Student organizations have been getting into the spooky spirit by hosting events across campus this week on the Plains. Whether it's showing off the best costume, embracing the frightening festivities or carving pumpkins, Auburn has plenty of events open to students and the community.
Auburn’s ROTC Air Force detachment is celebrating the holiday by replacing its regular physical training workout with a Halloween Run. ROTC members will dress up in their costumes, while they run two to three miles around campus. The event is a way for the group to bond, get in their workout and share a little bit of their personalities.
“My experience has been extremely enjoyable as it’s always a blast to see all your friends and peers getting to show parts of who they are and what they like,” said James Betts, junior in aerospace engineering and ROTC.
Betts's favorite part of the event is seeing everyone's costumes. From rockstars to the Blue Man Group, Auburn ROTC members go all out for the run. There is even a competition where members of each class vote for the best costume.
Overall, Betts appreciates that the event builds camaraderie among its members in a fun and creative way. The Halloween Run is a great opportunity for ROTC students to get in a productive workout while embracing the Halloween spirit.
The Auburn University Program Council (UPC) hosted a brand new mad scientist-themed event earlier this week. The event included an array of mad scientist-themed activities for student participants, including an escape room, DNA bracelets, science-based craft stations and plenty of Halloween candy to go around.
"I just am happy when I’m surrounded by the aesthetic of Halloween: the costumes, pumpkins and just fall in general. I was in my element,” said Amy McInnerney, freshman in pre-business.
McInnerney is a member of the UPC committee for holidays and traditions. She is a lover of all things frightening and has enjoyed getting to help host each UPC event leading up to Halloween. She was also a scarer in the corn maze at Haunting on the Plains, held on the Campus Green on Oct. 23.
“I just love everything scary, especially corn mazes and haunted houses,” McInnerney said.
While mad scientists and ghoulish costumes may not be for everyone, the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) Auburn Chapter will be hosting its 37th Annual Pumpkin Carve, an event that caters to a variety of ages and interests.
The event will kick off at 9 a.m. on Oct. 31, and will allow not only students but any members of the Auburn community to join in on the Halloween festivities.
The Annual Pumpkin Carve features more than just intricately carved pumpkins. There will be a scavenger hunt, “Pie-a-Professor” and napkin sketch biddings, contributing to the family-friendliness of this event.
“This event is always a huge light to everyone it reaches. It helps our organization provide food at our meetings and host a variety of events like our mentorship program,” said Myrna Jalkh, the Auburn AIAS vice president of external affairs.
Jalkh has been with the Auburn chapter of the AIAS since 2022. Her favorite part of the Pumpkin Carve is when they light almost 200 candles at sunset, revealing the finished pumpkins at the end of the day.
Halloween on the Plains is a special time to be on campus. No matter what atmosphere you’re looking for this year, Auburn student organizations are here to provide hauntingly good fun for all.
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Chloe Glass, sophomore majoring in English language arts education, is from Daphne, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
