Identities

Venerable Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara leads the group of monks to Collins Farm in Cusseta, Ala. for their lunch stop after walking from Opelika, Ala. on Dec. 26, 2025.

Buddhist monks stop in Opelika on peace walk across the United States

By Ally Northridge | Content Editor and Estela Munoz | Assistant Photo Editor | December 26

On Dec. 25, 2025, roughly two dozen Buddhist monks passed through Auburn and Opelika on their 2,300-mile peace walk across the United States. Foundry Opelika Church housed the group on Dec. 25, while community members volunteered and prayed with the monks throughout the day and into the night. On Dec. 26, the group began their trek from Opelika to Cusseta, Alabama, where over 100 onlookers greeted them. Supporters are able to keep track of the monks through a live map found on their social media.

Sophia Aulisio and Thomas Lester: Two students inventing their own paths

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | November 25

Sophia Aulisio and Thomas Lester, two Auburn University students, have successfully made new products within the past year. They were also featured in the 2025 Inno Under 25 of the Birmingham Business Journal. With Aulisio’s volleyball gear and Lester’s instant-heat coffee, they are changing the world, one idea at a time.

BrainSTEM guides neurodivergent students to success

By Jennifer Santiago | Newsletter Editor | November 24

College is a notoriously difficult transitional period for young adults because of a mix of increased responsibilities, rigorous studies and a sense of newfound independence. BrainSTEM is a new student organization at Auburn University that seeks to assist all neurodivergent students, who may especially struggle during this transition, with achieving their goals, while providing a community consisting of other self-identifying neurodivergent students.

The Jule Museum displays a painting by Joan Brown titled "Noel at Table with Vegetables" in their Women Artists in Ascendance exhibit on Nov. 14, 2025.

Redefining American art through untold stories at the Jule

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter | November 16

On Aug. 19, 2025, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts opened its exhibit "Women Artists in Ascendance" to the public. The exhibit showcases artwork from notable women artists of the 20th century whose contributions have largely gone overlooked. The exhibit is one of four on display, exploring the idea of American art and who gets to define what that means.

A group of people is gathered at night, holding signs with various political messages, while some are chanting.

'You can't be a family if you hate half of your population': Group protests TPUSA event

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief and Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | November 5

In lieu of a Turning Point USA event, protesters gathered at the intersection of Thach Concourse and South Donahue at 5 p.m. while the TPUSA event started at 6:30 p.m. The protest was peaceful and unaffiliated with any student organizations. The protesters expressed their frustration with Auburn University and their perceived lack of concern for minority issues.

David Edmondson: Innovation with a free spirit

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | October 29

David Edmondson, former track and field athlete and mechanical engineering graduate student is the embodiment of hardwork and passion with a free-spirited nature.

Catherine Coleman Flowers lecture on her book "Waste"

Holy Ground: Catherine Coleman Flowers speaks on environmental activism

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | September 12

On Sept. 11, environmental justice activist Catherine Coleman Flowers visited Auburn University to present her book “Holy Ground,” where she discusses the relationship between environmental issues, civil rights, social justice and faith.

Celebrating 50 years of brotherhood: Kappa Alpha Psi

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | May 27

On May 18, 2025, Auburn University’s Kappa Alpha Psi, Theta Delta chapter celebrated 50 years on Auburn’s campus. The fraternity looked back on these 50 years through a celebration with alumni and current members, focusing on their service to the university.

Outreach Global to host upcoming Global Community Day Festival

March 31

The Outreach Global Office at Auburn University will host its fourth annual Global Community Day Festival on April 5 on Cater Lawn. Free to anyone in the Lee County community, the event will feature arts and crafts, food trucks and a fashion exhibition.

Bren Wells: President of the International Student Organization

March 19

Bren Wells served as the 2024-2025 International Student Organization president. She brought compassion, intentionality and a unique perspective to her administration which had a profound impact.

How BSU and NPHC build community on campus

By Jennifer Santiago | Newsletter Editor | March 13

When students flock to Auburn for their studies, they may be moving hundreds of miles away from the friends, family, community and customs that they know as home. For Black students who make up only a small fraction of the student body, this culture shock may be especially challenging. Black Student Union and the National Pan-Hellenic Council offer a space for Black students to simultaneously build community bonds, excel academically and develop professionally at Auburn.

Pride on the Plains: Building a found family in Auburn

March 10

Pride on the Plains is an organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community in the Auburn-Opelika area. Through events like the annual Pride Parade and Festival, as well as community-building activities, Pride on the Plains fosters a more inclusive and accepting atmosphere for all.

BSU Celebrates 40 Years at Auburn

February 21

Saturday, Feb. 17, the Black Student Union celebrated its 40th anniversary at Auburn University. The organization was founded in 1984, 20 years after Harold A. Franklin became the first Black student to enroll at the university. To this day, BSU continues its mission to further the interests of Black students across Auburn's campus.

National Council of Negro Women seeks to build community

March 25

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1935 with the mission to advance the opportunities and quality of life for African American women and their families.

Auburn National Pan-Hellenic Council reveals Legacy Plaza on campus

September 30

Auburns National Pan-Hellenic Council held a ceremony dedicated to the opening of the Legacy Plaza.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | The value and role of Black fraternities in student success and retention

May 23

Ph.D. student Terrance Lewis reflects on the way his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, has impacted his undergraduate and graduate studies. He stresses the importance of NPHC sororities and fraternities for the recruitment and retention of Black students in undergraduate and graduate programs across all disciplines and campuses.

'A place to gather': NPHC Legacy Plaza garners funding for fall opening

March 9

The Auburn Family raised $31,240 for the NPHC Legacy Plaza on Tiger Giving Day which is set to be finished by October.

Auburn Student Center to be dedicated to Harold Melton, first Black SGA president

September 4

Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Georgia Supreme Court is a 1988 Auburn graduate in international business. He was the first Black president of the Auburn SGA from 1987 to 1988.

Auburn to be second SEC school with NPHC Legacy Plaza

October 23

The plaza will include panels dedicated to each of the nine sororities and fraternities, and a 10th will be dedicated to telling the history of the black-student experience at Auburn.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Diversity Inclusion: Meet NPHC

October 1

It is one thing to write in a syllabus or on a website that we are an inclusive and diverse campus; it is another thing to consciously, intentionally and actively be one. It starts with us going out and supporting one another and seeing the different cultures and traditions our great institution has to offer.