Articles written by Michael Owen

City of Auburn celebrates Earth Week with students from local elementary schools

wpolley — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:36:12 -0400

Last week, the 5th Annual City of Auburn Earth Week was celebrated at Kiesel Park. Many different departments and organizations in Auburn hosted activities focusing on sustainability and recycling.

The programs included animal welfare, the importance of trees, a water treatment demonstration, soil and water conservation and municipal waste management.

Auburn facility prepares kids for social interaction

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Nann Ogletree and students: instructional assistant at the Auburn University Autism Center, looks on as her students play. LEFT to RIGHT: Cole Jackson, Jakaysha Stephens, Patrick Rowe and Braxton Nichoals.

Autism is a neurological disorder that significantly impacts communication and interpersonal skills and is also characterized by unusual repetitive behaviors.

Research shows autism is a genetic disorder which may have possible environmental triggers. More research is still needed before conclusive results can be made.

According to the Auburn University Autism Center Web site, one in 150 children across the nation is diagnosed with autism.

The disorder usually appears before age 3 and is more prevalent in males.

There is no known single cause of autism and it can affect anyone regardless of racial, ethnic or social factors.

“The term autism has now been replaced by ASD, autism spectrum disorder,” said Robert Simpson, director of the AU Autism Center. “The reason for the change is to acknowledge the fact that not all people with autism are impacted in the same way and with the same severity.”

There are no known treatments or cures for autism.

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic celebrates 25 years

wpolley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0400

The Women’s Hope Medical Clinic is celebrating its 25th anniversary today, commemorating its 25 years of service by hosting a community-wide celebration event at its clinic at 820 Stage Road from 3-6 p.m.

Tours of the clinic will be offered, which will offer a glimpse of what the clinic does

Also, door prizes will be given away every half hour.

The prizes will include a football autographed by coach Tommy Tuberville and various gifts from Spa Auburn, Wood You Furniture, Indian Pines Golf

Drought worries farmers as summer approaches

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:42:26 -0400

James Brown: a professor in the horticulture department, teaches a hands-on vegetable production class. Some Alabama farmers are worried about their crops weathering the drought. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Pools, beaches, laying out and staying cool are words many would use to describe their summer vacation plans. For others, the expected drought brings thoughts of water or lack thereof.

This summer is predicted to be another drought season like last year’s, and Alabama farmers and ranchers are hurting. Many of them must sell their family land or cull their herds just to make ends meet.

“The drought has had an enormous impact on my family and I,” said Cody Horton, a junior in animal science. “Farming and cattle is something that has been in my family for generations and we refuse to give it up, but this drought has definitely made it tougher and tougher every year.”

Many farmers have been hit hard by the past year’s drought and still have loans to pay back for seed, feed, fuel, fertilizer and other necessary purchases.

“Certainly for many of them, this is a make or break year,” said Paul Mask, assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resources. “Last year was such a severe drought that many didn’t even make a crop. It may take four good years to get back on a sound footing to make up for the losses this year.”

Jason Fields, a senior in agricultural business and economics, is partnered with his father in a fourth-generation row crop and cattle farm in Danville. Last year’s drought destroyed their corn and cotton crops.

Symposium remembers Alexander Hamilton

wpolley — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

The library: is hosting the Alexander Hamilton symposium through April 15. Lindsey Davidson / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The Special Collections and Archives department in the Ralph B. Draughon Library is hosting “The “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America” symposium March 7 through April 15.

The national traveling exhibition is put on by the New York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the American Library Association.

It is based on the New York Historical Society’s exhibit, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of Hamilton’s death.

“This exhibit and symposium is an important event at Auburn because it celebrates one of the founding fathers and gives Auburn historians the opportunity to shed light on Hamilton’s times,” said Dwayne Cox, head of Special Collections and Archives.

“It was very informative,” said Kenny Skipper, a senior in social science education. “I learned a lot about slavery and Alexander Hamilton from Dr. Carey.”

Students locked into mandatory dining plan

wpolley — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Students gather: in the Foy dining area at will to enjoy lunch in between classes. Next fall, incoming freshmen living on and off campus will be required to purchase meal plans. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn University will be instituting a new dining plan starting fall semester. The new plan will require all first-year incoming undergraduates to participate in an on-campus descending balance or debit dining program.

All currently enrolled students will be exempt from purchasing a dining plan, but they may purchase one if they wish.

“Once a student’s incoming class participates in the program, the student is required to participate for every subsequent semester the student is enrolled at Auburn University,” according to the Tiger Cub Web site.

The new program will be phased in gradually over the next four academic years starting with the 2008-2009 academic year and will be limited to the incoming freshmen.

“I’m excited about it because I feel that, as a dean, Auburn students do deserve good, high quality food, and I feel good as a dean as having been a part of helping that to happen,” said Johnny Green, dean of students.

Several students have been involved in the process of creating the new plan. They have been working closely with Tiger Dining as student consultants.

Auburn beats South Carolina after Alabama win

wpolley — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

DeWanna Barber: junior guard, shoots a field goal in the Tigers’ 83-72 victory over the Gamecocks Sunday. The Tigers are 18-7 overall and 6-4 in the SEC. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The Auburn Tigers handed an 83-72 defeat to the South Carolina Gamecocks last Sunday.

The Tigers had little time to rest after beating Alabama 79-49 last Thursday.