, in this issue, explore our welcome back events, meet new staff, celebrate the Week of Service and discover upcoming opportunities.
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Welcome to Fall 2026!
Welcome back to our returning students, and to our newest students, welcome to the Auburn University Honors College! The Honors College faculty and staff are excited to begin another academic year and look forward to seeing you on campus as the fall semester gets underway.
Whether you're settling into your first semester at Auburn or returning for another year of academic growth and involvement, we encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities the Honors College has to offer. From social gatherings and networking opportunities to academic programs and campus traditions, the coming weeks are filled with events designed to help you connect with fellow students, faculty and staff.
Be sure to explore the events section of this newsletter to learn more about what's coming up and find ways to get involved this semester. We look forward to seeing you soon and wish you a successful start to the fall semester.
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Another Week of Service in the books!
The Week of Service program represents a powerful commitment to service, justice and education, providing students with a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on their local communities. Each year, prior to the start of the fall semester, the Honors College at Auburn University invites its incoming students to participate in this meaningful program.
This year, incoming students and student counselors served for a combined total of 850 hours at six service locations around the Lee County area. While at these locations, participants deepened their understanding of how poverty affects individuals and communities, all while increasing their personal passion for service.
To view images of the week, visit our online photo gallery.
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Meet Stuart McLaughlinThe Honors College welcomes Stuart “Stu” McLaughlin to the team as coordinator for national prestigious scholarships. In this role, McLaughlin will work with Auburn students from across the university to identify and apply for nationally competitive opportunities.
Housed within the Honors College, the Office of National Prestigious Scholarships helps students at every stage of the competitive scholarship process, from identifying opportunities to developing competitive applications. |
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Congratulations, Dr. Stevens
This summer, Dr. Laura Stevens departed Auburn and the Honors College to become dean of the Honors College at Oklahoma State University. We are thankful for her many contributions to the college and wish her the very best in her new role. |
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First Week of School Survival KitAugust 17 | 1–4 p.m. | Cater Hall Front Porch
Start the semester with a stop at Cater Hall!
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Free snacks
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Fun giveaways
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Fill a bag with helpful essentials for the first week of classes
Drop by between 1 and 4 p.m. on the first day of school, grab some goodies and kick off the semester with the Honors College. Supplies are limited, so don't wait!
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Cup at CaterAugust 19 | 9–11 a.m. | Cater Hall
A new semester calls for a familiar tradition.
Join us for the first Cup at Cater of the semester and enjoy free coffee, breakfast snacks and a chance to connect with friends, classmates and the Honors College community.
Come by, grab a cup and kick off the semester one sip at a time. |
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Contracting WorkshopsVarious Dates | Various Times | Cater Hall
Interested in contracting a class but not sure where to start?
Join one of our Contracting Workshops to learn everything you need to know about the process, including key steps, deadlines and important requirements. Whether you're new to contracting or just need a refresher, we've got you covered.
Attend one of three available workshops and get your questions answered.
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Backyard BashAugust 21 | 4–6:30 p.m. | Upper Quad
A new semester is here, and we can't wait to welcome you back.
Join us on the Upper Quad for snacks, games and a chance to connect with fellow students, Honors advisors, staff, peer mentors and Honors Congress. You'll also have the opportunity to explore Study & Travel programs and learn more about everything the Honors College has to offer this year.
Come celebrate the start of another great semester with us!
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Students Advising Students in Honors (SASH): Panel Discussion about Co-Ops and InternshipsAugust 31 | 4 p.m. | RBD 4041
Hear directly from Honors upperclassmen who have successfully completed co-ops and internships in a variety of industries. This engaging panel discussion will provide valuable insights into how students found opportunities, balanced professional experiences with academics, and leveraged internships and co-ops to explore career paths and build their résumés. Whether you're just beginning to consider experiential learning or are ready to start applying, this session offers practical advice, real-world perspectives, and the chance to ask questions from students who have been in your shoes. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how a co-op or internship can help you gain experience, make connections, and prepare for your future career.
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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 ...The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
“This book is all about found family and unexpected friendships. I chose it for the Collective Library primarily because of Vuong’s writing style. As a poet, every word he chooses feels intentional and layered with meaning. I found myself re-reading multiple passages to savor the artful way he crafted character descriptions and interactions. While the story tackles difficult topics, Vuong infuses grace and even humor into his characters in a way I’ve never encountered before. If you love poetry and deeply flawed yet redemptive characters, this book is for you!"
This book was entered into the Collective Library by Emily Prim, academic adivsor for the Honors College. |
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Course contracting deadline: September 4
Creating a course contract is a great way for Honors College students to receive Honors credit in their non-Honors classes by adding an extra learning component to the class outside of the work already expected from them.
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Honors co-sponsorship programFaculty, departments, colleges and students may 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 first of the following month. Please keep in mind this timeline when requesting funds. |
Sustainability Picnic
August 26 | 4:30– 6:30 p.m. | Donald E. Davis Arboretum (south end)
Discover the breadth of sustainability at Auburn while you enjoy free local vegetarian food samples, door prizes and music at this zero-waste event! Connect with student groups, programs and opportunities that make a difference. Check out the picnic directory to see what organizations will be at the picnic!
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Undergraduate research opportunity
Dr. Melissa Singletary's laboratory in the AU College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking an undergraduate student to join the research team beginning in Fall 2026.
The selected student will gain experience in laboratory practices and technical skills, with particular focus in mass spectrometry methods. This position is ideal for a student interested in developing practical research skills in a laboratory setting.
Successful candidates should be reliable, self-motivated, detail-oriented, teachable, and enthusiastic about research. Please send a CV and email of interest to Dr. Singletary (mas0028@auburn.edu) and cc Dr. Hagarty (slh0057@auburn.edu) and Michelle Aono (aonomic@auburn.edu). |
Upcoming events at the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities
Reading by Salaam Green
August 20 | 4 p.m.
Salaam Green
is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Birmingham, Alabama and the author of The Other Revival: Poems and Reckonings (Pulley Press, 2025) and the chapbook Once Upon a Magic City. Her work has also appeared in Alabama Arts Journal and Southern Women’s Review. She is the recipient of several awards, including a 2024 Literary Arts Award from New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Sawyerville, Alabama. She has held residencies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, and The Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation. In 2024, Green was named the inaugural poet laureate of Birmingham through 2026. In 2025, she received an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.
Annual Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Symposium
August 22 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Join the
National Park
Service, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Pebble Hill, and the
Friends of
Horseshoe Bend for the Annual Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Symposium. Speakers include Dr. Kathryn H. Braund, Hollifield Professor of Southern History Emerita at Auburn University; Keith Hebert, Draughon Professor of Southern History at Auburn University; Mike Bunn, Director of Historic Blakely State Park; and Jake Tiger, Historic Preservation Cultural Specialist for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Free and open to the public; no registration required.
Spoon Making Workshop with Orran Scruggs
August 26 | 2–4 p.m.
Alabama Folklife Association Traditional Artist-in-Residence Orran Scruggs is an Alabama-based artist, woodcarver, and designer. After more than 25 years working as a graphic designer, illustrator and painter, Scruggs discovered a new artistic path through hand-carving wooden spoons and utensils. Space is limited. Email
maiben@auburn.edu to register!
Third Thursday Literary Series: Local Readers
Featuring Zanice Bond, Anton Disclafani, and Crystal Rogers
August 27 | 6 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Refreshments and book sales will be available at 6 p.m.; the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Zanice Bond serves as Vice President of the Alabama Writers’ Forum and is an associate professor of English at Tuskegee University, where she teaches writing, African American and Southern literature, and linguistics.
Anton DiSclafani is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls and The After Party. She is Alumni Writer-in-Residence and an Associate Professor at Auburn University.
Crystal Rogers is a Gold Hill, Alabama–based poet. She is a member of the Chewacla Writer’s Guild and Auburn Poets, and co-creator of Kaleidoscope.
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