Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer - The Auburn Plainsman

News

Prisoners Get Artistic

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 23

When it comes to creativity, Auburn University has found a new outlet for a group of people society forgets and often ignores: prisoners.The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project was created in 2004, using grants from various foundations, including the Alabama Humanities Foundation, and began as an outreach with only one poet teaching in one prison.Today, this project has grown into more than 35 instructors teaching in 12 correctional facilities in Alabama with courses ranging from drawing to Southern literature."Education is good for everybody," said Kyes Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project.

Todd J. Van Emst

Sports

Lay-ups With Lebo

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 16

Coming in with pride and respect for the players, Jeff Lebo created a new atmosphere to build a team from the ground up.Lebo said he had many thoughts about the upcoming season."I'm pleased with the kids that we have coming in," Lebo said.

News

Pick Produce at its Peak

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 9

With summer here, it's the perfect time to indulge in nature's candy: fresh fruit.The tasty, healthy treats can be found almost everywhere you turn in the South, with produce stands and farmers markets flourishing on long, sunny days."Watermelons always remind me of summer," said Luke Farmer, a junior in political science.

News

Berry Boosts Energy, Supplements Diet

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 9

Americans today will try anything to find the secret to weight loss. From pills that make your heart race to vinegar concoctions, many seem to have tried it all.Recently, Oprah put her stamp of approval on a berry which may be able to help individuals lose those extra pounds while gaining extra energy to make them healthier and happier.Locally, the General Nutrition Center in Opelika has had many satisfied customers."We've had (acai berries) forever," said Joey Jones, a GNC sales associate and senior in finance.

News

Auburn Theatre Department Targets Younger Audience

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 2

A person finding a hole in his or her coat may think it normal wear and tear or a reminder of an event that created it.

Todd J. Van Emst

Sports

Sprinting with Spry: A Talk with Auburn Track and Field Head Coach

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | June 18

The Auburn Track and Field team just returned from the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with eight All-Americans, seven of whom were freshmen and sophomores.Head coach Ralph Spry explained his role in the team's achievements."I just try to pass on my knowledge," Spry said.

News

James Hansen Co-Writes Book on Challenger Disaster

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | June 11

On the cold morning of January 28, 1986, the world watched in astonishment as the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated above the Atlantic Ocean 72 seconds after being launched.Today, the public can now understand what happened thanks to the work of two former NASA employees: Allan McDonald and James Hansen, history professor and director of Auburn's honors college."Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster," by McDonald and Hansen is a book focused on McDonald's inside story."I never thought I'd write about it," Hansen said.But recently McDonald, an engineer who knew all of NASA's secrets, decided to use his 1,400 pages of hand-written notes on the Challenge disaster to educate the public. When he first began, McDonald wrote a book and submitted it to agents in New York City because it was what he thought writers were supposed to do."It was a fatal flaw," McDonald said.

News

Auburn Students Voted "Yes" For New Recreation Center

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | June 4

Auburn University students voted "yes" in the SGA elections February 12 to support the student referendum to build a new student recreation center.This new center will have something for everyone, with plenty of open space to accommodate any student who wants to enjoy it.