Warhawk Weekly 1-27: Cosmic Homecoming Week; ACTF takes the stage
AUM gears up for cosmic Homecoming Week 2026
AUM is preparing to launch an out-of-this-world Homecoming Week 2026, packed with spirited traditions, including friendly competitions, a pep rally, carnival, tailgating and fun activities that bring the entire campus community together to celebrate Warhawk pride. Homecoming will take place Feb. 2-7.
Inspired by a student body survey conducted in November, AUM’s Office of Student Affairs unveiled “Welcome to the Warhawk Universe” as this year’s Homecoming theme. The cosmic concept sets the stage for a week of campus-wide events, games, giveaways, and shared experiences designed to bring students, faculty, staff, and alumni together.
“Homecoming is truly a collaborative effort, and we’re excited to plan activities around this year’s theme and see all of the events come together,” said Da’Monta Wiggins, director of Student Life.
AUM’s Homecoming Week kicks off Monday, Feb. 2, with Homecoming Court campaigning, a Chancellor’s Cup competition, and a Kickoff Pep Rally at the AUM Athletics Complex, followed by the annual Homecoming faculty/staff vs. students basketball game. The week concludes Saturday, Feb. 7, with a women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader against Union University at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
The following Homecoming activities require sign up, registration or your vote:
- Chancellor’s Cup. Student organizations are invited to sign up through Jan. 29 to compete in the event.
- Homecoming Court. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, students can vote through the MyAUM Portal. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m.
- Faculty/staff vs. students basketball game. To sign up, email Student Life Director Da’Monta Wiggins at [email protected] or call 334-861-2463.
Throughout Homecoming Week, student teams participating in the Chancellor’s Cup competitioon will compete for the coveted cup in a variety of themed events, including Penny Wars & Pep Rally, Scavenger Hunt, Curtiss in the Cosmos, and Squid Games.
Winners of the Chancellor’s Cup will be recognized during the women’s basketball game, which will also feature a birthday celebration for AUM’s beloved mascot, Curtiss the Warhawk. Members of the 2026 Homecoming Court will be introduced during the men’s basketball game.
ACTF Region IV takes the stage at AUM
Theatre students and faculty from colleges across the Southeast will gather in Montgomery Feb. 3-7 for the Region IV American College Theatre Festival (ACTF), co-hosted by Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF). The week-long event will feature bold interpretations of plays by renowned playwrights while providing students with opportunities to sharpen their craft, connect with theatre professionals, and gain valuable career experience.
A highlight of this year’s Region IV conference is the opportunity for students to perform their college theatre productions in the historic Carolyn Blount Theatre, home of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the State of Alabama Theatre. Each year, ASF draws hundreds of visitors and artists to Montgomery through its contemporary plays, musicals, and Shakespeare productions.
“Hosting the American College Theatre Festival aligns directly with ASF’s commitment to education and the development of young artists,” said Quin Gresham, artistic director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. “Providing students and educators with meaningful learning experiences and access to professional theatre is central to our mission, and we’re honored to support the next generation of artists through ACTF.”
Now in its 58th year, ACTF is held annually to showcase and adjudicate outstanding college-level theatre productions. The festival also offers students professional development opportunities through workshops, auditions, seminars, expos, and exhibits designed to prepare them for careers in theatre and related fields, including journalism.
“We greatly appreciate the support of and are thrilled to partner with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, whose long-standing national reputation emphasizes the arts, education, and building community,” said Val Winkelman, professor of theatre at AUM. “Together, we are proud to welcome colleges from across the Southeast to our campus.”
In addition to co-hosting this year’s festival, AUM theatre students and faculty have been invited to present Theatre AUM’s Fall 2025 production, “The BIRDZ,” adapted and directed by Neil David Seibel, professor of theatre at AUM. Each year, ACTF selects five distinguished productions from the region to perform at the conference.
Theatre AUM’s performance of “THE BIRDZ” at this year’s conference marks the seventh time the university has been invited to present its productions at ACTF. AUM previously earned invitations in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2014, 2018, and most recently, 2025.
The honor reflects the outstanding work of Theatre AUM students who have received multiple 2026 ACTF nominations for their acting and production work on “THE BIRDZ” and the Spring 2025 production “Blood at the Root.” For “THE BIRDZ,” ACTF nominated three students for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, while nine students received nominations in Stage Management, Scenic Design, Dramaturgy, Poster Design, Projection Design, Sound Design, Costume Design and Lighting Design.
Dominique Morisseau’s “Blood at the Root,” directed by recent theatre graduate Tiara Staples, will also be recognized at this year’s festival. For their work on the production, two students received Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship nominations, and eight earned nominations in Stage Management, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Sound Design, Dramaturgy, and Allied Design.
COB talk spotlights soft skills in the AI era
AUM’s College of Business will host “Why Not Win? Beyond Business Basics,” a speaker event to equip students with practical, career-ready soft skills needed to stand out in an AI-driven business world.
Presented by the Why Not Win Institute in partnership with the College of Business, the event will give students and attendees a chance to explore how soft skills translate into measurable results, with featured segments including “Soft Skills: The Hard Currency of Business Success” and “Misrepresented Business Practices.” The talk will be held from noon–1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Goodwyn Hall 109.
The program will feature AUM College of Business Dean Daewoo Park and a father-son business duo as guest speakers:
- Larry D. Thornton Sr., a Montgomery entrepreneur, artist and author, is the founder of the Why Not Win Institute and a longtime business leader who has helped expand leadership development across Alabama.
- Dale Thornton Jr. is a franchise and organizational leadership expert who serves as West Zone Vice President of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA), bringing real-world insight into scaling operations and leading teams.
- Daewoo Park, Ph.D., dean of AUM’s College of Business, brings extensive academic and strategic management experience focused on innovation, student success and workforce-relevant learning.
By connecting students with accomplished leaders and emphasizing the human skills that technology can’t replace, the event reflects AUM’s commitment to student success. Through exploring topics such as communication, leadership and ethical decision-making, students will also learn to build the confidence, professionalism and adaptability employers are demanding right now.
The event’s co-sponsors also include Coca-Cola, GMC and the City of Montgomery, underscoring a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of talent for a rapidly changing economy.
The event is free and open to students, faculty and staff, and lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. Register online.
Volunteer to help at GEARSEF
AUM’s College of Sciences will host the Greater Eastern Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF) on Friday, March 13. The event will bring more than 220 middle and high school students from 27 counties to AUM’s campus to compete in a wide range of science and engineering categories.
Student, faculty, and staff volunteers are needed to help ensure a welcoming and successful experience for participating students. Volunteer opportunities include chaperoning visitors in Warhawk Alley, screening movies, and monitoring the AUM-STEM Expo, among other roles.
To volunteer, complete the GEARSEF Volunteer Form or email Molly Belew Trammell at [email protected]. Individuals interested in judging a category, email Dr. Chelsea Ward at [email protected].
Warhawk Athletics: Softball tickets, preseason honors, and free Whataburger
Softball season tickets
AUM Warhawks softball season tickets are now on sale. Don’t miss the chance to catch all the action at the AUM Softball Complex and cheer on the Warhawks throughout the 2026 season. Buy season tickets.
Softball starts 2026 with big-time buzz
The Gulf South Conference (GSC) 2026 softball preseason poll is out, and AUM Softball is projected to finish No. 2 by the league’s head coaches. Players Chloe Baynes, Reese Cauley and Chelisa Newsome earned Preseason All-GSC honors, while Gabbi Barnowsky, Chloe Hollon and Karris Rhine were named Newcomers to Watch.
Fresh off its 2025 GSC regular season championship, Warhawks softball is also ranked No. 12 in the first NFCA/GoRout Division II Top. 25 Softball Coaches Poll of the season.
Warhawk Wednesday at Whataburger
Thanks to AUM Athletics’ partnership with Whataburger, the AUM community can snag a freebie this week. Enjoy a free Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit from 7–11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Order online with your Whataburger Rewards account or stop by your nearest location.
Register for math placement tests
AUM’s free math placement program can help students save time and tuition costs. Students can take math placement tests on the following dates in Goodwyn Hall 115:
- Friday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m.
- Friday, March 6, 9 a.m.
- Friday, April 3, 9 a.m.
- Friday, May 1, 9 a.m.
- Friday, June 5, 9 a.m.
- Friday, July 10, 9 a.m.
Register for a placement test: aum.edu/mathplacement.
Keep up with campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
