Although college is a place known for finding yourself, finding friends and finding your soul mate, for some it is a place where the professional and personal worlds meet.
Doctors William Powell, director of choral activity, and Rosephanye Powell, professor of voice, bring their marriage into their work here at Auburn.
"It's a real joy working with my husband," Rosephanye said.
The Powells said they met during their time as undergraduates at Alabama State University where they were both music majors. While pursuing their master's degrees, the two began dating and were engaged shortly after completing their degrees. Married in 1988, the couple has been together for 26 years.
The couple moved to Auburn in 2001 from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, when they learned Auburn was looking for the two positions the couple currently holds.
"They were available at the exact same time," Rosephanye said. "We both interviewed and got them."
According to William, he and Rosephanye work separately on some things but also work together on others at Auburn.
"We get to compare notes," William said. "She'll tell me what's not working or pat me on the back."
"He is my ears to hear how I sing," Rosephanye said. "I go to him for guidance."
Having worked together during college, the Powells said they do not think there is a bad part about working together as a married couple.
"We've worked together all of our relationship so not working together would be strange," Rosephanye said.
The couple said there is no separation of professional and personal life between the two.
"They are all one," William said. "We see so much of the benefits of being together and working together."
According to the Powells, they are grateful to work together at Auburn for a number of reasons.
"Getting hired at Auburn allows is to work together," Rosephanye said. "It took a journey and it's still a journey."
The Powells said they are also grateful for the relationships they form with students that would not be as strong if they did not work together.
"Music majors would say that us being a team shows them how a couple can work together," Rosephanye said. "I think our students appreciate our balance."
Dale Coleman, associate professor in the department of animal sciences, and Elaine Coleman, associate professor in the vet school in anatomy physiology and pharmacology, have worked together at Auburn since 1984.
"We met in calculus class," Dale said. "There was this cute blonde girl in the front answering all of the teacher's questions."
According to the Colemans, they met in graduate school at the University of West Virginia before having a long distance marriage for two years while Elaine finished her degree.
"We lived in two different states when we got married," Dale said.
The couple said they both moved to Auburn when a position opened up for Dale to teach while Elaine got opportunities to do an internship, do a residency, get her PHD and teach at both Tuskegee and Auburn.
"She has a lot of degrees," Dale said.
Although they do not work together, the couple said they teach the same group of students a lot.
"It is neat to be in a college town," Elaine said. "And we both love to teach."
According to Dale, the couple loves working together at Auburn, but also faces some challenges.
"Our schedules do not always match up that well," Dale said. "The times that we can both get away are very special."
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