Year in review: December

1. Johnson fired, Muschamp hired
December was a month of change for Auburn football, as defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired one day after the team's 55-44 loss to Alabama.
Following several weeks of rumors about Johnson's replacement, former Florida head coach Will Muschamp was announced as the team's new defensive coordinator.
This will be the third Auburn coaching job for Muschamp, whose resume includes defensive coordinator at Texas as well as working under Alabama head coach Nick Saban during his time at LSU.
2. Auburn to play in Outback Bowl
Following an 8-4 regular season, No. 19 Auburn will take on No. 18 Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
This will be the fourth time Auburn and Wisconsin face off. The game will air Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
3. Freshman football player killed at Tiger Lodge apartment complex
Auburn football player and freshman Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex Sunday, Dec. 14.
Mitchell died at East Alabama Medical Center after suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris. The Auburn Police Division arrested and charged Markale Hart of Camp Hill with Mitchell's murder Sunday, Dec. 14.
The apartment complex is the same complex where Desmonte Leonard shot and killed three people in 2012, including two Auburn football players.
4. Coates to enter NFL Draft
Wide receiver Sammie Coates announced Monday, Dec. 15 he will forgo a final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.
Coates had four touchdowns this season and is rated as the overall No. 40 prospect and seventh-ranked wide receiver in his class, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
Coates graduated Saturday, Dec. 13, and said he would have stayed to play another season for the Tigers if he had more classes to take. He will play for the Tigers in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin.
5. Dismukes named first All-American team by AP
Auburn center Reese Dismukes was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press Tuesday, Dec. 16, and the Associated Football Coaches Association Wednesday, Dec. 17.
He is the first Auburn football player to be a consensus All-American pick since 2010. Dismukes will also received the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the country's best center, Jan. 11 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
A four-year starter for Auburn, Dismukes will play his final game for Auburn in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin.

November

1. Hubbard re-elected
Despite facing 23 charges for ethics violations in October, Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, was re-elected to a fifth term as representative of Alabama House of Representatives District 79 on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Hubbard received 59 percent of the votes against his opponent Shirley Scott-Harris, D-Auburn. Eighty-eight percent of precincts reported.
Hubbard said his plans for the new term include improving state government efficiency.
2. City Council considers apartment moratorium
With the completed construction of apartment complex 319 Bragg and construction of apartment complex 160 Ross underway, Auburn considered implementing a moratorium to delay or suspend construction of new apartment buildings.
A hearing took place at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Nov. 17, with a standing-room-only turnout. Although Mayor Bill Ham said no resolution came from the meeting, the large crowd showed concern for the issue, and the city will look into its next step.
3. Football season ends on a low note
Despite a reassuring win at then-No. 4 Ole Miss, 35-31, November marked a bleak month for Auburn football.
The Tigers came up short at home against unranked Texas A&M, 41-38, then suffered a blowout at Georgia, 34-7. Though Auburn fans had a chance to rejoice after a 31-7 win against Samford, the Tigers ended the season on an Iron Bowl loss against Alabama, 55-44.
Despite the season-ending loss, head coach Gus Malzahn said he was proud of the team and its perseverance. The Tigers ended their regular season 8-4.
4. Body found off I-85
A man was found dead off the South College Street exit along Interstate-85 on Saturday, Nov. 8. The man was later identified as John Michael Maines, 54, of Tennessee.
According to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris, Maines was identified through fingerprinting and died of natural causes because of liver, heart, kidney and gastrointestinal problems. Maines was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:15 a.m.
There did not appear to be any foul play, according to Capt. William Mathews with the Auburn Police Division.
5. Basketball: Pearl provides hope for team
While the Tigers' football season may have ended on a low note, new basketball head coach Bruce Pearl gave Auburn fans a reason to celebrate.
The Tigers opened the season by winning a scrimmage against West Alabama, 94-58, and kept the momentum going in their season opener against Milwaukee, 83-73. Despite losing a midnight matchup against Colorado, the team broke 100 for the first time since 2003 against Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday, Nov. 21.

October

1. Desmonte Leonard found guilty

Desmonte Leonard was found guilty of capital murder for the killings of Demario Pitts and former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarius Phillips Oct. 7. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of DeAngelo Benton.
2. Hubbard indicted
Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and representative from Auburn, was indicted by a Lee County grand jury Oct. 20. Hubbard was charged with 23 class B felonies, including four counts of using his office for personal gain.
Hubbard denied the claims and said the indictment was politically motivated.
3. SGA members admit to taking newspapers
Colson Smith, SGA executive vice president of programs, and Kohl Weir, senator at large, admitted they stole more than 1,000 copies of The Plainsman from the Student Center, Lowder Hall, Shelby Center, Foy Hall and Broun Hall on Aug. 28.
Smith and Weir said they stole the papers because they were upset by the editorial "SGA puts the brakes on security."
3. Auburn loses to MSU
Auburn's first loss of the 2014 season was to Mississippi State. The final score was 38-23.
Auburn fell from No. 2 to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll after the loss.
4. Offensive costume garners national attention
According to CNN, a male student wore a costume that resembled a slave being hanged Oct. 29.
The Black Student Union, the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, as part of the Division of Student Affairs, hosted a Town Hall Meeting in the Student Center ballroom to discuss the incident.

September

1. Harvey Updyke behind on restitution
Updyke was ordered to make monthly payments of $500 in December 2013 for poisoning the Toomer's Oaks. In September, The Plainsman reported he had only paid $99.
Updyke said the report was false and claimed that someone from the University stole the money.
According to a Tuscaloosa News Report, Updyke will go to jail if he does not pay $350 by Jan. 9, 2015.
2. Jury selection begins for Desmonte Leonard
Jury selection began Monday, Sept. 22 for Leonard, who was eventually convicted of capital murder in the 2012 University Heights shooting. Judge Jacob A. Walker oversaw the selection. District Attorney Robert Treese and defense attorney Susan James asked the 102 potential jurors questions related to the trial.
3. Changes to student block seating
SGA made changes to how student organizations compete for block seating in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Previously, organizations earned Ignited points by attending various sporting events to guarantee a place during football season.
The system is now based on overall GPA.

August

1. Football season begins

Auburn beat Arkansas 45-21 in the season opener.
The teams were tied going into halftime, but Auburn's defense shut out the Razorbacks in the second half.
2. Dowdell loses election, claims voter fraud
Councilmember Arthur Dowdell lost the Aug. 26 City Council election to Clemon Byrd.
Dowdell claimed Byrd is not a legal resident of Ward 1. He also claimed there was voter fraud.
3. Professor breaks new ground with Ebola research
Stewart Schneller, organic chemistry professor, may have made a revolutionary discovery.
Schneller said a molecule, known by its lab identification number WY3161, has been shown to reverse immune-blocking effects of the Ebola virus in monkeys.
4. Sorority recruitment breaks records
Auburn's Panhellenic system was recognized by the National Panehellenic Conference in August. The Panhellenic system was also awarded the College Panhellenic Achievement Award.
More than 1,400 women, compared to the average of 1,214 women, registered for recruitment and 1,278 bids were distributed.
5. Auburn student diagnosed with tuberculosis
A student was diagnosed with an active case of pulmonary tuberculosis Aug. 14. Pam Barrett, the director of the tuberculosis control office of the Alabama Department of Public Health, said approximately 90 people came in close contact with the unidentified individual.
However, the virus remained contained.

July

1. Auburn Family mourns Philip Lutzenkirchen

Philip Lutzenkirchen, former Auburn tight end, died June 29 after being involved in a single-car accident. He was 23 years old.
Lutzenkirchen was a fan favorite and a member of the 2010 National Championship team.
Family, friends and fans held multiple memorial services in the days after the accident.
2. Cadillac Williams returns
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, former Auburn running back, returned to campus to finish his education.
Williams only needed to complete two more classes, Spanish II and world literature, for his sociology degree when he left Auburn more than a decade ago. He said he has always wanted to finish his degree.
Williams graduated from Auburn in December.
3. Nick Marshall receives marijuana citation
Nick Marshall, Auburn quarterback, was cited for marijuana possession July 11. Marshall was pulled from the SEC Media Days lineup and replaced with C.J. Uzomah, Auburn tight end and did not start in the first game of the season against Arkansas.
Marshall's fines have been paid and the case is now closed.

June

1. Auburn cheers on the U.S. during the World Cup

Auburn fans came out to support the United States in the World Cup this summer.
The city of Auburn held viewing parties downtown, local restaurants boosted their business through watch parties, and the Brazilian Student Association shared their culture.
2. Toomer's Corner turns high tech
Construction crews installed a new structural system underneath Samford Park in June.
The system, Silva Cells, will reduce soil compaction to promote root growth.
Silva Cells have been used throughout the world, but Samford Park is the first location in Alabama to use the technology.
The new trees are set to be transplanted in 2015.
3. Beloved eagle dies
War Eagle VI, or Tiger, died June 18 at the age of 34.
After years of suffering from cataracts, Tiger passed away while recovering from surgery.
Tiger was the first eagle to fly through Jordan-Hare Stadium before a football game. Tiger flew for seven years and retired in 2006.

May

1. Softball falls short of its first Super Regional

The Tigers came close to upsetting No. 16 Minnesota on May 18.
Auburn won Game 1, but lost 8-6 in Game 2.
The team finished with a 42-19-1 record, which is tied for the second most wins in the program's history.
2. Student killed in car accident
Leslie Burnett, sophomore in nursing, died in a two-vehicle wreck May 12.
Burnett was involved in the naval ROTC program and family and friends said she dreamed of becoming a nurse in the Navy.
Burnett was 19 years old.
3. Foy renovations begin
The renovations to Foy Hall that began this summer are scheduled to run through January 2015.
The renovations will include an increase in the size of Foy's dining space to make room for Chicken Salad Chick, which is scheduled to open January 2015.
According to Jim Carroll, university architect, the sidewalks near Foy needed replacement and the area is highly trafficked by students.
The renovations will also create new seating areas inside and outside the building.

April

1. Questionable student discipline policies

Kelsey Davis, former editor-in-chief of The Plainsman, investigated the University's handling of student disciplinary cases in the article "Truth, Justice and the Auburn Way: Auburn and other universities restrict legal representation in Student Discipline Hearings" published April 24.
Joshua Strange was expelled from Auburn in 2011 after his ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual battery.
Two years later, The Wall Street Journal published "An Education in College Justice" by James Taranto. Taranto claimed the University wrongfully convicted Strange in an attempt to take a stricter stance on sexual assault cases.
2. Multiple threats to campus
Two threats of violence were made in April.
The first threat was found written on a bathroom stall in Haley Center and was circulated on social media April 15. Classes were canceled April 16 because of continued student and parent anxiety.
The second threat to Haley Center was reported April 22. The building was evacuated at 10:16 a.m. and reopened at 2 p.m.
3. Contaminants reported in water supply
Auburn residents received a notice in April their water had an excess of trihalomethanes a contaminant that may increase the risk of receiving cancer given prolonged exposure.
The standard maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes is 0.080 milligram/liter. In August, the trihalomethane level was 0.104 mg/l. In February, however, the testing was shown to be below the maximum, at .071 mg/l.
Although studies indicate an excess of trihalomethanes can cause harmful side effects, the Auburn Water Works board said there were no immediate risks.
4. UPC brings BJ Novak to the Plains
BJ Novak, known for his role as Ryan Howard on "The Office," performed at UPC's Comedy on the Plains on April 8. Novak said the turnout was bigger than he expected.
5. The Neighbourhood, B.o.B and The Avett Brothers perform at UPC's Auburn Airwaves
The Neighbourhood and B.o.B opened for The Avett Brothers in the Auburn Arena on April 24. Rhett Sosebee, director of major entertainment for UPC, said the event was sold out and 5,300 tickets were reserved.
6. College of Engineering receives second largest donation in history
Walter and Virginia Woltosz donated $10.55 million to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in April. Walter, who earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Auburn University, founded a successful software company and has developed augmentative communication systems for people with severe disabilities.
The $10.55 million donation is the second largest individual donation in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering's history.
As a result of the Woltosz's donation, the Board of Trustees named engineering's central research facility the Woltosz Engineering Research Laboratory.

March

1. College of Business hacked

The College of Business was cyber hacked between Oct. 21-Nov. 20, 2013. Approximately 14,000 individuals were affected by the hacking.
According to the University, the hackers stole personal information including social security numbers from current and former students.
The University does not know who hacked the computers, but the FBI has looked into it.
2. Aviation Management program receives accreditation
The Aviation Management program receives accreditation by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. After a temporary probation because of poor facilities and not enough faculty members in the program, the program was able to stay alive for another five years until another review will be made.
3. Bruce Pearl hired as new men's basketball coach
Bruce Pearl was hired as Auburn's men's basketball head coach. Since then he has made an impact with students by becoming involved on campus to promote the men's basketball program.
Currently, the men's basketball team is 5-5.
4. Apple CEO visits Auburn
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, visits Auburn, his alma mater, to receive the Lifetime Achievement award from the Alumni Association. Cook spoke of his time at Auburn and the memories he has of the town.

February

1. SGA executive officers selected

The Student Government Association's executive board was announced, along with Miss Auburn 2014.
Logan Powell was elected SGA president over Hayden Harrelson. Olabode Anise was elected as SGA vice president over David Wisdom. Richmond Gunter was elected as SGA treasurer unopposed. Caroline Stephens won Miss Auburn 2014 over Kinsey Crow, Sloane Bell, Jazzmin Carr and Rebekah Davis.
2. University and VCOM break ground for medical school
The University and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine broke ground in the Auburn research park on Donahue Drive.
This is the third osteopathic medical school in the Southeast.
This medical school will train students to treat patients in Alabama's most rural counties.
3. President Jay Gogue highlights changes to the University
At the State of the University Address, University President Jay Gogue told students about changes that will be made to the University.
There was a 16 percent rise in freshman applications. The Wellness Kitchen was built in the parking lot of the Beard-Eaves Coliseum. There have been two locations chosen for the new central classroom facility. There are also two options for the space where the coliseum is now.

January


1. Auburn loses to Florida State in the BCS National Championship

After a comeback season in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn's newly led team lost to Florida State 34-31 at the BCS National Championship in Pasadena, California.
Tre Mason, former running back, ended the game with 195 rushing yards, breaking Bo Jackson's previous record.
Although Auburn lost, the 2013 team came back from one of the worst Auburn football seasons in history.