James Dewberry | Columnist - The Auburn Plainsman

Luca Flores | Photo Editor

Editorial

EDITORIAL | On NIL regulations: Are we being selfish?

By Jordan Bynum Wright | Opinion Editor , Editorial Board Spring 2026 and James Dewberry | Columnist | April 17

Former Auburn football head coach and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) introduced a bill on March 24 that addresses issues “plaguing college sports today,” specifically the transfer portal. Subsequently, on April 3, President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting players to one transfer and five years of eligibility. The question, then, is how much should the good of the sport be valued in these discussions. While we as fans may be nostalgic for the college sports of old, there’s a strong possibility that it won’t come back. Is it selfish to wish for old college sports to return if it may come at the detriment of the athletes who are playing the game?

A yellow figure wearing a graduation cap stands between two purple panels, with a question mark above.

Ellie Hobbs | Graphics Artist

Columns

COLUMN | The changing purpose of higher education

By James Dewberry | Columnist | March 18

Last year, Alabama passed the Alabama Act 2024-34 (SB 129), which bans not only DEI initiatives, but also "divisive concepts." The majority of these concepts concern race and sexuality in public education, including universities. Will universities continue to push for diversity of thought and method, or will education become an extension of the political climate of our country?

Two bold exclamation marks are layered on white cards, surrounded by abstract, pointed shapes in shades of blue.

Lana Ha | Graphics Editor

Columns

SATIRE | The last humanities professor

By James Dewberry | Columnist | February 25

In 170 years, Auburn University's only remaining English professor will retire.

Audrey Dunnam | Graphics Artist

Columns

COLUMN | The effect of AI on STEM students

By James Dewberry | Columnist | November 19

To the Auburn STEM students, 8,132 of which make up the undergraduate Colleges of Engineering and Science and Mathematics alone, artificial intelligence is a terrifying prospect. As AI continues to develop, it will take a new generation of thinkers and scientists to adequately take advantage of these new mechanisms. It is not the end of employment and purpose but a new opportunity to understand the world more deeply.

Lana Ha | Graphics Editor

Columns

COLUMN | Should aerospace engineers take ethics?

By James Dewberry | Columnist | October 28

While Auburn sets the standard for engineering education, engineers themselves are at the forefront of human innovation. To be at the forefront asks not just “How do we?” but “Should we?” Every question of ethics is an important one, so why then does Auburn University not require aerospace engineers to take an ethics class?

Columns

COLUMN | Where does our coffee come from?

By James Dewberry | Columnist | October 13

While college students like us cannot completely upend the system of international agricultural trade (yet), we can all play a part in supporting fair trade and caring for the people who grow the products we enjoy daily. So how do students in Auburn, Alabama, participate in supporting “chains of care” in the coffee industry? The answer is simple: buy from the people who care.

James Dewberry | Columnist

EDITORIAL | On NIL regulations: Are we being selfish?

COLUMN | The changing purpose of higher education

SATIRE | The last humanities professor

COLUMN | The effect of AI on STEM students

COLUMN | Should aerospace engineers take ethics?

COLUMN | Where does our coffee come from?

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