Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist - The Auburn Plainsman

A wall displays a mix of photographs, graphics, and a quote celebrating Auburn University and its community spirit.

Cole Peake | Photographer

Columns

COLUMN | The Creed speaks for itself

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | March 2

The Auburn University Creed was published by the Auburn Plainsman on Jan. 21, 1944, around two months after George Petrie finished writing it. The originally published issue was brief: “We will not elaborate; the creed speaks for itself, powerfully.” The Creed's past and the people who carried it with them remain tremendously important to believing in Auburn and loving it. One such example is football coach Shug Jordan's role in one of the most strategic and costly assaults on the Axis occupation of Western Europe – and how he took Auburn with him.

A hand holds a heart-topped mirror reflecting a large question mark, surrounded by pink roses against a soft pink background.

Addison Strickland | Graphic Artist

Columns

COLUMN | How can you love what you don’t even know?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | February 13

Saying that you “love yourself” is nearly impossible if you don’t know anything about yourself. What you are essentially doing instead is enabling yourself to be the most convenient version possible.

A figure in black climbs a rope above red laser beams directed at a pedestal featuring a diamond icon.

Sophia Taylor | Graphics Artist

Columns

COLUMN | Are art heists anything like the movies?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | December 21

After the recent heist at the Louvre, it appears anyone with a ladder and angle grinder can steal some of the most valuable art in the world.

Papers with geometric sketches, handwritten notes, and a palette of colored circles alongside a paintbrush.

Casey Gongon | Graphics Artist

Columns

COLUMN | The weak link of STEM students

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | November 25

STEM students consistently overlook the arts as a study that is both necessary and worthy in the pursuit of STEM innovation. Here is why that needs to change.

A student dreaming of the beach while sleeping on a desk with papers on it.

Carter Zane | Graphic Designer

Columns

COLUMN | An econ-hater's guide to making the best of your worst classes

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | November 3

I was terrified to take economics in college after how much I struggled in high school. But so far my experience in Econ 4300 has been surprisingly painless, and is even pleasant at times. So what changed?

Campus

Pioneering civil rights attorney Fred Gray speaks for Constitution Day 2025

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | September 18

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 17, Civil Rights Movement attorney Fred Gray spoke at Auburn University’s annual Constitution Day lecture in the Foy Hall Ballroom. At the lecture dedicated to the signing of the United States Constitution, Gray spoke about his legal career in arguing for the constitutional rights of African Americans.

Maintaining Health and Wellness Graphic.jpg

Columns

COLUMN | Your health in college matters

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | September 16

Life as a college freshman means learning to balance a hundred things at once. Academics, social life, and extracurriculars are constantly demanding attention. But what about health?

Hiring Freezes and Funding Cuts in Academia Graphic

Mia Stamey | Graphics Editor

Columns

COLUMN | Ivy League scrutiny: How an Auburn student responds

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | April 18

The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw hundreds of millions in federal funding to elite universities, and it shows little sign of letting up. With the crackdown on academia becoming more widespread, should Auburn students be worried?

Maggie Bowman | Photographer

Opinion

COLUMN | When will Auburn get a female statue?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | April 10

Being a student on Auburn’s campus, I don’t have much to complain about. However, I’ve recently noticed a disturbing truth — we have no statues of our female athletes. We have many male statues to be in awe of: Charles Barkley, Bo Jackson, John Heisman and Pat Dye are all well worth their weight ...

Do you need to know people to get a job? Graphic

Madison Champion | Graphics Editor

Opinion

COLUMN | Do you need to know someone to get a job after graduation?

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | February 28

Universities promise students an equal opportunity to learn and succeed, no matter their background. Oddly enough, despite the proclaimed importance of hard work and personal merit, the individual who knows the boss almost always seems to land the job.