Warhawk Weekly 11-4: Honoring student veterans; Blas Falconer visits AUM
AUM salutes our Warhawks in uniform
AUM will honor its student veterans and military-affiliated students during Veterans Week, Nov. 10-14, reflecting the university’s long-standing commitment to those who have served our country.
Organized by AUM’s Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC) and the Student Veterans Association (SVA), Veterans Week will feature a variety of activities, from a Marine Corps birthday celebration and campus trivia games to free food and faculty-staff Green Zone Training sessions.
In observance of Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, AUM students and employees are encouraged to attend “Montgomery’s Salute: Standing with Veterans” celebration, a City of Montgomery initiative to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. The day’s festivities will include a parade sponsored by the city, with the Montgomery Military and Veteran Commission serving as host.
AUM’s tradition of supporting military members and their families extends well beyond Veterans Week. The VMRC provides on-campus resources, guidance, and advocacy for veterans and active-duty service members, while AUM’s active Student Veterans of America chapter builds community and peer support. AUM also offers specialized scholarships and financial assistance to veterans and military service members.
Proudly recognized as a 2025-26 Military Friendly School and Military Spouse Friendly School by Viqtory Media, AUM serves more than 600 military-affiliated students, including spouses and dependents.
Events scheduled for Veterans Week 2025:
Monday, November 10
- Marine Corps Birthday Cake
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Taylor Center Lobby - Tabletop Games
5–7 p.m., WASC Classroom 221
Tuesday, November 11
- City of Montgomery Veterans Day Events
10 a.m.–1 p.m., Dexter Ave. and Riverwalk Stadium - Squad vs. Squad Jeopardy
5–7 p.m., Goodwyn Hall 109H
Wednesday, November 12
- Hotdogs with Heroes
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., The Quad - Battle Bingo
5–7 p.m., Goodwyn Hall 109H
Thursday, November 13
- Video Game Tournament
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Warhawk Alley
Friday, November 14
- Staff and Faculty Breakfast with the Brave
8:30–10 a.m., WASC Classroom 221 - Faculty and Staff Green Zone Training
1–3 p.m., WASC Classroom 221
Poet Blas Falconer reads at AUM
Award-winning poet and editor Blas Falconer will visit AUM on Thursday, Nov. 13, to share selections from his newest poetry collection and discuss his work as co-editor of two essay collections. The event, “An Evening with Author Blas Falconer,” will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Goodwyn Hall 111. Admission is free and open to the public.
Hosted by AUM’s Department of English and Philosophy, Falconer’s talk will include a public reading of his work, reflections on his writing process, insights into the craft of creative writing, and perspectives from his experience in the publishing industry.
Falconer’s latest poetry collection, “Rara Avis,” explores the relationships among men —between peers, lovers, and parents and children — to question and reimagine traditional models of authority and power. He is also coeditor of “The Other Latin@: Writing Against a Singular Identity” and “Mentor & Muse: Essays from Poets to Poets.” His work has earned numerous honors, including the Thom Gunn Award, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award from Poets & Writers, a Tennessee Individual Artist Grant, the New Delta Review Eyster Prize for Poetry, and the Barthelme Fellowship. He currently teaches in the Master of Fine Arts program at San Diego State University, where he serves as editor in chief of “Poetry International Online.”
Honoring the journey of First-Generation Warhawks
AUM is celebrating first-generation students this week, recognizing those who broke new ground as the first in their families to attend college.
The Warhawk Academic Success Center is hosting “First-Gen Celebration Week” events through Friday, Nov. 7. Scheduled activities include:
- First-Gen and Juice Bagel Bar with First in Flight | Nov. 4 | 9-11 a.m. | Taylor Center Lobby
- Masks Off: First-Gen Panel Discussion | Nov. 5 | 11a.m.-noon | Goodwyn Hall 111
- First-Gen League, Roll Call! | 6 | All Day | Social Media
- Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony (Invite only) | Nov. 7 | noon-2 p.m. |Taylor Center 230
Be on the lookout for more events, and feel free to share your own First-Gen Warhawk stories. Tag AUM’s Instagram account — @auburnmontgomery – and use the hashtags #Firsttosoar and #AUMfirstgen.
State of Alabama Day links students to careers
AUM’s Career Development Center and the State of Alabama Personnel Department will host the second annual State of Alabama Day at AUM, connecting students, alumni and state agency representatives for a day of career exploration and networking.
This year’s event will feature the State of Alabama mobile application unit, a career fair, CareerFest on The Quad, and an employer symposium and luncheon. Activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, across AUM’s campus.
Launched in Fall 2024, the partnership offers career development opportunities designed to help students and alumni access state resources, including job openings, internships, and professional connections.
Here’s what’s planned for State of Alabama Day 2025:
State of Alabama Mobile Workforce Unit | All Day | The Quad
The State of Alabama’s Mobile Workforce Unit will be on the AUM Quad all day for students to apply for open positions within the various State Agencies. State personnel will be available to guide students through the application process.
Career Fair | 9-11:30 a.m. | Taylor Center 221-223
All students are welcome to attend the Career Fair, where State Agency representatives will be on hand to introduce their Agency and provide information about jobs and internships available. Students can register in advance on Handshake or at the door. Professional dress is not required, but students can visit Curtiss’ Career Closet in advance of the event to check out clothing for use at the Career Fair.
CareerFest | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Quad
Student Affairs and the Career Development Center will host CareerFest on the Quad. Students who attend the Career Fair can access free food, games, and be eligible to win one of three $100 AUM Bookstore certificates!
Employer Symposium and Luncheon (invitation only) | 12-2 p.m. | Taylor Center 230
This special event will connect AUM leadership with state professionals attending State of Alabama Day at AUM. Guests will enjoy a catered lunch, hear remarks from AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton and Provost Dr. Mrinal Varma, and network with representatives from a variety of state agencies recruiting for internships and full-time positions.
Is it PEE-can or puh-KAHN?
Celebrate both at AUM’s Forest Restoration and Pecan Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 15
The AUM community is invited to join the Rural History and Ecology Research Institute (RHERI) and Warhawk Seeds, AUM’s student ecology club, for an afternoon of sustainability, history, and community from noon to 3 p.m. at Pecan Grove, near the AUM Forest.
Participants will learn about the forest’s rich history and ecology while helping to restore the AUM Forest by planting native azaleas, collecting pecans, and removing invasive plants. Free lunch and pecan snacks will be provided. Register online.
Attendees should meet at the bridge leading to the AUM Forest and wear clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Sturdy shoes are required, with long pants and sleeves are preferred. Guests are encouraged to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
The celebration highlights AUM’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental education, and community engagement.
Celebrating the rhythms of AUM
While the festival may have a new name, its mission remains the same — celebrating the unique ways we express rhythm across campus during AUM’s annual Rhythms Festival on Nov. 15.
The event will highlight the medley of backgrounds and traditions that make AUM feel like home, featuring dance performances, activity tables, and interactive displays.
Organized by AUM’s Office of Collaborative Partnerships and Distance Education, the festival invites students, faculty, and staff to share their talents by completing the 2025 Rhythms Festival Interest Form.
Plan for wellness during Open Enrollment
AUM’s annual Benefits Open Enrollment period for faculty and staff begins today and will run through Nov. 17. This is the time for benefits-eligible employees to review, update, or make changes to their selections for the upcoming year.
Open Enrollment ensures that your benefits align with your current needs and those of your eligible dependents. From health and dental coverage to retirement and wellness options, AUM’s benefits package is designed to support faculty and staff both personally and professionally.
If you have questions or need additional details, email [email protected].
Learn more and make your selections on the Benefits Enrollment site.
Get the Warhawks Athletics App
AUM recently launched the app Warhawks Athletics, the official mobile home for AUM Athletics.
The new app provides fans with everything they need to stay connected to Warhawk sports teams and events, including:
- Updates on the latest news, scores, schedules, and live streams
- Real-time notifications so you never miss a moment
- Easy access to ticket information and official AUM gear
- Event updates right at your fingertips
Plus, fans who download the app can enjoy free popcorn at all AUM home basketball games this season!
Stay tuned for exclusive rewards and special offers available only through the app.
Download Warhawks Athletics on the App Store or Google Play, and stay connected to Warhawk Nation like never before.
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.
