Spring Break was a reunion with dear family and friends in Atlanta, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama. The warm air and southern hospitality refreshed me. In addition, I finally feel like my kids actually "KNOW" me. Like Bo Knows football, my kids now agree Mom Knows a great college! I had not been back to campus for at least 12 years and while there are many new buildings, statues, and athletic facilities; its heart and attitudes of achievement, graciousness, and respect remain constant.
A sorority sister who works for Auburn's College of Business gave my family a tour of the campus. I commented on how intimate the campus felt and asked about the current enrollment numbers. Tara shared, "The enrollment is only 25,000. The board made a specific decision that they want Auburn to be the best, not the biggest. For this reason the current average GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.7 and average ACT score is 27." A rival state school, whose name will remain unmentioned for the purity of this post, boasts the exact opposite goal--be the biggest...if you have a pulse you qualify!
A sorority sister who works for Auburn's College of Business gave my family a tour of the campus. I commented on how intimate the campus felt and asked about the current enrollment numbers. Tara shared, "The enrollment is only 25,000. The board made a specific decision that they want Auburn to be the best, not the biggest. For this reason the current average GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.7 and average ACT score is 27." A rival state school, whose name will remain unmentioned for the purity of this post, boasts the exact opposite goal--be the biggest...if you have a pulse you qualify!
Needless to say my daughter, Auburn, loved to see her name across the campus. I am hopeful the experience will encourage her to study and focus on the opportunities that with hard work may be available to her in a few years. Tara reminded her that due to strict admission requirements she will need more than a name or parent alum to become a true Auburn Tiger!
Frequently photographed, Auburn University's Samford Hall and the Clock Tower. Also a well-known meeting point, "Meet me at the clock tower!"
1985 Heisman Trophy winner, Vincent `Bo' Jackson spoke Saturday 4/14/12 with fellow Heisman winners Pat Sullivan and Cam Newton. Bo said: "Good afternoon. Can you hear me? Turn up the volume, man. First of all, as the great Pat Sullivan said, War Eagle. That's all you have to say when you run across someone from Auburn is just `War Eagle.' You know what it means. It means hello, how are you, I love you, I respect you, see you next Saturday."
Jordan Hare Stadium 4/10/2012
My daughter Auburn and son Trey near the athletic locker rooms in the Auburn Basketball Arena.
Auburn Arena
Toomer's Corner..an Auburn tradition of fresh squeezed lemonade, ice cream, and the Toomer's Oaks which fans routinely roll with toilet paper after football wins. Unfortunately, after decades of this tradition, the oaks are suffering due to a disgruntled Alabama fan who poisoned the trees with a toxic herbicide in 2010, the year of our National Championship title. The trees looked quite feeble to me but efforts continue to rally the trees to their full, lush foliage.
The traditional Toomer's corner oaks after a victory...or in this case...after a National Championship Title.
THE AUBURN CREED
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)
Thank you for reading. War Eagle!
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)
Thank you for reading. War Eagle!
RSS Feed