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(08/24/14 1:30pm)
For at least one afternoon, it was easy being green.
Students gathered in the Davis Arboretum Thursday, Aug. 14 before classes to learn about sustainable growth and environmentalism at the Sustainability Picnic.
Students gathered in a clearing by the pond, sitting on the grass in clumps and listening to a three-piece cover band. They talked among themselves and giggled as Aubie danced along to the music and climbed a tree.
In the back, environmentally focused student groups set up their tables with information for the attendees.
Garrett Kizer, president of the Environmental Awareness Organization, said the event helps such groups to recruit.
"It's also a really cool environment to see people that might be interested in our organization without standing on the concourse and yelling at them and throwing things at them," Kizer said. "Here it's a little bit more relaxed. We have a band that's playing, we have food [and] people that just kinda go from table to table and talk to you."
The students wandered between the tables and free food: whole wheat couscous pilaf, baked sweet potato salad and roasted garlic hummus. They ate off of upside-down Frisbees with wooden sporks.
"The free food is definitely a good way to help people, especially when you're trying to get incoming freshmen," Kizer said. "I remember when I was a freshman, everything I did [during] Welcome Week was trying to find free food."
James Elrod, freshman in forestry, said he came mostly for the food. However, he said one organization's table caught his interest.
"I haven't really looked through too many of the tables, but I like the recycling one," Elrod said. "I hate throwing stuff away."
Elrod said if not for previous commitments, he would consider joining an organization related to his interest in the environment.
"Boy Scouts is real oriented to [recycling], plus my major. It all kind of ties together," Elrod said.
Nathan McWhirter, junior in mechanical engineering and sustainability studies and secretary of Auburn Real Food Challenge, said he hoped his group could find more members from the students gathered at the picnic.
"Our group is pretty small right now this year," McWhirter said. "We had two people that were supposed to be officers, [who] actually got other commitments this semester, so we're just down to three officers. So we're really looking to grow our group this semester and this school year."
McWhirter said he also hopes to help educate students on the merits of environmentalism and sustainable food.
"We're working to get more local, community-based, ecologically sound, fair and humane foods on campus," McWhirter said.
These efforts are working, producing changes, such as the Village bulk food bins and reusable silverware in campus dining halls.
AU Dining is also running a program with Chartwells, which runs Auburn's dining program, and SuperGrow, an organic food grower, to serve more organic, locally grown food to students. It aims to make 20 percent of its food local and organic by fall 2015.
McWhirter said Auburn could see more environmentally friendly changes if there is demand from the students.
"Auburn is responsive to its students," McWhirter said. "If people are interested in this, it's going to happen on campus."
(08/26/14 11:20pm)
After Auburn University experiences success in athletics, application rates tend to increase. Given the successful season experienced by Auburn's football team this past year, along with the hiring of new coaches in the athletic department, Auburn was bound to attract more aspiring students for fall 2014.
According to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, the total number of students enrolled at Auburn this year has decreased from 24,864 to 24,469.
However, the number of enrolled freshmen has increased.
Although these freshmen make up a larger percentage of the undergraduate population, they maintain a similar presence on campus.
According to Bethany Gunn, student employee in the Burton Hall Housing Office, 70 percent of students living on campus are freshmen.
The influx of first-year students has pushed more freshmen off campus than ever before. There is a larger percentage of freshmen living off campus this year because Auburn does not have enough on-campus housing.
Gunn said the increase wasn't too much of a dilemma in the Housing office.
"We always have a waiting list and it was bigger this year," Gunn said. "It wasn't a huge problem. We were able to get most people moved on campus, but some just opted to live off campus, more than usual."
Some freshmen living off campus for their first year may find it harder to meet new people, a reason often given for living in the dorms.
However, participation in campus activities, such as Greek Life, has grown. Recruitment this year for the 17 on-campus sororities increased.
While a typical pledge class has approximately 60 girls, the average size of a pledge class this year was approximately 70.
Each girl going through recruitment is assigned to a small group led by a current sorority member known as a Pi Chi.
Lauren Jones, Pi Chi, said she had seen a lot more freshman girls rushing.
"There were around 200 more girls who went through Recruitment compared to last year, making the Pi Chi groups a little larger than usual," Jones said. "The pledge classes are also bigger than they normally are just because more people decided to go to Auburn this year."
Although more girls went through, the percentage of girls who were placed in a sorority remained the same.
(08/28/14 3:00pm)
Auburn car tags show Tiger pride while also providing education funding for the school's students. However, a portion of the profit made from the tags assists in funding freshman scholarships.
The License to Learn program has provided scholarship funds for Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery since 1998.
Through the program, the University receives $46-47 from each non-personalized tag and $35-36 from the purchase of a personalized tag.
The University has received more than $35.7 million since the beginning of the License to Learn program, which continues to increase education opportunities for scholarship-worthy students.
More than 1,000 scholarships were awarded last school year from the $1,931,000 in Auburn's License to Learn fund.
According to Velda Rooker, director of University Scholarships, the scholarships funded by the License to Learn program go to freshman with average test scores rather than the highest scoring students.
"I think more people would support the program if they knew it was raising support for the more average student," Rooker said.
Rooker sports her own Auburn tag in support of the Auburn Family and the scholarship funding program.
"I just think it's another way that the Auburn Family supports each other," Rooker said. "Whether you're in Georgia or Florida or further away than that, you see an Auburn tag and immediately recognize it and see that connection."
Rooker said she is confident the program will continue to be successful and provide an education to many Auburn students in the future.
Mariah King, senior in early childhood education, received a freshman scholarship that continues to fund her schooling.
Before learning about the License to Learn program, King said she thought her scholarship, and many others, came from donations.
"It's nice to know they were looking out for me before I even went there," King said.
According to King, her scholarship supports a large amount of her education at Auburn. King said she is thankful to be a part of the Auburn Family.
"I would love to (buy a tag) to give back," King said. "I think it's a cool way to give back to Auburn."
One purchaser, 82-year-old James Fleming, said he believes in Auburn and has helped fund freshman scholarships.
"I am a die-hard Auburn fan," Fleming said.
Fleming shows his love for Auburn by sporting his tag on his family's RV and plans on purchasing another for his car.
For Fleming, buying a car tag was a way to support the students instead of just cheering for the football team.
"When they started letting us buy tags, it was advertised that a good portion of that money went directly to the schools for scholarships," Fleming said. "It felt very good."
Some proceeds from the car tags program go to student scholarships whether they are personalized or not.
Visit auburn.edu/scholarship for more information on purchasing Auburn tags.
(08/27/14 6:00pm)
Videos of people being doused by a bucket of ice water have saturated social media for the past few weeks.
If one is challenged to pour a bucket of ice water over their head and they do not complete it within 24 hours of receiving the nomination, he or she is supposed to donate $100 to fund Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research.
If they do complete the challenge, he or she is encouraged to donate $10. No one is monitoring whether the money is donated, but videos of someone being showered in ice water have spread across social networks.
The videos typically include a nominee giving a "thank you" for the nomination, as well as a challenge to a few family members or friends to do the same within 24 hours.
This is all a part of the ALS ice bucket challenge, a movement to raise awareness and money for research of ALS.
According to nurse Kate Carruthers, ALS is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, named after the baseball player who died of the disease in 1941.
Carruthers said ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
"ALS is degenerative, so it progressively gets worse, similar to Parkinson's disease," Carruthers said. "It affects the spinal cord and brain. When the motor neurons die, the patient loses the ability to initiate and control muscle movement. This eventually leads to paralysis and then death."
Carson Haley, senior in social science education, was nominated by his brother to complete the challenge.
He then challenged his roommates to do the same. He said along with seeing his friends complete the challenge, he has enjoyed watching leaders in the sports world get involved.
"I've seen [Major League Baseball] players challenge each other, which is cool," Haley said. "I saw on the MLB Network that the manager of the Red Sox challenged the manager of the Yankees."
Other Auburn students have gotten involved too. Anna Donze, junior in accounting and Tiger Paw, said the volleyball team nominated the cheerleaders to take an ice bucket for ALS.
Donze was relieved to know the Tiger Paws weren't challenged, but she has enjoyed seeing how much awareness and money has been raised for the research of ALS.
One of the most famous people to take the ice bucket challenge is Apple CEO Tim Cook, an Auburn graduate.
"What should I do?" Cook asked a crowd of Apple employees in a video posted by the company. "I'm going to do both."
The popularity of the challenge has caused some social media users to become curious about the disease.
Some challenge videos include information about ALS and how to donate to the cause.
The videos have helped spread awareness of ALS. Before the challenge started circulating, Haley said he didn't realize that ALS was the same as Lou Gehrig's Disease, the more commonly used name.
"I saw a video of a man with ALS, and his walking and speaking were impaired," Haley said."I had heard of the disease before, but didn't know much about it."
The ice bucket challenge spreads awareness through social media and raise money for researching a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease.
(08/28/14 12:00pm)
The city of Auburn offers many places to eat and drink, but few offer the atmosphere people will find at Fink's Craft Bar & Grill. Fink's is located at 230 N. Gay St. near the railroad tracks.
On the inside, Fink's has a certain charm to it that's hard to find elsewhere. The lighting is dim and the seating is plentiful. Modern fixtures hang from the walls. The bar is long and spacious, but the real eye candy is the draft beer wall.
At Fink's, beer is a way of life.
Mark Tesney, general manager with 10 years of experience, oversees the operation.
"Servers are put through training in styles of beers and how to make suggestions," Tesney said.
Tesney said the restaurant constantly brings in new brews.
"We got about six new types of brews in the past two days," Tesney said.
Fink's cycles certain specialty items in and out based on the types of beer that are in season at the time.
"We like to be as creative as possible," said owner Jeff Finkhousen.
Fink's passion for brews has made it a popular option amongst local college and graduate students, and older clientele as well.
With honey wine, classified as mead, honey ciders and a beer cocktail, Fink's has a variety of drinks it encourages patrons to sample.
(08/27/14 3:00pm)
The new black box theater and dance studio offer state-of-the-art facilities and new opportunities for the Auburn department of theatre.
The two-story addition department consists of a production space, which holds up to 150 patrons, and a new dance studio that will also serve as an event space.
The 10,471-square foot space cost $3.9 million.
Robin Jaffe serves as an associate professor of theatre for design and technology.
"This is one of the most exciting things for the department in a long time," Jaffe said. "We can do anything in a black box theater."
According to Jaffe, the department made do with the old space. The black box adds solid black walls, a tension grid and a larger dance studio, which is as big as the main stage of the Telfair Peet Theatre.
The department can seat people in any location throughout the room, actors can perform in any place in the room and the tension grid allows for lights to be hung in a variety of ways for the best performance experience possible.
"It just lets your imagination flow," Jaffe said.
Jaffe compared the new theater and dance studio to the lab of a biologist or scientist.
"That is where we do our work," Jaffe said. "It gives us space to work in both directions and not have to do everything in one space."
Jaffe said he believes the new space will better prepare and educate students for the real world.
"I am excited beyond belief," Jaffe said. "This is something we have been waiting for a long time."
Nora Brown, junior in theatre performance, shared Jaffe's excitement for the new theater and dance studio.
"It is so nice and has got so many cool things," Brown said. "It's nice to know they invested in this resource with us."
Brown said she realizes the effect this new facility will have on her education and is excited for the future.
"It is great especially for student productions," Brown said.
Brown said she believes the new theater and dance studio will add to the diversity of what Auburn theater students can do and the performances the department can hold.
Brown also said she is excited for the opportunities the new space will provide.
"Before, we had to make a big deal about reserving a ticket, but now we don't have to," Brown said.
According to the chair of the department of theater Scott Phillips, the additions improve the department's facilities.
"We made do with what was supposed to be a costume shop," Phillips said. "If we taught ballet in there, we could not do lifts."
The new space solves that problem, according to Phillips.
"It's wonderful," Phillips said. "One of the things about a black box space is that it is so flexible."
Phillips said he is confident the new space will enable the faculty to successfully train actors, designers and technicians, as well as draw in new students.
"Our majors are thrilled about it," Phillips said. "I think there is widespread excitement all the way around."
The theater department will utilize the new space in its October production of the musical comedy "Nunsense." The department hopes to bring in crowds with a popular play.
The department encourages students to attend productions, which are free with identification.
(08/27/14 1:30pm)
Hearts were broken across the Southeast when a car crash claimed the life of 23-year-old Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn football player, on June 29.
Just as the Auburn Family was beginning to heal from its loss, Georgia State Police released the blood alcohol content levels of the driver of the vehicle and Lutzenkirchen, which reopened the wound for those affected by his death.
USA Today said the supplemental accident report published Aug. 6 revealed Joseph Ian Davis, 22, who was driving Lutzenkirchen and two other passengers, had a BAC level of 0.17 - more than twice Georgia's legal limit of 0.08.
After failing to stop at an intersection, the 2006 Chevy Tahoe that held the four passengers hit two ditches and overturned for 129 feet on Lower Big Springs Road in LaGrange, Georgia. The force ejected Davis and Lutzenkirchen from the vehicle, killing both.
Test results also revealed Lutzenkirchen, who was seated behind Davis, had a BAC level of 0.377.
After reporting this information about the fatal accident, news stations across the nation received thousands of comments from upset readers and viewers.
Charlie Reynolds, who read a similar article on espn.go.com, commented, "Lutzenkirchen was a passenger. I don't see why this is even news. The families don't need this right now. Classless move, ESPN."
While many disagree with the recent reports, some have seen a value in releasing the alcohol-related information to the public.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1,825 college students between the ages 18-24 die each year from unintentional alcohol-related injuries.
"The majority of college students will experiment with alcohol," said Randy Cerovsky, associate director of public safety. "The important thing is that they do it responsibly."
Cerovsky said drinking responsibly means using a designated driver.
"When someone is assigned the role of designated driver, it doesn't mean that he or she can have two or three drinks while everyone else has eight, and then get behind the wheel because they're the 'most sober,'" Cerovsky said.
One Auburn police officer gave similar advice.
"The designated driver shouldn't have anything alcoholic to drink, period," said Capt. William Mathews. "Designated driver means you are designated to have zero drinks for the entire evening so you can get everyone home safely. Even one beer will negatively impact your reaction time on the road."
With outings involving alcohol consumption, Mathews and Cerovsky advise students to drink in moderation to maximize safety.
"There's a difference between drinking to have fun with friends, and drinking to the point of harming yourself," Mathews said. "We have to take anyone with a BAC over 0.3 to the hospital before we deal with him or her legally. Anything 0.4 or higher is near the death area unless you're a chronic alcoholic. Don't do that to yourselves even if you're not getting behind the wheel."
Mathews advises not to get in the car with anyone who has had even one drink. This rule applies to drinking alcohol at any age - not just young people.
"Offer to share a taxicab with your designated driver if they've had a drink," Mathews said. "It's always better to be safe than sorry, and prevent an injury or tragedy that will affect you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives."
College students are often strapped for money, and taxicabs may seem expensive, but Mathews said it's worth the money compared to the alternative.
"A taxi is much less expensive than the fines that would be incurred from a DUI charge, wrecking your vehicle, or hospital and funeral costs you may cause yourself or others," Mathews said.
Tiger Taxi, KGM Auburn Trax and the Tiger Ten buses are options for students downtown.
Of Lutzenkirchen, Cerovsky spoke positively.
"There's been a lot of positive things said about Phil since the accident, and they're all true," Cerovsky said. "I know because I knew him."
Cerovsky said no matter what news comes out of Lutzenkirchen's death, the positive memories of him should remain untarnished.
"Similarly, I wouldn't think any less of a student who was intoxicated even if he or she was clearly underage," Cerovsky said. "I wouldn't think anything less of them, and neither would any police officer or Tiger Transit driver."
Cerovsky advised students to take the safe way home.
"For the sake of your well-being and the sake of the Auburn Family, make smart choices when drinking," Cerovsky said. "Don't drive, take the Tiger Ten, but more than anything, stay safe."
(08/27/14 12:00pm)
The kitten was so small it could have lived in a shoebox with room to spare. Its matte black fur, which clung to its body, wound around its new owner's fingers. Its determined effort to jump several feet to the floor ended with a quick grab.
"I have a one-bedroom apartment and I wanted a companion because I was just a little bit lonely, so I thought why not get a kitten?" said Brittany Taylor as her new cat mewled loudly.
Taylor was one of a dozen people who visited the Lee County Humane Society on Aug. 16 to look at prospective pets.
Taylor said she did not know why she came to the Humane Society instead of a breeder.
"It's the most humane thing to do," Taylor said.
Paige LaPointe, animal care technician at the Humane Society and Auburn animal science graduate, recommended adopting a pet from the shelter before buying one from a breeder.
"Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die," LaPointe said. "There's no point in breeding a special breed when beautiful, loving, wonderful animals here are having to be euthanized."
She used her own dog as an example. Although it is an unidentifiable mix of breeds, LaPointe said her dog has been a loyal companion.
LaPointe said buying purebred animals supports a harmful practice.
"(Purebred animals) have so much wrong with them genetically that we can't really fix all of the problems," LaPointe said.
When breeders make new dog breeds, they mate them with close relatives who share the characteristics the breeder wants.
"When you're trying to make a purebred dog, you a lot of times are going to have to inbreed," LaPointe said. "You're going to have to breed a dog back to its parents or its siblings or its first cousins."
This process can hurt the animals, according to LaPointe.
Breeders often favor genes, which, while aesthetically appealing, carry defects.
"It's all convoluted and very interconnected," LaPointe said. "So [if] you're selecting for, say, long ears and a short nose, but at the same time you select for a long back, that causes to the dog to be more predisposed to intervertebral disk disease, ear infections and maybe allergies."
Scientists have tracked this trend. The Veterinary Journal published a study in 2009 of purebred British dogs.
It found that each of the top 50 breeds in the U.K. Kennel Club has a trait predisposing it to a physical disorder.
"Large German Shepherds are predisposed to hip displasia and degenerative malopothy, which is when the spine tissue starts degenerating," LaPointe said. "Great Danes are really prone to heart conditions or bone cancers."
LaPointe said she would prefer prospective pet owners adopt an animal instead of buying one from a breeder.
"Adopting from the Humane Society is not going to guarantee that you're going to get a generally sound animal," LaPointe said. "There's no way to guarantee that beforehand, but it does put you in a lot better position if you're adopting a mutt; you're getting, a lot of times, the best of both worlds."
(02/28/15 7:23pm)
On the Haley Concourse today, students and faculty were able to learn about other cultures at the International Student Organization's World Fair. Various organizations, such as the Indian Student Association and the Taiwan Student Association, set up displays to share their upcoming events and culture with Auburn's campus.
"It's nice to have a chance to show off our culture," said Oluwatomilola Adekoya, senior in chemical engineering. "We have a lot more to offer than what you think."
As a member of the African Students Association (ASA), Adekoya is particularly excited to share her culture with the other students.
"We are a rich continent, not just a country," Adekoya said. "We have a lot more to offer than what [students] think."
Adekoya also said she hopes "stereotypes will be changed" and students will want to get involved with upcoming events, such as Around the World in 80 Bites and Peace Dinner, after the World Fair.
Shubbhi Taneja, graduate student in computer science, is "thankful to share with others about (her) culture and diversity" on campus. Taneja is a member of the Indian Student Association and wants others to know that "though India is diverse and [has] more than 22 languages, (they) are united and can communicate with each other" with English and Hindi, India's national languages.
Taneja also recommends students to come to their events, such as their Indian Cultural Association of East Alabama (ICAEA) Picnic on Aug. 24 and Diwali on Nov. 1 in the Student Center Ballroom.
"It's so great that we have (World's Fair) every year!" said Bin Yeh, graduate student in mathematics.
Yeh is a member of the Taiwan Student Association and said he is excited to be a part of the World's Fair.
"It's nice to be on the Haley Concourse," Yeh said. "It's one of the busiest parts of Auburn's campus."
Yeh said he is happy to share with students some facts about Taiwan's culture.
"Not a lot of students know where Taiwan is or some of the things it produces, like HTC phones and Acer products," Yeh said.
He also pointed to some of the souvenirs available at their table, such as wooden key chains in the shape of Taiwan and their currency.
Yeh said he's particularly excited about the potluck dinners and cookouts that are coming up.
"We celebrate the Moon Festival and have a Summer Festival with a large potluck," Yeh said.
In addition to today's World Fair, students have a variety of ways to get involved with these organizations. Students can attend events or take courses such as Indian Music Ensemble. They can also learn more about the various International organizations on AUinvolve.
(08/16/14 4:00pm)
The cheerleader, the jock, the gothic kid.
I'd like to believe we've left these stereotypes back in high school.
However, a stereotype most of us can't avoid fulfilling at Auburn University is the broke college student.
That's because most of us are broke, but that is all right. However, not knowing how to budget the little money you have, or spending it unwisely, is not all right.
If you haven't learned money management yet, now is the time. Effectively managing your money will help you for the rest of your life, not just in college.
Take some time and plan out your budget. If you have never made a budget before, you need to start by knowing how much money you'll have coming in every month and how much you think you'll be spending.
The biggest expenses will be the money you spend on tuition, if someone is not paying it for you already.
The rest of your money has to go toward the basics: food, housing, transportation, books, etc.
Start your budget by looking at the most expensive. It is usually tuition and books.
Take advantage of discounts and incentive programs provided by the University. Make sure you know the terms and conditions of any loans you take out, and research scholarships and grants before you accept them.
The college bookstore isn't your only option for purchasing textbooks.
Make sure you compare prices online to find the best deal. If you do decide to buy your books from the bookstore, it may be cheaper if you buy them used, rent, get the digital copies or sell them back at the end of the semester.
Many college students pack on some weight during their first year at school.
Our appetites can be expensive.
To save on food costs, eat at home as much as possible. Do not shop for groceries when you're hungry. Shop for food with a list and stick to it. It also helps save money in the long run to buy in bulk.
Resist your daily caffeine fix at Starbucks.
If you absolutely have to have coffee, buy a coffee maker and make your own at home, or substitute the expensive latte with a regular coffee.
Gas prices and parking passes are expensive.
Carpool with friends when possible and walk or ride your bike to class to save your gas money to do other things.
The Tiger Transit provides students with transportation to get to campus. Your tuition payments include fees associated with it.
For all who like to shop until you drop, try purchasing your clothes at Plato's Closet or another second-hand store instead of the mall and save tons.
Many college students like to go out drinking and have a good time. Do it for less by looking for the happy hour specials at the bars and restaurants before going out. When you decide where you are going out, only take the amount you're happy to spend that night, and no plastic cards.
Spending time with your significant other does not always have to tear into your wallet.
Dates with your crush don't always have to be an expensive dinner at Hamilton's.
Do something fun like a hike or picnic at Chewacla State Park, or watch a scary movie at your house every once in a while.
These tips may not seem like you are saving much short term, but if you start looking at your budget often, you will be able to tell the difference in your spending and have more money to do the things you enjoy.
Derek Thompson is a sports writer at The Auburn Plainsman. He can be contacted via email at sports @theplainsman.com.
(07/28/14 12:00pm)
Sarah-Baskin Champion did not grow up a pageant girl. Baskin, Miss Alabama Teen USA 2014, was a self-proclaimed introvert, something her mother, Laura Champion, said she agreed with.
"She's naturally just a very quiet, shyer person," Laura said.
Baskin, sophomore in apparel design, competed in her first pageant at Miss Alabama Teen USA 2013 after Paula Miles, director of the Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant, recruited her.
"She had a very unique look, a great personality, was cute and bubbly and personified exactly what we thought a Miss Alabama Teen USA would be," Miles said.
Baskin said she wanted to get out of her comfort zone and become comfortable around strangers, something she said the pageant taught her.
"Since she has gotten involved in the teen program, she has just blossomed," Laura said.
In Miss Alabama Teen USA 2013, she won Miss Congeniality, Most Photogenic and placed 4th runner-up overall.
In 2014, the crown was hers.
As Miss Alabama Teen USA, Baskin has spoken at programs, volunteered at aTeam Ministries, which supports children diagnosed with cancer and participated in a walk for Crohn's disease and Colitis. She also had opportunities to model; an interest of Baskin's before her involvement in pageants.
Baskin, the second of four children, has traveled around the world on medical missions with her father, Greg Champion, a doctor, and cites New Zealand, Africa and Israel as her favorite places.
Even though Baskin, whose parents graduated from the University of Alabama, grew up a die-hard Alabama fan, Auburn won her heart.
"I just love the small town feel of Auburn," she said.
Baskin said she had close friends at Auburn, loved Auburn's conservative values and knew the apparel design program was nationally ranked.
Baskin convinced her older brother, Josh Champion, junior in marketing, to transfer from Alabama to Auburn in 2013. Baskin's sister Abby Grace plans to join her on the Plains in 2015. Her favorite Auburn memory was the 2013 Iron Bowl because, not only did Auburn have a last-second victory, she was introduced on the field as Miss Alabama Teen USA.
When she is not competing, Baskin loves hiking at Chewacla State Park and water sports. At the Miss USA 2014 competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she met business tycoon Donald Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization.
According to Miles, before competing at the state pageant, contestants complete an application and interview. They are then awarded a title representative of their area. Baskin's title was Miss Vestavia Hills, her hometown.
The Miss Teen USA contestants, representing all 50 states and Washington D.C., compete in swimsuit, evening gown, interview and on-stage question.
This year's Miss Teen USA pageant is in the Bahamas, with preliminaries Aug. 1, and finals Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
Baskin's parents, siblings, close family friends and several Phi Mu sorority sisters will be on-hand as she competes.
As for her preparations, Baskin said she will work on hair, make-up and review her questionnaire responses before flying out July 28.
"I feel like the reason I'm doing this is so girls can see you don't have to be completely fake to be a pageant girl," Baskin said. "I think it's important to stay true to yourself during pageants."
(07/27/14 4:00pm)
Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney has been working a summer job every year since she finished her sophomore year of high school.
Hof-Mahoney, senior in history, is no stranger to working in the summer, like many other college students.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 48.9 percent of people ages 16-24 were employed during July 2010.
Hof-Mahoney said her least favorite job she ever had was her first job: babysitting.
"That summer I spent babysitting two little boys," Hof-Mahoney said. "They were maybe 4 and 8 years old. The 4-year-old was an absolute nightmare. One time, he locked himself in the bathroom and I spent an hour and a half trying to get him out. I finally had to bribe him with ice cream. They refused to listen to anything that I said to them, so I eventually gave up trying to discipline them and we just played the Wii."
Hof-Mahoney worked five days per week for six to eight hours each day.
"The pay was pretty good in the mind of a high-schooler," Hof-Mahoney said. "I made around $150 a week, which, if you look at [it] per hour is (bad), but I thought it was awesome. I felt pretty rich."
Seth McCollough, senior in music education, said his least favorite summer job involved working the concession stand for Auburn City Parks and Recreation.
"It was awful," McCollough said. "We would be there sometimes from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. We got breaks, but that's a long work day."
McCollough said restocking drinks was one of the most strenuous parts of the job.
"I had to keep restocking the stands whenever we ran out of Powerade or anything," McCollough said. "Those cases of drinks aren't light weight at all. We also kept them off-site normally, so I would have to take the van, stock it full of whatever we needed and take it back to the park. I couldn't drive to the concession stand, so I had to trolly everything from the van to the stand. Multiple trips were always involved."
However, not all students considered summer jobs to be so bad.
JT Edmonson, junior in chemical engineering, began his first job this summer.
"I'm working at Target right now, and it's really the only job I've ever had," Edmonson said. "It's actually nice, besides the few ugly interactions [with] mean customers."
McCollough said his favorite summer job was working with his grandfather.
"My best summer job was the summer I spent helping my 78-year-old grandfather, Poppy, do plumbing and electrical work," McCollough said. "I loved working with Poppy, and I learned so much. Now I never have to pay for plumbing or electrical work."
Austin Warren, senior in music education, said his favorite summer job was when he worked as a car mechanic.
"I worked 40-plus hours a week, but I loved every minute of it," Warren said. "I came into the job not really knowing anything about cars, and within a month, [I] knew how to do oil changes, brake repair, engine work, tire changes and so on."
Warren said the job was not a cakewalk, but, like McCollough, he learned from the job.
"It was physically demanding and mentally challenging," Warren said. "I never got bored or complacent with my work. It definitely gave me a set of valuable skills that I can still use to this day."
Hof-Mahoney said working at Panera Bread for five years was her favorite job
Working in the summer is easier than working during the school year, according to Hof-Mahoney.
"It's a lot easier to have a job in the summer because during the school year I have so many commitments and schoolwork that I have to juggle," Hof-Mahoney said. "It really curtails the amount of time that I'm able to work."
Hof-Mahoney said she recommends other students get a summer job.
"It's a great way to make a little extra money and also to add something to your resume," Hof-Mahoney said.
(07/23/14 12:00pm)
The Auburn University Waste Reduction and Recycling Department (WRRD), as a part of its work with the East Alabama Recycling Partnership (EARP), successfully recycled more than 44,500 pounds of material at its 11th Electronics Recycling and Confidential Document Destruction Event on March 22.
Auburn's WRRD is a part of the Building Services Department which is housed by the Auburn University Facilities Management.
Auburn University, the city of Auburn, the city of Opelika and the Lee County Recycling Departments make up the EARP and worked together to make the event possible.
Although the City of Auburn recycles independently with its own way of recycling electronics, the EARP unifies the departments with a common goal of keeping materials out of local landfills.
The event began in 2009 and takes place twice a year - once in the spring and fall.
The event has taken place at Saugahatchee Square and lasts approximately four hours.
Individuals bring electronics and confidential papers ready to be recycled and are directed through designated lanes depending on the materials brought.
In March, more than 11 tons of electronics and nine tons of paper were collected and recycled.
Papers are shredded on-site and electronics are gathered and sent to a Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) certified facility where the electronic material is safely recycled following R2 guidelines.
Cardboard boxes and the papers brought in are also collected and recycled at the event, along with ferrous metal and electrical wire.
In addition to the recycling that takes place at the event, participants are also given the option to donate money or food to the East Alabama Food Bank.
According to Joan Hicken, coordinator of Auburn's WWRD, 327 pounds of food and $602 were donated to the food bank during the event in March.
"Our goal is to find an easy and convenient way to recycle for the whole county," Hicken said. "Each event seems to grow with participants and products."
Unlike the county, which charges residents to recycle, this event is completely free of charge.
According to Hicken, the event is set up to recycle electronics and confidential papers in efforts to target specific waste streams and see it does not go to local landfills.
"It is a way to collect materials that we all have instead of putting it in a hole," Hicken said.
Taryn Wilson, senior in accounting who serves as a student employee with Auburn's WRRD, said she loves being outdoors and said she is passionate about recycling.
"It just seems like the right thing to do," Wilson said. "When you go on trails and see trash, it's not natural to the environment."
Wilson worked at the event and said she was impressed by the community participation.
"A lot of people used it who were older," Wilson said. "It was cool to see them bring material over there instead of throwing it in the trash."
As an on-campus resident of the University, Wilson looks at the campus as a home and knows many other students feel the same. Wilson also said she believes students should choose to recycle as a way to keep their home clean.
"It's a really simple change of behavior," Wilson said.
Donald Addison, manager of the WRRD, said he believes recycling is both environmentally and economically healthy.
Addison's respect for recycling did not develop until his time as a student at the University, and it began with his love for the outdoors.
"When I am outside, I like to be in pristine places," Addison said.
Addison said he believes recycling is a necessary practice for any community and loves to see people develop recycling as a habit.
"It's a very rewarding part of my job," Addison said.
Addison is appreciative of the student involvement and volunteers for the event, but always welcomes more.
"I think our student involvement is great in the spring," Addison said.
According to Addison, the spring events receive more student involvement because the WRRD works alongside the BIG Event, a student-run volunteer day designed to get students involved in the community.
However, student participation with the Electronics Recycling and Confidential Document Destruction Event decreases in the fall.
Addison's said his goal is to make it as easy as possible for Auburn students to recycle, rather than sending large amounts of materials to local landfills.
"We want to promote, educate and collect when it comes to recycling at Auburn," Addison said.
Addison is also working with the WRRD to add more recycling bins around campus. His goal is to eventually have a recycling bin with every trashcan on campus in order to make recycling as easy as possible. He encourages students to become aware of the recycling options on campus and recycling opportunities provided by the WRRD.
The next Electronics Recycling and Confidential Document Destruction Event will be held in September. Visit auburn.edu/recycle for more information on Auburn's recycling program.
(07/17/14 6:00pm)
First Fridays is an event hosted by Opelika Main Street, a non-profit organization that puts on events in downtown Opelika.
Most of Opelika shuts down relatively early during most of the month. On the first Friday of every month, restaurants, boutiques and other businesses stay open until 8 p.m. or later.
All restaurants remain open and some of the boutiques participating are Coveted Closet, Fringe and The Gallery. First Fridays has been happening on-and-off and picked back up two years ago.
When the event recommenced, administrators made a few slight changes in hopes of bettering each attendee's experience.
These small event changes stem mostly from the town itself changing, according to Opelika Main Street director Pam Powers-Smith.
She explained how many restaurants began popping up and made downtown much more popular and busier overall.
According to Powers-Smith, adjustments needed to be made to allow the upcoming First Fridays to cover a greater area than before.
One of the most significant changes, according to Powers-Smith, is how the live music they offer is presented.
"We used to have a band on First Fridays, but now we have live music on all the corners," Powers-Smith said.
Street performers allow music to be heard no matter where visitors find themselves in downtown Opelika. Past musicians included Joe Moore, Destiny Brown and Chase Brown.
Expanding this portion of the event creates a better experience for visitors because it provides different genres of music within walking distance of each other.
The expansion also allows employees of local businesses to hear the entertainment loud and clear.
Powers-Smith said, generally, most of the people seen walking around outside and enjoying the music are those who have already eaten and are, "[taking] a stroll after dinner or [going] shopping after dinner."
According to Opelika Main Street intern and Auburn student Gwen Baer, the atmosphere in the area changes when First Fridays occur.
"I love how First Fridays turns a town into a community," Baer said.
Baer enjoys the social aspects of this occurrence and becomes excited at the opportunity to meet other locals. Powers-Smith seems to agree.
"It's just a fun evening out, whether you're with your family or on a date. It's a leisurely atmosphere and you can walk around outside," Powers-Smith said. "The laid-back atmosphere is something Opelika Main Street promotes heavily as well as their motto, 'shop late, eat local.'"
Robert Smith, owner of FlipFlopFoto, takes photographs of attendees.
Although working, Smith enjoys the experience as well and notices other First Fridays staff do too.
"It's definitely a really cool atmosphere down here on First Fridays," Smith said. "The live music outside is fun for the merchants, that are open as well, as the customers strolling around."
The next First Fridays event will take place August 1.
(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.
(07/28/14 8:00pm)
The Assistive Technology Collaborative Project is a studio involving the department of special education, rehabilitation and counseling and the department of industrial design.
The project consists of teams that include of two industrial design undergraduate students, a rehabilitation graduate student and a handicapped veteran.
Trevor Johnson and Amelia Wilson, seniors in industrial design, and Brooke Molnar, recent graduate with a master's degree in collaborative special education, worked together with client Wesley Self, a veteran suffering from retinitis pigmentosa.
"Retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative disease that does damage to the retina," Johnson said. "He has no peripheral vision, and his wife says it's like looking through a straw. As a result, he also has night blindness."
Molnar did research about the eye disease, being mainly involved at the beginning of the studio.
"My main role was to interact with the veteran and help facilitate the conversation about difficulties he may have and wants he may have," Molnar said.
Johnson and Wilson created a new cane to assist Self's eye condition.
"For the handle, we made a lanyard that went around your wrist that had a magnet," Johnson said. "If the cane was to get knocked off, it would snap away, kind of like the connectors for Apple. We had that magnetic release lanyard."
In addition to the lanyard, the duo made updates to the cane tip and created a special vibrating handle.
"The tip of the cane can roll in all directions," Johnson said. "It has a tiny sensor that can determine the distance to an object and relay that to a micro-processor. It essentially can be used like a metal detector except it senses objects, walls and obstacles for people who can't see."
The process from beginning to end involved sketches and three 3D printed prototypes, according to Johnson.
Other students in the studio tested the prototypes.
"They just kind of closed their eyes and walked up stairs," Johnson said. "One of these [tests], I just put stuff out in the hallway."
Leslie Dickson, senior in industrial design, also has limited vision due to a birth defect. She was also part of the studio and tested the cane.
"Leslie, she actually does have really limited vision," Johnson said. "She was in our studio. It worked out [for her]. It was actually really cool to see it work out."
It worked out for Self as well, which was a very gratifying feeling, according to Wilson.
"My favorite part of the project was presenting prototypes to our client," Wilson said. "It was awesome to see what features he got excited about and the process of figuring out how to improve them was challenging, but fun. It was super gratifying seeing how much our client liked our functioning prototype."
Molnar agreed, saying that presenting the final product to the veteran was the most rewarding part of the experience for her.
Part of the studio assignment is to put in a patent for the final product.
The project is not completely done, however. Johnson is working with Jerrod Windham, assistant professor of industrial design and one of the leaders of the project, to fix some of the issues with the cane to make it able to be manufactured.
"The way the cane connects isn't perfect," Johnson said. "We had problems with the connections because 3D printing is a little finicky. You can get pieces that snap off or don't fit right, so we need to fix how it all fits together. The model needs to be fixed to where you could actually mass produce it, and right now there are some issues with that."
While Self has the final project from the semester, Johnson plans to give him the final, reworked cane.
"I think we're probably going to give him the one we redo because it had those connection problems and it's hard to change the battery and stuff," Johnson said. "That's one thing I'm working on is getting a way for the battery to fit in easier, so you don't have to open the whole cane."
Johnson said he hoped the cane will be finished by the end of the summer.
(07/11/14 12:00pm)
Two Auburn students received the opportunity to appear in the movie "Selma" set to release January 2015.
JaMichael White, senior in radio, television and film, and Markell Houser, junior in industrial design, are set to appear in the film depicting the 1965 voting marches from Selma, Georgia to Montgomery that took place at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement.
The movie was filmed in Atlanta and Selma and is produced by Oprah Winfrey, who will also have a leading role in the movie.
According to White, he discovered the opportunity online and attended an open casting call in Selma. He received information on what possible roles he could play in the movie after submitting a headshot and application.
White was selected to be one of nine individuals to act as a student militant group.
"It really just fell into my lap," White said. "It is a blessing how it all played out."
With plans to pursue a career in acting, White said he feels the long days and number of hours he spent on set well prepared him for the future.
While he did not have a main role, he gained acting experience on set.
The characters White and his companions portrayed in the film sing and stand with Martin Luther King Jr. as advocates for a change.
"It was convicting to be a part of something that was so huge in the '60s," White said.
After filming for a week with long hours, White said he appreciates his first on-screen role and the opportunity to build his portfolio.
Ric Smith, media studies professor, said he is proud a student from his department is already achieving such success.
"It is a great compliment to him," Smith said. "JaMichael is taking what he has learned in class and applying it to the real world."
According to Smith, students in media studies do not take acting classes, but learn the discipline that goes into filmmaking.
Houser, like White, said he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to appear in the film.
After hearing about the opportunity on WSFA News, Houser, who has grown up hearing about the Civil Rights Movement, applied to be an extra.
"I thought it would be only fitting since so much of the film is my history," Houser said.
Born in Selma and growing up in Montgomery, Houser felt a personal tie to the film.
Houser served as an extra during the marching scenes, where he stood toward the back, and marched with other cast members in Montgomery toward the capitol building.
Although his role did not require a costume, and he did not plan on being featured in the film, Houser said he believes the film will serve as a learning opportunity for those who do not know about the Civil Rights Movement.
Houser said he looks forward to the day where he will be able to pause the film and point out his role in the scene.
(07/09/14 8:28pm)
Jarrod Allen, graduated from Auburn's industrial design program in 2000, owns and operates his own leather business called Hide and True.
Based out of Birmingham, Allen started his business two years ago after teaching himself the craft of leather-working.
"Growing up, me and my dad would always make things together," Allen said.
Allen said he became inspired to learn how to make his own crafts after admiring the work of an open-source leather worker who posted tutorials online and buying a leather product from a friend.
After mastering the craft, Allen began selling his leather products to friends.
He attributes his success to the skills he learned while at Auburn.
"You leave [the program] feeling empowered and [able] to create," Allen said. "You learn the power of craftsmanship."
As a small business owner, Allen said he does not wish to grow exponentially, but wishes to maintain a small business.
According to Allen, if his business were a tree, he would not want it to be like a pine that is thin, grows quickly and is easily cut down. He wants his business to take on the characteristics of a maple or oak tree that has slow growth, but is strong and solid.
"You turn orders into growth, not trips to the bank," Allen said.
Randall Bartlett, professor of industrial design and interim program chair of industrial design, taught Allen during his time at Auburn and said he believes Allen's work is fresh and rewarding.
"It's a clean and straightforward design," Bartlett said. "It's well-crafted."
Bartlett takes pride in the industrial design program and said he believes the success of Allen and other industrial design graduates inspires his current students by giving them hope and confidence.
"(Industrial design graduates) are the total package," Bartlett said. "We are creative problem-solvers with an understanding of marketing."
According to Bartlett, it is not the norm for industrial design graduates to start their own business, but more of a dream shared by students and professionals alike.
Joey and Megan Adams have been customers of Hide and True for a year and a half and have been pleased with Allen's products and work ethic.
"He provides practical products for every day life and relates to his costumers as if they were old friends," Joey said.
The couple praises Allen's use of genuine material and old-school customer service.
"It is the kind [of customer service] you wish every business would practice," Megan said.
According to Joey, the couple is unable to choose a favorite piece from Hide and True, but, with each order, Allen has continually exceeded their expectations with his talent, classic style and value that is put into each project.
A complete list of Allen's products can be viewed online or ordered at hideandtrue.com.
(07/05/14 4:30pm)
Dusty Slay, of Opelika, began his journey as a comedian in 2004 after leaving for Charleston, South Carolina.
Nearly 10 years later, Slay is set to return to Opelika to perform on The Road Trip Comedy Tour.
Tuesday, July 8, at 6 p.m., Slay along with Vince Fabra. Evan Berke and Derek Humphrey will take the stage at the event center in downtown Opelika for a two-hour show.
Tickets are $10 in advance at the Opelika Event Center website or by phone at 334-705-5466 and are $15 at the door.
The doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.
The tour, hosted by comedian Evan Berke, begins Saturday, July 5 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
When Slay moved to Charleston, South Carolina, he said he found little to no comedy scene or mic nights.
"So I started one," Slay said. "We'd be in front of terrible audiences. One night I took the stage and everyone actually paid attention, and it was the most terrifying thing in the world."
From there, Slay began coming up with a comedy routine.
In his routine, Slay said he shares observations from his life growing up; life with (and without) drinking; his many years of waiting tables and the many things people said that don't make sense.
Slay has a different perspective and a genuine approach to stand-up comedy and loves to make people laugh.
"I work at a seafood restaurant that brings in lots of tourists," Slay said. "I carry my note pad, and when something weird happens I write it down. If I have a bad table, I just tell myself, 'This could make a great joke.'"
In 2012, Slay quit drinking and left his job in pesticides to focus on being a stand-up comic.
After two years of focusing on stand-up, he said his goal is to become famous enough to do stand-up anywhere.
"I want to be famous enough that any club will book me, but I don't need to be Dave Chappelle," Slay said. "If I saw everyone on the street screaming, 'I'm Rick James!' I might go crazy."
Slay made a move towards his dream of becoming famous when he went to New York for a month and performed everyday, sometimes multiple times a day.
"I liked the idea of doing comedy every day for 30 days," Slay said. "So last August, I went to New York and did 36 open mics and seven showcases."
During one performance, Slay said he vividly remembers embarrassing his parents, and credits that moment to his parents never attending his shows.
"The first time my dad came to a show, this middle-aged couple was there wasted," Slay said. "The woman dropped her glass and it shattered as her face hit the table. They got up to leave and I said, 'Well there goes Mom and Dad. That's why they never come to my shows.' It was the biggest laugh of the night."
Through his performances, Slay said he found comedy is a form of art because of the immediate feedback necessary for success.
"Comedy is one of the most natural forms of art," Slay said. "People can say they love a painter's painting even if they don't. But if a comedian's jokes aren't funny, he's going to know. If no one laughs, it ain't funny."
(07/05/14 12:00pm)
Swing dancing is an old-school hobby coming back to life on campus.
The Auburn University Swing Dancing Association (AUSDA) is creating an atmosphere where students can learn about swing dancing and its different styles, such as Lindy Hop.
Kathryn Hoerlin, senior in industrial and systems engineering, is the current president.
Hoerlin started attending AUSDA meetings as a high school student and, only a year after attending meetings, she began instructing.
"It's something my friends and I saw when we were in high school, and we thought, 'Oh, that sounds like fun,'" Hoerlin said. "Our parents were like, 'Sure, swing dancing sounds great. You can't really go wrong with that.'"
In the upcoming school year, AUSDA will receive funding from the Auburn University Commissions Board for a new dance floor, which will allow them to dance on campus.
"It's a really nice floor," Hoerlin said. "The kind we got is semi-floating, which means it gives when you dance on it, so it reduces knee injuries and it's better to dance on than carpet or concrete with carpet over it. My two years of presidency was working toward getting (the floor), so I'm really excited."
With the new floor, the group plans to have monthly dances in the Student Center Ballroom on Saturday nights.
"The idea is to do an hour lesson where people can just drop in and to have a three or four-hour dance after," Hoerlin said. "Those will probably be $5-10, depending on if we get a band. We really want to get a band."
Hoerlin said she hopes the dances in the Student Center will make swing dancing more accessible, especially to on-campus freshmen.
"It's hard to explain we're not actually on campus, but that we're at Jan Dempsey Arts Center, which is close to campus, but is not really walking distance, especially at night," Hoerlin said. "Sometimes we drive freshmen to our dances and drive them back. If they join our Facebook group and say, 'Hey, I want to go to the dance tonight! Can someone drive me?' Someone always volunteers. It's still not as inviting as if we did something on campus to get people interested."
Hoerlin also said she thinks the monthly dances will be popular for date nights.
Ian Kirkconnell, junior in electrical engineering, said he enjoys the swing dancing AUSDA offers.
"I really like going to them because I enjoy swing dancing, seeing friends, dancing with new people and, of course, dancing is always a good excuse to bring a date along," Kirkconnell said.
Sarah Hurt, veterinary student, said swing dancing helps her express herself.
"Swing dancing is a very important part of my life," Hurt said. "It provides a way to escape the stress of life and school. Naturally I am shy, but while dancing I can express myself, not through words, but through movement."
Katie McCutcheon, sophomore in chemical engineering, said swing dancing helps her find peace.
"When I swing dance, I forget about everything else," McCutcheon said. "I let the lead tell me what to do and stop struggling to control everything. Swing lets me relax. I swing every chance I get."
According to Hoerlin, the reason she swing dances is simple: it makes her happy.
"I'm probably the happiest I ever am when I'm dancing," Hoerlin said. "I kind of enjoy instructing, and I kind of enjoy leading things, but I think mostly, I just really enjoy dancing and going to events. I just want to make everyone else learn about it too and be as happy as I am."
