, in this issue read about our Rhodes finalist, visit one of our amazing classes, hear from Dr. Stevens and learn more about upcoming events and opportunities.
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Honors Course Feature: The Business of Creativity and Innovation
One staple of the Honors College’s curriculum for the past decade has been HONR 3001, “The Business of Creativity and Innovation,” a seminar taught by Christopher Qualls, associate professor of Theatre and Dance. In recognition of this class’s longstanding popularity and widespread impact on students from majors across the university, Honors students elected Qualls in the Spring of 2025 to be the one of the college’s two professors of the year.
What is the secret of this course’s longstanding success? Qualls, who has taught at Auburn for twenty years, cited the universality of the seminar’s topic. “Not all people identify as ‘creative,’ but navigating life is a creative act, and the more we understand the creative mind, the easier it is to approach life in a meaningful and rewarding way.” |
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Auburn's Rhodes Scholarship Finalist Reflects on Journey
Victoria Ashley lives by a simple mantra: good things come when you apply yourself. That mindset has carried her far—most recently to her recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most selective postgraduate awards for U.S. students.
Ashley is a recent Auburn graduate in political science and history, a graduate of the Honors College as a University Honors Research Scholar and a current student in Auburn’s master of public administration program. |
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My Grandmother's Needlepoint Parrot
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my mother’s sister Joanne gave me a surprise gift, a piece of needlepoint by her mother -- my grandmother -- Eleanor Nixon, née Doherty. It’s a simple object: a vivid, multi-colored parrot against a background of black, unpretentiously pinned to a wrinkled strip of cardboard. The cardboard backing made me smile in recognition of her, even more than the needlepoint did. Like many people who came of age during the Great Depression, my grandmother was very frugal, throwing almost nothing away. I have memories of her painstakingly shaking out and smoothing the plastic bag from every empty box of corn flakes to reuse, then flattening the cardboard for later use as a cutting board, and I am certain that the
backing for this needlepoint is a similarly repurposed object.
My grandmother’s needlepoint might not seem to have much to do with an Honors College. Along with the vast majority of people born in the United States around the time that she was born in 1907, she did not attend university, and nothing like an Honors College even existed in her day. But her needlepoint made me think about why we are here -- at Auburn University, in its Honors College --
and what I would like to say to our students as they prepare to complete the fall semester and head home for winter break. |
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Cup at CaterDecember 3 | 9 - 11 a.m.
Join the Honors College for the last Cup at Cater of the semester. |
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Finals Week SnacksDecember 5-11 | All Day
Feeling a little peckish? Grab some free snacks in the RBD Honors Study room during finals for that extra boost of energy. Grab a worry worm while there, and glide through finals stress free (or as stress free as you can get). |
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Brain BreakDecember 4 - 11 | Various Times
If finals have you overwhelmed, maybe it's time for a brain break. During finals week the Honors College will host a variety of activities for Honors students in Cater Hall. Check our social media for daily event times. |
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Break for BreakfastDecember 9 | 8 - 11 a.m. (or until supplies last)
You need food to fuel that super brain. Join the Honors College for one of our favorite end of semester traditions -- Break for Breakfast. We will have Chick-fil-A minis, yogurt parfaits, pastries and a coffee bar. |
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Need a break from textbooks and Canvas notifications? Come chill with a good book — no grades, no pressure, just the pure joy of reading.
Grab a book, read it at your own pace and return it when you're done — all on the honor system. It’s your space to explore stories, escape into new worlds or just vibe with a cozy read. The best part? These books are all chosen by Honors staff.
Stop by the Collective Library in the Honors Study Room in RBD and discover your next favorite read today!
With every newsletter, we’ll spotlight a standout title from the Collective Library. Keep an eye out for fresh recommendations and hidden gems you won’t want to miss!
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This issue's book is ...A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
"As we enter into the holiday season, what better way to celebrate the joys of winter and the importance of warmth and kindness than a classic Christmas tale? Not only is Charles Dickens one of my favorite authors, but his stories inspire us to think deeply about our values and our legacies. Join me in reading A Christmas Carol this holiday--a perfect read for a cozy fireside or quiet winter evening!"
"P.S. Two of my favorite parts of Dickens’s books are his character names and creative vocabulary. Bah! Humbug!"
This book was entered into the Collective Library by Katie Martin, Honors Academic Advisor. |
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Research Support and Conference Travel GrantsThe Honors College is excited to support our students’ research endeavors by providing funding for students’ independent research projects through our Research Support and Conference Travel Grants. Students conducting research in any field are welcome to apply.
The Honors College conference travel grants are designed to provide funding to Honors College students who are presenting at regional, national or international academic conferences to present research. Honors College students applying for this grant may be awarded up to $500 to support the travel costs associated with presenting at a conference. Conference Grant:
Honors Research Conference Grant – Fill out form
The Auburn Honors Research Support Grant typically provides between $500 and $1500 to assist with the costs of conducting research. Examples of eligible costs include laboratory supplies or travel to conduct experiments or perform field research.
Research Support Grant: Honors Research Support Grant: 2026-2027 – Fill out form
To learn more about each grant, visit our website via the button below. |
Honor Your Teaching FellowshipFaculty interested in creating new Honors courses should consider applying to the Honor Your Teaching Fellowship. You can read more about this fellowship program on our website. Applications can be submitted via this
form by Tuesday, February 10th.
For questions, please email Suzanne Hunter, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, sap0005@auburn.edu. |
Each spring, the Honors College looks forward to the opportunity to celebrate and honor our hard-working students, faculty, volunteers and alumni.
The Eagles of Excellence Awards seek to recognize those who have gone above and beyond, in the Honors College and at Auburn University, in the realms of leadership, research, service and teaching. We need your help in recognizing our outstanding students!
You may submit multiple award nominations. Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
You can find detailed descriptions of each award,
on our website, or you can refer to the online nomination form.
Winners will be announced at the Eagles of Excellence Awards Ceremony April, 2026.
Nominations are due Monday, February 2nd, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
Cater Hall construction updateKatharine Cooper Cater Hall is currently undergoing a much-needed facelift to preserve its legacy and enhance your experience. While construction is underway, we're still open and ready to welcome you!
Please note:
Construction fencing is up and scaffolding is in place. You may enter the building via the east ramp to the front door. The pedestrian sidewalk on the east side of Cater Hall (adjacent to Harper Hall) will remain open, but the walkway on the west side of Cater Hall (adjacent to Little Hall) will be closed. The back door of the building will be closed as well.
We appreciate your patience and excitement as we work to restore and improve this beloved space. Please note that some Honors events will be moved to other locations on campus.
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Honors co-sponsorship programFaculty, departments, colleges and students may now request the Honors College to co-sponsor an event or program. The sponsorship may help cover the costs of food and refreshments, speaker honoraria or venue expenses.
The deadline to request Honors College co-sponsorships of events is the 15th of each month. We will review the request and respond about availability of funds by the 1st of the following month. Please keep in mind this timeline when requesting funds. |
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It's news to me!Do you have news to share? Auburn University Honors students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit news, updates and stories to our newsroom. Your news might be posted on our website and our social media! Learn more and submit your story today through the button below. |
Undergraduate Research Fellowship (URF) submissions open soonThe submission period for 2026-2027 URF will be open from January 10, 2026, until February 15, 2026.
Students can select from year-long, two-semester, one-semester, and summer fellowships. The starting semester can be Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027, and the fellowship period can be up to the end of the Spring 2027 semester.
Interested students are encouraged to identify a faculty mentor and discuss potential research projects. In the URF program, a faculty member can mentor one UR student fellow at a time. If the faculty mentor agrees, the student and mentor can submit a joint application through the
URF online portal.
Click
here
for more information about the URF program, including eligibility, application, and frequently asked questions.
For assistance and additional inquiries, please contact Lorenzo Cremaschi, Director of Undergraduate Research, at UNDGRES@auburn.edu.
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