The only thing better than a week at Auburn is a weekend at Auburn. For me the perfect weekend includes food, fun and friends. In springtime, Auburn’s campus is more beautiful than ever— tulips spring up in Centennial Gardens, cherry blossoms engulf Cater Hall, and Samford Lawn is lush and green, making the perfect spot for a picnic. My friends and I often walk around campus and debate about what we should get for dinner. The beauty in a college town like Auburn is that everyone can get something different and still eat together. I usually end up with Taco Mama and meet my friends back on Samford Lawn to enjoy our meal. We window shop and end the night with a sweet treat from Toomer’s Drugs. On sunnier days, you can find me relaxing at the Rec pool reading a book or taking a nap. The plush towels, crystal blue water, and comfortable lounge chairs make me feel like I am at a resort, much less college. If I’m in more of an adventurous mood, my friends and I enjoy exploring the outskirts of Auburn. We’ve hiked at Chewacla State Park and climbed the fire tower at Lake Martin. As you can see, there are many ways to spend a weekend in Auburn, and you won’t regret sticking around to experience all that Auburn has to offer!
At Auburn University, every individual student is valued, and their voices are prioritized. The Auburn Student Government Association (SGA) exists to enrich each student’s experience by serving and advocating for them, and aiming to unify all aspects of the Auburn community. Through every decision and goal we make, we strive to uphold our mission of “Serving and promoting the individual student, unifying all that is Auburn.”
SGA comprises of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, and all SGA teams work diligently throughout the year to fulfill its mission. As we transition into the spring term, our new SGA team for the 2024-2025 school year is enthusiastic about formulating our goals to serve the student body while enhancing the Auburn experience and fostering a sense of family.
In late summer, our Freshman Forum applications are available to incoming first-year students to get plugged in to SGA as they are stepping foot on campus. Freshman Forum serves as representatives of the freshman class, with their main objective to gather feedback from peers and ensure their concerns and experiences are heard. Members of the Freshmen Forum participate in a mentorship program alongside Cabinet members, acquire various aspects of professional development, and collaborate on projects dedicated to enhancing the freshman experience.
Additionally, students are encouraged to apply for the Lobby Board, which serves as a crucial link between the University and governmental entities. Lobby Board members play a pivotal role in advocating for positive change at Auburn University, fostering relationships with local, state, and federal representatives, and educating one another on contemporary issues affecting our community, state, and nation.
Everything SGA works to do lies in the efforts of wanting to amplify the voices of Auburn students and improve the student experience for each individual. We have established Auburn Answers (aub.ie/auburnanswers) as a platform where students can voice their concerns, suggestions, and feedback. All Auburn Answers submissions are reviewed by members of SGA and taken to upper administration.
In the upcoming year, we are dedicated to expanding upon these initiatives and strengthening our outreach efforts to better serve the Auburn community.
ROTC is a program that allows college students the opportunity to commission as an officer upon graduating with a degree. Cadets in Auburn’s Air Force ROTC program spend their time in college preparing to serve as an officer in the Air Force.
A week in the life of an ROTC cadet typically includes two physical training sessions, one leadership laboratory, and one classroom course. Physical Training is a time when all cadets in the program work out together in preparation for a semesterly Fitness Assessment. Leadership Laboratory is a time for professional development. The goal of the professional development varies based on the cadet’s level in the program. Classroom courses focus on developing leadership skills as well as informing cadets about career options. Every class of cadets has their own individual classroom course with different curriculum and instructors. The instructors of these classes are current Air Force officers that are known as Cadre.
There are many scholarship opportunities available to ROTC cadets. High school students can apply for scholarships before their senior year. There are three different types of scholarships available to be awarded. Each type comes with different tuition assistance, year lengths, and stipend amounts. Scholarships can also be awarded to cadets after they have joined the program. There are multiple opportunities to earn scholarships while completing the program and still receive all the benefits.
Check out the cadet interviews below to learn more about what it’s like to be in the Air Force ROTC at Auburn.
Current Cadet Interviews:
C/1Lt Daniel Adams
Q1: What year in school and what year in the program are you?
A: Junior, AS300.
Q2: What is your favorite part of the program?
A: Interacting with and teaching underclassmen; helping them learn and grow. It is rewarding to see that happen.
Q3: Are you on scholarship? When and how did you get it?
A: Yes, received for completing summer field training.
Q4: What is the most challenging part of the program?
A: Pressure of having to train and lead other cadets, scary and rewarding.
Q5: What are you looking forward to the most as you progress in the program?
A: Getting to strengthen relationships with peers, connections will be important once we graduate.
Q6: Advice to underclassmen?
A: Don’t think/stress too much about training. Prepare the best you can but also don’t overprepare and waste time. Enjoy the moment and get to know the people around you.
C/4C Marshall Ives
Q1: What year in school and what year in the program are you?
A: Freshman, AS100.
Q2: What is your favorite part of the program?
A: Comradery with other cadets.
Q3: Are you on scholarship? When and how did you get it?
A: Yes, High School Scholarship Program, applied without doing JROTC and received a 4-year scholarship if I maintain a 2.5 GPA and excel in ROTC
Q4: What is the most challenging part of the program?
A: Balancing cadet, student, and personal life.
Q5: What are you looking forward to the most as you progress in the program?
A: Learning as much as possible and (hopefully) progressing to become a POC.
Q6: Advice to people wanting to join the program?
A: Try everything, don’t be afraid to mess up. You will make a mistake no matter what but if you’re scared it will make it twice as bad.
Auburn University has long been at the forefront of inclusive education, and its EAGLES program is a shining example of this commitment. Standing for Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success, EAGLES is an innovative postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. It offers a comprehensive curriculum built around five key pillars: Academics, Independent Living, Social Skills, Employment, and Health and Wellness. These pillars work in tandem to ensure students are not just academically equipped but also socially and practically prepared for life beyond university.
A Special Highlight: Rosa Juan’s Journey to Washington DC
Among the many success stories emanating from the EAGLES program is that of Rosa Juan, one of the program’s seniors. Rosa’s recent trip to Washington DC as a Policy Advocate for Think College represents a significant milestone for her and the program. During her trip, she had the opportunity to connect with lawmakers, including Senator Katie Britt and Senator Tuberville’s legislative director. This experience was more than just a visit; it was a platform for Rosa to advocate and educate about inclusive postsecondary education at the national level.
Rosa’s Insights and Experiences
What did you learn while in DC?
“I learned how important the people were in each office of the Capitol. I learned the difference between lobbying and advocating and my role was to advocate. Additionally, I gained more insight into advocacy, understanding the laws, building relationships, and making connections in the process.”
What was your favorite part of the trip?
“My favorite part was sightseeing in different parts of DC, mostly meeting new people from the 9 other universities who had a staff member and student there, hearing their stories, and understanding how it impacted their lives and what they advocated for. Additionally, I enjoyed spending time with my mom and Dr. Patten.”
What was the purpose of your trip?
“The purpose of this trip was to learn and advocate, specifically speaking to each office of our state, telling our story, and hearing others’ stories as well.”
Rosa’s journey highlights the transformative power of the EAGLES program. It has equipped her with the skills and confidence to be a self-advocate, understand her rights, and actively contribute to her community.
A Call to Action
Rosa’s story is an inspiration and a call to action for all college students. Engaging with elected officials, educating them about issues that matter, and advocating for change are crucial aspects of active citizenship. The EAGLES program stands as a testament to the potential within every student to make a difference in their community and beyond.
Auburn University’s EAGLES program is not just about education; it’s about empowering students to be the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. It’s about creating a more inclusive, understanding, and collaborative society, starting from the college campus to the halls of government. Let Rosa’s journey inspire you to take that first step in making your voice heard.
The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, or GPAC, at Auburn University opened in 2019 and is the premier performing arts venue of East Alabama. Broadway productions, concerts, opera, dance, and student and faculty performances are featured here. The mission of the GPAC is to “engage audiences across the university, the state of Alabama and beyond with curated arts experiences that inspire, enlighten and unite”.
A few of our admissions advisors have attended performances at the GPAC so we thought we would share them here with you!
Legally Blonde – Broadway Series
I was first introduced to the magic of Broadway through the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performances. The 2007 performance of “What You Want” from the show Legally Blonde captivated me. From that performance, I had the cast record album and knew the songs all by heart. I always dreamed of getting the chance to see the show live. I never had the opportunity to visit Broadway to see Legally Blonde and eventually the show was no longer on Broadway. Seeing Legally Blonde live was a dream that I thought was just not meant to be. In October, I had just started working at Auburn when I happened to hear students talking about going to see the Broadway Production of Legally Blonde in Auburn, Alabama. This is how I would first be introduced to the Gogue Performing Art Center. I was able to get a ticket for the show day of and finally see Legally Blonde performed live on stage. I ventured to the Gogue Performing Arts Center. Learning that Auburn had a theater that normally hosts 4 different Broadway Performances a year felt like a dream come true. Going to the Gogue feels just as I would expect seeing a show on Broadway to feel. I find that it is special that I get the opportunity to see Broadway performances in Auburn. The Gogue really brings the shows to life with its state of the art facility, and I have also found that the Gogue does not have a bad seat in the house. All seats are arranged in a way that gives every member in the audience a spectacular view to be transported into the show they are seeing. -Dana Poore
La La Land – Summer Film Series
The Gogue Performing Arts Center is screening movies in their outdoor Ham Amphitheater throughout the summer. The 2023 Summer Film Series opened with Damien Chazelle’s La La Land. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and bring a date! River Region Ballroom Dance of Montgomery led ballroom dance lessons prior to the movie. We learned the rumba and foxtrot, which the instructor described as “NASCAR but with fewer explosions.”
The GPAC provided popcorn and water, and there was a chance to win a bottle of wine from the event sponsor. Additional refreshments were available for purchase from the Amsterdam Café, Las Latinas, and Kona Ice food trucks. It was a relaxing and fun outdoor summer event for the whole community. -Bryce Gray
The Little Prince – Dance & Movement Series
Ballet X: The Little Prince
I have always been someone who loves the arts, so being on a campus with a premier performing arts venue is a dream! I have attended a variety of performances throughout the years including touring Broadway productions, concerts, films, and more. However, one of my favorite performances was a ballet– The Little Prince by BalletX. I had never seen a professional ballet before, so this performance was a step out of my comfort zone, but it did not disappoint! With an abstract set design and a unique cast of dancers, The Little Prince engaged my imagination throughout the entire performance. It was such a delightful experience!
I would encourage anyone from current students to guests traveling through Auburn to check out the current performances at the Gogue Performing Arts Center. Maybe one of your old favorites will be touring through town or you can try something new and different–regardless, you are guaranteed an entertaining night at the Gogue! – Hanna Morrison
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!!
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.
Auburn has over 500 on-campus student organizations to choose from. Many of these organizations provide opportunities to serve the campus and the city of Auburn. We’ve highlighted a few below. You can learn about each of these organizations and more on the AU Involve website.
The Big Event is one giant day of service in the Auburn-Opelika area. Students in the organization will lead teams to complete service projects all over the community. You can serve as a project leader or just volunteer the day of. Around 1,000 students participate in The Big Event each year.
Project Uplift provides the opportunity for Auburn students to serve as a mentor to a child in the Auburn area. Students will be assigned a mentee between the ages of 5-12. Their role is to spend time with their mentee every week. They can go to a park, go on a walk, get ice cream, watch a movie, or just hang out. This is a great way to be a friend and positive influence to a child in the community.
Through IMPACT, Auburn students are able to serve in the community on a regular basis. Students can be a Project Coordinator or attend IMPACT volunteer projects whenever they would like. There are many locations in the area including food banks, retirement homes, after-school programs, the humane society, and more. Students volunteer in each of these areas through IMPACT on a weekly basis.
The Auburn-Alabama rivalry runs deep, and it doesn’t just stop with sports. Through Beat Bama Food Drive, Auburn students compete against Alabama students to see who can collect more cans for their local food bank. In 2021, Auburn students were able to collect 352,389 pounds of food for the Food Bank of East Alabama.
Auburn has Navy/Marine, Air Force, and Army ROTC branches for students to join. We interviewed four Naval ROTC students to learn more about their experiences.
The life of an Auburn University Midshipman starts at New Student Orientation (NSO). Yourself and all other newly appointed MIDN show up to Nichols Center donning their best khakis pants and white polo to kick off your training to become a Navy or Marine Corp Officer. I viewed my time in Naval ROTC as a part time job. In a part time job, you show up to work, get the job done and go about your day. The same can be said about Naval ROTC. You attend morning PT sessions, afternoon leadership labs, and drill practice. However, at the conclusion of each event you maintain your status as a normal Auburn college student. You have the ability to join clubs, participate in IM sports, and be a member of a Greek life chapter.
Auburn Naval ROTC has given me countless opportunities from exploring naval aircraft to being at the controls of multimillion dollar warships during summer cruise and Naval ROTC club trips. These training and club trips have afforded me the opportunity to travel all around the country as part of Auburn Naval ROTC. There are a variety of clubs in the Auburn Naval ROTC program that help you advance your knowledge about the respective warfare areas you will someday enter. They include the Naval Aviation Society of Auburn (NASA), Arleigh Burke Honorary Fraternity (ABHF), Semper Fi Society, and the Drill Team. I was a member of NASA and the Drill Team with created fond memories from trips to Pensacola, FL to tour Naval Aviation Squadrons, and New Orleans, LA for the Tulane Drill Competition. Here at Auburn, we have a semester long sports competition against the Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC where the winner earns the coveted Commanders Cup. We compete against each other in various sports such as football, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee and more. At the end of the year, the branch with the most overall points wins the Commander’s Cup.
Every summer you will attend a different summer cruise. Your first summer you will go on CORTRAMID where you will spend a week with each potential warfare community you might someday join after commissioning at the end of your Naval ROTC career. Your second summer you will go on Second Class Cruise where you will be assigned an enlisted running mate and learn about life in the navy as an enlisted sailor. Your third and final cruise will be a First Class Cruise where you will be assigned an officer running mate and learn about life as a naval officer. All of these cruises build upon each other to give you a strong base to start your Naval career.
As a student at Auburn University, you will quickly learn everyone loves Auburn sports. If you have been to a sporting event you have probably noticed the service members carrying the national ensign and rifles known as the color guard. Auburn NROTC performs color guards for Auburn football games, Auburn basketball games, Auburn soccer games, and Auburn baseball games. As a member of the color guard, you have the ability to stay after your performance to enjoy the event. If you have been to an Auburn football game you may have noticed the field being covered in all 50 state flags. We call this freshman flags where every freshman has the opportunity to carry one of the 50 flags onto the field and then stay after and enjoy front row seats at an Auburn football game. I was blessed to perform freshman flags during the 2017 Iron Bowl and was one of the first students to be able to rush the field after Auburn’s dominating win.
Auburn NROTC has afforded me opportunities I never thought possible in college. I have now commissioned into the Navy and will attend flight school in Pensacola, FL all thanks to the Auburn Naval ROTC program.
ENS Rosinko
When thinking about the military and Naval ROTC the first things that comes to mind are discipline, physical fitness, rigidity, and getting yelled at by an angry Gunnery Sergeant. All things that seem to be quite the opposite of what you associate with college. While some of those things hold true to Naval ROTC, the reality of it is that life as a Naval ROTC student is not all that different from the average Auburn college student. There are certainly a few sacrifices that you’ll have to make, but the benefits far outweigh those tradeoffs.
The price you pay for Naval ROTC is assumed to be much more than it actually is. If you’re on a Naval ROTC scholarship, you will serve in the military for a few years after graduation. If you do not meet the standards for the Physical Fitness Test (PRT) then you’ll have to wake up early to work out four days a week. Men will need a short haircut and fresh shave to stay within grooming standards. Occasionally, you will have to wake up early for a fun field day with our consortium unit at Tuskegee. You will need to maintain a minimum of fifteen credit hours each semester and take certain classes for the program that will not be part of your degree.
What are the benefits of Naval ROTC? As a Naval ROTC student, you will get access to classes and training designed to help you learn and hone your leadership abilities. A skill that will be useful to you in any career you choose after the military. You will have the opportunity to participate in freshman flags which will give you free access to football games. Personally, I was able to go to the Georgia and Alabama games my freshman year because of this. There are numerous clubs associated with the unit like our aviation society, submariner society, surface warfare society, color guard (which will get you free access to all kinds of sporting events like football and basketball), drill team (which takes a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to compete in a competition and experience the festival), and commander’s cup (which is an intramural sports competition between the ROTC branches). There are also field meets where we compete in friendly competitions with the Tuskegee unit. For those who are on scholarship, there are also many financial benefits and opportunities for great experiences. Every summer you will have the opportunity to explore the different components of the Navy and different parts of the US and the world. Places like San Diego, Pensacola, Pearl Harbor, Norfolk, Camp Lejeune, Guam, Spain, etc. You will have the opportunity to fly in jets, sneak through the ocean on a submarine, watch the sunrise from a destroyer, or experience the floating cities known as aircraft carriers. Financially, the benefits are incredible, as your entire tuition is covered by the Navy. You receive a book stipend every semester, you get a monthly stipend that increases every year you are in the program, and you have a guaranteed job immediately after graduation. For me personally, between the Navy and university scholarships, I was able to pay for my entire college experience by myself.
All in all, while there are some sacrifices to being a Naval ROTC student, the benefits far outweigh the costs. You will have opportunities to experience things most people can only dream of while still being able to experience Auburn to its fullest.
Since I was four years old, it has been my dream to be a naval officer and an Auburn graduate. I came to Auburn as a third-generation Auburn student not knowing what to expect. By far, joining Auburn Naval ROTC was the best thing I have ever done. Normal college experiences seem boring in relation to the experience I have had in Auburn Naval ROTC. From the camaraderie created at morning PT events to experiencing Auburn football games in Jordan-Hare front row, my time here at Auburn flew by. In addition to all the good times I have had at Auburn, there was work that had to be done.
The battalion does a great job of ensuring that we are successful both on and off the drill field. From tutoring to study hours, Naval ROTC creates an environment that aids in a student’s studies and academic success. The fun never stopped, continuing right into the summer. The stereotypical motto of “Join the Navy, See the World,” definitely has merit. I spent my first summer in San Diego, CA doing some of the coolest things a 19-year-old can do. We were either underway on nuclear submarines, shooting guns with Marines, zipping around the skies in aircraft, or seeing what it’s like to be a Surface Warfare Officer. It doesn’t stop with the first summer, during the next one I was able to experience New York City during Fleet Week as a midshipman. Finally, if I hadn’t had enough fun yet, I was able to go to the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) and fly with Naval Aviators almost daily on a wide range of aircraft. If someone were to ask me which experience was my favorite, I would not be able to tell them because choosing one just isn’t possible. When we weren’t doing all these cool things, we were building bonds with fellow midshipmen from around the country that will last a lifetime.
Jackson Weyhe
At about six o’clock in the morning, on any given Wednesday, someone could drive along S Donahue Drive, and they would see a group of ROTC students formed up on the lawn in front of the Nichols Center. They are still tired, having only been up thirty minutes or so, and the coffee has not kicked in yet. Following an hour or so of physical training, everyone leaves and goes about their normal class day as a college student. On Wednesdays, however, Naval ROTC students are required to wear a prescribed uniform that day on campus and usually attend an afternoon leadership lab with their fellow midshipmen. Here, they learn about traits necessary to be a successful naval officer and even put these lessons into practice.
While there are many more obligations beyond these when you join NROTC, life is not too different than any other normal college student. Some days may be longer than others, but the general principles are to show up on time, in the right place, with the right uniform on and armed with a good attitude. If you are able to this, you are well on your way to becoming a strong naval officer. Like every other college student, you still go to class, have fun, and enjoy being a student at Auburn University. Some of the benefits include the possibility of a free education, an opportunity to serve your country, and strong friendships. Along with these, being a midshipman offers you the chance to do many fun things including summer cruise, drill team, Commander’s Cup, color guard, and freshman flags. These opportunities give you the chance to have fun, get into Auburn sporting events, and travel the country to places like California, Hawaii, and Guam. While NROTC does require hard work and dedication, people get out of it what they put into it and the rewards definitely make it worth it.
Well, I am so glad you asked! Being a Student Recruiter at Auburn (STUD for short) was my favorite thing I was a part of during my undergraduate years, and the main reason that I am in my current job. Being a part of Student Recruiters at Auburn changed the trajectory of my time at and after college. So, what does it mean to be a “Student Recruiter”?
Student Recruiters are the official tour guides of Auburn University. As a prospective student coming to visit Auburn, your tour of campus will be guided by a Student Recruiter. They are the backbone of Auburn University’s recruitment team. Being a STUD entails giving tours, helping with prospective student visit days, meeting with students one-on-one, and other recruitment activities.
From rigorous knowledge tests to learning how to walk backwards successfully, many different things go in to being a winsome Student Recruiter. One thing is common between all Student Recruiters and that is a deep love for Auburn and an even deeper love for prospective students. Our group of Student Recruiters consists of about 60-70 undergraduate students from all different parts of campus and all different kinds of majors. These students are skilled leaders, public speakers, and some of the most passionate students you will come across on campus.
I was a Student Recruiter from the Fall of 2018 to the Spring of 2020 (cut short because of COVID-19). Being a STUD provided me with friends that I would have never met outside of being a Student Recruiter. It confirmed and strengthened my love for Auburn University, and having the opportunity to share that love with incoming students was such a joy.
The job of a Student Recruiter is not an easy one. These students are juggling taking classes and preparing for tests, and on top of that, they come to give a tour for students from all over the nation twice a week. Our Student Recruiters do a great job of focusing in on the tour group and the time they have with the students. Nothing else matters during the hour and fifteen minute walking tour that they lead. This is one of the most important walks prospective students will do during their life, so we expect our Student Recruiters to always bring their best.
For prospective students reading this, know that when you visit campus and get to meet one of our Student Recruiters, they want to help you with your college decision making process. You will receive a handwritten postcard from your recruiter thanking you for coming to campus and those postcards will have your Student Recruiter’s email on there. Reach out to them! Ask them any questions that you might have about college life and specifically, Auburn college life. I speak from personal experience when I say that hearing from a student after a tour brings much joy and delight.
I love Student Recruiters. I think they have one of the best volunteer jobs in the world, walking around a beautiful campus like Auburn and sharing their love of Auburn through facts and rankings and personal stories of their own. “Auburn’s campus sells itself. I am just here to navigate you through the beauty of it all,” is something I would often tell my tour groups. Please come visit our beautiful campus and meet one of our Student Recruiters. I promise you will not regret it.
