Warhawk Weekly 10-20: Why Not Win Institue open house; Athletics Hall of Fame
Welcome the Why Not Win Institute to AUM
AUM’s College of Business will welcome the Why Not Win Institute (WNWI) to campus at an open house today, Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the second floor of Clement Hall.
WNWI, a nonprofit leadership development organization, is opening an office at AUM as its co-founder and board chair, Montgomery native Larry D. Thornton Sr., joins the College of Business as executive in residence. Thornton, who became Birmingham’s first Black McDonald’s franchise owner, is also the author of the autobiography “Why Not Win?”
Guests are invited to tour the new office, meet Thornton and the WNWI team and learn about the institute’s plans for the 2026-27 academic year. The event is free and open to the AUM community and general public.
The College of Business’ partnership with the Why Not Win Institute’s builds on AUM’s commitment to helping students develop leadership, communication and professional skills throughout their academic journeys. The partnership also supports the institute’s mission to draw from Thornton’s experiences in business and community leadership to prepare students for academic success and thriving careers in today’s business world.
Celebrate the Class of 2027 at the AUM Athletics Hall of Fame
The AUM Athletics Hall of Fame gives special recognition to indivdiuals who have made outstanding contributions to athletics programs as athletes, coaches and teams.
This year’s inductees into the Class of 2027 are Desmond Deramus (2018, men’s basketball), Elsa Einarsdottir (2006, women’s soccer), Kayla Hale (2017, softball) and Shawn Holtzclaw (1993, baseball).
Tickets are now available for the 2027 AUM Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, set for Friday, Jan. 22, in the Taylor Center. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and the program beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Tickets are $25 each. Buy tickets online.
AUM to explore Irish American history
The stories of Irish immigrants and their lasting impact on American history will take center stage at the October 22 lecture “Irish America 250: The Revolutionary Lives and Legacies of the Irish in America” from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Taylor Center 221-223.
The event will feature Consul General Sarah Kavanagh and keynote speaker Darragh Gannon, director of global Irish studies and assistant teaching professor of Irish history at Georgetown University, Gannon will discuss the lives and legacies of Irish people in America.
Connect with community partners at AUM’s Service-Learning Expo
AUM’s Experiential Education and Engagement Center (EEEC) invites students, faculty and staff to attend the annual Service-Learning Expo from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Goodwyn Hall Lobby.
The expo brings local nonprofits and community organizations together with members of the AUM community who are looking for ways to serve the River Region. Attendees can discover potential community partners for service-learning courses, connect students with hands-on experiences that complement classroom learning or find a cause to support personally.
This year’s expo will feature 27 organizations, including Brantwood Children’s Home, Family Sunshine Center, Family Support Center, HandsOn River Region, Humane Society of Elmore County, Meals on Wheels, Montgomery Zoo and Salvation Army.
Participating organizations will have tables featuring information about their missions and ways to get involved, along with flyers and other resources.
Faculty members are encouraged to bring their classes or invite students to attend as part of a course activity.
McEachern receives ACHE Service Award
Michael McEachern, program director of healthcare administration programs at AUM, has received the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Recognition Program’s Service Award.
The honor recognizes ACHE members who volunteer their time, talent and expertise to support their peers and the health care leadership community. McEachern, a Lifetime Fellow of ACHE, was selected for his ongoing service and commitment to the organization and the health care profession.
McEachern oversees AUM’s online Bachelor of Healthcare Management (BSHM) and online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree programs in the College of Business.
Basketball teams set to host Hoops Madness
Tip off the basketball seasons at Hoops Madness! The AUM men’s and women’s basketball teams invite the campus community to its annual Hoops Madness event on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the AUM Athletics Complex. The event recognizes both basketball programs and gets fans excited for the upcoming season.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with the event running from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees can pick up a free shirt, and students will have the chance to win giveaways, including speakers, an air fryer, Owala water bottles, a coffee machine and headphones.
Free food will be served at the end of the event.
Make a difference at Shady Street Park
Make a difference in the Montgomery community by joining AUM’s Experiential Education and Engagement Center for upcoming volunteer workdays at Shady Street Trailhead Park.
AUM students and employees are invited to lend a hand in maintaining and enhancing the park for the community. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants and debris during workdays from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Nov. 20.
Volunteers will meet at Taylor Center before departing campus at 9 a.m. and will return by 12:30 p.m. each day. Participants should bring water and wear closed-toe shoes.
Since 2020, AUM has partnered with the City of Montgomery’s Office of Economic and Community Development on projects at Shady Street Trailhead Park as part of broader efforts to revitalize areas of north Montgomery. Through the partnership, AUM students have helped bring new life and visibility to the park by designing signage and promotional items and interviewing former residents to preserve stories about the area’s history and development along the river.
