Over the next 12 days, ThePlainsman.com is taking a look back at 2015 month by month as we head into 2016.
These are the biggest stories from January:
Auburn suffers tough overtime loss at the Outback Bowl
January 2015 opened with Auburn playing Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida, on New Year's Day. The Tigers failed to execute on key plays and lost 34-31 in overtime. Despite the 8-5 season, Auburn was ranked at 22 in the final Top 25 AP poll of the season.
A date was set for the planting of the new Toomer's Oaks
The University announced new Oaks from Ehrhardt, South Carolina would be planted at Toomer's Corner on Feb. 14.
Harvey Updyke makes first payment to avoid jail
Updyke made the first payment of $350 of the approximately $800,000 he owes to the University for poisoning the original Toomer's Oaks.
Sigma Chi delays return to campus
The chapter was suspended in 2013 after hazing allegations, and in January 2015 they decided not to return to campus until 2017.
Uber halts operations in Auburn
After operating for approximately four months, Uber left Auburn after the City Council passed new taxi regulations.
A raccoon bites a student on campus
After a report of a raccoon biting a student is sent to campus, three students take the concourse to end raccoon stereotypes.
Tiger Lodge updates security as the man accused of killing former Auburn football player Jakell Mitchell has preliminary hearing
Markale Hart's preliminary hearing revealed more details in what happened the night Mitchell was killed. Auburn police detective Dustin Holt said it was likely Mitchell fired a gun at Hart.
Desmonte Leonard sentenced to life without parole
Leonard was found guilty of capital murder in the 2012 shooting deaths of Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips and Demario Pitts on Oct. 7, 2014. The jury recommended life in prison.
A federal judge strikes down Alabama's same-sex marriage ban
The Alabama Probate Judges Association issued a statement saying the ruling did not apply to them. U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade issued a second ruling that it did apply to all state officials.
Auburn's connections to the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris
Students and professors in Paris at the time of the shooting tell their stories.
Bank Vault announces it will shut down May 2015
After five years of service, Bank Vault said it was closing after the historic building's owners raised the rent.
Keurig Girl receives attention from carrying coffee machine
Madison Collins draws attention for bringing a Keurig machine with her to the library.
Jessie Garrison crowned Miss Auburn University 2015
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