EAGLES student, WINGS mentor publish article about special friendship in inclusive magazine

Marni Lane, a first-year student in Auburn University’s Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success, or EAGLES, program, recently joined forces with sophomore Jenna Riese to write an article about friendship for the University of Minnesota’s Impact magazine.

Lane and Riese—a Warm-hearted Individuals Nurturing Great Success, or WINGS, peer mentor—collaborated on the article “Roommates: Learning from Each Other” for the magazine, which is produced by the Institute on Community Integration. The piece was part of the Spring 2022 Inclusive Higher Education feature issue, which highlighted the stories of people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

Lane wrote about her classes, experiences on Auburn’s campus, EAGLES activities, being a member of the sorority Chi Omega and her friendship with Riese.

“At the beginning of the year, I was scared about moving away from home, but then I met everybody and they’re so friendly,” Lane wrote. “It’s perfect for me, and I’m loving it.”

Riese, a second-generation Auburn student, wrote about her time as a WINGS mentor helping EAGLES like Lane acclimate to college life and develop life skills that will serve them after their time on the Plains.

“Today, Marni and I help each other in equally important ways, by working together and learning how to live together as roommates,” Riese wrote. “We both learn those soft skills that are so important in everyday life.”

Auburn’s EAGLES program is part of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation and Counseling, or SERC, and is a non-degree program focusing on academic enrichment, the teaching of personal and social skills, independent living skills, health and wellness enhancement and integrated work experiences. Supporters may donate to the EAGLES program here.