2 FEB 06: AUBIE BIRTHDAY TO YOU
Wednesday was a historic day at Auburn University - marking the campus's 150th anniversary. But the NCAA spoiled the party a bit. It refused to let Auburn bring in 150 extra high school football recruits, on national signing day.
A ceremony outside Samford Hall began the day of celebration at Auburn University, marking its "sesquicentennial." Please don't be confused about this. The last birthday for Bigfoot was the Sasquatch-centennial.
Only about 100 people attended the Founders' Day program outside Samford Hall. This should teach the Auburn administrators a lesson, one they should have known already. Unless there's a football game, hardly anyone will show up.
The Auburn campus bells rang out with "Happy Birthday to You." Anniversary fireworks went off at sunset. And some smart journalism teacher should have held a pop quiz, to see how many students can spell sesquicentennial.
Auburn University was chartered in 1856. It actually opened in 1859 with about 80 students, and a different name: "East Alabama Male College." In 2006, 80 students and a "male college" can mean only one thing - the football squad.
Out of 150 years, Auburn University hasn't had that name very long. The name officially was changed to Auburn in 1960 from "Alabama Polytechnic Institute." If Bobby Lowder had been a trustee back then, it might be L.U. today.
The anniversary celebration included an updating of the Auburn University web site. It was down when I checked it Tuesday, but Wednesday it was back with a special logo -- which on my dark screen actually looked a bit "U-G-A" red and black.
The 150th anniversary events will extend far beyond Wednesday's celebration. A new capital fund-raising drive will begin this weekend, with a goal of $500 million. Alumni will be called - and if they don't pledge a donation, Charles Barkley will keep talking until they do.
In addition, a community "Auburn block party" is planned Saturday - -complete with a rolling of Toomer's Corner. I suppose you could bring 150-year-old "toilet paper" for this. Does anyone have an old Sears catalog to spare?
Just in time for the anniversary, an independent consultant has proposed 143 changes to improve Auburn University. It's a 150-page document -- but why couldn't he find seven more things to change? He probably could have listed seven failing students....
A report submitted this week by James Fisher says Auburn University needs to make substantial changes, to attract a permanent president. Ed Richardson is going on two years, as "interim" president - which is almost like Danae Roberts serving as an "interim" state lawmaker in Columbus.
James Fisher's report calls for changes in the Auburn bylaws, so trustees don't have as much management power and control. I think some of this has happened already - although I admit Ed Richardson is overdue for a wave of firings.
Interim President Ed Richardson said Wednesday Auburn's curriculum will have to change in the years ahead. James Fisher's report agrees, suggesting students be required to take international language classes. And no, you lifelong Alabamians, I don't think "U.S. Yankee" is what Fisher means.
Only a couple of years ago, Auburn University was on accreditation probation. Now officials are pleased to note Auburn ranks 38th among universities by "U.S. News and World Report." So where are the web sites ranking the recruiting classes of SMART students
Some newcomers to Columbus may wonder why so many residents are fond of Auburn University, instead of the University of Georgia. Perhaps it's because Auburn was the closest college to the city for 100 years. Or perhaps it's because Auburn grads recognize a better state when they see one.
Now let's drive away from Auburn, for other notes from Founders' Day
+ Your blogger had a banner night on the Riverwalk - with the first non-stop FOUR-mile run in several years! Take that, you three wild bike riders around the Space Science Center. You only slowed me down for a couple of strides, as you pretended to heat up your tires.
+ Fort Benning's Third Brigade went running at dawn, then had its first meeting as a full unit in a year. Colonel Stephen Salazar said after serving in Iraq, the soldiers are "now American heroes." So what were they before they left - simply customers at Ranger Joe's and Tattoo Tommy's?
+ The touring company of "Evita" began a two-night run at the RiverCenter. This is the musical about Eva Peron of Argentina. There probably was a rush of ticket sales, by people upset that "Commander in Chief" is off the air for a few weeks.
+ The Georgia House voted 140-26 for a bill allowing Ten Commandments displays at county courthouses. In fact, the Secretary of State would be REQUIRED to send displays to all the counties [true/GPB] - since after all, they're commandments and not suggestions.
(We mentioned last week these displays would include not only the Ten Commandments, but the Declaration of Independence and the Mayflower Compact. One House member suggested the added U.S. documents demean the Bible. What does he want instead - some of Roy Moore's poems?)
+ A Georgia House committee approved a proposal to ban billboards promoting strip clubs. As long as Hooters doesn't serve strip steak, it's probably exempt....
+ Dozens of area high school football players committed to college programs, on "National Signing Day." Every year, these ceremonies disappoint me a bit - because no one signs them for the hearing-impaired.
(Did you see the Shaw High School football player who cried, as he signed his college commitment? He'd better not do that in front of his college coaches again, until he wins a national championship.)
+ Manchester High School put tickets on sale early for a Saturday night basketball game - and some parents complained about students being in line to buy tickets, instead of attending class. Maybe the students should have counted the number of people in line, for a math project.
(Manchester High principal John Stephens told WRBL when basketball tickets are sold on the day of a big game, it's resulted in "almost riots." Then it's a good thing Bow Wow is performing in Columbus this weekend, instead....)
+ In big-league ball (allegedly), the Atlanta Hawks shelled Charlotte 102-92. Atlanta's Joe Johnson had his first "triple double" - while his team is thankful merely for a "double double": double figures in wins AND losses.
+ Instant Message to the new Belloo's Cigar Bar downtown: How are you getting around the Georgia state law barring smoking in public places? Do you have NON-smoking tables outside or something?
SCHEDULED FRIDAY: The library that threw away decades of history....
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