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Auburn Hosts BEST Robotics Event

By Aubrie Davis/ Staff Writer | October 15

Screaming fans, loud music and noisy drums echoed through the Student Activities Center Saturday for the annual War Eagle BEST competition.Middle school and high school students from across Alabama traveled to Auburn to compete in an intense robotics competition.Twenty-four teams participated in the event, which lasted nearly seven hours.Robby Ingenloff, a freshman at East Memorial Christian Academy, said this was his first BEST competition.

Auburn Engineers Develop Virus Filter Software

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 15

Recent outages on Web sites like Facebook and Twitter are a problem for users.Computer engineers at Auburn may have the solution.John Wu, Tong Liu, Andy Huang and David Irwin are engineers who have created software for computer systems called Identity-Based Privacy-Protected Access Control Filter (IPACF)."Denial of Service (DoS) and distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks involve an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users," Liu said in a written introduction to the team's research.

Vet Student Receives Scholarship

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | October 15

Jonetta Tabor, a third-year veterinary student at Auburn, was awarded the 2009 American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation-Pfizer Veterinary Student Scholarship."I am very grateful for the support as I seek to fulfill my goal of becoming a large animal practicing veterinarian," Tabor said.Eleven recipients were chosen, each receiving $5,000 in scholarship money to be used towards an education in large animal medicine."A truly outstanding group of recipients has been named for this inaugural group of scholarships," said Gatz Riddell, DVM, AABP executive vice president.

jGRASP Gets Grant From Nation Science Foundation

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 15

Auburn computer science professor James Cross and his jGRASP research group have received an award from the National Science Foundation of $250,000.The group, whose name stands for Graphic Representations of Algorithms, Structures and Processes, has created a development environment that provides visualizations to make software more comprehensive."This has been a long running project," Cross said.

Speaker Discusses Importance of Engineers

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 15

If one were to try to name the most influential policy makers in this country, congressmen, CEOs and special interest groups might come to mind.However, according to William Wolf, former president of the National Academy of Engineering, scientists and engineers are a large part of the passing of local and national legislation.Wolf presented "Responsible Citizenship in a Technological Society" in Broun Hall last Thursday as part of the Samuel Ginn Distinguished Lecture Series."For 11 years I sat right at the nexus of science, technology and policy," Wolf said.

PINK Hosts Beat Hunger Bash

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | October 15

Auburn's finest chefs came out to the Sigma Chi house for the grill-off for Victoria's Secret PINK Beat Hunger Bash Tuesday.PINK and the Committee of 19 hosted the event to support Auburn's War on Hunger for Hunger Awareness Week from Oct.

Auburn Wins at Poultry Science Association Meeting

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | October 15

Auburn's Department of Poultry Science racked up at the annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association in North Carolina.Five current students or faculty and one former Auburn graduate student were recognized for their accomplishments.Jessica Butler, a current graduate student working with professor Pat Curtis, was elected by a group of her peers as a student representative to the PSA board of directors."I am responsible for being the voice of the next generation of poultry scientists," Butler said.Butler will serve a two-year term in her position.

Indian Student Association Celebrates Diwali

By Alison McFerrin / STAFF WRITER | October 15

Happy Diwali 2009!Diwali is an Indian celebration that took place on campus in Foy Student Union ballroom this past Sunday.Diwali means "an array of lights." It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil; the main focus is lamps being lit to expel darkness from around and from within."It's a new beginning," said Pratyusha Patel, a second year pharmacy student.Patel, who is originally from Zambia, described Diwali as a bit like Thanksgiving."It is a time for family and friends and good food," Patel said.The Diwali '09 celebration on Auburn's campus was hosted by the Indian Student Association in conjunction with the Indian Cultural Association of East Alabama.Other involved organizations included the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, the International Student Organization, the Auburn Asian Association and the Muslim Student Association.The event featured performances by young children and adults, who sang, danced and performed skits to showcase Indian culture.The origin of Diwali comes from the Hindu Puranas.

Alpha Phi Alpha Hosts Miss Black and Gold Pageant

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | October 15

Students came out last Friday night to attend Alpha Phi Alpha's 27th Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant in the Student Center.Three contestants competed in the 45-minute competition, vying for the first place prize of $500 and a chance to compete in the next round this Saturday in Montgomery.The event kicked off with a performance from Therapy, a local seven-member, neo-soul and jazz band, and a dance routine was performed by AU Rhythm, the University's rhythm and dance team.Graduate student in political science, Marvin Price, and last year's Miss Black and Gold, Jessica Alexander, hosted the pageant.The contestants, Candace Brown, a junior in English, Faith Kashaa, a sophomore in biomedical sciences, and junior Andrea Jemison, started the competition with the swimsuit portion.Then the ladies went into the talent portion where Brown sang a soulful rendition of Etta James' "At Last." Kashaa sang "Hero" by Mariah Carey and Jemison danced.Next was the evening wear competition where the ladies showcased their gowns.After a piano performance by Alexander and a question-and-answer round about Michelle Obama, Jemison was announced as the winner.Kashaa was second runner-up and Brown came in second place."I'm thrilled about it.

Auburn University Dean of Nursing Retires after 11 Years

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 8

After 45 years as a nurse and 11 years as dean of the Auburn University School of Nursing, Barbara Witt is retiring.

Auburn Thinks Pink: Cater and Samford Hall Light Up Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | October 8

Auburn's campus is blushing pink this October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.This is the third year Zeta Tau Alpha Gamma Rho Chapter has partnered with the University to illuminate the campus in pink lights in the effort to raise awareness about breast cancer.The inspiration came from Estee Lauder Companies' Global Landmark Illumination Initiative which illuminates famous buildings, monuments and landmarks around the world in pink lights.

Farmhouse Rodeo Puts Students Back in the Saddle

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | October 8

Grab your cowboy boots and saddle up for the annual Farmhouse Rodeo benefiting Opelika's Storybook Farms.The rodeo is a community sponsored and family-oriented event.Fraternity and sorority teams compete in a variety of traditional events and activities such as stick-horse racing and a Ms. Rodeo Queen Pageant, according to Farmhouse's Web site."The atmosphere of the rodeo is my favorite part," said Farmhouse Rodeo Chairman Fuller McCabe.

Office of Sustainability Teaches Conservation Methods

By Brian Desarro/ Staff Writer | October 8

With global warming fading into the background behind healthcare and the economy, the Office of Sustainability began hosting weekly talks on energy consumption and conservation last Sunday.David Newton, retired faculty member from the Harrison School of Pharmacy, spoke to a small crowd of community members on alternatives to the mass consumption of fossil fuels on which the entire world has come to depend.Newton said he was inspired to volunteer for this talk after reading Tom Friedman's book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America.""It wasn't full of a lot of happiness," Newton said.

Libertarians Tell How to Talk to Law Enforcement

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 8

Despite what they may tell you, sometimes telling the police "the whole truth and nothing but the truth" can hurt more than it helps.This idea was the focus of the Auburn University Libertarians' "Busted" event last Thursday, where Attorney and Opelika Municipal Judge Ben Hand spoke on civil liberties when interacting with law enforcement."I've represented the most hardcore murderer to the drug dealer to the casual user," Hand said.

College of Education in Search of New Dean

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | October 8

The College of Education is searching for a new dean after Frances Kochan announced her decision to resign from the position, effective summer 2010.Auburn University Provost Mary Ellen Mazey moderated a college-wide public forum to hear thoughts on the new dean."I'm here to get input on leadership attributes people want to see in the new dean," Mazey said.A search committee composed of faculty and students has been composed, and is led by June Henton, the dean of the College of Human Sciences."We want to make sure we start with a broad perspective on what students and faculty want in a new dean," Henton said.Mazey, who has chaired three dean searches and one provost search, explained the process of finding a new dean for the College of Education.The college will hire a search firm in addition to the established committee.

Black Student Union Hosts 'Mellow Night'

By Daniel Chesser/ Staff Writer | October 8

The Black Student Union hosted jazz and poetry night at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Thursday.The event was mellow and inviting with live music and free food including vegetable, meatball, hot-wing and fruit platters, along with fruit punch and water to drink.The activities took place on the back patio of the museum parallel.

Asian Student Organizations Hold Festival in Eagle's Nest

By Jordan Dailey/ Assistant Campus Editor | October 8

An imitation of a Korean traditional wedding was celebrated in the Eagle's Nest Thursday night.The 10th floor of the Haley Center was home to the Mid-Autumn Festival, hosted by the Chinese Club, the Japanese Student Organization and the Korean and American Student Association.The Korean and American Association used two volunteers to perform the ceremony, which included the toss of objects into a blanket to represent how many children the couple would have, the "bride" being spun around on the "groom's" back three times and lots of flashing cameras from onlookers."We're a new club; we'll be official soon," said Joo Oh, president of the Korean and American Association and a junior in biomedical sciences.The organization is open to all students, regardless of heritage."We want to present more Korean culture and language," Oh said.If those in attendance didn't want to watch a wedding, they could make origami with the Japanese Organization."We pretty much put this together in two weeks," said Sherome Hardison, president of the Japanese Organization and a junior in electrical engineering.The Japanese Organization also made origami for Tiger Nights.The Chinese Club is led by President Will Abercrombie, a senior in psychology."Chinese Independence Day is Oct.

'Peace Dinner' Serves Cultural Understanding

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 8

Food and fun were on the menu at the International Student Organization's Peace Dinner Monday night.Foods from countries such as Turkey, China, India and Nigeria lined the walls of the Student Center Ballroom as students filed around the building's top floor waiting to get in.