Landi Rutledge | News Editor - The Auburn Plainsman

Opelika Fire Department stand together outdoors in a forested area with two emergency vehicles. Contributed by Mid South RC&D Council.

Community

Opelika Fire Department awarded $15,000 grant for equipment

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | April 23

On April 17, the City of Opelika shared that the Mid South RC&D Council, an Alabama non-profit that works to meet community needs, awarded a $15,000 grant to the Opelika Fire Department for equipment. The grant will strengthen the department's ability to respond to high risk situations, aiding in the purchase of six Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) kits, which are vital tools that enhance a firefighter's safety during emergency actions, and better equipping the firefighter teams with specialized gear, which is designed to help rescue firefighters in distress.

Chefs Sophie SNyder, Joẽl Auntes, Leo Maurelli, David Bancroft, Bill Briand, Christopher Hastings, May Martin, and Aiden Dunleavy (Left to Right)at the Children’s Table event on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Wyatt Loftin | Photographer

Community

Children's Table: Alabama chefs use recipes to benefit Children’s of Alabama patients

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | March 4

On March 3, Food and Wine and Southern Living magazines partnered with Alabama chefs to host Children's Table, a night of recipe tasting at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. All proceeds raised directly benefitted Children's of Alabama, and attendees tasted high quality and nutritious dishes of local chefs.

Taimoor Hassan speaks at an event. | Contributed by Taimoor Hassan

Lifestyle

Taimoor Hassan: Developer of Qalb, the world's largest Urdu large language model

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | February 23

Taimoor Hassan developed Qalb, the world’s largest Urdu Large Language Model (LLM), as a second-year graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.

A view of Samford Hall on Sept. 27, 2022.

Elizabeth Marsh | Photographer

Campus

Auburn University Senate hosts seventh meeting in 2025-26

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | February 19

On Feb. 17, the Auburn University Senate held its seventh meeting of the 2025-26 year, in which the senators discussed application and enrollment statistics, capital projects, initiatives and programs across colleges.

Maggie Bowman | Photographer

Campus

Hale and Pool running for 2026 SGA vice president

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | February 3

Colin Hale and Lilly Pool are the 2026 candidates for Student Government Association (SGA) vice president. From Wednesday, Feb. 3 through Friday Feb. 6, candidates for SGA president, vice president, treasurer and Miss Auburn will campaign on Haley Concourse.

A brick storefront features a glass door with "OPEN" signage and a sign reading "FIZZ n FORK" above.

Elizabeth Marsh | Photographer

Community

Fizz N Fork comes to Auburn

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | January 26

In November 2025, Fizz N Fork, the new health-focused dining spot at 234 W. Magnolia Ave., celebrated its soft open near Downtown Auburn. The emphasis on health was created through owner Danielle Shaw, who made it her mission to create tasty and healthy food.

Members of Auburn chapter of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) student organization. Contributed by TAPPI.

Campus

Georgia-Pacific donates $10,000 to Auburn's TAPPI

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | December 6

On Dec. 2, Georgia-Pacific, a large manufacturing company that specializes in making products ranging from paper to building products, donated $10,000 to the Auburn chapter of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). As the students prepare for next year's national summit in Birmingham, Alabama, the donation will support the Auburn students in TAPPI.

Career Services Specialist Chantal Johnson speaks to members of Pi Sigma Alpha at a networking event in the Mell Classroom Building on Nov. 11, 2025.

Roxy Duda | Photographer

Campus

Pi Sigma Alpha hosts networking navigation event

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | November 12

On Nov. 11, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Honor Society partnered with Career Services in the College of Liberal Arts to host its networking navigation event. The event aimed to equip students with tips they can utilize while preparing for job hunting.

Identities

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.

Campus

Ashlyn Powers crowned Miss Auburn University 2026

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | October 4

On Oct. 3, Ashlyn Powers won the title of Miss Auburn University 2026 after competing against 11 other contestants. Held in the Student Activities Center, the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition consisted of several categories for judging, such as talent, evening gown and on-stage conversation, with many participants winning various awards.