December

Giving a pet as a holiday gift can bring joy to a household but should be a well thought-out decision.

To recognize Auburn University donors based on their consecutive years of giving and also to pay tribute to an Auburn icon, Auburn's Office of Development and the Auburn University Foundation have initiated a new donor society.

Auburn University's architecture, industrial design and interior design programs continue to be ranked among the nation's best by DesignIntelligence magazine in its annual survey, "America's Best Architecture and Design Schools 2015."

Two Auburn University professors have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, the academy announced today.

It would be natural to assume that a man whose career includes five missions into space, 163 days aboard the International Space Station and four spacewalks always wanted to be an astronaut. Not so for Auburn alumnus Jim Voss. As he told Auburn's 1,500 graduating seniors Saturday, his first love was baseball.

Bobelle Sconiers Harrell, the first woman admitted to the School of Pharmacy at what is now Auburn University, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 10.

Military Advanced Education awarded Auburn University the designation of a top school in the 2015 Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges & Universities, measuring best practices in military and veteran education. The guide was released in the December issue of Military Advanced Education.

Twenty-six presidents and other senior administrators – representing a consortium of more than 60 universities worldwide – today signed the Presidents' Commitment to Food and Nutrition Security at the United Nations, creating a blueprint for higher education's role in waging and winning the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Finals week has arrived at Auburn University – a time of crammed study sessions and all-nighters. Luckily for Auburn students, Ralph Brown Draughon Library, or RBD, remains open 24 hours a day throughout the exam period, when it is arguably the busiest place on campus.

Parents often find that no matter how much they prepare beforehand or think they know about children, they can learn more from simply watching and living the experience. That bit of advice to parents is based on research by Brian Vaughn, an award-winning Auburn University authority on children and peer-relationships.

Auburn University will award 1,498 academic degrees Dec. 13 in Auburn Arena during two fall graduation ceremonies featuring addresses by Auburn alumnus and former NASA astronaut Jim Voss.

The results are in on Deepwater Horizon oil spill research conducted by an Auburn University postdoctoral researcher, and her study indicates microscopic animals at the base of the food web that were harmed during the 2010 oil spill have recovered.

Auburn University's College of Human Sciences will honor Maria Rodale, CEO and chairman of Rodale Inc., one of the largest independent publishing companies in the world, and retiring U.S. Congressman and Auburn alumnus Spencer Bachus at the 21st International Quality of Life Awards on Monday, Dec. 8, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Auburn University will host the 2014 South's BEST Championships at the Auburn Arena on Friday-Sunday, Dec. 5-7.

Auburn University will hold an official Holiday Lighting Ceremony of the Samford Lawn tree and menorah on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. and Bobby Woodard, Auburn University associate provost and vice president of student affairs, will be in attendance to make remarks along with student leaders. Jay Gogue, president of Auburn University, will also be in attendance.

At an early age, Stephen Dobson developed an intense curiosity about nature and the world around him. Using the tools of scientific inquiry, and with the encouragement of his professors, Dobson began what would be a lifelong career studying evolutionary biology.

Auburn University will lead a coalition of more than 60 universities worldwide that have banded together to address the global issue of hunger and malnutrition. On Dec. 9, Auburn President Jay Gogue and leaders from the other universities will have a public signing of the Presidents' Commitment to Food and Nutrition Security at the United Nations in New York City.