Warhawk Weekly 4-7: Day of Giving; New basketball coach
One Day. One AUM. Unlimited Impact.
On April 22, our AUM family comes together with one shared purpose: to create unlimited impact and support what makes our university extraordinary.
Now in its 10th year, AUM Day of Giving has grown into a powerful tradition of generosity. Since our first Day of Giving on February 14, 2017, the AUM community has raised more than $82,000 to support students, programs and opportunities across campus.
Because of your support over the past decade, you’ve shown that AUM Day of Giving is more than a moment. It’s a movement. It’s about opening doors, fueling dreams and strengthening the programs that shape our students and university, from scholarships to Veterans Services and beyond.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Whether you give now or on April 22, you can help change lives by creating new opportunities for AUM students and faculty.
AUM taps Anthony Komara to lead men’s basketball
AUM Athletics has named Anthony Komara, former head coach at the University of Montevallo, as the fourth head coach of the Warhawks men’s basketball program.
A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Komara becomes the second head coach in the program’s NCAA Division II era. He joins AUM following a successful four-year tenure at Montevallo, where he led the team to two NCAA South Region appearances.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Athletic Director Erik Maas and Chancellor Carl Stockton for believing in me and trusting me with this opportunity,” Komara said. “AUM is a special place with outstanding leadership and I can’t wait to get to campus and get to work. Building a program and culture centered on discipline, toughness, and togetherness that represents the university the right way will be our number one priority from day one. We will work relentlessly to put a team on the court that the AUM community can be truly proud of.”
Prior to Montevallo, Komara spent nearly a decade at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, serving in a variety of roles from 2013 to 2022. In 2021, he was promoted to associate head coach after eight seasons as assistant coach.
Komara began his coaching career as a student assistant video coordinator at Auburn University during the 2009-10 season, assisting with film breakdown and scouting.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University before completing his Master of Business Administration at the University of North Alabama.
Learn more about Komara’s career in the AUM Athletics’ Newsroom.
Breitman to present at Exchange Lunch & Learn
AUM faculty are invited to the next session of The Exchange Lunch & Learn, a monthly series hosted by the AUM Faculty Development Institute that encourages conversation and shares best practices in teaching and learning.
Flor Breitman, assistant professor of biology and environmental science, will present “Working with Peer Mentors” from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Taylor Center 221. Her talk will highlight how peer mentors are being used to maximize student learning outcomes in courses at AUM.
The Exchange Lunch & Learn sessions offer a relaxed, conversational format for faculty to share insights on topics such as student engagement, instructional strategies and technology tools. Lunch is provided at no cost.
COS research symposium to showcase student innovation
AUM graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Sciences will showcase innovative research at the 2026 Student Research Symposium.
Hosted by the College of Sciences, the annual event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 10, in Goodwyn Hall Lobby and Room 112.
For the AUM community, the symposium offers a chance to see student innovation in action and support the next generation of scientists. Attendees can engage directly with student researchers, learn about emerging topics in science and explore how student research is addressing real-world challenges.
The symposium also highlights the importance of student-faculty research collaboration in the sciences to deepen students’ understanding of chemistry and related fields while gaining hands-on experience. At AUM, research is a required component of several science programs and helps students build critical thinking skills, contribute to real-world discoveries, and prepare for careers or advanced study.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the event will conclude with remarks from College of Sciences Dean Douglas W. Leaman, updates on new funding and research opportunities, and an awards ceremony.
‘Take Me Home’ concert celebrates American songwriters
The AUM Choir and AUMcappella will present “Take Me Home: A Celebration of American Songwriters” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, in Goodwyn Hall 109.
The performance will feature special guest musical theater soloists from Professor of Theatre Neil David Seibel’s Musical Theater class, showcasing a variety of works that highlight the richness of American songwriting.
Light refreshments will be served following the concert.
SGA welcomes new student leaders for 2026-27
AUM’s Student Government Association (SGA) recently celebrated its newest leaders with an induction ceremony for the 2026-27 academic year.
Meet your new SGA officers:
- Tyreanna Causey – President
- Jaxon Hess – Vice President
- Katelynn Do – Treasure
- Sara Kazi – Secretary
- Riley Cannon – Chief Justice
- Tamarez Howard – Parliamentarian
- Cortney Pettaway – Sergeant-At-Arms
Senators
- Class Senators: Sidnei Sippial, Terryn Williams, Horace Willis
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Harmony Carroll, Kierra Jackson, Caroline Phelps
- College of Business: George Childress, Max McClendon, Maia Tyus
- College of Sciences: Mariah Campbell-Thomas, Nirvana Jefferson, Ray Sims
- Dining: Andrew Shum
- Housing: Kinsley Higdon
- Library: Kyla Washington
- At-Large Senator: Camille Sutton
As the voice of the student body, SGA works to connect students with university leadership while creating programs, events and initiatives that enhance the student experience.
Help plan the campus events you love
Students interested in bringing campus events to life are encouraged to apply for the 2026–2027 Campus Activities Board (CAB) Executive Board at AUM.
Applications are due by Wednesday, April 8 at 11:59 p.m. Complete the CAB application online.
Available positions include Director, Assistant Director, Treasurer, Public Relations Coordinator, and Membership Coordinator. Applicants must:
- Have a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Be enrolled full-time
- Attend both fall and spring semesters during their term
- Remain in good standing with the Office of Accountability and Advocacy
CAB is a student-led organization that plans and hosts campus events designed to build school spirit, encourage collaboration, and enhance the student experience. Signature events include AUMFest, Shriek Week, Homecoming, and SpringFest.
Get on track to become a medical laboratory scientist
Interested in a career in health care? AUM’s Medical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is now accepting applications to help you take the next step.
In the program, students work with experienced Medical Laboratory Science faculty to develop both skills and theory in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, and microbiology, equipping them for success as medical laboratory scientists.
Applications are open through July 1 for the program, which prepares students to become leaders in many fields, including patient diagnostics, forensic science, medical equipment development and sales, research laboratories and more.
Nominate a Warhawk leader or organization for SILP awards
Know a student leader or organization doing amazing things on campus? Now’s your chance to recognize them. AUM’s Office of Student Involvement & Leadership Programs (SILP) is now accepting nominations for the annual SILP Awards.
Students, faculty, staff, and approved off-campus advisors are all encouraged to submit nominations. Award categories include honors such as Emerging Student Leader, Spirit of Curtiss Award, Warhawk Club of the Year, Program of the Year, Greek Chapter of the Year, and more.
Submit your nomination by Sunday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Award recipients will be recognized at the Student Involvement & Leadership Programs Awards Ceremony, which celebrates the impact of student leaders and organizations who help shape the AUM community.
Commemorate your commencement
Spring 2026 graduates have the opportunity to celebrate their success, leave a lasting legacy and jumpstart their alumni journey by making a class gift.
Make a gift of $20.26 to the AUM college or program of your choice, and you’ll receive an AUM Commemorative Medallion to wear at commencement. Your gift supports future Warhawks and helps position more AUM students for success.
Order your Commemorative Medallion online at aum.edu/classgift or in person in the Taylor Center lobby from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:
- Wednesday, April 8
- Tuesday, April 14
- Wednesday, April 22
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet members of the Alumni Association team.
If you ordered online, medallions can be picked up on April 22 in the Taylor Center Lobby from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Learn more at www.aum.edu/classgift.
Submit your abstracts for celebration of research and creative activity
AUM’s Experiential Education and Engagement Center invites students to submit abstracts for the 2026 Celebration of Research, Creative Activity, and Community Engagement.
Submissions may include research or creative activity projects completed in collaboration with faculty or through coursework. Undergraduate and graduate students across all departments and colleges are encouraged to submit their abstracts. Submit your abstracts through April 17.
The Celebration of Research, Creative Activity, and Community Engagement awards ceremony will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon Friday, April 24, in Taylor Center 230, followed by student research poster presentations in the Goodwyn Hall Lobby.
Earn a Graduate Study Merit Scholarship
If you’re a current graduate student who has completed at least nine course hours and possess a GPA of 3.4 or better, you may be eligible to receive the 2026-2027 Graduate Study Merit Scholarship offered by the AUM Alumni Association.
To apply for the scholarship, submit the necessary documents to [email protected] (include “Scholarship Committee, AUM Alumni Association” in the subject line) by April 20 and include:
- Two letters of support, preferably from AUM faculty or staff (on AUM official letterhead), emphasizing leadership attributes
- A 250-word essay outlining the applicant’s educational and career objectives, academic honors/civic activities, and how the award will benefit them.
- A current resume
Apply and learn more about the Graduate Study Merit Scholarship.
