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(07/03/14 4:10am)
For the past 6 months, Phil worked for me as a financial advisor trainee. During that time, I got to know him on a deep level as we often discussed life, his faith, and his career. I have read all the articles, watched all the videos, etc... I write this because I want to share the real Phil that I saw and witnessed every day. He was way more than just a football player.
It all truly starts with his heart. Sure, he needed a career and a way to earn a living. But, more than anything he desperately wanted to help people. It was one of the first things he stressed to me when we first began talking about career options. He truly wanted to help athletes preserve their wealth and more importantly to share his faith along the way. Over the last few months, I personally saw and witnessed him go out of his way to help people. Even when we were in airports, restaurants, most anywhere he would literally have his eyes and ears open to the plight of others. People would often come up and ask for a picture and afterwards he would look at me say "I still don't know why someone would want a picture with me." I mean of course he got it and knew why, but on a deeper level his extreme sense of humility is what prompted the question. I will never forget the time we were in Scottsdale to see Huddy at a spring game (he looked up to Tim and Kim sooo much!!) and we entered the stadium and Fergie Jenkins was there.
Phil didn't have a lot of money. But, he didn't care, he was going to buy a signed baseball for his Dad (he loved him incredibly). Like a little boy, he was so excited to buy that ball - for his Daddy! In fact, I am in awe at the closeness of his family. They all had such an incredible bond - a real model for us all. When I spoke with his father yesterday, he must have told me at least three times "hug your kids, hug your kids. You never know when it will be the last time." I can't even fathom the pain Mike and Mary must have right now. I pray they are comforted by the outpouring of love that Phil so strongly believed in - LOVE!
Through all of our time together, behind closed doors we talked intimately about life and Jesus. I want everyone to know that his faith was absolutely astounding. It was as real as the game winning touchdown in the Iron Bowl!
We all know that whenever something tragic like this happens, rarely is a bad word ever said. In Phil's case, every single thing written about him is not enough.
I have been in business 25 years. All this time, I thought maybe I was mentoring him. Little did I know that it was the other way around. It is incredibly difficult to go in the office and know he's not there. All of us at our office have a huge hole in our hearts and dealing with this loss has been especially painful. But, at the same time, we are so grateful. God graced me, my partners, and employees with Phil and I am going to miss him dearly.
I am comforted, though, that last Tuesday, before I went out of town, we talked for over an hour about life, career, etc. and before long, the conversation led to his faith and how confident he was that God had a plan for his life. Little did I know at the time what that would be. I can't understand why this happened. But, I have to stand with Phil on this one - to trust and believe that somehow it's all part of a bigger, more grand plan by the master. That's what Phil believed and because of that so will I.
(09/16/13 9:21pm)
It is clear that Auburn fans are extremely loyal, regardless if their team is succeeding or viciously fighting for a win. What I do not understand is the respect of the shakers. Like many other committed Auburn student fans, I plotted and planned to "nab" my student season passes. Because student seating is not assigned, many fans arrive at least two hours early to the stadium to find proper seating. However, many students avoid sections that are reserved by the "shakers." These sections are "saved" by the fraternity pledges, who have been directed to save large sections for their "big brothers." After I looked for a seat in the hot southern sun, I was instructed by security that all seats were available, so I sat. Within minutes, I was confronted by five male pledges instructing me, simultaneously, to move because the seats were taken. I considered moving, but when more pledges added to the pack, I began to feel as if I was being "bullied" to move, thus my fiance and I chose to stand our ground. As a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, I understand the initiation process; however, this form of hazing unfathomable. When I made the decision to join my organization, my actions did not adversely affect others around me. My initiation process was private and focused on building me up as a person, realizing the value in service and selfless acts, not acts of intimidation and bullying. I say this to say that Auburn student football fans should not endure the adverse effects of pledging, especially if he/she is NOT a pledge. Auburn student football fans, I encourage you to ignore the shakers and sit wherever you choose. If we set different expectations, then the fraternities and their pledges will have no other choice than to adhere. If we continue to respect the shakers, we will continue to be without a seat, even though you have "shoveled" out the same coins as the next man.
(09/16/13 9:13pm)
I've been disappointed that the student section has taken up saying "sucks" after every visiting player is introduced, especially for the smaller visiting schools. That's not a classy thing to do. Many of us Alumni go out of our way to uphold Auburn's reputation as the "Loveliest Village", and is evidenced by Auburn's great game day reputation. It's hard to say we deserve that after a blatant disrespect of visiting amateur student-athletes by our student section. This is especially true for the smaller schools, as a large percentage of the visiting fans are friends and family of the players. If you want to say someone sucks, stick to those getting paychecks - like the AD, the Coaches, or the Refs. You can make JHS intimidating by being one the loudest and smartest student bodies in the country, and that doesn't require you using the word "sucks" directed towards individual players. The second, much more disappointing thing the student section has done this year is boo some of their own classmates. Your classmates work extremely hard year round to play on Saturdays, and the coaches put the best person we have out there. Not every Auburn player will be the best we've ever had, but if they play hard, clean, and represent your university right, then they deserve your applause, not your jeers. We have a great coaching staff, and they are working on bringing in more talent at every position, but one has to wonder how visiting recruits would feel about having their potential classmates boo them. I assure you that our rivals aren't booing their players during pregame introductions. Believe in Auburn and Love It, All of It. War Eagle! R. Jason Valentine Class of '97
(09/16/13 9:10pm)
In the most recent issue of The Plainsman (9/5/13) a graduate student writes how
she and her family and friends "were subject to harassment, taunting, and provocation by
fans in the student section for the AU-Washington State game. One of her party became
the object of "heinous masculinity baiting" and a woman referred to her "as a F----JEW."
At that, she and her party understandably left the game and she has now requested that
for future games she be seated in a place "free from sexist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic
language and behavior."
I am outraged by this behavior on the part of these fans, particularly when we
pride ourselves as the "Auburn family." Every person in our society deserves respect and
consideration and anti-Semitism has no place anywhere in today's world. Jewish students
who have over the years taken my courses in religious studies have always been reluctant
to identify themselves as Jewish (and rightfully so) for fear that other students would
attempt to convert them to Christianity.
No one becomes tolerant, open-minded, and respectful of differences automatically.
It comes both from one's values, experiences, and education. And that's why President
Philpott established the Religion Department about 40 years ago, so that students would
discover the beauty and truth found in the world's religions. However, the program in
religious studies may wither on the vine and die a certain death. When I retire at the
end of this academic year, my position will not be filled by a scholar trained in religious
studies. This past year the major in religious studies was terminated and now the minor
is in jeopardy, since there will be no one to shepherd the program. I find this development
to be quite sad and lamentable.
It all boils down to finances. As I understand it, AU is planning to eliminate such
programs as the Human Odyssey, the program in Sustainability Studies, and possibly the
Civilization and Technology programs, all of which are interdisciplinary in nature. What
we have here is the business model applied to higher education, or the corporatization
of the university. With a budget approaching a billion dollars, can we not spare the
program in religious studies and these other worthwhile programs that have expanded
our students' minds for decades? Is this not a case of being penny wise and pound foolish?
(09/05/13 10:07pm)
The Plainsman's unfortunate and misinformed editorial last week referring to the recently implemented smoking ban as "prejudice" shows the editorial board's dearth of scientific knowledge related to tobacco associated illness.
Although it would take well more than 300 words to sort out the misinformation and false allegations promulgated by the article, I will attempt to correct several pieces of fallacious information in this letter to the editor.
First, the assertion that the measure"was instituted through non-democratic means" is simply false. As a member of the SGA Senate, I can personally attest to the polling conducted among students which demonstrated an overwhelming support of the ban.
Additionally, all four governing bodies--Auburn University Faculty Senate, SGA Senate and A&P Council and the Staff Council--passed a resolution in favor of a smoking ban.
Smokers' concerns were taken into consideration and their opinions were considered.
Secondly, the editorial claims that the smoke-free campus is an "affront" to any Auburn Family member who smokes.
I take offense to that claim because while each and every person of a legal age possesses the right to smoke, non-smokers possess a greater right to walk to and from class without inhaling a mouthful of carcinogen filled smoke.
According to the CDC, secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States.
Let's ensure Auburn Family members can live long, meaningful lives without the extremely horrible side-effects of secondhand smoke.
Today, nearly 1,182 campuses nationwide have banned smoking on campuses and we can expect that number to grow.
Auburn's decision to join the movement demonstrates that we're committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and campus visitors.
(09/05/13 9:55pm)
Dear the-person-in-charge of Jordan-Hare Stadium, I am writing this letter to request seating in the stadium for future football games where I will be free from sexist, racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic language and behavior.
On Saturday, I skipped my way to the stadium in the wet heat with my friends and my boyfriend's family visiting from far away.
I felt proud to be entering the stadium for the third year in a row as a new football fan.
I never thought I would get excited about football, live in the South, or have so many of my negative stereotypes about Southerners disconfirmed.
Within the first quarter, however, we became subject to harassment, taunting, and provocation by drunk people in the student section sitting behind us. My boyfriend's brother was particularly subjected to heinous masculinity baiting.
Although, as a graduate student at Auburn, I am older than most people in that section, I was shaking in my boots with the thick anticipation of violence stinking the air.
We didn't even make it to the end of the first half when a nearby woman referred to me as a "F----- JEW" and we left.
I knew that I was different than most people in the stands, but felt safe assuming that only I knew this. For most of my life I have enjoyed the privilege of not wearing my othered identity statuses externally, unlike many people of color, people with disabilities, or gender non-conforming folks who do not have this luxury.
Saturday, I got a taste of what it feels like to be reminded that because of how I look I DON'T BELONG.
It has taken me a long time to accept and love what makes me different, and I will not have that taken away from me. I will not feel unsafe or allow my friends or family to feel this way.
Please let me know if you can accommodate my request because I have invited a number of friends and family who are Jewish, gay, people of color, or different in some marvelous way to games this season and I will not expose them to what we went through.
(08/23/13 4:15pm)
People need to step back and examine how the government is manipulating them into getting what they want. It's almost like women, minorities, and the economically impaired have Stockholm syndrome and the Ruling Class has Boss Hogg Syndrome. The government is using its power in a way that has individual Americans trading their liberties for a promise of being cared for while the plans and laws being passed by both parties in no way provide long term solutions that will actually do what they are sold as.
How in the world have we been led down this path?
Why do we continue to allow it to go on?
Have we gotten to a point that we no longer care about our freedoms and wish to take the easiest road possible in the name of "fairness"?
We need to stand up for who we are as Americans.
Not African, Hispanic, Asian, European Americans--not even Native Americans--Free Americans!
One America that allows people to disagree without being hateful or destructive, one America that understands the value of hard work and free enterprise while holding those accountable for using their political standing to manipulate it, one America that knows and believes in the values of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution while understanding that it's not the Founding Fathers we should embrace but the message they carried with them--that all Men and Women are created equally through the faith that America could be the shining light of Liberty through the provision of free will by our creator.
Can we, will we see it for what it is or allow others to recreate those words by stating that those men were imperfect and they shouldn't be allowed to guide a nation's founding?
It's not the men who created the Federalist Papers or the Declaration of Independence that we should focus on!
They were in some cases men who didn't see beyond their current times. It's the ideals that those documents portray.
A true, Representative Republic, elected by the people and for the people, with an Executive Branch to oversee the country and answer to the body of Representatives, and a Judicial branch that is impartial and steadfast in protecting the Constitution and the laws passed by Congress.
Instead, over time, the people of the United States have allowed people to chip, chip, chip away until we have just a fraction of a Republic left.
Where is our resolve?
Where is our honest heart?
I can only hope that the generation coming up today sees our failures and looks to the beginning to right our bearing and chart a course for a better tomorrow.
(05/21/13 8:42pm)
The 10 seed Auburn Tigers fell 6-3 to their bitter rivals the 7 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round of the SEC Tournament Tuesday, May 21 at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
(04/19/13 3:05pm)
As I am sure many of you noticed, our main concourse was graced with an organization exhibiting in the strongest of senses their freedom of speech. They wielded banners with inflaming remarks, warning of Genocide images, and making comparisons that they themselves admitted were not supported by scientific research. Their posters, which are now implanted in my memory, drew parallels between the Holocaust and abortion. This outraged me, like many students.
(04/19/13 2:56pm)
In the most recent issue of The Plainsman, a column was written concerning what the Bible says about homosexuality. It is not my place to condemn anyone, but God has clearly revealed His position to us in His holy, inspired Word. Romans 1:26-27 reads, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." Several observations can be made about this passage.
(04/03/13 3:59pm)
Six years ago I walked into my first class of high school. I took my seat in between two teenage boys: one was a year older than me and the other had Down syndrome. At some point in the class, the boy older than me called a fellow classmate a retard.
(03/29/13 3:57pm)
Slum City is a row of makeshift shelters erected in front of Auburn University's Student Center with the intention of showcasing poverty around the world. I believe the intentions of the builders of Slum City are honorable. I think they're trying to do good work. But I believe they're going about it the wrong way, for several reasons.
Poverty Over There Vs. Poverty Right Here
Several of the shelters have signs with country names - I saw India, Cambodia and Kenya. It was a very windy day and I thought some of the signs might have blown away, because the other shelters were unmarked.
One difficulty with the way the "city" is set up is that it suggests that poverty is something that happens to unfortunate people of color in far-off places. That's particularly sad given that 1 in 5 people living in Lee County, Alabama - home of Auburn University - live below the poverty line. (The poverty line itself is a poor measure of quality of life. In 2012, the poverty line for a family of four was $23,000. So if you and your partner have two children and make $24,000, you live above the poverty line, but it sure doesn't feel like it.)
All Of [Insert Country Name] Looks Like This
I'm also uncomfortable with the image this creates in the mind of the public that, for example, "Kenya" equals "slum." This reinforces the stereotypical image of the "Dark Continent" as a place of poverty, savagery, lack of technology. But have you ever seen photos of Nairobi? It looks like any modern American city. The same is true for Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
Hear me clearly: I do not mean to suggest that poverty is not real in these places. I'm simply pointing out that labeling a cardboard hut "Kenya" or "India" or "Cambodia" is too simplistic and misleading.
Why Are Poor People Poor?
In large part, it's because of us. Look at what we wear. If you took off everything you're wearing that was made in far-off country with poor labor standards, would you be reading this naked? I know I'd be writing it that way. The reason I can buy work shirts for $9.99 each at a chain store is because someone suffered to make them.
The same is true for our food. How can a fast food place sell five tacos with meat in them for $1 if someone down the production line isn't being paid far below a living wage?
The cars we drive, the gas that powers them, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the elements in our smart phones and laptops - these all come from the labor of people without whose poor compensation we'd be paying much, much more.
False Distance
The effect of Slum City, in my opinion, is to create a false distance between the observer and the observed. Surrounded by multi-million dollar buildings, with a Starbucks and a Chick-fil-A just a few feet away, it's easy to feel like this is a museum exhibit or a look at something with which the viewer has nothing to do. That's just not true.
We're able to live the way we live because other people live in places like Slum City. And even engendering feelings of "gosh, this is horrible, those people must be suffering," isn't enough, unless those feelings are tied to concrete action.
OK, So What Do We Do?
As students and community members, the main thing we can and must do is ask how to craft better campus policies to confront some of these realities. This could cover everything from the paper used to the food served to the way employees are paid. These questions aren't easy to ask, and they're not easy to answer, either. The people who run the university have a budget to answer to and they don't have complete freedom to change course. But working together, there are ways to make changes that could mean a real difference in people's lives.
Moreover, it's time to stop thinking of poverty as something that happens far away. For example, how many Auburn students and staff qualify for food assistance? Do they receive it? If not, let's help them register for programs such as SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
I encourage you, as you explore these questions, to adopt the solidarity model. Go to the communities you think might need help and ask them what they need. Don't assume. Don't swoop in to "save" people. Figure out how to help with the plans these communities already have and the work they're already doing.
Good Intentions
Again, I believe the people who built Slum City thought they were doing the right thing. But poverty is a systemic issue, not a set of random circumstances. And it starts right here at home, with our actions and with the lives of our neighbors, rich and poor. Let's take down Slum City and start building a better community right here, right now.
(03/02/13 7:08am)
In the past two weeks, I have been extremely disappointed and frankly, screwed over by the Tiger Transit system. I have seen my driver peruse the smart phone on their dash while driving, which, for anyone who has been living under a rock, is extremely dangerous when operating any vehicle, let alone a bus full of students... oh, and it's illegal.
(02/22/13 7:54pm)
Philosophy is defined colloquially as one's lifestyle and outlook on life derived from a consideration of the traditional branches of philosophy: moral, metaphysical, and natural. As it were, it is the colloquial use that I would like to discuss. Whether you subscribe to a theological, mystical, or secular ideology, it most likely defines your everyday choices. It may make you who you are, or at the very least, mask your inherent 'philosophy' (and I use philosophy in quotations to indicate that I am speaking about the colloquial definition). Perhaps you use God as your foundation of philosophy, or subscribe to an idea of some mystical idea of positive and negative energy. Perhaps you only take in to consideration the empirical and the metaphysical. Have you ever actually examined your 'philosophy' closely? For what basis do you hold your beliefs? Are they constructed from rational thought or emotion? Or, are you lethargically partaking in them out of convenience? (An example would be remaining Christian out of a fear of a loss of friends and family, even though Christianity may not fit your philosophical subscription). Many avoid any kind of thinking that might lead them to an existential crisis, and then there are many who fully embrace it. Whether you currently hold onto an idea of divine providence or a nihilistic approach, you should fully embrace a level of pragmatic skepticism and apply it to your current belief. Does there really need to be a set meaning to existence for one to enjoy life? (I would argue absolutely not). How is your 'philosophy' affecting your life, and how is it affecting others' lives? It's necessary to scrutinize your thoughts- to question whether or not you are choosing to live your life based solely on a lack of thought, a delusion, something with no logical basis. However, some may take away that I am criticizing ideas that cannot be logically examined; but, I would further emphasize the necessity to examine things with logic first then emotion, and not with a complete lack of emotion altogether. All-in-all, take in to account exactly how you are coming to your conclusions. Live your life with a level of healthy skepticism and inquiry. Don't bend to convenience or fear of judgment. Be rational. Be emotional. Be human. Practice deep thinking- real deep thinking, not some kind of pseudo-questioning of life. Find your own sense of morality, meaning, love, trivial pursuits.
(02/09/13 2:04am)
On Friday, President Obama proposed a "compromise" to last year's Contraception Mandate that would expand that mandate's religious exemption to include religious-affiliated organizations.
(02/09/13 2:00am)
Recently, some news articles and editorials around the state have painted a distorted or incomplete picture about our business, our prices and the way we are regulated.
(12/04/12 11:32am)
Mr. Sherer’s letter on evolution and Christianity (Nov. 29) must be responded to from theological, educational, and scientific points of view. He claims that “one cannot profess both Christianity and evolution.” Nonsense! Millions of Christians of many denominations in the U.S.A. and around the world accept the fact that evolution has occurred and continues to occur. Perhaps evolution is incompatible with Mr. Sherer’s personal version of Christianity, which apparently demands that one read all of scripture as prose and none of it as poetry. What a shame. He is missing out on so much. Mr. Sherer’s views, and others with views like his, reflect a failure of our education system, whether it be public, private, or home. Scientific illiteracy is epidemic in our country, and we will pay the price in security and lost leadership if it is not successfully addressed soon. The common ancestry of all living things has not been controversial within the scientific community for over a century. It is confirmed by the accumulated understanding of life from the disciplines of genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, comparative anatomy, biogeography, ecology, geology and paleontology, microbiology, biochemistry, botany, and zoology. I suggest that Mr. Sherer begin his education about evolution by reading the short, final chapter (Recapitulation and Conclusion) in Charles Darwin’s famous 1859 book, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection", or "The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life." In fact, I seriously suggest that these few pages be added to Auburn University’s core curriculum.Jim BradleyProfessor EmeritusBiological Sciences
(12/03/12 12:11pm)
In the most recent issue of The Plainsman, an article was written concerning the matter of evolution. The comment was made that evolution and Christianity could be reconciled by saying that God started the evolutionary process by creating one species and allowing everything to progress. My response does not intend to disprove evolution for everyone but rather to show fellow Christians that evolution and Christianity are incompatible.
(11/19/12 4:38am)
Republicans obviously suffered a loss on Tuesday, Nov. 6. As a former delegate candidate to the Republican National Convention, I was pulling strongly for Gov. Romney and was on the edge of my seat the whole night.
(11/16/12 11:52am)
In Alabama, we live inside a bell jar.