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Artist Discusses Diversity and Reality TV

By Emily Clever / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR | March 3

Diversity may be a delicate issue in areas like Alabama, but some in Auburn are attempting to stir up the conversation with a younger generation.Six teenagers of Opelika and Auburn high schools met with local artist Doc Waller in Auburn's Student Center Sunday to discuss diversity and unity."Unity is just coming together as a people," said Mariah Sankey, junior at Opelika High School.

Home Sweet Home

By David Norwood / ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | February 25

Emily Waide is happy to be back in Auburn.Last week she celebrated an anniversary of sorts -- one year of being stateside.It has been one year since she was in Baghdad and slept in a trailer guarded by slabs of concrete 15 feet high, the only protection against random missile fire.

Auburn Student Veterans Association brings attention to student veterans

By David Norwood / ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | February 25

Auburn University's newest student group is now recruiting members.The Auburn Student Veterans Association received its charter from the Student Organizations Board Monday, Feb.

Scholarship offers Washington D.C. internship

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | February 25

Students interested in applying for congressional internships in Washington, D.C., asked questions and received advice during the Auburn on the Hill informational meeting in Cater Hall Tuesday afternoon.Karen Pruett, program coordinator and career counselor, helped two students navigate the Auburn on the Hill Web site and find which internships might suit them best depending on their congressional districts, majors and interests."Just make sure to gather your cover letter and other materials early because every office has a different deadline and application process," Pruett said.Representatives Mike Rodgers and Robert Aderholt have deadlines March 1, so students interested in pursuing internships with either of them must gather and send in materials as soon as possible, Pruett said.Students must seek and pay for housing during their internships, so they should start looking for accommodations as soon as they decide where they want to go, Pruett said."Once you have an idea of where you want to apply, check with friends or family to see if they have any input on which housing areas would be closest to where you will be interning," Pruett said.Auburn on the Hill Website provides a link with housing suggestions for different areas."If a student is affiliated with a sorority or fraternity, some districts offer rooms for rent in Greek housing on a nearby campus," Pruett said.Volunteering at the meeting, Allison Thompson worked with agricultural energy and environmental policy in Washington, D.C., for six years.

DZs browse boutique for break

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 25

With spring almost here, many Auburn students are in search of the perfect Spring Break wardrobe, as well as the most unique formal dress for fraternity and sorority functions.Many found wardrobe relief Monday when Delta Zeta hosted a trunk show featuring attire from fashion label Leona.Amanda Askew, sales director and close friend of Leonard, said she loved being able to do trunk shows in the Auburn area."We're available at Simply Charming," Askew said.

Mardi Gras continues on Plains

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 25

Fat Tuesday may have come and gone, but the Lexington Hotel was filled with the sounds and celebration of Mardi Gras Saturday.The sisters of Mu Sigma Omega, the alumni chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, hosted their inaugural Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball."This is our first annual Mardi Gras ball," said Valerie Crawford, the president of Mu Sigma Omega.

5K Gathers Money for Engineers

By Katie Ehrhart / WRITER | February 25

For the Auburn chapter of Engineers Without Borders, the journey to Quesimpuco, Bolivia, started with a 5k run.Cupola Engineering Ambassadors sponsored the Short Circuit 5K Saturday, Feb.

Fine Arts Day feeds hungry stomachs, minds

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | February 25

Music blasting from speakers and the smell of hot dogs on the grill drew students to the courtyard of Dudley Hall during Fine Arts Day Thursday last week.Held by the School of Architecture and the American Institute of Architecture Students, Fine Arts Day invited students of various majors, including architecture, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, art, music and theater, to eat and socialize between classes, while selling tickets to the Beaux Arts Ball.The Ball, a Mardi Gras Masquerade, was Tuesday from 8 p.m.

Locals gorge hotdogs for fire victims

By Katie Ehrhart / WRITER | February 25

Scarfing down hot dogs was the theme of Friday's fundraiser to benefit an Auburn resident whose home recently burned.Eleven days after Auburn resident Annetta Sparks' home in Gentilly Park burned, the students, faculty and family members of the College of Veterinary Medicine came together to raise money for Sparks.However, the means by which the school chose to raise money, was anything but conventional.The fundraiser, thrown together last minute in honor of Sparks, was the Second Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest."The reason for this contest is strictly for Ms. Annetta Sparks who lost everything when her trailer burned up and three of her four dogs died," said Dougie Macintire, emcee of the event.

Toomer's bricks buy education

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | February 25

Bricks from Toomer's Corner have turned into scholarship money for students.The Auburn Alumni association is selling the bricks for $100.

Italians Say 'Ciao' to Auburn

By Maddy Hall / WRITER | February 25

For some, thinking about Italy conjures images of famous ruins in Rome, fashion in Milan or romantic gondola rides in Venice.After attending L'ora Del Caffe, the Italian Conversation Hour, thoughts center on food, family and fun.A group of students and professors met in the Eagle's Nest South in Haley Center to enjoy some Italian sweets and practice their conversation skills Monday afternoon.The conversation hour, which is free and open to the public, will meet March 29 and April 19.

Furman trio takes over Goodwin Hall

By Chelsea Harvey / WRITER | February 25

The dimming of the house lights followed by the tenor of a cello tuning offstage brought a hush to the audience in Goodwin music hall Saturday night.At 7:30 p.m.

Cutting a Rug for Credit

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 25

Many students find themselves struggling to make it to class on time.Sluggish students have to get out of bed, get dressed and find a way to make it all the way on campus, whether walking or taking a transit most of the way.But for those in Adrienne Wilson's Intermediate Dance Techniques II class, they find themselves arriving early with smiles on their faces, greeting each other as if it's been weeks since they last talked."We're one big happy family," said Richard Davis, senior in microbiology and theater.Located in the recently renovated Foy ballroom, Wilson's dance class of more than 20 students gathers to learn and practice different techniques of modern dance."We look at movement theory and take things to a different level," Wilson said.

Labradors Keep Society Safe in CIA

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 25

The classroom buildings and animal hospital on Wire Road may not be comparable to the CIA headquarters or the Pentagon, but the College of Veterinary Medicine is doing its part to keep the world safe.The Canine Detection Research Institute, a branch of the Auburn University Animal Health Performance Program, created a form of canine detection technology called Vapor Wake Detection to improve the utility of detection dogs."There is no other mode of technology out there as effective as a dog," said John Pearce, associate director of the Canine Detection Research Institute.

Kristi MeGahee Elected Miss Auburn

By Michelle Wilder / CAMPUS EDITOR | February 19

After being announced Miss Auburn at the SGA callouts Thursday night, Kristi MeGahee said she is ready to get the ball rollin'."It's been the most fun and rewarding week of my life, and I'm really excited," MeGahee said.MeGahee, whose platform supports the Lakeshore Foundation for returning soldiers, said she is ready to start working on her platform as soon as possible.

'Reverend Run' educating Auburn

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 18

Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons spends most of his time educating his children on the MTV reality show "Run's House," but the reverend took time out of his schedule to educate the students of Auburn University

Atheists, agnostics unite in disbelief

By Bree Bowen / WRITER | February 18

Ravikumar said AAA group meetings are also a time for friends to get together, have a good time and be a part of something."It's a different lifestyle, what we believe in," Ravikumar said. Even after growing up Christian, Ravikumar realized through observation and talking with others that his views greatly differed from that of mainstream religion.

IFC reps impress at conference

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 18

The executive members of Auburn's Interfraternity Council attended the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference in Atlanta in order improve fraternity operations on campus the weekend of Feb.