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A woman in a white dress with floral embellishments joyfully holds a pom-pom in front of a red brick building.

In memory of Lainey Anderson

Filled with overflowing kindness and a welcoming spirit, Lainey Anderson made an effort to spread love wherever she went. During her time at Auburn, she was dedicated to including everyone at the table, while being a constant friend in her relationships. Anderson graduated from Auburn this past May with a degree in professional flight from the School of Aviation with a minor in finance. She was also a certified flight instructor at Sander’s Aviation in Jasper, Alabama.

Many students are outside the Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center. Contributed by Leanne Greene.

Staying active in Auburn

Whether students enjoy late afternoon runs in "The Rec," walks with friends around campus or fitness classes conveniently located near their apartment, there is no shortage of ways to stay active in Auburn. Within the past couple of years, recent fitness additions, such as workout classes or local gyms, have grown to help students maintain healthy lifestyles year-round. These new fitness communities are becoming multigenerational, as they are populated with college students and residents who enjoy a breadth of exercise options.

A colorful children's book titled "Andy: A Dog's Tale" features a cheerful cartoon dog on the cover, with multiple copies stacked below it.

Award-winning animation director Jamy Wheless introduces newest character at Auburn Public Library

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Writer | November 8

Animator, veteran of Lucasfilm, director and Auburn University alumnus Jamy Wheless hosted an event at the Auburn Public Library on Nov. 7, at 9:30 a.m. to introduce one of his newest characters: Andy the future service dog. Andy made his debut in a short film directed by Wheless and is now the star of a brand-new children’s book based on the film.

A bald man in glasses gestures while seated in front of a computer in an audio studio environment.

STEM side of music composition

By Lizzie McGlynn | Lifestyle Writer | November 7

In the world of modern composition, technology is no longer an add-on to music; it is a core part of how it is created, taught and performed. At Auburn University, that reality is shaping a growing program where students learn to blend artistry with innovation. Lee Johnson, professor of composition, has seen firsthand how much technology has become inseparable from the craft.

A boy in a yellow shirt and a girl in a pink dress play pickleball across a black net on a light blue background.

Health benefits of recreational sports

By Katie Gibson | Lifestyle Writer | November 4

Many college students grew up with a background of athletics, competing and being a part of a team. Coming to college can be scary for students who are worried they will lose the competitive outlet that they grew up loving. Luckily at Auburn, you do not need to be a “D1 athlete” to continue competing recreationally.

REVIEW: The Exorcist Graphic

The scariest movie of all time: A review of Friedkin's 'The Exorcist'

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Writer | October 25

Once hailed as "the scariest movie of all time," William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” follows the paranormal possession of a young girl and the lengths her worried mother goes to help her. Throughout the movie, Regan (Linda Blair) starts behaving strangely, developing symptoms such as vulgar outbursts, grotesque physical transformations and violent behavior. While I did not necessarily find it scary, the practical effects, the story and the incredible performance by Blair really sold the film for me. It is a movie that just feels evil, with its disturbing scenes and the sinister energy that the young girl possesses.

Well Red Sign

Fall food finds in Auburn

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Writer | October 22

A great way to celebrate fall is by tasting the specialty autumn flavors that Auburn offers. From sweet pumpkin desserts at coffee shops to hearty dinners at local restaurants, Auburn has no shortage of foods to celebrate the season.

Movie title, year, and Michael Myers silhouette on an orange background.

A classic slasher: Review of 'Halloween' (1978)

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | October 21

On Oct. 25, 1978, director John Carpenter’s breakthrough film, “Halloween”, was released. This movie follows the iconic masked figure Michael Myers (Nick Castle), who had been in a mental institution for murdering his teenage sister when he was just six years old. After 15 years, Myers managed to escape this institution and returned to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to begin his prowl for new victims. “Halloween” became a staple for slasher films as we know them and paved the way for the “Final Girl” trope as well.

Halloween Movie Review: Scream Graphic

A review of Scream: ‘What’s your favorite scary movie?’

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Writer | October 19

A masked killer plagues the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, often using phone calls to taunt victims. Taking place in the 1990s, the killer is untraceable, and help is further than just an emergency call on a cell phone. Constantly referencing infamous horror movies and the “rules” to survive a scary movie, the characters tend to still fall into the stereotype of dumb teenagers running straight to the killer. This is “Scream,” the pinnacle of tongue-in-cheek horror. “Scream” allows audiences to connect with the characters and root for them, while also providing ample opportunities to laugh at the meta moments in the film. Whether you are a horror movie fanatic or someone easing into the genre, “Scream” will not disappoint.

Graphic of fall dorm meals, including overnight oats, apple chips and apple cake.

Fall dorm recipes for and by Auburn students

By Margaret Griffin | Lifestyle Writer | October 18

When the temperature drops to a crisp breeze and the season starts to change, so does one’s palette. Hot lattes and warm drinks are now the most ordered off the coffee shops' menus, and iced drinks are drifting back into popularity for August and September. With more time inside during the colder seasons, novelties and new recipes tend to become a trend in the dorms.

Joshua Race, music education graduate student. Contributed by Joshua Race.

Auburn music education student named to Yamaha’s 40 Under 40

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Writer | October 14

Joshua Race, an Auburn grad student and full-time band director in Fountain, Colo., was recently named to Yamaha’s 40 Under 40, a list that recognizes young music educators for their outstanding work. Currently enrolled online at Auburn University pursuing his specialist in education degree, Race spends most of his time teaching his band students using metacognitive strategies.

Movie title, year, and hotel building on a blue background.

Friendly fright: A review of Alfred Hitchcock’s 'Psycho'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 14

The 1960 horror film “Psycho,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, illustrates a slew of chilling events that take place over a weekend in Arizona and California. On a Friday afternoon, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) commits a monetary crime that motivates her to go on the run. She stops at the Bates Motel and charms the man who runs the motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). At the Motel, Crane meets her mysterious end, and her sister, Lila Crane (Vera Miles) employs a private detective, Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam), to search for her. When Arbogast stops responding with updates, Lila and Sam Loomis (John Gavin), Marion’s boyfriend, go to the Bates Motel themselves and discover a mortifying secret about the events that occurred there.

Halloween Movie Review: Frankenstein (1931) Graphic

'It’s alive!' — A review of 1931’s 'Frankenstein'

By Sam Bainter | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 9

“Frankenstein” is a chilling story of a mad scientist driven by relentless ambition, striving to push science beyond its natural boundaries, with ethical themes of nature rivaling nurture and the dangers of isolation and alienation. The 1931 film of this classic narrative is the most well-known and influential retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel in the world of cinema due to its commercial and cultural success, which fully allowed Henry Frankenstein and his monster to break into mainstream pop culture.

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