Warhawk Weekly 2-18: Southern Studies Conference; Business Breakfast
Exploring the culture, history, art and politics of the South
Auburn University at Montgomery will welcome an accomplished group of American and global scholars to campus Friday and Saturday as the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences hosts the15th annual Southern Studies Conference.
Each year, the Southern Studies Conference features a variety of presentations, including posters, panels, art displays, oral presentations, and musical performances. Topics cover political science, literature, history, anthropology, English, philosophy, religious studies, women’s and gender studies, sociology, criminal justice, art, art history, music and more.
The event is free for AUM-affiliated faculty, staff and students who register in advance.
This conference’s keynote speaker, Gina Caison, the Kenneth M. England Associate Professor of Southern Literature at Georgia State University, will present on the topic “Grounded in the Gulf South: Indigenous Sovereignty Beyond American Regions.” Her presentation will begin at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, in Taylor Center 230.
On Saturday, the conference will feature the performance “Afri-Christian Spirituality in the Plays of August Wilson: A Performance of Spirits,” presented by Wendy Coleman, dean of Alabama State University’s (ASU) College of Visual and Performing Arts, along with ASU students. The performance will begin at 12:45 p.m. in Taylor Center 230.
Business Breakfast Series highlights increasing importance of AI
From improving operational efficiency to personalizing customer experiences, artificial intelligence, or AI is it’s commonly known, has emerged as a difference-maker for businesses spanning a range of industry sectors. AUM’s upcoming Chancellor’s Business Breakfast Series event on Friday, Feb. 28, will explore elements of AI that will be increasingly important in the coming years.
Haya Ajjan, associate dean and professor of Management Information Systems at Elon University’s Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, will discuss the future of business with ChatGPT and how AI continues to transform strategy and decision-making.
The event is free, but registration is required since space is limited. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Taylor Center 230. Faculty and staff can also opt in for AI-focused workshops offered at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Topics will include the use of generative AI to foster student engagement, student success in an AI-driven world and student preparation for AI-focused careers.
Application window opens for SGA
Build your leadership skills and advocate for your fellow students by running for position with the Student Government Association.
Applications can be picked up in Taylor Center at Student Affairs, the Warhawk Resource Center or Warhawk Alley, or by emailing [email protected]. Applications will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 26.
Campaigning will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5, with Election Day set for Wednesday, March 12.
Basketball homestand highlights week in athletics
AUM’s women’s and men’s basketball teams will host conference rivals for back-to-back games this week. Alabama-Huntsville will visit Thursday for games at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., respectively. Students will eat free as AUM celebrates D-II Day and Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day.
West Alabama will visit for Saturday games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. as AUM celebrates Senior Day. The AUM women enter the week with some momentum after a 62-58 win at Montevallo. Carrington Jones scored a career-high 22 points, while Allasha Dudley moved into fifth place among AUM’s all-time scoring leaders.
In other AUM Athletics action:
- Softball: 2-ranked AUM (8-2) swept ninth-ranked Trevecca Nazarne over the weekend, pushing the Warhawks’ record against Top 25 teams to 5-1 this season. AUM’s pitching staff dominated over the course of the three-game series, with Chelisa Newsome tossing a five-inning no-hitter in game two. The Warhawks will visit West Alabama on Friday to begin a three-game series.
- Men’s Tennis: The Warhawks will host Tuskegee Friday at 11 a.m. after earning a 4-3 victory over West Alabama in their Gulf South Conference opener last weekend. Giuseppe Bonaiuti, Dominik Vonbank, Raphael Pertusierand Mark Nawa each earned victories in singles play.
- Women’s Tennis: AUM lost to North Georgia last week to fall to 1-1. The Warhawks will host Tuskegee on Friday at 11 a.m. and will then travel to Tyler, Texas, next week for matches against Midwestern State, Cameron and UT Tyler.
- Baseball: AUM (4-6) will visit West Alabama for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 5 p.m. The Warhawks dropped two of three games last weekend against Trevecca Nazarene.Tyrese Rooks is leading the Warhawks at the plate thus far, batting .326 with three stolen bases.
Don’t miss the Continuing Merit Scholarship deadline
If you are a currently enrolled AUM student who is in good academic standing and also meets the following requirements by the March 1 deadline, then do not forget to submit your Continuing Merit Scholarship application.
- Undergraduate Students must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate coursework with a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of a 2.5 or higher.
- Graduate Students must have completed a minimum of 6 hours of graduate coursework with a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of a 3.0 or higher.
Submit your application before the March 1 deadline.
Submitting an application will help you receive consideration for a variety of general donor scholarships, need-based scholarships and scholarship endowments offered by the university.
Each of these scholarships varies in amount as well as in requirements outlined by the donors who support them. To be considered, a student must have an updated Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on record.
Some of AUM’s colleges, schools and departments may require separate scholarship applications. Be sure to check with your academic advisor to explore all department scholarship opportunities.
Continuing Merit Scholarships are competitive and limited in number. Scholarships will be awarded to the most qualified candidates who apply by the deadline. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship decision during the summer semester.
Students must be degree seeking in order to be eligible. Dual Enrolled, Unclassified students, Continuing Education courses, and Fully Online Academic Programs are not eligible.
Apply for the Graduate Study Merit Scholarship
Current AUM graduate students who have completed at least six credit hours and maintained a GPA of 3.4 or better may be eligible for the 2025-2026 Graduate Study Merit Scholarship offered by the AUM Alumni Association.
To be considered, students must submit the following to [email protected] by the March 14 deadline:
- Two letters of support (preferably from AUM faculty or staff), emphasizing leadership skills
- A 250-word essay outlining educational and career objectives, academic honors/awards/civic activities, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals
- Current resume listing employment, dates of employment, hours worked, campus and/or community leadership and academic achievements
- A completed AUM Alumni Association Graduate Study Merit Scholarship application.
Keeping up with all 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.
