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Auburn Offers Fun in the Sun

By Maria Iampietro / Writer | May 29

Between spring and fall semesters at Auburn University, many students who stay in town for the summer struggle to find local entertainment. "Most everyone I know goes to Birmingham or Atlanta a lot for fun activities," said Megan Neely, a senior in Human Development and Family Studies.

Eco Art Raises Awareness of Environmental Concerns

By Lauren Cavallaro / Writer | May 28

Sustainable art seems to be maintaining a considerable amount of interest from both local and distant communities thanks to the student-featuring Eco Art Student Exhibition in Biggin Hall.

Small Summer Classes are Worth the Sacrifice

By Travis Herrman / Writer | May 27

When it comes to summer semesters at Auburn, students and professors agree smaller class sizes make the summer sacrifice worth it.

Music, Dance Make Miracles

By Crystal Cole / STAFF REPORTER | April 29

Instead of going to a sunny baseball game, sitting by the pool or throwing a Frisbee with their friends, some students chose to attend the Miracles of Music benefit concert Sunday in the Student Center Ballroom.Although attendance was not high, Aubie was present to cheer up the shy crowd.

Vet School Opens House

By Anna Schierholz / WRITER | April 29

The College of Veterinary Medicine held its annual open house Saturday at its campus on Wire Road.Through the rain there were a variety of activities and demonstrations to help educate future veterinary students."It's really beneficial because it provides a glimpse of what you can expect once you're a student in the vet school," said Shannon Hinton, a recent veterinary school admit.

Tai Chi Brings Relaxation

By Ashley Marks / WRITER | April 29

Fans of rest, relaxation and improved flexibility celebrated the World Tai Chi Day Saturday.At 10 a.m., participants around the globe took a break from their busy lives to enjoy the peaceful art of Tai Chi.Auburn citizens did their part by getting together at the Jule Collins Smith Museum.Tai Chi is a form of relaxation exercise that is most often compared to Yoga.

Muslim Addresses Misconceptions

By Eric Austin / WRITER | April 29

Auburn students were given an opportunity last Thursday in Haley Center to learn about and discuss Islam, a faith to which a predominantly Christian campus has little exposure and at times outright ignorance to."I hope at the end of this you come away with a different understanding, or at least a foundation," said Imam Mohamed Ismail, the featured speaker at the lecture event of the Muslim Students' Association."Clearing up Misconceptions of Islam" sought to answer questions and address inaccuracies students may have about the world's second largest faith."The main purpose of the Muslim Students' Association is to invite people to learn about Muslims and Islam in general," said Ansab Ali, president of the organization and senior in accounting.Ali said there are plenty of people of the Islamic faith in the Auburn community."We have about a hundred students in the organization on campus, and we have over a thousand Muslims at least in the surrounding community," Ali said.In his lecture, Ismail focused on the principles of Islam, which were revealed to the prophet Muhammad and are summarized in the "Five Pillars of Islam," which can be found in the Quran.They consist of worshipping no god but Allah, daily prayer, a month of fasting during Ramadan, a pilgrimage to Mecca and charitable giving.He also addressed misconceptions about Islam in the West."Sadly, most of the world's education about Islam is received from the media," Ismail said.

Kappa Kappa Psi Hosts Live, Laugh, Run

By Nicole Emmett / WRITER | April 29

Runners braved the bad weather at Kappa Kappa Psi's Live, Laugh, Run 5K and Fun Run Saturday morning.The event began on the Concourse as 157 people ran in memory of Sarah Anderson, Auburn student and band member."I could not have asked for a better turnout, especially on a rainy day," said Katherine Buck, sophomore in communications and member of KKPsi.Kappa Kappa Psi is the national honorary band fraternity, of which Anderson was a brother.

Coaches Get Cookin' For AXD Taste-Off

By Davis Potter / WRITER | April 29

Locals enjoyed a barbecue lunch while contributing to a good cause as part of the ninth annual Alpha Xi Delta Coaches' Taste-Off Saturday afternoon in the Student Center.The philanthropy event raised $10,000 for the Lee County Partnership for Children to help local low-income families pay for child care.The funds will be contributed to the Child Care Resource Center, which administers the county's child care subsidy program."The coaches do take (the contest) pretty seriously," said Erin McCreary, president of Alpha Xi Delta and sophomore in biomedical sciences.

Distinguished Ala. Journalists Honored

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 29

Five journalists were honored at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center Friday for their contributions to the legacy of Alabama journalism.David White, who has covered the Alabama Legislature in the Birmingham News since 1989, was awarded the Distinguished Special Achievement in Journalism award.Also honored were Paul Hemphill, Howell Raines, George Smith and John Stevenson.Hemphill, who died in 2009, was an Auburn alumnus and sports editor at The Auburn Plainsman in 1957, when Auburn won the national championship.His wife accepted his honor, the Distinguished AU Journalism Alumnus award.Hemphill wrote for the Birmingham News, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and many other papers before writing 15 books about country music, evangelism, football, stock car racing and blue collar southerners.Raines, Birmingham native, former editor of The New York Times and Pulitzer Prize winner, received the Distinguished Mass Media Achievement award.Although Raines didn't attend Auburn, he said his "defining moment," a phrase he is credited with coining, happened at Jordan-Hare Stadium while he was reporting on the 1965 Iron Bowl.

SGA Senate gives various groups provisional status

By Ashley Marks / WRITER | April 28

Monday, SGA held its weekly meeting, one of the last of the spring semester. The well-dressed senators sat side by side to discuss its usual topics and issues.After each senator made his or her presence known, the meeting began and bills were passed and postponed, per usual. This week the Auburn men's ice hockey team got some exciting news. The team proposed a bill that, if passed, would officially give them provisional status.

Solar researcher becomes fourth COSAM faculty member to receive prestigious $580,000 grant

By Katie Ehrhart / WRITER | April 25

An electrochemist and assistant professor in the Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics since the fall of 2006, recently received one of the most prestigious grants given to young professors.Wei Zhan is the recipient of a five-year, $580,000 grant awarded by the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development, or CAREER. Zhan said he feels fortunate and lucky to have received the grant.

'Uncle Roy' Rocks Gnu's Room

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | April 24

Dressed in a mango-orange Hawaiian button down patterned with flowers and ukuleles, "Uncle Roy" Shultz sang about life, love and leisure with his saxophone-playing son, Jonas, at the Gnu's Room Friday night.

Check-out for Charity Urges Donations

By Ben Bartley / COPY EDITOR | April 23

The University is encouraging all on-campus residents to donate unwanted but still reusable items to the Salvation Army and East Alabama Food Bank beginning tomorrow.Check-out for Charity, which started about 15 years ago, is trying to capitalize on excess items left behind when students migrate home for summer.

Geologist works to keep radioactive hydrogen out of trees

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | April 23

James Landmeyer, research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, spoke about tritium uptake in trees to a small crowd in Haley Center for Earth Day Thursday."We kind of did (my research) on a shoestring budget, but we were really curious," Landmeyer said.

Medical Resignation Offers New Chances

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | April 22

When someone is injured in a car crash, their grades are typically the last thing on their minds.Fortunately for these students, Auburn University offers a solution.The Program for Students with Disabilities gives a second chance to those facing serious mental and health conditions."It's really a medical resignation program," said Dr. Fred Kam, executive and medical director at the AU Medical Clinic.

Group Breaks 'Day of Silence'

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | April 22

Members of the Auburn Gay Straight Alliance stood outside the Student Center Friday getting signatures for their petition and promoting participation in the Day of Silence."The petition is to get gender identity put into the Auburn non-discrimination clause," said Adam Gatlin, a member of AGSA.

Military Parades for President Gogue

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | April 22

Not many people show their appreciation for someone by waking them up before dawn, but that is exactly what every branch of the Auburn ROTC program did for Auburn University president Jay Gogue Friday morning."All the branches went on a run together around campus (Friday) morning," said Matt Denham, sophomore in aviation management.