This Week @ AU

Auburn Police are currently conducting a search for a missing person, Brandon L. Cofer, reported missing yesterday by a relative. Mr. Cofer is identified as a white male, 23 years-of-age, 6'4", 200 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white, brown and green striped polo shirt, blue jeans and an orange hat with an Auburn University logo. His vehicle is a 1999 Saturn SC2, two-door, black in color, Alabama tag number 14D058A, which has since been located abandoned in an area off Wire Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call 501-3102, 911, or the secret witness line 501-7337.

A nine-member search committee chaired by College of Sciences and Mathematics Dean Stewart Schneller today announced the selection of three finalists for the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The candidates will make official visits to Auburn’s campus next month. They include Tom Apple, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware, who will visit campus Nov. 11-14; Mary Ellen Mazey, Dean of Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University, who will visit campus Nov. 16-19; and J. Bruce Rafert, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at Clemson University, who will visit campus Nov. 19-22.

“On behalf of the search committee, we are pleased to bring forward three well-qualified candidates with diverse academic backgrounds who are currently serving as deans at notable land grant universities,” Schneller said. “We look forward to their enlightening visits to our campus.”

As the chief academic officer of the university, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs reports directly to the President, and as the second-ranking officer, will act for the President on behalf of the university when the President is not available. This individual will be responsible for all academic matters including budget and space. Reporting to the position are the 13 Deans of the colleges/schools and the Dean of Libraries; the Associate Provost and Vice President for Research; the Associate Provost and Vice President for Outreach; the Associate Provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs; the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies; the Executive Director for Information Technology; the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment; and the Director of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts.
The new provost will succeed John Heilman, who is retiring at the end of the year after serving three years in the position and 35 years on the Political Science faculty. Heilman has also served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and special assistant to the president. The candidates will each make a public presentation during their visits. Auburn Daily will have specific information regarding the dates, times and locations of the presentations closer to each event. For additional information, including each candidate’s cover letter and vita, visit http://www.auburn.edu/administration/provost_search/.

The Auburn University Multicultural Center and the Access and Community Initiatives will host the 2008 War Eagle Native American Festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on both Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, on the grounds of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. The free event will celebrate the history and culture of Southeastern indigenous peoples with traditional singers, musicians, dancers, storytellers and reenactors from Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Living campsites will be set up on the grounds and traditional Native American food, artifacts and souvenirs will be available for purchase. Faron Weeks of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama and a member of the White Horse Singers will emcee the event. The White Horse Singers will be the host drum for the festival. The Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University will conduct presentations Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is the fifth year Auburn University has hosted the Native American Festival, an event that provides an educational opportunity for those interested in learning about Native American culture. Inside the museum, festival visitors can learn more about Native American culture by viewing The Indian Gallery of Henry Inman, an exhibition featuring 19th century Native American culture. Admission to the museum is free during the festival. The museum is located at 901 S College St. in Auburn. For more information, visit this link ( http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.php ) or call 844-1484.

Doug Phillips, creator, producer and host of Alabama Public Television's award-winning and Emmy-nominated program "Discovering Alabama," will speak in Auburn Wednesday, Oct. 29, as the fall 2008 E.T. York Distinguished Lecturer. His presentation, "Native Wildlands of Alabama and the South: Past, Present and Future," is set for 7 p.m. in 1101 School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building. "Discovering Alabama," an educational documentary series featuring the state's natural history and natural wonders, developed out of Phillips' lifelong passion for exploring Alabama backwoods. The program debuted on public television in 1985 and since has fascinated countless viewers and enhanced classroom curricula in schools across the state. Phillips' York presentation is free and open to the public, as is a reception that precedes the lecture at 6 p.m. in the foyer. For more information, contact Katie Jackson at 844-5887 or smithcl@auburn.edu.

The College of Agriculture and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences are teaming up again this year to present the second annual Outdoor U. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., on the lawn between Jordan-Hare Stadium and the new Student Center. Outdoor U spotlights career opportunities ideal for those looking for a profession in which the workplace is the great outdoors. Various colleges, departments and organizations at Auburn and area vendors and agencies will have exhibits that offer information about careers outside. The event is free and, though targeted toward current and prospective students, is open to everyone. For more information, contact Deborah Solie at das0002@auburn.edu or Katie Jackson at smithcl@auburn.edu.

Auburn University will host a grand opening celebration for the new Student Center on Wednesday, Nov. 5. All students are invited to participate. Join the parade from Foy Hall to the Student Center. Line up starts at 10:30 a.m. on Thach Concourse. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 1,000 people to show up. James E. Foy, dean emeritus, is the Grand Marshal and will be joined by Aubie, the Auburn University cheerleaders and Tiger Paws. The parade will start at 11 a.m. Other activities include the Student Center dedication at 11:30 a.m., dedication of the James E. Foy Information Desk at 12:15 p.m., food samples, entertainment, building tours and more. For more information, visit www.auburn.edu/deanofstudents/grandopening.html. Join the Facebook Event Page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43596625559.

Auburn University will host a conference, "Understanding Differences that Matter: Diversity Research at Auburn University," this Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 29-30, at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. Featured speakers will be Patricia Arredondo, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Elijah Anderson, Yale University. Arredondo will speak on "Multicultural Perspectives in Scholarship - Essential to Advancing Interdisciplinarity" at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. Anderson will present "From 'Affirmative Action' to 'Diversity'" at 2:15 p.m. Thursday. Six Auburn researchers will be recognized for their contributions to the study of diversity and each will give a presentation. They are Robin Sabino, Department of English; Juan Gilbert, Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering; Marilyn Strutchens, Department of Curriculum and Teaching; Toni Alexander, Department of Geology and Geography; Michael Clay, School of Architecture; and Conner Bailey, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. The conference is cosponsored by the Research Initiative for the Study of Diversity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. For more information, visit https://fp.auburn.edu/researchdiversity/UnderstandingDifferencesThatMatter.aspx.

The Auburn University Bookstore will host a children's Halloween party Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 4-5:15 p.m. at the store in Haley Center. Children are invited to wear their costumes and enjoy stories, games and other activities. Refreshments will be served and the day will end with trick-or-treating. Another fall tradition is happening at the Auburn University Bookstore, the Springer Yellow Sale. The publisher, Springer, offers big savings on 250 titles spanning the spectrum of mathematics. These books are available now through Dec. 18. For more information about either of these events, contact Margaret Hendricks at 844-1365 or hendrm1@auburn.edu.

Motivational speaker TyKiah Wright will address "Accepting the Challenge of Leadership" at noon Tuesday, Oct. 28, in 2222 Student Center as part of Disability Awareness Month. Refreshments will be provided. Wright will share her inspirational story of how she overcame physical limitations to go from a student leader to a nationally recognized entrepreneur and mentor. She has been honored locally and nationally for her work and has been featured in Ebony Magazine as one of the 30 Leaders Under 30 for 2006 and is featured in the Who's Who in Black Columbus publication. She also is a graduate of The Ray Miller Institute for Leadership and Change as well as United Way's Project Diversity. In 2007, Wright was one of two recipients of the Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award, a national award presented by the American Association of People with Disabilities to emerging leaders with disabilities. In February, Wright was featured on the Montel Williams Show. Her talk at Auburn is being cosponsored by the Multicultural Center, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity, and the Program for Students with Disabilities.

The Auburn University Houndsmen's Club will welcome guest speaker Bud Pidgeon, president and CEO of the United States Sportsmen's Alliance, to campus at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in 2217 Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building. The United States Sportsmen's Alliance is a national organization devoted to protecting the rights of hunters, fishermen and those who have a vested interested in enjoying the outdoors. The alliance is home to the Sporting Dog Defense Coalition, a nationwide organization of dog clubs and individual houndsmen in regular contact with state and federal legislators in an effort to prevent the passage of laws that would threaten or eliminate hunting with hounds. Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and members of the community are welcome attend Pidgeon's presentation. For more information, contact Walter Cheatham at cheatwb@auburn.edu.

Applications for Camp War Eagle Counselors are due Thursday, Nov. 6. Find out what it takes to be a Camp Counselor at our next information session on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. in room 2223 of the Student Center. For more information, visit www.auburn.edu/cwe.

There will be a very special event from UPC this week in honor of the Halloween season. UPC presents "Ghost Hunters,” led by Darren Thompson. "Ghost Hunters" is a fully professional paranormal investigation conducted on campus. Thompson is president of Washington State Paranormal Investigations and Research (WSPIR) and during his presentation he will share with students through video, audio and photos the scariest locations he has investigated. The event will begin at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Student Center Ballroom and is free to all students.

The College of Liberal Arts, Department of Art announces ARTXTRA, a forum for discussion beyond the classroom. On Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6-7 p.m. in room 005 Biggin Hall, three Department of Art professors will present talks on their recent scholarly and creative research. While ARTXTRA forums are designed for students, all are welcome to attend. Joyce de Vries, assistant professor of Art History, will provide an overview of her research on gender and material culture of Renaissance Italy, and in particular, outline the ideas and methods related to her new project regarding domestic decoration in Renaissance Bologna. Associate Professor of Art Christopher McNulty will discuss recent directions in his creative research. Associate Professor of Art Barb Bondy will present the results of her recent 30-day summer studio residency, "Night Tracks, Day Tracks" at Columbus State University where she lived and slept in a gallery for 30 days for the purpose of exploring thought processes of wakefulness and sleep through drawing and photography. ARTXTRA is free and open to the public; students and faculty are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Barb Bondy, exhibitions and lectures coordinator, 844-3483 or bondybj@auburn.edu.

The Auburn University chapter of the International Tuba Euphonium Association will present a concert celebrating the talents of the members of the AU low brass studio. Soloists, chamber ensembles, the Auburn Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and the Auburn Trombone Choir will share the stage of the Goodwin Music Building Recital Hall on Thursday, Oct. 30. Admission is free and the Auburn chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota will provide a reception following the concert.

Students from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction will light up the courtyard of Dudley Hall with more than 400 jack-o'-lanterns at the 20th annual Pumpkin Carve on Friday, Oct. 31. The event, sponsored by the Auburn chapter of American Institute of Architecture Students, will begin at 9 a.m. with the carving of the pumpkins and will last throughout the day. Uncarved pumpkins will be on sale for $4. At noon, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili and drinks will be on sale and the student costume contest will be held. At 6 p.m., the pumpkin carving will end and the pumpkins, many with intricate designs and current event themes, will be lighted. Judging begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be based on creativity, appearance and craftsmanship. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. The carved pumpkins will be available for purchase for a minimum donation of $5 to the American Institute of Architecture Students. The public is invited to carve from 3-6 p.m. During this time, there will be face painting, cookie decorating, games and other community activities, with the children's costume contest beginning at 6 p.m. A trio from Auburn's music department will provide music throughout the day. A live video stream of all the day's activities will be provided at http://www.cadc.auburn.edu/pumpkincarve/. The Dudley courtyard is located between Dudley Hall and Dudley Commons, which is next to Graves Amphitheater.

Draughon Library has two new lab spaces that are open for student use. The labs are open after 5 p.m. as well as during the day between library instruction classes. The labs feature large workspaces and power outlets, providing a great space for individual or group study and students may bring their own laptops or check out laptops from the main circulation desk on the first floor. The labs are located on the second floor of the library and if the door is open, the lab is available for use by students. For more information, please contact Donna Walker at walked1@auburn.edu or 844-8272.

CyberSecurity Week 4 reminds campus users that downloading copyrighted materials without permission violates federal law and Auburn University policy. For music, videos, software and textbooks, the bottom line is unless you own the copyright, you can't copy or share it without permission. For more information on this important subject visit http://keepitsafe.auburn.edu/index3.html or contact your IT provider or the OIT HelpDesk at helpdesk@auburn.edu.

Career Development Services encourages faculty, staff and students to view the Tigers Prepare blog at http://tigersprepare.blogspot.com to learn more about hiring trends for the class of 2009 according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers report that was released last week. Career Development Services is available in 303 Martin Hall and online at http://www.auburn.edu/career.

The broadcast of tonight's Auburn-West Virginia game has been relocated to the 2nd floor of the Student Center because of impending weather. The event, sponsored by the UPC and SGA, will feature free food starting at 5:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Come watch the game on the big screen with lots of other Auburn fans!

The Beat Bama Food Drive will kick off at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, on the Samford Hall lawn and run through Nov. 20. Drop-off locations for canned goods will be set up around campus and money can be donated at http://www.beatbamafooddrive.com/. The drive will benefit the East Alabama Food Bank. Please help Auburn University and the Student Government Association reach their goal of 250,000 pounds to feed the hungry of East Alabama and beat Bama. For more information, contact Ashley Nichols at agn0001@auburn.edu.

Career Development Services will have Education Interview Day on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. Please encourage education majors and those interested in positions with school systems to attend. A list of participating schools can be seen at this http://www.auburn.edu/career. Students may utilize career counselors to aid them in preparation. Career Development Services is hosting the event in collaboration with Auburn University at Montgomery.