard, especially for those who were in combat arms or combat support given the vast differences in those with civilian life. However, there is the option of a serving member going to college and attending a university to get commissioned. But for those that will separate this can be difficult for them because while in the service as already mentioned earlier – they understood their personal responsibilities and ordered lives and now they will be entering a world with little or any of that. There are some people (civilians) who think this should not be an issue – but it is.

When a veteran attends college, they do the same as any other student does by submitting all the paperwork that is needed. Some will even submit their military transcripts. Once all has been processed and whether or not they are coming in as a Freshman or a Transfer – they will go through their final step of orientation. During orientation they will meet with someone from the Veterans Resource Center. Those who work at the VRC are often either veterans or a family member of a veteran. Here they will have the support that they may need from tutoring to dealing with any type of issue that may arise. Moreover they will be in contact with people who understand the differences of life now for them as they too went through the very same changes.

Both veterans and active duty have dealt with so much that no one can understand unless they have been through that ordeal. We are empathic to the problems that they may have and we can celebrate with them on their accomplishments.

But for all those that have served and that are still serving – I would like to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Whether you served for three years or twenty plus, many of us here at Auburn University want to help you in that transition to college life!

November 6, 2020

The Auburn Creed: Part III

By RahRah White

“I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot
win the respect and confidence of my fellow men”

Being a part of the Auburn family is more than just saying it. Being part of the Auburn family is more than cheering student athletes on during sporting events. Being a part of the Auburn family is more than going to class. Being a part of the Auburn family is being honest and truthful not only with others, but with yourself as well. Being a part of the Auburn family is having the respect of my fellow men. At times it may be hard to stay truthful and honest, but at the end of the day you will be respected more for being truthful. These are a few things that Auburn is built on and we still stand firm on these beliefs today. When others have confidence in you, they can see something in you that you may or may not be able to see in yourself. Uplifting others and being truthful while doing so can be rewarding in many ways. That is one of the many reasons to be a part of the Auburn Family.

October 30, 2020

Spooky Season in Auburn

What is orange and black with navy blue all over?

That’s right! Auburn during October!

Here in Auburn we love ORANGE and blue, so of course we love SpOoKy SeAsOn! In Auburn the students, locals, stores, and restaurants go all out for the season. They have themed merchandise, events, and prizes throughout Auburn. This year things are looking a little different, but just as spooky as ever!

Costumes

We love dressing up here in Auburn, so every Halloween you will see costumes everywhere! Many hangout spots and on-campus organizations will host costume contests to see who can get the most creative. Many of these contests have fun prizes and sometimes even cash!

Trick-or-Treat

Of course what is Halloween without any candy???? In typical years you can trick-or-treat at the local stores downtown, but this year Auburn is hosting a 2020 Drive Thru trick-or-treat! Are you ready for a spooky Halloween parade?

Downtown Spooky Scavenger Hunt

Like I said….SPOOKY SEASON PRIZES!!! Active Auburn & the Downtown Merchants Association are hosting the Downtown Spooky Scavenger Hunt. Beginning October 25th through Saturday, October 31st, Active Auburn will be hiding a pumpkin at a downtown merchant location. A picture will be posted at Noon every day on Active Auburn’s Facebook page (@activeauburnAL). The first participant to find the pumpkin each day will receive a prize from the hidden location!

Season 7 Episode 3 GIF by The Big Bang Theory

Halloween Enchanted Forest

Kreher Preserve and Nature Center

This year there is the Halloween Enchanted Forest event. During the event, you’ll hike the KPNC trails and visit some costumed characters who will entertain you on how they “trick or treat” other animals in the forest! This is a fun family-friendly event to experience with the locals! Some other fun activities include: pumpkin bowling, a campfire, fortune-telling, and face painting!

Spooky Movies

The Donald E. Davis Arboretum at Auburn University and Auburn Parks and Recreation will be hosting the 4th annual Friday Fright Night at the arboretum! There will be two movies this year:

“Little Shop of Horrors” (1986 version)

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)

the rocky horror picture show dance GIF by IFC

Pumpkin Carving

Of course there are always pumpkins to carve!

This year students and locals can compete in the JDCAC Pumpkin Competition hosted by the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) and Auburn Arts Association (AAA). “Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Most Creative, Best Mixed Media Effects, Best Carving and Best Children’s Work. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each category.” The winners will be announced October 30th!

Football of Course!

We can NOT forget the most important thing:

FOOTBALL!

This year on Halloween, we play LSU at Jordan-Hare Stadium. We can’t wait see our Auburn Tigers cause quite a FRIGHT by serving the LSU Tigers with a loss!

Toomers Corner GIF - Toomers Corner Auburn GIFs

As always War Eagle to all my SpOoKy Tigers out there and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October 23, 2020

Fall in a Town That Loves Orange

By Brenna Locklear

There is absolutely nothing like fall in Auburn. In a town that celebrates orange all year long, it is extra special when the season starts to reflect our favorite color, too. The change of season from summer to fall in Auburn brings new tastes, smells, sights, and weather, all while keeping the color orange at the center of our attention. Here is a list of my personal favorite Auburn, orange and fall things:

Auburn’s presidents have lived in this house since 1938. The residence has 6,750 square-feet on 11.2 acres of land, featuring lush gardens and stunning foliage.

Samford Hall. Some would argue this is the most iconic building on campus, and I couldn’t agree more. And while Samford is always there, standing at attention, catching the eye of every passer-by, it seems to look even more stunning in the fall. The building, with its orange-reddish brick, combined with the backdrop of autumn foliage seems to say “Welcome to fall” like nothing else on campus.

Auburn’s iconic Samford Hall serves as the university’s administrative headquarters.

2. Chewacla State Park. Located on the outskirts of town, this is the place to be to see fall foliage in all its glory. Nothing could be more “fall” in Auburn than packing a yummy picnic, hiking one of Chewacla’s 10-plus trails, and observing even the forest showing off a little bit of that Auburn Spirit.

3. Auburn Sunsets. If you know, you know. Sunsets in Auburn on any given day are over-the-top beautiful, but especially in the fall. It’s as if God himself lights up the sky with an ode to our favorite combo of colors, orange and blue.

Another day on the Auburn campus comes to a close as the sun falls to the horizon.

4. Weather. It’s not a secret that in Auburn many months of the year are rather, shall we say…hot. But come mid-October we are finally afforded some sweet relief from the heat. As you step outside in the early morning, the crisp fall air greets you and reminds you that fall really is the best season in Auburn, Alabama. As an Auburn student, you start and end the day in a light sweater and spend as much time as possible soaking in every moment of the much-anticipated change of temperature.

5. Football Season. Yes, we can’t really talk about fall and the celebration of our favorite color without mentioning one of the most popular sports on Auburn’s campus. Starting on Thursday, Auburn fans from across the state begin to trickle into the area, sporting their favorite Auburn t-shirts and jerseys, and decorating the town in that iconic burnt orange. If you haven’t felt the spirit of fall yet, I promise that will change the closer we get to gameday.

6. Coffee. I know, coffee is not orange, but hang with me. At a local coffee shop downtown called Coffee Cat, they feature a specialty drink that does tip the hat to our most beloved fall color. Their bourbon caramel syrup reflects that cozy orange color and gives you all the fall tastes in one yummy drink. Ask for that added to your standard ole latte and your fall experience can officially be complete. It’s tasty, it’s orange-ish and it’s oh so fall.

If you haven’t experienced a fall day in Auburn, I venture to say you haven’t really experienced all this season has to offer. Make a day of it – drink the coffee, take in the weather, see Samford Hall with orange leaves all around. Come see what fall is really like in a town that loves orange.

October 16, 2020

The Auburn Creed: Part II

Welcome to the second part of The Auburn Creed series! As Jeremy so perfectly described in a previous post, the Creed is a set of ideals that we, in the Auburn Family, all try to live by. While I appreciate The Auburn Creed in its entirety, I connect most strongly to the second stanza:

“I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.”

Growing up, I was never the kid you would find running around on any athletic field winning MVP awards. True story: I was given the “Best Effort” award when I played little league soccer in the third grade. When I discovered this award in a childhood scrapbook many years later, I was: 1) mortified, and 2) entirely convinced that my coaches just scrambled to give me an award that year. “Best Effort” seems like a stretch considering you would most regularly find me, the goalie, daydreaming about doing literally anything other than exerting energy on the soccer field while the offense stayed busy on the other side of the field scoring points. I was what you would describe as an “indoorsy” kid (and now I’m just an “indoorsy” adult). I found solace in the classroom. It’s where I was most comfortable and where I put in my best effort. So from a very traditional sense, the in-class educational experience is where I thrived growing up.

Looking back on my time as an undergraduate student, I’m grateful that Auburn University provided with me endless opportunities to grow as a person and a life-long learner. I want to tell you about three of those opportunities now:

Member of the Auburn University Marching Band – I encourage you to check out a previous post about the Auburn University Marching Band written by my good friend and colleague, Andrew McGill. Andrew and I were both freshmen in the AUMB back in 2009. He does such a good job of describing the traditions, responsibilities, and magical moments that come with being in the AUMB. For me, this four-year experience taught me what it truly means to be a team player. I was one member of 380, but we could only perform at our best as a group if every single member put their best effort into every practice, every performance, every moment. It taught me the importance of being responsible and punctual: “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, we’ve got a problem.” It taught me how to enjoy the fruits of our labor and how to support the Auburn Tigers win, lose, or draw. What I wouldn’t give to run out of the tunnel for a pregame performance one more time…
Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Juvenile Delinquency Laboratory – For six semesters during my last two years as an undergraduate student, I was a research assistant in the Juvenile Delinquency Laboratory at the Mount Meigs campus. This opportunity gave me the hands-on experience to apply what I was learning as a psychology and sociology double major in a real-world setting. It was where I was introduced to working with and helping a population of young adults who had experienced trauma, violence, and victimization at young ages. It was where I began to learn about our judicial system, the systemic issues and inequities in our country, and my own (now deep-seated) commitment to social justice.
Peer Advisor in the Department of Psychology – Let me let you in on a little secret. I loved Auburn so much and was so unsure of what I wanted to do after graduation that I took what I like to call – a victory lap. Otherwise known as a fifth year. During this second senior year, I had the privilege of being a Peer Advisor for the Department of Psychology. Among other things, I got to work with our incoming freshmen during their academic advising sessions of Camp War Eagle one summer. This opportunity taught me that my love for Auburn and my love for helping others could come together as a career. This experience led me to a graduate assistantship in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and now to my job as an Admissions Advisor. I continue to do what I love on a daily basis – connecting with prospective students and helping them learn about all of the opportunities available to them at Auburn so that they may grow and evolve as life-long learners themselves.

I am a two-time alumna of Auburn University and I’m back in school for a third round now. I don’t take any moment of learning and growth that I’ve had at Auburn for granted. A big reason why is because of my grandfather. He was born and raised on a dairy farm in a small farming community in South Carolina. He dropped out of school at a young age to work on the farm to help provide for his mother and many brothers and sisters after his father’s death. Though not formally educated, he was one of the most educated people I have ever known. He knew how to fix anything. He would lend a helping hand to those he loved without hesitation. He worked hard until the day he died my senior year at Auburn. He was the embodiment of the Auburn Creed. Every time we spoke on the phone from the time I was in kindergarten throughout college, he would always start off by asking, “How’s school going?” I got to have the formal education that he didn’t. His hard work and sacrifices and that of all others that came before me have provided me with the opportunity to experience Auburn University to its fullest.

So I challenge all of you reading this today to seek out a variety of educational experiences during your time at Auburn University. Don’t be like me as a third grade soccer player and instead earn that “Best Effort” award both inside and outside of the classroom. Don’t take any moment for granted. And be on the lookout for the next part of The Auburn Creed series coming soon!