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(09/03/14 12:30am)
From kindergarten through high school, students learning English as a second language are usually separated in the classroom from native English speakers, but not by choice.
In a new program at Auburn University, teachers are developing curriculums designed to not only involve emerging and native English speakers together, but also instruct students in their primary language.
As immigrant populations continue to rise and the diversity of languages increases, English-centric curriculums are being questioned as limiting to, or not providing clear information for, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)students.
While students will usually develop conversational English skills outside the classroom, their poor marks in school reflect on their inability to grasp new concepts taught to them in academic English, according to Jamie Harrison, associate professor of ESOL education.
Literacy and inquiry in the content areas, a graduate-level online course co-taught by professors Harrison and Vicki Cardullo, assigned both professors and students exercises. The exercises were meant to make them think about teaching ESOL students and communicating the lessons in ways they can understand.
"We didn't want to overload the student and make the content too difficult or too much, because it is basically two different contents: reading and English as a second language," Cardullo said. "For the most part, really, there was nothing that showed students how to develop an ESL stance in order to effectively teach them how to teach the students. This is cutting-edge for us."
Cardullo said attempting to prepare for every language is impossible.
Teaching ESOL students classroom skills and providing them with resources in their own native language is far more practical.
"If they're reading about science, it might not be that they don't understand the science content, it's the language that they have to maneuver through to get to the content that is the problem," said Kelly Hill, associate clinical professor of curriculum and teaching.
Hill said many teachers are not aware of the cause of their students learning delays.
"Many teachers don't really know what to do to help them," Hill said. "Many of them don't realize that it's not a cognitive issue, it's a language issue."
Hill, recent addition to the Auburn faculty, will be assuming Harrison's co-teaching position in reading and inquiry.
Harrison will head fundamentals of language and literacy instruction this fall.
In the spring of 2015, both will present Auburn's ESOL programs as part of a research panel on the reading development of bilingual students, hosted by ESOL Education in Ontario, Canada.
ESOL training at Auburn is already underway and in the process of expanding to all departments in the College of Curriculum and Teaching.
However, the programs do come with a price.
In order to accommodate the new program's place in the curriculum, other classes had to be cut or merged.
"It was a departmental decision," Cardullo said. "I think everyone on the faculty floor felt it was a hot topic looking in how we're preparing our teachers to help prepare our students."
Marti Dunaway, graduate student who took Harrison and Cardullo's class over the summer, called the experience "eye-opening."
"I had never even really thought about teaching kids English as a second language [before this class]," Dunaway said. "We all acquire language the same way, even if it's a new language. If an adult is learning English it's the same as a 3- year-old learning English."
Both classes are filled to capacity.
"All teachers, when they graduate here, will have the foundational understandings to work with the students right when they hit the door," Harrison said.
(09/02/14 10:00pm)
A new era is ready to take root at Toomer's Corner just in time for football season.
Phase one of the renovation project was completed on schedule, paving the way for planting the trees as part of phase two later in the year.
"The gates went down Sunday night before class started on Monday [Aug. 18]," said Ben Bermester, campus planner for Auburn's Facilities Management Office. "The next steps for the project will be the tree replacement. We plan to replace the two Oaks, probably in February of next year when in the dormant time for trees. It's the best time of year for transplanting them."
Bermester, design project lead for phase one of the project, said the most demanding aspect of the operation was removing 1,700 tons of contaminated soil from the northeastern corner of Samford Park.
Soil removal continued until the State Pesticide Reside Lab considered the soil acceptable for planting, going as deep as 6 feet in some places.
Tebuthiuron Spike 80DF, the herbicide used to poison the tree beds, also infected some trees along the edge of Samford Park where the circular seat wall now sits, which had to be removed.
While the soil has been deposited safely off-site, the corner is beginning to look like its former self, ensuring the successful growth of the future trees will take time and patience, especially during football season.
Horticulture professor Gary Keever, who also serves on the president-appointed Tree Preservation Committee, cautioned that anything from car accidents to unruly fans could disrupt the growing process.
"The rolling probably wouldn't harm it, but since 2010, the trees have been lit on fire at least twice, after Georgia in 2010 and in 2013 after the Alabama-A&M game," Keever said. "We have to have security and have education and make our fans aware that these trees are a valuable resource and we need to protect them. That doesn't mean that we can't roll them eventually, we just have to recognize that they won't be ready as soon as we put them in the ground."
The previous Toomer's trees were live oaks, a non-native species common throughout the Southeast, but respond to certain latitudes and climates, Keever said.
An adviser for the tree selection process, Keever said the committee narrowed its options to nursery-grown live oaks in central Georgia, South Carolina and near Birmingham, where the climate is most similar to Auburn's.
Despite much speculation, the offspring of the original Toomer's Oaks were eliminated from consideration early on.
"The Toomer's seedlings that we looked at had not been grown well," Keever said. "The ones that we were able to locate were not nursery grown. Nursery grown trees are pruned at a certain age so that they have a long, straight trunk, you get the branching that you want and the canopy will continue to grow. The quality just didn't warrant being placed back up there."
Dan King, associate Vice President of facilities management and one of the restoration project leaders, said there was no update on the tree selection process yet, but that phase one was "a good first step" to restoring the corner.
"I think the finished product looks great, I think the quality of the workmanship is excellent, [overall] I think it was a success," King said. "We're working on phase two and we'll share that with campus when it get finalized, but I think phase one went well and I think Auburn Nation will be pleased with phase two as well."
King said the selection should take place during the 2014 fall semester, with the planting taking place in the spring.
The trees are expected to be planted on the corner by the start of the 2015 football season.
In the meantime, the legacy of the Toomer's Oaks is producing unexpected benefits around campus.
"One of the great things that's come out of this is the greater awareness of the importance of trees on this campus," Keever said. "The University is currently having a landscape master plan prepared and it calls for greater tree protection measures. I don't know whether we could have gotten that beforehand. I think it's because of the importance of these trees."
(08/30/14 5:18pm)
The Auburn Tigers defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters 3-0 in their home opener Friday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The Tigers were pumped and ready to take the field after waiting all summer according to sophomore Casie Ramsier said.
"It was awesome," Ramsier said. "I mean we were so pumped before the game. It was like the home opener. We've been waiting all of the summer and finally we got to it, so we were pretty pumped and ready."
Auburn's first goal came from senior Chelsea Gandy-Cromer, who scored off Ellie Leek's play from the corner kick seven minutes into the second half.
"I want to point out some things that we have kind of been stressing, especially in halftime," Gandy-Comer said. "That is just kind of be fearless in the box, own our box. We had corner after corner and Coach had just been stressing to get something on the end of it, I knew that I had it, and it bounced back, and I was just there and finished it."
Ten minutes later freshman Ellie Leek scored again off a play from freshman Kristen Dodson. It was Leek's first career goal for the Tigers.
"Kristen popped right up when I was on the edge of the box, and she played me like the perfect ball and I took the shot," Leek said. "I didn't even think that it went in, and then it hit the crossbar and went in. It was like a bit of a delayed reaction."
Sophomore Casie Ramsier would top off Auburn's victory with a third goal off a free kick played by junior Haley Gerken.
A productive Tiger defense held the Anteaters scoreless and only allowed their opponents one shot in the match.
"Defense wins championship games, so we are always going to keep that focus," Gandy-Comer said.
The loss they took to UC Irvine two years ago played a big role in Friday night's win, head coach Karen Hoppa said.
"For us, it was also about avenging our loss two years ago," Hoppa said. "We went out there and we lost 1-0, so that was a big factor as well."
Not having the season they wanted last year made starting out the home opener with a 3-0 win mean that much more , Hoppa said.
"We're excited about this group, and what you saw tonight that I think is really important is we have great depth," Hoppa said. "We're able to sub a lot deeper and that's a big difference especially this time of year when it's hot and everything. I think this team has loads of potential and I'm excited to see where we go."
The Tigers will face the Georgia Southern Eagles in the last match of the Tiger Classic on Sunday at 2:30 on SEC Network Plus.
(08/16/14 4:49am)
With only two weeks before the season opener, the offense is confident in Jeremy Johnson and Nick Marshall and both Johnson and Marshall are confident and ready to lead the team at quarterback.
Head coach Gus Malzahn has already announced that Marshall will not get the starting nod against Arkansas on Aug. 30. Since then Marshall has taken responsibility and put the work in to earn back the team's respect, according to senior tight end C.J. Uzomah.
"He's been tremendous," Uzomah said. "I think aside from Reese (Dismukes) who has been a four-year starter in this league and a huge leader on our team, I think that Nick is right next to him."
Marshall also has become much more vocal this fall and it has shown during practice and after practices.
"After practice we needed an extra pace period, which is the worst thing," Uzomah said. "And he said, 'yeah, we need another pace period, let's do two.' That just shows his drive and willingness to win."
Marshall knows how important those pace periods are to their hurry-up no huddle offense.
"The pace is what our edge is," Uzomah said. "That's what we thrive on. I think as far as a leadership standpoint, (Marshall) is back to where we want him to be."
Marshall has also been taking advantage of the free time before classes begin by getting extra reps in with the receivers and other quarterbacks outside of practices.
"He texts everyone," Uzomah said. "He has a group message where he'll text the receivers letting us know that we need to get out there and throw."
Johnson has also grown into more of a leadership role before his sophomore season.
"(Johnson) knows that we trust him," Uzomah said. "He knows where we're going to be. We know that he's going to put the ball where it needs to be. His connection with receivers has boosted his confidence tremendously."
Marshall isn't the only quarterback who has been speaking up at fall practices.
"If we drop a ball Jeremy will get on us to do it again and run the same play," Uzomah said. "He wants to make sure that we're clicking."
Although Johnson has become more vocal this year, Uzomah is even more impressed with his skills and abilities at quarterback.
"I think he could start anywhere else in the SEC," Uzomah said. "That's no disrespect to any other SEC team, that's just how we feel about him. We have all the confidence in the world in him."
(08/04/14 9:22pm)
Junior Star safety Justin Garrett isn't dragging his feet in his return to the field.
One year after foot injuries cut his promising 2013 season short, Garrett is looking to make up for lost time in fall practice.
"He already knows all the checks and calls and everything," junior linebacker Kris Frost said. "He looks like he's in mid-season form already."
Prior to the 2013 season, Garrett was widely considered one of the most promising pieces in the implementation of defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 scheme.
A rash of foot problems prevented Garrett from starting the year at the Star position however, and a broken foot prior to the Ole Miss game ultimately ended his season.
Garrett turned to doctors in the offseason to help correct his foot problems. Now using corrective orthotic soles and a specialized pair of cleats, Garrett is hoping to cash in on the potential he's shown coaches.
"He made a lot of plays for us in the spring and he had a great spring the year before, but the injuries unfortunately have always kept him from having a really stellar season," defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "Hopefully good luck will follow us this year. If that kid can have a full season of practice and games, I think he can be one of our most dynamic playmakers. He's done a really good job out there so far."
Garrett may have been an outside linebacker coming out of high school, but his athleticism made him a good fit for Johnson's Star position, which requires the safety to step up in run support and drop into coverage.
"I think he's a better space player," Johnson said. "He's a great blitzer off the edge and he's improved his cover skills out there tremendously."
According to Frost, Garrett's on-field motor is another quality he brings to the table.
"He brings a different component to everything we do as far as how hard he works and gets after it no matter what," Frost said.
While Garrett is back up on his feet, he's now facing the harsh reality of being a backup after senior Robenson Therezie had a breakout 2013 campaign at the Star position.
Therezie's presence will likely keep Garrett as a backup at Star early on, but depth issues at linebacker could present the junior with an opportunity at his original position.
Either way, Frost said it's good to see his fellow recruiting classmate back on the field, lifting up teammates as much as he can along the way.
"Me coming in with him, I've always known him as the kind of guy you can look for if you're feeling kind of down on yourself or if you're having a hard time with plays," Frost said. "He's always going to lift you up. Having him out there is a really good thing."
(07/16/14 6:45pm)
GE Aviation announced plans Tuesday, July 15, to install the additive manufacturing process at its current facility in Auburn.
Gov. Robert Bentley and GE Aviation's president and CEO David Joyce, as well as other representatives of GE and Alabama, were on hand to celebrate the announcement made at the Farnborough Air Show at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, England.
The Auburn additive manufacturing facility, the first of its kind, will start production in 2015.
The component the Auburn facility will produce is a fuel nozzle for the best-selling LEAP jet engine that CFM International is developing for service in 2016. The engine will power the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC (China) C919 aircraft.
Additive manufacturing uses a metal powder, which is then melted with a computer-guided laser, to grow thin layers of metal. The metal particles fuse together to make the exact component needed, according to Tony Overfelt, professor of mechanical engineering at Auburn University.
Traditional manufacturing begins with large chunks of metal that are then machined, creating the needed component but also leaving a pile of unwanted remaining metal chips.
Additive manufacturing and, its more commonly used name, 3D-printing are the same concept.
Kelly Walsh, GE Aviation spokesperson, said plans for the additive manufacturing facility in Auburn were first talked about at last year's Paris Air Show when Joyce met with Bentley and Auburn mayor Bill Ham, Jr. At the show, the next generation of technology, and what it will look like, was discussed.
During the past year, GE Aviation, who has a proven track record because of increasing Auburn's workforce at its existing plant, recognized the benefits of placing additive manufacturing in Auburn.
Walsh said having additive manufacturing in Auburn would expand internship and full-time employment opportunities for engineering graduates at the University.
"This is a whole new generation of cutting edge technology," Walsh said.
Installation of equipment, for the facility, will continue throughout 2014. GE is expected to invest $50 million in preparation for production at the existing 300,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2013.
Production will begin with approximately 1,000 nozzles the first year.
Production is expected to reach 40,000 nozzles at the end of the decade, and, as production increases, hiring at the facility will also increase.
Ham said he is excited about this the process coming to Auburn and expects over 200 well-paying jobs, with excellent benefits, to be created.
Ham also expects a positive effect on Auburn graduates as the facility hires more engineers.
"GE Aviation choosing Auburn is a testament to the cooperative efforts we have with Auburn University, the state and GE," Ham said.
Walsh said the additive manufacturing process will give mechanical engineers fewer limits, and more opportunities, to innovate in other components of jet engines.
"Additive is really the future of the industry," Walsh said.
(06/24/14 3:00pm)
For those of you who don't know much about soccer on the international stage, Team USA has a bitter rival. The nation below our border holds the title for America's most disliked opponent.
Both teams compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). The teams have seen each other on the soccer pitch in friendlies as well, playing 63 times since their first meeting in 1934. Mexico has an advantage in the win column with a record of 33-18-14, but America has an edge in the past 10 years with a record of 7-4-4 against "El Tri."
The rivalry holds severe hostility on both sides, with numerous matches ending with neither sides lining up for the customary post-game handshake.
The Mexican side is particularly nasty. In several instances, the Mexican fans chanted, "Osama" during the game, as a taunt aimed at the World Trade Center tragedy. The Mexican fans also have booed the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner."
More disgusting antics from the Mexican side have included the throwing of gallon-sized bags of urine at American players.
In 2009, Mexican assistant coach Francisco Ramirez attacked former American midfielder Frankie Hejduk, slapping him in the tunnel at the Columbus Crew stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
As Americans, our competitive nature loves a good rivalry. While LSU fans have been known to act similarly by tossing urine at an opposing team or players, and Bama fans occasionally poison our trees, the Mexican fans have mocked America on a personal level and should be viewed as a vicious rival that we should enjoy rooting against.
Regardless of if you are a fan of the world's most popular game, the World Cup has gripped America. We can all get behind our nation and enjoy the uncommon unity of an entire nation standing together and rooting for our boys in Brazil.
A fierce rivalry dating back to 1932 always helps stoke the fire in competition, and America is hoping to go further than their biggest rivals if they can survive the group stage.
Now that Mexico has advanced to the knockout stage, all the USA has to do is either tie or beat Germany to advance. While unlikely, the two rivals could meet again if both teams make historic runs, setting up one of the most anticipated match-ups in this storied rivalries history.
While soccer may not be considered the most "American" sport, it's always fun getting behind your nation and supporting the red, white and blue. Heading downtown to watch the game at Halftime with the American Outlaws while jamming to "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins embodies the American spirit.
(04/25/14 10:15pm)
I am not a morning person, no matter what time my morning starts. Whether I have to wake up at 7 a.m. or 11 a.m., it always takes a considerable amount of effort for me to get out of bed. The worst mornings are when I'm in the middle of an interesting dream, or when I'm dead asleep in the deepest part of my sleep.
Sleep Cycle is an app that helps you wake up at the time that is best and most comfortable for you.
The app monitors signals from your body during a 30-minute wake-up phase that ends at your preferred alarm time.
Sleep Cycle monitors signals from your body so you can wake up when you are in the lightest state of sleep. The app uses the iPhone's accelerometer function to sense any sort of movement while you sleep.
Where you place your iPhone is key. The app recommends you place it on the edge of your mattress, close to your pillow, but not underneath your pillow or a thick mattress, in case it gets warm while it's charging.
If you have to wake up no later than 9 a.m. for example, the app will use your body signals to wake you up during your lightest sleep stage between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
The app indicates that the state you are in when your alarm clock goes off determines how tired you feel that morning.
Sleep Cycle claims since people move differently in their bed during their different sleep states, it can use the accelerometer in the iPhone to monitor movement and figure out which state of sleep you are in.
The app can also calibrate your sleep quality. It measures how well you slept by asking you to rate how you feel when you wake up each morning, along with how long you slept for.
If your lightest sleep happens to be at the very beginning of your 30-minute period, you can use the snooze button until the end of your wake up phase, if you're not quite ready to commit to getting out of bed yet.
The snooze will go off at different intervals to gently and slowly wake you up before your alarm goes off.
You can pick different sounds to wake up to, including warm breeze, morning mist, sunrise, nightingale and dreaming near the sea, among others. Or if you prefer, you can select a song from your iTunes.
Although 30 minutes is recommended for the wake up phase, you can also change it to anything from 90 minutes to 10 minutes.
If you have trouble falling asleep, you can enable the sleep aid function that plays a variety of soothing tones that automatically fade out when you fall asleep.
There is a section for sleep notes, where you can track what different activities or events, such as drinking coffee or working out, affect sleep quality.
Each morning, the device takes your heart rate by having you place the tip of your finger over the camera lens.
The app keeps track of your sleep patterns and tells you your best and worst nights of sleep, the amount of time you slept in bed and your average sleep time.
(04/18/14 11:02pm)
Ah, spring.
It's time for warmer weather and even warmer takes about the upcoming college football season.
After their unbelievable run to the final BCS National Championship Game last season, Gus Malzahn's Tigers will most likely start this season as SEC and national title contenders.
The pieces are there--breakout quarterback Nick Marshall received a full offseason of extra practices, a majority of Auburn's offensive starters are back and an athletic defense has another campaign of experience.
Sure, the Tigers will have to find replacements for Heisman finalist Tre Mason, potential Top-5 NFL Draft selection Greg Robinson and Senior Bowl MVP Dee Ford.
However, Auburn returns senior running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, along with a constantly impressive Peyton Barber as part of the nation's top rushing attack.
Teammates say Shon Coleman, a potential for Greg Robinson at left tackle, is as twice as strong as one of the most physically dominant players in this year's draft class.
Auburn's defensive staff rotated along the defensive line last season, and former blue-chip recruits Elijah Daniel and Carl Lawson could be important edge rushers in place of Ford. The Tigers have also worked on an intimidating all-defensive tackle set known as the "Rhino" package.
While these new starters could be strengths in 2014, there are still some question marks surrounding them.
Unlike in 2013, Malzahn's team will not take anyone teams by surprise in 2014. New rival coach Bret Bielema already has his Arkansas Razorbacks game-planning for their season-opening trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Tigers will now have the targets on their backs.
Auburn will also have a tough schedule in 2014. While LSU and Texas A&M come to the Plains this season, the defending SEC champions will go through the "Amen Corner" stretch of Georgia and Alabama away from home--not to mention a Thursday night clash with Big 12 contenders Kansas State in the Little Apple of Manhattan, Kan.
Do I think the Tigers will make it back to the first College Football Playoff this season? Absolutely. Auburn has impressive talent everywhere on offense and a reloaded defense with something to prove from its bitter end at the Rose Bowl in January.
Do I think the Tigers will pull off the perfect season? No.
There are just enough question marks surrounding this team and a tougher schedule--which would include an extra game in the new playoff system, if Auburn makes it that far--to keep the team away from the tough task of perfection.
However, one SEC loss and an Iron Bowl win could put Auburn back in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game and another shot at the national title. I predict the Tigers will be in line for a repeat next season.
Will it be enough to push them to Jerry World in North Texas? Only time will tell, and if recent seasons are any suggestion, there will be plenty of drama on the Plains this season.
It's time to buckle up once again, Auburn.
(04/09/14 1:30pm)
The Wilford and Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital is set to be dedicated on Friday, April 11. The $47 million facility features services such as community practice, oncology, neurology, imaging, orthopedics and community care.
According to Janet McCoy, communications and marketing director for the College of Veterinary Medicine, the change of space was much needed.
"Our old facility was over 40 years old," McCoy said. "While we gave excellent care to the patients that came into the clinic, this facility allows us to give even better care because of the new technology."
William Brawner, veterinary radiation oncologist, said he agrees.
"So much of what we do now involves high-end technological equipment, and our old buildings were not designed to do that," Brawner said. "Both from the point of view of space and technology, we had just simply outgrown our old building after 40 years."
Brawner graduated from Auburn University in 1971.
"My class was the first to have a full clinic here in the small animal hospital," Brawner said. "So, I've kind of come full circle."
Brawner said he stayed in Auburn for more than one reason.
"Auburn is a great place to live," Brawner said. "I've raised my family here. From the point of view of the school, we've had a really collegial faculty over the years. That's not always true with schools. Here, there is cooperation. I can go into anyone's office and sit down and talk to them."
In fact, the hospital is named to honor an esteemed member of the faculty and Brawner's wife.
The late Wilford Bailey, veterinary parasitologist, began his career at Auburn as a professor.
Bailey became president of the University in 1983.
After retiring the next year, Bailey served as president of the NCAA.
John and Rosemary Brown made a $10 million donation to the University in memory of the Baileys.
"They had been friends since they were on college," Brawner said. "Mr. and Mrs. Brown wanted to honor them. People talk about the Auburn family, but that speaks about as highly as you could that somebody would pay $10 million to put a friend's name on a building instead of their own."
Ben Hohenstatt, journalism intern at the hospital, said he is impressed by the facility's technology.
"The new equipment is phenomenal," Hohenstatt said. "It's all amazing stuff."
According to Brawner, the hospital was built to accommodate the ever-changing medical technology.
"We built this facility looking ahead for the next 40 years, because a building like this we are not going to replace anytime soon, "Brawner said. "We built it with some expansion room, because we know technology will continue to get more advanced. We consciously built this building with an eye to the future so we can grow into it and stay at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. "
(03/30/14 4:15pm)
The Auburn University Tennis Club has had a strong season this year and will compete in the 2014 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship in Surprise, Az., April 10-12.
Jonathan Hibbert will be one of the players traveling to Arizona for Auburn, and he said he thinks Auburn could have great success out West.
"I feel pretty confident, and we have a good chance of winning this year," said Hibbert. "We beat the reigning national champions, the University of Georgia, this year in our sectional tournament, so I feel pretty confident about us doing well."
Auburn came in 33rd place in 2013, a finish Hibbert feels Auburn can really improve on in the 2014 championship.
Auburn will first compete in a pool with two or three other schools and depending on how well they do in pool play will determine the next bracket they are placed into.
Christian Lyerly, another member of the competitive club team, is excited about the opportunity to go out to Arizona to compete against the rest of the country.
"I am really looking forward to just going out to Arizona and having fun," said Lyerly. "The week should be filled with some good competitive tennis. My favorite part of the tournament is the team aspect. Tennis is an individual sport but the way club tennis is formatted allows for it to truly feel like a team effort. This aspect helps contribute to the overall team feel and fuels the competitiveness."
During the championship, there will be one set of men's and women's doubles, one set of men's and women's singles and a mixed doubles set.
"The club rules are actually a lot different," Hibbert said. "It's really short and fast. It's only six games, and I'm trying to get the rules changed."
Lyerly, on the other hand, does enjoy the quicker matches and he feels it gave Auburn a competitive edge to get to nationals this year.
"I actually like playing just the 6 games in a match," said Lyerly. "It puts the pressure on right from the start of the match and you have to make sure that you get off to a good start and maintain a high level of play throughout the short set. Playing just the six games forces you to be clutch in the pressure situations, and we have been fortunate enough to seize those key points to help to get our bid to nationals."
The competition team consists of eight players who will be traveling to Arizona to compete in the tournament. The airfare cost will have to be covered by each individual player while the hotel and some meals will be paid for by the club sport.
Auburn has competed in two tournaments this spring prior to the national championship in April. One tournament was in Tennessee and the other was a sectional tournament in Auburn where Auburn won both tournaments.
The Auburn Tennis Club is open to any Auburn student and anyone who wants to join can. You can find out more information on Auburn's club sports page or by contacting them at tennis.club@auburn.edu
(02/26/14 5:00pm)
After leading a resurgence from the bottom of the SEC to a berth in the BCS National Championship Game, several former Tigers are seeing their NFL draft stocks rise as quickly as Auburn did in the polls last season.
Several draft analysts called former Auburn left tackle Greg Robinson the biggest winner of this year's NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long showcase of the top prospects heading into this year's draft.
The Louisiana native impressed scouts with his strength by bench-pressing 225 pounds 32 times, but his official time in the 40-yard dash created an instant buzz on social media.
Robinson ran 40 yards in 4.92 seconds, which put him ahead of most tight ends and several quarterbacks on the overall time charts.
"Auburn OT Greg Robinson -- 332-pound [offensive lineman] shouldn't move like that," ESPN Director of College Scouting Todd McShay posted on Twitter. "If you've actually done his tape, how do you not see top OL in this class?"
Robinson's performance in the physical tests of the combine drew comparisons to South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by several media outlets.
However, some analysts believe Robinson may have pulled ahead of Clowney with his workout in Indianapolis.
"It's hard to find 332-pound offensive linemen with light feet and swivel hips, which is why the combine has been buzzing since Robinson stepped on the turf," said NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. "Robinson moved like a dancing bear on the turf, alleviating any concerns about his ability to take on elite pass rushers off the edge. Overall, the stellar workout in front of hundreds of scouts and coaches will not only send Robinson's draft stock soaring, it could make him enter discussion as the draft's top overall prospect."
Clowney was a subject of conversation for Robinson's teammate Dee Ford, who is also projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Although the NFL Combine medical staff would not let him participate in drills due to an old herniated disc injury suffered in 2011, Ford still made waves during a interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio.
"I'm better [than Clowney]," Ford said. "People like to talk about size all the time. Size is pretty much overrated in my eyes. People are just looking at the fact that he's a physical specimen. Honestly, if you watch the film, he plays like a blind dog in a meat market, basically."
Ford later said there were no hard feelings between him and Clowney, telling the NFL Network he was using a phrase he learned from former Auburn defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder, who is now at Notre Dame.
"We're not saying that the dog can't run," Ford said when asked about Clowney's speed. "That wasn't a personal shot at him at all. That's my guy; you know what I'm saying? It's competition, and I want everyone to understand that."
Although Ford was ruled out of participating in the NFL Combine, he said he would do "everything" at Auburn's Pro Day workout March 4.
Chris Davis also did not participate in any field drills in Indianapolis due to injury.
The hero of the 2013 Iron Bowl suffered a hamstring injury before arriving at the NFL Combine and was only measured in bench press.
"They just told me don't run here, just wait until pro day," Davis who is projected to be a later pick in the seven-round draft, told AL.com.
In addition to former Auburn punter Steven Clark, who showed scouts a modified form of his Australian football style, another former Tiger looked to show teams something new in Indianapolis -- running back Tre Mason.
The Heisman finalist ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, which was slightly slower than his best unofficial time of 4.44. While he was listed as a 5-foot-10 running back at Auburn, Mason measured as 5-foot-8 at the Combine.
The slightly disappointing measurements in speed and height did not faze Mason, who continued to focus on proving doubters wrong like he did on the Plains.
"I'm not sure what I've got to prove," Mason said. "I believe that numbers don't lie. I put up a lot of numbers this year, and it should be able to speak for itself.
"I've been doubted all of my life. I just love proving people wrong."
(02/05/14 12:00pm)
(1:24 p.m.) Auburn's final target, Andrew Williams, has rounded out the Class of 2014 by announcing his commitment to play for the Tigers.The 4-star defensive end from McDonough, Ga., picked Auburn over Clemson and Georgia in a ceremony broadcast on ESPN3.com. Williams, who is rated as the No. 13 defensive end in the nation, was selected to play in the Offense-Defense Bowl after his senior season at Eagle's Landing Christian HS."Auburn was the best decision for me to help grow as a man...everything was right for me there," Williams said. Williams is the final commitment of the day, rounding out Auburn's class of 23 with 18 NSD signees and five early enrollees.--------------------(10:58 a.m.) Auburn's last commitment prior to Signing Day, Markell Boston, has sent his official letter of intent to the Tigers.Boston flipped from East Carolina to Auburn on Monday. A 3-star from nearby Newnan, Ga., Boston will provide depth to an Auburn secondary that is missing several starters due to graduation.-------------------- (10:47 a.m.) The Tigers' top target for National Signing Day is not staying on The Plains.Rashaan Evans, a 5-star outside linebacker who has been called one of the best overall recruits in the country picked Alabama over the hometown Tigers and UCLA at a ceremony during at Auburn High School's gymnasium.-------------------- (10:25 a.m.) Auburn's busy 10 o'clock hour has started with a bang as highly ranked offensive guard Braden Smith has committed to the Tigers.Smith, a 4-star lineman chose Auburn over Texas A&M and TCU in a ceremony at his high school in Olathe, Kan. He is known as a "weight room warrior," as video of him bench-pressing more than 500 pounds went viral on recruiting websites last month."The reason I chose Auburn was because of the opportunity when Greg Robinson left for the NFL," Smith told ESPNU. "I could get that opportunity to play early, and the style of offense they run is similar to the one we run here. I also liked all of the coaches there...they're top of the line people."-------------------- (10:20 a.m.) Another Mobile commitment, De'Shaun Davis, has officially signed with the Tigers.Davis is a borderline 4/3-star linebacker from Vigor who committed to Auburn last April. He was an 6A All-State selection as both a sophomore and a junior and is rated as the No. 13 inside linebacker in the country.-------------------- (9:40 a.m.) The Tigers' first surprise pickup of the day is Ike Powell, a 2-star long snapper from Tift County HS in Chula, Ga. According to Auburn's official website, Powell, who was originally committed to Vanderbilt, will be a preferred walk-on at Auburn.We are about an hour or so out from some major announcements, including 5-star linebacker Rashaan Evans and 4-star guard Braden Smith.-------------------- (9:12 a.m.) Auburn's 14th signee of the day is now official: Dontavius Russell.Russell is a 4-star defensive tackle from Carrollton, Ga., who flipped from Georgia to Auburn in December. Auburn also beat out Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Florida State for the 300-pounder's commitment-------------------- (8:55 a.m.) The national letter of intent is in from Auburn's biggest offensive commitment of the class, Racean "Roc" Thomas.The 5-star Oxford native was Mr. Football for the state of Alabama this past season, giving Auburn back-to-back Alabama Mr. Football honorees (Jeremy Johnson won the award in 2012) for the first time since 2000 and 2001 (Carnell Williams and Brandon Cox). The Under Armour All-American ran for 2,211 yards and 32 touchdowns in his senior season for the Yellow Jackets.Thomas is the No. 4 running back and No. 23 overall player in the country, according to 247Sports's Composite Rankings.-------------------- (8:25 a.m.) The first 5-star signing of the day is official. Tre' Williams is going to be an Auburn Tiger.The 5-star linebacker from St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile racked up several major awards in his high school career: Under Armour All-American, first-team 247Sports All-American and two All-State selections. He is rated as the No. 2 overall inside linebacker in the country, with several outlets calling him the top ILB in this year's class. Williams was another one of Dameyune Craig's Mobile commitments who stayed true to Auburn since his announcment last May.-------------------- (8:20 a.m.) While many Auburn fans will spend Signing Day interested about the signing of 5-star linebacker Rashaan Evans, another son of a former Auburn player has signed to the Tigers --- Myron Burton.The son of Myron Burton, Sr., a defensive end on Auburn's 1993 undefeated team, Burton was listed as an athlete by most recruiting services. However, the 3-star Suwanee, Ga., native is expected to stay at wide receiver when he arrives on Auburn's campus.-------------------- (8:05 a.m.) Auburn is now at 10 signees as 3-star defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence has faxed his letter to The Plains.Another signee from Georgia Military College, Lawrence stands at 6-foot-3 and 278 pounds. Auburn grabbed his commitment last May, beating SEC West rival Mississippi State for his services.--------------------(7:54 a.m.) The in-state train keeps chugging along for Auburn as Stephen Roberts and Jakell Mitchell from nearby Opelika have signed their Letters of Intent.The four-star Roberts was originally committed to Alabama, but he flipped to Auburn shortly after his unofficial visit to the now-legendary Auburn-Georgia game from this season. He also played quarterback for the Bulldogs this season, but he is projected to play safety for the Tigers.Mitchell is a versatile player who played several different positions at Opelika, from running back to linebacker. The three-star is expected to play tight end in Malzahn's offense. Mitchell missed his entire senior season at Opelika with a torn ACL injury he suffered during a summer on 7-on-7 camp, but Auburn still honored his commitment.-------------------- (7:35 a.m.) Auburn officially signs its first in-state commitments of the day, 4-star defensive end Justin Thornton from Vigor HS in Mobile and 3-star running back Kamryn Pettway from Prattville.Thornton, a feared pass rusher off the edge, is ranked as the No. 6 defensive end in the country and was named a second-team All-American by 247Sports. He was an early commitment out of the Mobile area, the old stomping grounds of No. 1 ranked recruiter and Auburn assistant coach Dameyune Craig.Pettway was another early commitment to the Tigers who stayed true through his entire senior season. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the 6A powerhouse Prattville Lions and is described as a solid, all-around runner for the Auburn backfield.-------------------- (7:16 a.m.) Two more signees are official for Auburn, and they are four stars: Nick Ruffin and DaVonte Lambert.Ruffin is the Top-10 cornerback in the country and hails from St. Pius X in Atlanta, Ga. At 6-foot-1, he is a bigger cornerback who could be an instant boost for the Auburn secondary that will be missing Chris Davis. He played the 2014 Army All-American Bowl.Lambert was a former Tennessee commitment from the JUCO ranks, but he flipped to the Tigers in December on JUCO Signing Day. The defensive end is from the Georgia Military College, who also has several other Auburn commitments in this class.-------------------- (6:48 a.m.) The only quarterback in this year's class of signees, Sean White, has officially signed with Auburn.White, a 4-star pro-style quarterback from the University School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is coming off a senior season full of accolades. The 6-foot-2 signal caller was the MVP of the Under Armour All-America game and was named to the Elite 11 Class of quarterbacks following his performance at Nike's Opening scouting combine.White is the No. 6 pro-style quarterback prospect in this year's class according to 247Sports.com's Composite rankings (our go-to rating system here at The Plainsman). While most people think of dual-threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton or Nick Marshall when they think of Malzahn's offense, White is a skilled passer who has been described as highly mobile inside the pocket.-------------------- (6:44 a.m.) Auburn's first two NLIs of the day are in: Kalvarez Bessent and Raashed Kennion.Bessent is a 4-star cornerback from Camden County HS in Kingsland, Ga. and chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida and Florida State. He was an Under Armour All-American after picking off six passes in his senior season at Camden County.Kennion is a 3-star weak side defensive end from First Coast HS in Jacksonville, Fla. Kennion was originally committed to former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati. He stands at 6-foot-6, already making him one of the Tigers' biggest defensive players. -------------------- (6:37 a.m.) As we wait for the first Letter of Intent to arrive on the fax machine at Auburn, here is a look at the five Class of 2014 signees who are early enrollees and are already on campus:WR D'haquille Williams (4-star WR)6-foot-3, 200 poundsMississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeWilliams was rated as the No. 1 overall junior college prospect in the country this season and should provide an instant boost to Auburn's passing game next season. He had 733 yards and nine touchdowns in his sophomore season at MGCCC, a solid follow-up to his 17-touchdown freshman season at the junior college powerhouse.S Derrick Moncrief (4-star S)6-foot-3, 226 poundsMississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeThe Tigers also grabbed a letter of intent one of Williams' most sought-after teammates in December. Moncrief was rated as the No. 1 safety from the junior college ranks and is a graduate of 6A state powerhouse Prattville. The former Lion has been described by many recruiting experts as a hard-hitting defensive back that could step in immediately into an Auburn secondary that lost a few key players to graduation.Stanton Truitt (3-star ATH)5-foot-10, 185 poundsMonroe (Ga.) Area HSTruitt had almost 4,000 all-purpose yards and 60 touchdowns in his senior year of high school as a dual-threat quarterback, but he will most likely play wide receiver or defensive back for Auburn in the future. Chris Laye (3-star TE)6-foot-6, 240 poundsLambert HS (Suwanee, Ga.)Although Auburn has several playmakers already at tight end, the 6-foot-6 Laye's early enrollment could give him an advantage in the race for early playing time at special teams and certain offensive packages.Xavier Dampeer (3-star C)6-foot-4, 300 poundsCopiah-Lincoln Community CollegeOne of the highest rated offensive line prospects from the junior college ranks, Dampeer provides immediate depth to a center spot that will be vacated after next season with the graduation of veteran starter Reese Dismukes. -------------------- (6:00 a.m.) We are officially live from the Auburn Athletic Complex for National Signing Day 2014. Auburn currently has 21 commitments for their 2014 recruiting class, and recruits can start sending in those coveted letters of intent starting right now. The Plainsman will have live updates from the Complex and Auburn High School, where 5-star linebacker Rashaan Evans is expected to make his announcement at around 10:45 a.m. If you will be following the Signing Day action on Twitter, make sure to follow @TheAUPlainsman, sports editor @JFergusonAU and sports writer @AUMcKinney.-------------------- Here is the most up-to-date list of Auburn signees from today:- Racean "Roc" Thomas (5-star RB from Oxford)- Tre' Williams (5-star ILB from Mobile)- Kalvarez Bessent (4-star CB from Kingsland, Ga.)- DaVonte Lambert (4-star DE from Georgia Military College)- Stephen Roberts (4-star CB from Opelika)- Nick Ruffin (4-star CB from Atlanta, Ga.)- Dontavius Russell (4-star DT from Carrollton, Ga.)- Braden Smith (4-star G from Olathe, Kan.)- Justin Thornton (4-star DE from Mobile)- Sean White (4-star QB from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla)- Andrew Williams (4-star DE from McDonough, Ga.)- Markell Boston (3-star S from Newnan, Ga.)- Myron Burton (3-star ATH from Suwanee, Ga.)- De'Shaun Davis (3-star ILB from Mobile)- Raashed Kennion (3-star DE from Jacksonville, Fla.)- Devaroe Lawrence (3-star DT from Georgia Military College)- Jakell Mitchell (3-star TE from Opelika)- Kamryn Pettway (3-star RB from Prattville)
(01/18/14 11:00am)
In December 1972, when most Auburn fans were still absorbing the glory following the Tigers' historic 'Punt Bama Punt' Iron Bowl win, 1966 graduate Ray Bean was being transported from one room to the next in a North Vietnam prison of war.
The guards typically confined the soldiers to groups who were brought into the prison at the same time to prevent them from obtaining knowledge from new prisoners. However, on the day Bean was moved, the guards made a mistake.
"When we moved into this room, there was one guy in there all by himself who had just been shot down, which was unusual," Bean said.
The group of men drilled the newcomer with questions, thirsting for information from the outside. Answers were given and questions tapered off, but Bean, who was in the company of an Alabama graduate, had one more inquiry.
"Finally, at the end of about an hour, it had kind of quieted down and I said, 'All right, let's find out the real important stuff. Who won the Auburn-Alabama game?'"
Forty-four years later, Bean is still the die-hard Auburn fan he was the year he asked about the Iron Bowl outcome in a Vietnam prisoner of war camp.
"My dad went [to Auburn], my brothers went there, I went there, and then my daughter went there," Bean said while explaining the Auburn roots that run throughout his family.
"My cousins all went there, and all their kids. So, it's a pretty big family connection."
After his release as a POW, Ray continued to serve in the Air Force for 30 years. He earned numerous decorations, such as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He later retired to Montgomery as a colonel.
But nearly one year ago, Bean braved battle again when he was diagnosed with cancer. On a week when he was out of town visiting family in Atlanta, complications from the illness sent him to Northside Hospital. He wasn't in his team's home state, but in a sea of bulldogs, Bean managed to find an other member of the Auburn Family.
"He was one of my patients, and I try to see and feel out some stuff with patients and see what they like," said Jenny Accarino, nurse at Northside Hospital and 2008 Auburn graduate.
"Turns out he was an Auburn fan, and since I went to Auburn, we just got on that topic."
As the conversation naturally turned toward football, Accarino mentioned to Ray she had a friend on the football team--defensive end Nosa Eguae. Accarino told Ray to look out for Eguae when he watched the game that Saturday, but left his bedside wanting to do something more.
"I just thought, 'What can make him smile? What can make my patient happy,'" Accarino said. "So, I thought, why don't I call Nosa? If I could get just him to talk to Ray, that would be awesome."
The Saturday of the Arkansas State game, Eguae was preparing to enter the Tiger Walk when he received a call from Accarino asking him if he would take the time to call Ray.
"I was all for it," Eguae said. "Stories like that [Ray's] put things in perspective for me. Any time I get the chance to make someone's day, I want to do it."
The day following the game back at Northside Hospital, Accarino walked into Ray's room and told him she had a surprise for him. "I thought they'd all know that my birthday had just passed, so I thought maybe it was something to do with that," Ray said. "Then, she said, 'Hang on,' and she dialed her phone and got [Eguae] on the phone." Lying on a hospital bed in a room full of nurses, Ray spoke to Nosa Eguae, D'Angelo Blackson, Dee Ford, and Keihl Frazier on speaker phone.
On the other end of the conversation, Eguae passes the phone from player to player, saying, "Hang on Mr. Ray, I've got one more for you."
Ray asked the players about how they were doing on defense, how the new freshmen linemen were performing and if they were going to be able to take Mississippi State the following week. The players assured him that they would.
The conversation ended with Equae thanking Ray for letting him and his teammates talk to him and hung up just after saying, "God bless, and War Eagle." "At the end of the conversation, everybody was crying," said Mindy Bean, Ray's wife. "All the nurses, Ray, me, Jenny--everybody was very choked up."
Though the phone call was an emotional experience for everyone in Ray's hospital room, it was compounded for Ray by the state of his health.
"What you've got to realize is when you're sick like I was, your emotions are real thin," Ray said. "I mean, they're just like right under the edge of your skin, and so it doesn't take anything to set you off to get weepy. I was excited to be talking to them, and at the same time, tearing up because it was such a big deal to me."
Months down the road, Eguae remembers the phone call as an opportunity to brighten someone else's life as well as his own.
"Mr. Ray was so grateful just to be on the phone with us for a few minutes," Eguae said. "It really put things in perspective and made my day. That's one thing about it that I will remember. It was just another day. We were trying to get better as a team, but at the same time we were trying to get away from it and realize there's more out there than just football. The chance to make someone's day and have them make yours is just part of it."Editor's Note: The following video captures Ray's phone call with Eguae, Blackson, Ford and Frazier. While the visual quality may be lacking, the call is completely audible.
(11/14/13 4:40pm)
Before the 2013 season, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and special teams coach Scott Fountain were looking for someone to step up on special teams and emerge as a playmaker.
Chris Davis, entering his senior season, has filled that special teams role as well as locking down his starting position at cornerback.
Davis has battled through an ankle injury at the start of the 2013 season, which included him missing some playing time, but the senior has looked near 100 percent the past few games.
In the Tigers' trip to face Tennessee in Knoxville, Davis showed just how explosive he could be as a punt returner, giving Auburn some needed momentum in a game that was fairly close in the first half.
With the score tied at 13 in the second quarter, Davis muffed a punt at the 15-yard line, but then picked it up and raced 85 yards for a touchdown.
"I saw that I still had time to pick it up and run with it," Davis said. "Punt returners are going to drop the ball; you see it happen in the league, and you've still got a chance to take it to the house."
Throughout his Auburn career, Davis has said he has been waiting for his chance to shine on special teams. With Malzahn taking over as head coach, he was given the opportunity this season.
"Chris Davis is a veteran guy and you could see he made some great moves," Malzahn said. "He didn't dance around, he made a couple of really great moves and had enough speed to take it to the house."
In addition to giving Auburn an edge on special teams, Davis is second on the team in total tackles with 47. He brings a physical presence to an Auburn defense that has improved to become one of the top red zone units in all of college football.
Davis' absence was noted by teammates when he missed playing time at the first part of the season.
"Whenever Chris is on the field you get an extra spark on that island over there," safety Josh Holsey said. "You know that teams really don't like to throw his way because he's really a lockdown corner."
Davis was eager to be back on the field after his injury and expressed his frustration on missing playing time.
"It's frustrating when you get hurt, but I'm just happy to be back here with my team, to contribute the best way I can," Davis said.
(11/11/13 6:00pm)
This film is absolutely spectacular for many reasons and is a must-see in 3D. I'm not a proponent of seeing any motion picture in 3D, but this film wouldn't have been the same without the added effects.
The Oscar buzz for "Gravity" continues to progress as other Oscar contenders continue to premiere and fall short of this underestimated movie. Gravity is a shoe-in to be nominated for best picture this year.
I agree it deserves a spot, but it is too early to say whether it deserves one more than others. There are still many films yet to come out in theatres.
One thing is for certain; this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire movie, literally. The action starts four minutes into the movie, and it keeps you guessing until three minutes before the credits roll.
This movie will make you sweat, gasp, laugh, cry and feel the fight the characters are enduring as they cling to life in a zero-gravity setting.
One of the less deserving shoe-ins is George Clooney.
Clooney plays the role of Commander Matt Kowalski and is a vital part to the movement of the story line. The role is important, but Clooney is only in the film for approximately 15 minutes. That has not mattered in the past with actors and actresses such as Anthony Hopkins and Viola Davis, who were both nominated for Oscars and had less than 12 minutes in their respective films that year.
It is still too soon to know whether Clooney will be nominated in the supporting actor category, but I definitely say he is one to watch.
The role that has Oscar nomination written all over it is the role of Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock. Bullock is absolutely astonishing in this film.
She is basically a one-woman show and is playing a much different character than I have ever seen her play. In most Sandra Bullock films, we see a woman who is strong and confident, but hides behind her work and buries her feelings.
In "Gravity," Bullock is much more vulnerable and has to face her own mortality over and over again. In each situation, more of her inner struggles are revealed and, until the primal instinct of survival kicks in, she is the strong woman we have seen before. Bullock carries this movie on her back the entire time and will carry this movie all the way down the red carpet to a seat in the front of the Kodak Theatre.
This movie is not simply Sandra Bullock floating around in space, crying out for help. I will not spoil the story for you, but know "Gravity" will win for best visual effects. With 3D glasses, it was as if I was actually floating above the Earth, or watching the sunrise on a spacewalk.
The engineers for this movie certainly deserve some kind of an award for the incredible effects they produced, and for the realness provided to the viewer. If you see "Gravity," you will appreciate the people behind-the-scenes that often get overlooked.
All in all, "Gravity" is an incredible action film with a great story line. The acting is impeccable with an amazing cast that outdid themselves in this film.
I highly recommend you see this movie; it's one anybody can enjoy.
(11/06/14 3:24pm)
Shravanthi Mouli, graduate student in pharmacal sciences, walked onto the stage holding a microphone. She stepped forward and began singing softly.
She sang the words of the Ganesh Vandhana, a traditional Hindu prayer recited before religious rituals.
Her prayer and the lighting of an oil lamp marked the opening of Auburn's 2013 Diwali festival.
The Indian Students Association held a celebration of Indian culture and music in the Student Center Ballroom Saturday, Nov. 2, for 250 attendees.
Diwali is the third part of a five-day religious festival known as the Festival of Lights.
Although they could not include certain traditions, such as fireworks and candles, because of safety concerns, the ISA worked to create an authentic Diwali experience here in Auburn.
Colorful patterns called rangoli covered the floors.
The stage was lit by small lamps beneath a white sash.
Attendees dressed in traditional Indian garb, including the dhoti and half-saree.
The garments were brightly colored and adorned with glittering edges.
The first part of the celebration focused on music, featuring a 30-minute performance led by Shiladitya Chaudhury, associate director of the Biggio Center.
Chaudhury's group played with a mixture of Western and Indian instruments, using guitars and a veena, a stringed instrument with a distinctive gourd-shaped attachment near the neck.
The program also mixed in modern Bollywood tunes with classical pieces.
"It's contemporary music, so all the children like it," said Avanti Kulkarni, cultural vice president.
A group of children from local Indian families showed their appreciation for Bollywood with a group dance number.
The biggest hit of the evening was a musical mashup about Rajnikanth, a well-known Indian actor. After, the ISA served traditional Indian food to the guests.
Robin Muthukumar, who serves on the ISA's sports committee, said she liked the food the most, besides hearing the song "Maduraikku Pogathadee" performed in Tamil, his native language.
"It was great," Muthukumar said.
ISA president Narendra Sadhwani said Diwali was his favorite festival, despite the logistical challenges for the club.
Kulkarni said the club spent approximately one month preparing for the event and making personal nametags.
Kulkami said she hoped the Diwali festival helped introduce more people to Indian traditions.
"We want people to know about Indian culture too," Kulkarni said. "We just want people to know what our culture back home is and enjoy it."
(11/01/13 5:20pm)
Leaping from edge to edge, as if flying was possible, the Auburn Parkour Club turns an afternoon on campus into a practice area for an extreme sport.
"Parkour, technically, is the art form of getting from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible," said Dylan Westfall, sophomore in kinesiology and member of the club. "Instead of walking up the stairs and around the wall, you just go up and over the wall. You can always add your own flair and style."
Westfall said Auburn's campus is a great facility to practice on.
"It's not padded, but we have obstacles that you cant find anywhere else, such as the way they've built the wheelchair ramps and walls and just random structures," Westfall said.
The University allows the club to train on campus as long as no property is destroyed and no one goes on rooftops.
The Auburn Parkour Club was founded seven years ago by Cory Robinson, a former Auburn Police officer and now full-time stunt double.
The club meets new parkour trainers at jams, events where parkour enthusiasts meet others interested in parkour and go through timed obstacle course challenges.
"I really like (parkour) for the community," Jonathan Sligh, sophomore in wireless engineering and member of the club. "I wouldn't have known these people if I didn't actually go out and train. You already have that common ground, you just build on it from there."
Ibrahim Hakima, senior in aerospace engineering and member of the club, has even trained with people in China.
With leaping across buildings and walls on a daily basis, injuries are a common occurrence.
The injuries the members of the club include twisted ankles, dislocated shoulders and concussions.
"Some of the injuries can set you back, especially leg injuries," said Filipe Magalhaes, junior in industrial design and member of the club. "When I would get my ankle injuries, it would be so bad that I would have to stop for two months."
Although Magalhaes has injured himself many times while practicing parkour, he said he will never stop trying to improve.
"When I was a freshman in high school, I saw a viral video of these Russian guys that really inspired me," Magalhaes said. "Every since I saw that video, I'll go around and see a wall and run on the wall. Eventually, I wanted to take it further, so around my junior year, I started researching and found a gym close to me, and I've been going there for the past four years."
Magalhae's ultimate goal is to audition for "American Ninja Warrior," a show on the Esquire network where competitors run through a series of obstacle courses in pursuit to win the grand prize of $500,000.
Westfall said he also hopes to pursue parkour after graduation.
"I want to start my own parkour group to teach kids," Westfall said. "There are not a lot of safe facilities to train with all the concrete and grass."
Parkour gives members an excuse to work out outside the gym.
"I'm pretty athletic, so parkour actually gives me something to do instead of hitting the gym and then going home and watching TV," said Kevin Doan, undeclared freshman and member of the club.
Dimick Beesley, sophomore at Auburn High School and member of the club, started taking interest in parkour after watching "American Ninja Warrior."
"I started to watch them and (began) practicing (the moves) on my trampoline," Beesley said.
Although many know of the Auburn Parkour Club for their "Tosh.0" fame debut, Westfall sets the record straight about the trick mishap.
Westfall said the woman on the video clip is a professional parkour athlete who was just visiting from Washington D.C. for a jam at Auburn.
"People get injured all the time, that was just a freak accident," Westfall said. "She broke her jaw and sliced her cheeks. She basically curb stomped her face into the ledge."
Despite injuries, Sligh said parkour has many benefits.
"(Parkour) strives to keep you in shape," Sligh said. "You have to work to keep in shape to do the moves, and parkour helps you get over fears."
To join the club, anyone interested can post on the Auburn Parkour Facebook page.
(10/29/13 4:00am)
A new generation of multi-faceted pharmacists are entering a world filled with disease and insufficient healthcare, secure in the knowledge they learned at one of of the nation's top-ranked schools and ready to make a difference.
That nationally recognized program is Auburn University's own Harrison School of Pharmacy, ranked No. 26 in the nation by the United States News and World Report for cutting-edge programs in the industrial, clinical and educational divisions of pharmaceuticals inside and out of the field.
"The vision really is driven by what the needs are," said D. Lee Evans, dean of the Harrison School of Pharmacy. "Our students go through their four years here focusing really on how to use drugs appropriately and take charge of the whole process in collaboration with other providers."
Though pharmacists have historically been the keepers of medicine and safe distribution, Evans said their contact with patients has been increasingly limited to operating dispensary services.
In a trend that's gained momentum since the mid-20th century, Evans said pharmacists are returning to communities to personally provide immediate care for patients as well as bridge communication gaps between patients and healthcare providers.
"Our mission statement is focused on the primary care aspects of people in a state, such as Alabama, which has a huge portion of its population in rural areas without access to healthcare and where sometimes the only care provider is a pharmacist," Evans said.
Auburn is unique in that its primary pharmacy headquarters, the Walker building, has its own on-campus pharmaceutical clinic to treat University employees and dependents, as well as providing another hands-on experience for students to treat patients in problem-based situations.
Mass media and wireless communication now streamlines the amount of time it takes to update a patients condition, share lab results with doctors and treat individual patients on a day-to-day basis, concepts Evans calls not only practical, but necessary, to improve the outcomes of care.
All students of the Harrison School travel in groups to patients homes or care centers to discuss their medicine, their levels of pain during their treatment and to check up on how their illnesses are progressing.
"Most of my patients are in nursing homes," said Kash Franklin, first-year pharmacy student. "Just to help be there to help them and answer questions, and they really appreciate that."
Improving how medicines are used and the patients adherence to their medication regimen is the central focus of the program, planting students in on the ground floor to start diagnosing illnesses and explaining why its necessary to a patients health in their first year.
Franklin said the Harrison School, which operates out of Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery in addition to its Auburn campus, serves as a model for national and international healthcare provision policies and attracts students and faculty from all over the world.
"I know everyone at Auburn is considered family, but that continues into pharmacy school," said Amanda DiPinho, first-year pharmacy student at the Harrison satellite school in Mobile. "There are people in our classes from LSU, from Alabama and from all the rival schools, but we're all still at the Harrison School of Pharmacy. And we're all still a great family."
Since 1895, Auburn has continued to define and redefine healthcare development and shortening the gap between affordable, accessible medicine and those who need it.
DiPinho said, though the breadth of material can sometimes feel staggering given the short amount of time in which its covered, its application in the real world and patients' reaction to their care reaffirms its students' decision to study at the Harrison School of Pharmacy.
"People don't realize pharmacists are the drug experts when it comes to matters of health, but they're capable of much more," DiPinho said.
(10/05/13 4:42am)
In front of a crowd that included famous alumni and celebrities, Auburn basketball's heavily publicized Jungle Jam showcased many of the team's offseason improvements through a scrimmage, three-point shooting and dunk contest.
Comedian Mike Epps and rapper Ludacris headlined the event, while former Auburn basketball star Charles Barkley and former head coach Sonny Smith made appearances as celebrity dunk contest judges.
"I have been blessed and lucky to go all over the world," Barkley said. "Ain't no place I'd rather be than in Auburn, Alabama."
Prior to the dunk contest, Barkley assured the Auburn Arena crowd that embattled head coach Tony Barbee has the program moving in the right direction.
"I know most of y'all came here for football, but Coach Barbee is going to turn this program around and let's turn out tonight," Barkley said.
Sophomore forward Jordon Granger showed off his leaping ability during his Jungle Jam dunk contest victory. His 85 final round points edged him ahead of senior center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum in the final.
Virginia transfer KT Harrell and freshman guard Dion Wade poured it in from range in the three-point shooting contest, but Harrell's 19 final round points assured victory in the contest.
A scrimmage between White and Blue squads saw impressive shooting from white squad members Harrell and Wade, while senior guard Chris Denson displayed his renowned quickness for the blue squad.
The White squad defeated the Blue squad 18-11.
Epps' comedic commentary kept the energetic crowd laughing throughout the events, and his energy even coaxed Barkley and Coach Barbee into busting a few moves of their own.
"The reason why I got Mike Epps and Luda was for the students. You guys have been there every game for us," Barbee said. "You are as important to me as my team and I need you there every single night."
Barbee took to the floor after the scrimmage and called the Auburn student section the very best in the nation.
"This team has been working their tails off," Barbee said. "They're getting after it on the defensive end of the floor and the students are going to make the difference for us this year. Our student section is the best in the country. "
Though Epps and Ludacris have not been the biggest names in entertainment in recent years, Auburn students were impressed by the performance and said that it gave credibility to the basketball program.
"I know these kind of events help to bring out a good crowd and I know that the crowd ultimately feeds the team," said Josh Poole, a graduate student in geology. "They do little pep rallies before each athletic season starts, but a big event like this makes you think that they mean business and it gets the fans directly involved."
All in all, the event seemed to create optimism amongst students and a hopefulness that some of the night's energy might transfer into the regular season.
"An event like this can bring energy back to a program and like Coach Barbee said he brought these guys to hype everybody up," said Reed Burchette, a junior in mechanical engineering.
