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Meat Lab Allows Student Savings

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | January 21

The Lambert-Powell Meat Lab is a place for Auburn residents to purchase locally grown and sometimes discounted meat.Amanda Harbison, senior in animal science and employee at the meat lab, said several students visit the meat lab weekly."Most are looking for steaks for grilling out," Harbison said.Other products, including specialty items, are also available at the lab.

Course Ropes in Student Groups

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | January 21

Auburn student and faculty members can set a course for adventure at the Auburn University Challenge Course.Laura Herring, the course coordinator said the course was created with the Auburn community in mind."Auburn has priority over the course," Herring said. Herring said the Auburn course is different than other challenge courses because it has activities that strive for teambuilding and individual success, both of which are new to the industry.Located just off of North College Street, Auburn's challenge course offers a static course for independent work and other high elements that encourage teamwork by requiring team members on the ground to assist the person who is harnessed in the air.

New Club Inspires Students to Give Back

By Drew Thompson / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR | January 21

Auburn University student leaders say students must give back to Auburn, which has given so much to the students.The Student Development Board, a new organization at Auburn, consists of 31 students and 10 staff members.SDB is designed and organized to represent the student body, with the campaign slogan "It Starts With One."The goal of SDB is to encourage students to give back to the University and create a philanthropic culture at Auburn.SDB provides an organized way to distribute gifts given by the students to their department of choice."We were asked to be on the SDB because we are leaders on campus, and we would hopefully inspire other students to give back to Auburn in any way they see fit," said Lena Hulse, junior in Spanish international trade.SDB allows students to give to their passion point, said Hank Galbreath, SDB adviser."This probably got going through student leadership," Galbreath said.Hulse said Auburn is one of the lowest schools in the SEC in the rankings for students giving back.Students noticed their peers were not giving back to the University and decided to make a change.SDB representatives said they want people to realize that it is not so much the amount that they give, but the fact that they have given."It is important to return to your school what your school has given to you," Hulse said.

Students Find Different Methods to Stay Active

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | January 21

The new year brings new resolutions, including vows to eat healthier or to work out more, but some students have taken physical activity to a whole new level in 2010.Nerf sword fighting is one option for creatively burning calories."(We get exercise) because we are kicking in doors and running through buildings," said Josh Jinright, sophomore in polymer and fiber engineering.

Former Vet Dean's Career Honored

By Michelle Wilder / CAMPUS EDITOR | January 21

Auburn veterinary dean emeritus John Thomas Vaughan received the Distinguished Educator Award by The American Association of Equine Practitioners.Vaughan, a 1955 graduate of Auburn and former president of AAEP and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, accepted the award in Las Vegas during the President's Luncheon at the 55th Convention Dec.

Law Fair Gives Students Options

By Max Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 21

Some people may not associate scholars with fairs, but Thursday, Jan. 21, the two will come together in the Haley Center lobby.The event is the Auburn University Law School Fair and it will be hosted by the Pre-Law Scholars Program."It's an opportunity for students interested in entering law school to meet with representatives on a personal level," said Dorothy Littleton, a political science professor and director of the Pre-Law Program.

Two Auburn Actresses Appear in Recent Movies

By Jennifer Beckett / WRITER | January 21

"The Last Song" may not be the last casting opportunity for one of Auburn's recently discovered actresses.Abby Hamann, sophomore in elementary education, landed a spot at the end of Miley Cyrus' upcoming movie "The Last Song" after a friend told her to submit her picture for a part as an extra."I didn't really know what I was going to be doing because I sent in my picture and a little bit about myself to a casting director, and he ended up calling me to tell me that he wanted me to come down the next day or something," Hamann said.Hamann appeared in a scene where she and another actress were on the beach, and Cyrus walked toward them."We laugh at her and give her mean looks," Hamann said.That kind of behavior seems unlikely for Hamann, but she is good at molding into a character, said Ashley Ahner, senior in finance and friend of Hamann."I'm not saying she's intimidating, but she can be rough if she needs to be," Ahner said.

A New Class of Wine

By Ashlee Wood / WRITER | January 21

Many people associate college with drinking alcohol, but few realize Auburn actually teaches students the proper forms of consumption.The College of Human Sciences offers a class called "Beverage Appreciation" for students ages 21 and older.The course is comprised of lessons of production, selection, service and sensory evaluation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages."The class is a professional elective in the Hotel and Restaurant Management major, designed to give students a broad overview of beverages," said Martin O'Neill, a professor in hotel and restaurant management.Fewer than 20 students meet at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center every Friday afternoon where O'Neill educates the group on wine, beer and other drinks."A lot of people eat away from home, which is not only food, but also beverage," O'Neill said.

New Concrete Saves Arboretum Paths

By Max Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | January 21

Concrete that is full of holes may sound like a useless invention, but at the Donald E. Davis Arboretum it is just what the doctor ordered, or at least what the building science professor ordered.That professor is Michael Hein and the concrete is pervious concrete.

Gnu's Room Kicks Off Writers' Series with Jacob Thompson

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | January 18

The Gnu's Room Bookstore on South Gay Street in Auburn began its writers' series with a short story reading by local student Jacob Thompson. He read "Guide to Biking Rural Roads at Night" in front of a fairly crowded Gnu's Room on Friday night.

Old Foy Opens With New Amenities

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | December 3

James E. Foy Hall will open Spring 2010 with new dining venues and an updated look.

Auburn Biological Sciences Sells Clownfish

By David Crayton/ Staff Writer | December 3

Two University biologists are selling ornamental fish cultured from the Red Sea.The sale is being organized by Nanette Chadwick of biological sciences and graduate student Joey Szczebak.The department is selling anemone fish, which are also called clownfish.Chadwick said people will buy the fish because they are unique."Our fish were born in aquaria, and so they are acclimated and used to aquarium life and do not experience the transition shock of wild-caught fish," Chadwick said.

Agriculture Alumni Association Adds Members to Hall of Honor

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | December 3

The Auburn University Agriculture Alumni Association will induct three new members Feb. 23, 2010.The Hall of Honor/Pioneer Award gallery honors living Alabamians for the achievements in the agricultural sector."It's probably the greatest honor I've received as a member of Auburn's faculty," said William Hardy, former College of Agriculture dean for instruction and a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.Hardy will be honored alongside William Powell, executive director of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, and Raymond Jones, Huntsville cattleman and businessman."I've said this a thousand times," Hardy said.

Verizon Wireless Funds Rural Health Screenings

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | December 3

What do cell phones, engineers and nurses have in common? They can all help rural Alabamians.Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has teamed up with the School of Nursing to utilize a grant from Verizon Wireless.The Verizon Foundation awarded $23,000 to Loachapoka High School Nov.

Auburn Hosts Renewable Energy Conference

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | December 3

Cars of the future were the talk of the town Nov. 17-18 as Auburn hosted the Sixth Annual Alabama Renewable Energy Conference at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.More than 200 scientists and engineers from across the country attended the conference, exchanging concepts ranging from alternative forms of energy to the design of vehicles to implement these technologies."I was very pleased with the turnout at the conference," said Kathy Hornsby, renewable energy program manager with the energy division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Extended Insurance Available for Holidays

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | December 3

The holiday season has arrived, meaning faculty and students alike will be throwing end-of-semester parties.However, in this age of endless litigation, an age where one can seemingly be sued for looking at someone else in a funny way, is basic homeowner's insurance enough protection?Enter event insurance, special coverage that can make sure all bases are covered in the event of an accident, arrest or any other liability specific to a medium to large-scale event."If it is a small party at your house, your homeowner's (insurance) probably is enough," said Alan Mitchell, Eclectic Insurance agent.

Coat Campaign Lends Helping Hand to Needy

By Lindsey Grubbs/ Staff Writer | December 3

With weather reaching cooler temperatures, coats are a must for everyone, even in south Alabama.This season, Auburn University Medical Clinic and East Alabama Medical Center have begun the first "One Coat Campaign" to receive coat and jacket donations for those in need around the Auburn-Opelika community.Since beginning Nov.

Shelby, Coliseum Still on Schedule to Open Late 2010

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | December 3

With the semester winding down, construction is moving full speed ahead on the new basketball arena and phase II of the Shelby Center construction.The new arena will have an approximate capacity of 9,600 fans and will include more than 29,000 square feet of space with features including a two-court practice facility, coaches offices, the Auburn University Athletic Ticket Office, an AU Team Store and two food courts."Some of the new features the project will have are a dedicated weight room, separate men's and women's training rooms, 12 tailgate suites, the relocated new and interactive Lovelace Hall of Honor, on-site food prep facility and meeting/conference space for after hours functions," said Brain Hale, project manager for Robins & Morton and construction manager for the project.The Lovelace Hall of Honor will open up with the arena and will be a showplace highlighting the history, accomplishments and current happenings in all the Auburn sports programs.Randy Byars, project coordinator for the Auburn Arena and director of Athletic Facilities, said the project is contracted to be completed in July 2010.He said they are currently ahead of schedule and the arena is approximately 82 percent complete.The seating configuration will offer better sight lines for fans and move them closer to the court, Byars said.The furthest seat will be 43 feet in elevation from courtside compared to 60 feet away at Beard-Eaves."The new arena is radically different from Beard-Eaves," Byars said.