Auburn University readies for Tiger Giving Day on Feb. 19

Auburn University will celebrate its fifth annual day of giving, known as Tiger Giving Day, on Wednesday, Feb. 19. For 24 hours at TigerGiving.org, members of the Auburn Family can support a variety of campus-wide projects that benefit Auburn students, faculty and the community. Each project featured on the site needs help reaching its single-day funding goal, and visitors will be able to see real-time updates reflecting the collective impact of their giving.

One of this year’s innovative projects with a broad global impact is a unique medical backpack designed by students. Tiger Giving Day donors can help ensure prototype backpacks can be built and field-tested in Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. 

 “The College of Architecture, Design and Construction has designed a medical backpack, known as the AU Med-Pak, that will allow health care professionals in remote locations around the world to carry diagnostic tests, equipment and medical supplies to people who have no access to health care services,” said Scott Kramer, professor of building science and advocate for the project.

A little closer to campus, a project that directly affects the food Auburn students eat involves a partnership between the College of Agriculture and Campus Dining Services to grow produce in shipping container gardens. 

“Imagine sustainably grown fresh lettuce and other greens grown by Auburn students for Auburn students that are available year-round in the campus food venues,” said Desmond Layne, department head and professor of horticulture. “Students will learn state-of-the-art techniques of indoor, vertical farming. Gifts on Tiger Giving Day will help make this project possible.”

Another project that features a student benefit is an initiative to raise funds to send the Theme Park Engineering Group to a special competition.

“The Ryerson Invitational Thrill Design Competition allows engineering students to utilize the skills they have learned in classes to solve challenges relevant to the themed entertainment industry,” said Katie Bowman, senior and vice president of the group.

“Funds are needed to cover registration fees and room and board for students during the week of the competition.”

Another student group seeking Tiger Giving Day donors is Auburn’s Whitewater Kayaking Club. The club is open to students and faculty members, but sometimes the competition fees keep people from going further with the sport. 

“Kayaking helps people learn river safety skills and experience the awesome rivers around us in a new way,” says senior and club president Laura Hamilton. “We also want to compete against schools like Virginia Tech and the University of Alabama, but we aren’t able to have a big presence at these competitions because of a lack of funds.”

Other projects include supplying researchers at the Deer Lab with needed resources; constructing a pond-saving dam at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center; and alleviating the financial burden families face when dealing with early intervention treatment for autism, among many others.

Returning projects that have become donor favorites include the wheelchair basketball team, Campus Kitchens, the Gene Machine and Canine Performance Sciences. Each project is different, but they all have one thing in common—their success depends on support from Auburn alumni, friends, faculty, students and community members. Donors can give to as many projects as they choose before the clock strikes midnight on Feb. 19—Tiger Giving Day.

The website is TigerGiving.org and the official hashtag for the event is #TigerGivingDay.