The Auburn Speaks public speaking competition is set to be rescheduled after a potential security threat was reported at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Nov. 4. Entrances to the event were supposed to close at 6 p.m. for the start of the competition, however, GPAC sent a cancellation email to students who had previously rsvp'd for the event at 5:59 p.m.
"The AU Speaks public speaking competition scheduled this evening at the Gogue Performing Arts Center has been postponed due to a security concern," the email read. "As always, the safety of our patrons, guests and staff is of our utmost concern. We sincerely regret any inconvenience and thank you for your support and understanding."
GPAC's email also said the event would be rescheduled, however, no date or time has yet been announced.
Though officials revealed no specifics of the threat, law enforcement investigated and ruled the threat was not credible, according to Jennifer Adams, executive director of public affairs for Auburn University, in response to a statement request from The Auburn Plainsman.
"This evening COMM 1000’s Auburn Speaks event was canceled due to a potential security threat. After immediate intervention by law enforcement, no credible threat was identified. We are actively collaborating with relevant campus offices to thoroughly assess appropriate additional follow-up. Please be assured that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus.
Many students and faculty work hard each semester to make the event a success. We are saddened that the event was canceled. However, the safety of our students, faculty, staff and all attendees is foremost among our priorities as an institution," Adams said in her email.
Auburn Speaks occurs once every fall and spring semester, with six finalists competing at GPAC to win the Philip Lutzenkirchen Excellence in Public Speaking Award. The event is a part of the School of Communication and Journalism's Public Speaking course where students nominate speeches from their peers to compete.
Established in March 2017, the award honors the memory and legacy of communication graduate and former Auburn football player, Philip Lutzenkirchen. The top finalists in the competition receive the award of the late alumnus.
Though the threat was deemed not credible, no AU Alert was sent out to students and faculty before the threat was cleared.
This is an ongoing story, The Auburn Plainsman will update this article once further information is given.
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Michaela Yielding is a senior in journalism currently serving as the news editor. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall 2023.
