News

Many Auburn students refer to ratemyprofessors.com when choosing their classes each semester. This website allows students to-you guessed it-rate their professors on easiness, helpfulness, and clarity. We hear from two Auburn Students who share the pros and cons of ratemyprofessor.com, as well as from an Auburn professor who is rated on the website.

The new Kia plant in West Point is making a major impact on the Chattahoochee River Valley area. The region's economy was once dominated by textile manufacturing, but the mills have all closed and moved overseas to cut cost.

However, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia is providing a long over due economic stimulus to the area. According to Jeanne Charbonneau, from the Greater Valley Group, KIA's arrival has greatly accelerated development. GVG has already built several new apartment complexes and is currently building a new subdivision with more than 200 half acre lots.

This week from Jan 25th to Jan 29th is the precious time seniors have to finalize graduation. Cap and Gowns can be ordered, as well as invitations and samples of what the Auburn Diploma will look like. It's just another happy but sad reminder that our time as Seniors is coming to a quick end. Every Senior worries about the future and what it's going to be like to hit the "real" world. Some will call it bitter sweet, some will cry and some will celebrate, but all of us will join the Auburn Family.

Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity is hosting the "Help Haiti with One Dollar" relief fundraiser. The event will take place in the New Student Center and Lowder College of Business from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, until Friday, January 23. The fundraiser asks students and faculty to contribute one dollar or more if they wish.
There are roughly 25,000 students on Auburn's campus, if each person contributes just one dollar, that's 25,000 dollars given to help those who have had their lives shattered by the devastating Earthquake in Haiti.
All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

For additional information, contact:
Olabiyi Dipeolu
Delta Sigma Pi, V.P of Professional Events
dipeooa@auburn.edu

WLTZ NBC 38 in Columbus, Georgia is teaming up with 99.9 KATE FM and EAGLE 93.9 in Auburn, Alabama to give local residents and students a chance at stardom with “WLTZ’s Got Talent” competition. "WLTZ's Got Talent" winner will have the opportunity to perform for the producers of the NBC hit show, America’s Got Talent!

The contest will take place at Village Mall in Auburn, Friday, January 29th from 11 a.m.-3p.m. CST. Contestants can register online at www.wltz.com. Contest is limited to 38 entries and the deadline to enter is midnight on Friday, January 22.

Winning act will go on to audition for producers of America’s Got Talent in Atlanta in February.

For more information, contact:

Miller Robson
WLTZ NBC 38 Promotions
706.561.3838
miller@wltz.com

The final round of Auburn Idol was an exciting ending to a fantastic competition. Each of the final 5 contestants sang two songs to show case their skills. After everyone sang the judges narrowed the top 5 to two singers, Shanna Henderson and Brandon Morgan. With tension building and silence throughout the room, Brandon Morgan was named Auburn Idol and the crowd went crazy. The Auburn Hotel and conference center, MIX 96.7 and other sponsors provided the grand prize of 10,000 dollars.

All the contestants did a wonderful job and should be proud of themselves. Thank you Auburn Hotel and Conference center for letting Eagle Eye TV get footage of this event, you truly know how to throw a party!

The third round of Auburn Idol took place Friday night December 11. The final 10 battled their hearts out for a chance to advance and get closer to the 10,000 dollar grand prize and other prizes. The top 5 advance to the final round of the competition Friday December 18th at 7:00pm. All the top 10 singers did an amazing job, but it wouldn't be a competition is someone didn't lose, so with that, here are the top 5.

Brandon Morgan
Shanna Henderson
Dan Cater
Jazmen Smith
DJ Scaife

Most Auburn Students packed up their cars and drove themselves home for Thanksgiving. However, one student had very different plans for his week-long break. Miles Murphy VI, a Journalism Major, decided to hitchhike halfway across the country. He got a fellow student to drop him off at a truck stop in Mobile, Alabama and from there he hitched rides all the way to San Antonio, Texas. His goal was to make it in time to see his sister get married, and he managed to reach his destination the day before the wedding. I have the exclusive interview with Miles, in which he talks about his experiences on the open road.

The holidays are near but not everyone will be ending the season with joy and cheer. Each year in Auburn there are reported break-ins after students return from the holiday break. Some are lucky enough to retrieve their stolen property while others are not so fortunate. I spoke with Auburn students to see how they felt about leaving their apartments and dorms unattended during the break. Some students felt that they have little to worry about while others felt a bit differently. I also sat down with the Auburn Police Department's Captain Tom Stofer to converse about what Auburn students and Auburn residents can do to protect their homes and apartments against a potential holiday heist.