, in this issue read about Rachel's contracting journey, student peer adivsing and learn more about upcoming events and opportunities.
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Contracting her way to success
At Auburn University, Honors College students are encouraged to pursue academic excellence through enriched coursework, collaborative learning and exploration. While many students fulfill Honors requirements by enrolling in designated Honors sections, some, especially those in highly structured majors like nursing, face scheduling conflicts or limited availability of Honors courses that align with their degree plans.
That’s where Honors contracting comes in.
Contracting allows students to earn Honors credit by adding a unique, academically rigorous component to a non-Honors course. These projects go beyond the standard curriculum, offering students the chance to dive more deeply into topics that matter to them, whether through research, creative work or service learning. Contracts are developed in partnership with faculty and must reflect a qualitatively different experience, not just additional assignments.
Rachel Dinkel is a prime example of what Honors contracting can make possible. This spring, she’ll graduate as an Honors College Scholar, having completed unique contracting projects that reflect both her personal journey and professional aspirations. |
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Honors Student Associates now offering peer advising support
Wanting a student's perspective on what Honors classes to take? Interested in contracting a class, but want to hear someone's experience in the contracting process before getting started?
We’re excited to share that Honors Student Associates are now serving in a peer advising capacity! These experienced students are available to offer guidance, share insights from their own academic journeys, and help fellow Honors students navigate course planning, involvement opportunities and more.
If you're unable to schedule an appointment with your Honors advisor, meeting with a student associate is a great alternative for getting a quick answer to your question. Whether you're looking for advice or simply want to connect with someone who understands the Honors experience, our student associates are here to support you.
You can find them at the front desk in Cater Hall, available Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (closed for lunch). Stop by to chat, ask questions, or get help planning your next steps! |
To our students, I hope you had a restful Fall Break and are feeling re-energized as you begin the second half of the term. We are entering the time of the semester when students’ stress levels begin to increase, as the first waves of grades have come in and the big deadlines of final examinations and assignments are approaching.
So I thought I would use my Director’s Corner this month to share a lesson that I had to learn more than once while I was in college: asking for help is skill, and you will find more success and happiness in your life if you hone this skill.
Part of this lesson is realizing that asking for help doesn’t diminish you or your accomplishments. I find this message worth emphasizing for Honors students, because you all are high achievers, and you are used to doing well in your classes. Starting college, or progressing to more advanced levels of study in college, typically involves a moment (or moments!) of realizing that things are suddenly harder, the level of competition and assessment is more intense, the methods that have brought you success in the past suddenly aren’t working.
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Fall FrenzyOctober 23 | 4 - 6 p.m. | Cater Lawn
Fall Frenzy is back!
Join us for your favorite autumn celebration.
We’re packing the afternoon with:
• Ben's Pretzels
• A delicious BBQ food truck
• Carnival games
• A fortune teller
• Balloon animals
• Temporary tattoos and fall-themed crafts
Come enjoy the crisp air, tasty treats and festive fun. You won’t want to miss it!
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Trick or Treat!October 31 | 2 - 4 p.m. | Cater Hall & Lawn
Boo! Time to get spooky at Cater Hall!
Stop by on Halloween for some ghoulish treats. We’ll have treat bags filled with an assortment of candies for you to enjoy. Meet us out front near Cater Lawn.
Costumes are not required—but we’d love to see them!
Don’t miss out on the Halloween fun. See you there! |
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Moster MashOctober 16 | 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | MSC 2222/2223
Join Congress for a night of Halloween festivities! Costumes encouraged! |
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Hey Day Market Benefit NightOctober 20 |Anytime | Hey Day Market
Help Honors Congress raise funds for the spring formal! |
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The Hungry GamesOctober 20 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Hey Day Market and Samford Lawn
Immediately following the HeyDay benefit night, join Congress on Samford Lawn for a picnic, some lawn games and a game of Infection after dinner! |
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Volunteer at Storybook FarmOctober 24 | 3 - 7 p.m. | Storybook Farm
Help Storybook Farm put on a Peter Pan-themed event for the kids! |
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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 ...Homesick by Jennifer Croft
"T
his is a gorgeous memoir about how a girl grows up to be an artist, translator, and author, with her love of words forged alongside her fierce attachment to a younger sister suffering from a serious and at first mysterious illness. I chose it because it is beautiful -- both its words and the photographs Croft herself took in childhood and young adulthood -- but also because this coming-of-age story, while individual and unique, speaks to the emotional complexities so many college students navigate as they move away from home, learning how to keep the ties of family while also finding their own path. A warning that this is not light reading -- there are hard scenes of illness, there is a suicide and there is an incident of rape. In spite of (and to some
degree because of) these very dark aspects of the story, it is a deeply fortifying and life-affirming book about finding one’s way to the other side of very hard experiences.”
This book was entered into the Collective Library by Dr. Laura Stevens, Honors College Director. |
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Become a Peer InstructorInterested in giving back to our incoming class of Honors students? Apply to be a Freshman Exploration Peer Instructor for Spring 2026 (for upperclassmen) or Fall 2026 (for all students, including first-year students)!
Peer Instructors are an integral part of this course, helping students navigate their first year in Auburn and in Honors. They provide an informed voice, serving as representatives of the Honors student experience. The responsibilities of a Peer Instructor include but are not limited to: attending class, attending meetings with their instructor, co-facilitating classroom discussions, communicating with students and representing Honors through the perspective of a more experienced student.
Honors Peer Instructor positions are available to students who are in good standing, are currently enrolled in the Honors College and who have successfully taken (or are currently taking) Freshman Exploration. Peer Instructors will be enrolled in an Honors Lyceum course and receive credit for their experience.
Apply below by November 10, 2025 at 5 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. |
Hey!! It's Hey Day - an Auburn tradition
October 15, 2025
Hey Day is a beloved tradition at Auburn University that began in 1947 to create a welcoming environment for returning World War II soldiers. The tradition involves handing out nametags to students, faculty and staff, and encouraging them to say “hey” to each other. The day also includes free food and entertainment from campus groups around campus.
Be sure to grab your name tag and say - "HEY!"
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Healthcare Industry Week
This dynamic, week-long series of events is designed to help students explore the wide range of career opportunities in health-related fields. Whether you’re interested in health administration, medical sales, clinical roles or even veterinary medicine, this week offers hands-on experiences, expert panels and networking opportunities to connect you with professionals and discover the path that’s right for you. Don’t miss this chance to dive into one of today’s most vital and rewarding industries!
Explore all Healthcare Industry Week events and employers in one place! Check out the collection on Handshake here. |
Undergraduate Research Faculty ShowcaseThe Office of Undergraduate Research (UR) will hold a Faculty Showcase for UR Opportunities on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m,. in Brown-Kopel Grand Hall. The program is as follows:
10 – 11 a.m.: Faculty Research Session 1 – see the list of participating professors at this
link .
Faculty will talk about their research through a poster presentation or other visual aids. Faculty will meet and engage with students in discussions about undergraduate research projects.
11 a.m. -12 noon: Faculty Panel on UR Mentoring.
Dr. Christopher Lepczyk (Alumni Professor, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment), Dr. Satyanarayana R. Pondugula (Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine), Dr. Robert Jackson (Professor, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering), and Dr. Gretchen Oliver (Professor, College of Education) will share and discuss best practices in mentoring students for undergraduate research. Dr. Kerpelman (Associate Vice President for Research)
will serve as the panel moderator.
12 noon – 1 p.m.: Undergraduate Research Lunch and Learn.
Enjoy lunch (lunch will be provided!). A 2025-26 undergraduate research student fellows’ cohort will share their experience, talk about how they got started in UR, and answer questions. Dr. Cremaschi (Director of Undergraduate Research) will serve as the panel moderator.
1 – 2 p.m.: Faculty Research Session 2 – see the list of participating professors at this
link .
Faculty will talk about their research through a poster presentation or other visual aids. Faculty will meet and engage with students in discussions about undergraduate research projects. |
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