New exhibit space in RBD Library features Heisman winners

Published: September 22, 2021

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Auburn University Libraries will celebrate the return of football to the Plains in its newly created Ralph Brown Draughon Library, or RBD, first-floor exhibit space. The inaugural exhibit, displaying memorabilia and artifacts from the Charles Johnson Collection, is sure to please Auburn football fans. On display are materials showcasing Auburn’s three Heisman Trophy winners: Pat Sullivan (1971), Bo Jackson (1985) and Cam Newton (2010).

“We’re very excited to have this new display space. It will allow us to better share treasures of the Special Collections and Archives with many more people,” said Greg Schmidt, acting head of Special Collections and Archives at Auburn University Libraries. “This space was completed in September, so it seemed only logical that we make its first exhibit something for the football season. Heisman winners are the gold standard of collegiate players and Auburn has had three. We’re proud to honor Sullivan, Jackson and Newton with this exhibit and we hope that tailgating Auburn fans will make a gameday visit to Draughon Library to see it.”

Unlike previous exhibits displayed in the Special Collections and Archives department on the ground floor of RBD Library that had limited hours compared to the main areas of the library, the new first floor exhibit area is open during all hours the RBD Library is open. With the parking deck adjacent to RBD Library being open to all after 6 p.m., the public will have more opportunities to enjoy Special Collections and Archives exhibits.

Going forward, Schmidt has indicated that he has plans for many more exhibits in the new display area that are sure to educate and entertain both Auburn students and the public at large.

Submitted by: Jayson Hill