Warhawk Weekly 9-9: Constitution Day celebration; MS-SLP program applications
September 9, 2025
AUM welcomes UA political science expert for Constitution Day
In observance of Constitution Day, AUM’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration will host its annual celebration of the U.S. Constitution on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Dr. Allen Linken, associate professor of political science at the University of Alabama, will deliver the 2025 Constitution Day lecture, titled “Constitutional Crisis and Democracy.” The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Taylor Center 223. Light refreshments will be provided.
“Lately, much has been written about the current state of our democracy,” said Dr. Pia Knigge, assistant professor of political science at AUM and event organizer. “This debate includes the question of whether we are heading into — or are already experiencing — a constitutional crisis.”
Dr. Linken’s lecture will explore how the U.S. Constitution balances presidential power with the rule of law during times of national emergency. By analyzing the sources of presidential authority and reviewing key legal cases, including recent rulings on executive discretion, the lecture will examine when the courts defer to presidential power and when they assert their counter-majoritarian role to uphold constitutional principles. Drawing on insights from the Federalist Papers, Linken will highlight the enduring tension between a vigorous executive and the constitutional safeguards that protect democracy in times of crisis.
Dr. Linken’s teaching and research focus on American politics, particularly constitutional law, understanding the Supreme Court, the role of law in society, and the civil-military gap. He holds both a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as a J.D. from Albany Law School.
Constitution Day 2025 will be officially observed on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in commemoration of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. The day also recognizes all individuals who are U.S. citizens — either by birth or through naturalization.
Kickstart your future with AUM’s MS-SLP program
Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 cohort of our online Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program.
Designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders or a related field, the MS-SLP program prepares graduates for licensure and certification.
Apply before the January 15 deadline.
Cynthia Crutchfield brings bold vision to Chancellor’s Business Breakfast
Cynthia M. Crutchfield, chief executive officer of Innovate Alabama, will serve as the keynote speaker for the AUM Chancellor’s Business Breakfast Series on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
The event will take place at 7:30 a.m. in Taylor Center 230.
Crutchfield is the founding CEO of Innovate Alabama, the state’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation. In her role, she oversees corporate strategy and leads day-to-day operations, advancing the corporation’s mission through partnerships, program development and innovation management.
Help us improve Mailroom and Conference Services
As part of AUM’s ongoing efforts to enhance customer service across campus, we invite you to share your experiences with our Mailroom and Conference Services teams. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping the university improve the services we provided to our campus community.
Please take a few minutes to complete these short surveys:
Your insights will help us better meet your needs and continue delivering high-quality service to the AUM community.
Thank you for your time and valuable input!
AUM to host ACHE 2025 Open Educational Resources workshop
Auburn University of Montgomery (AUM) has been selected as a host institution for one of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s (ACHE) 2025 Open Educational Resources (OER) workshops in September.
In partnership with Trenholm State Community College, AUM will host the workshop from 8 a.m. -3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 in Taylor Center 230. The event is free and open to faculty and staff. Register online now.
The free workshops, also taking place at the University of South Alabama, are part of ACHE’s broader statewide effort to reduce textbook costs, increase access to course materials, and support student success.
“We’re excited to serve as a host institution for this workshop and bring together both in-state leaders and nationally recognized experts,” said AUM Library Dean Phill Johnson. “Attendees will gain practical tools and resources to support the adoption and implementation of OER across Alabama’s higher education institutions.”
Funded by ACHE, AUM’s Open Educational Resources workshop will feature the following speakers:
- Joshua Hill – Instructional Designer, Center for Innovative Teaching and Technology, Hillsborough College. Hill is a pioneer in AI-supported OER creation and founder of the Zero Textbook Cost Initiative. He also developed Florida’s only self-hosted Pressbooks platform.
- Jennifer Pate – Director of OpenEd, Texas A&M Libraries. Pate leads textbook equity and OER efforts across the Texas A&M system and is a Founding Fellow with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s OER Fellowship program.
- Nakita Afaha – Program Manager, Affordable Learning Georgia, University System of Georgia. Afaha brings extensive experience in OER development, eLearning instructional design, and student success initiatives.
- Rebel Cummings-Sauls – Director of Digital Services and OER, Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative. With over a decade in higher education, she has held leadership roles at Kansas State University and the University of South Florida.
- Charlotte Ford, Library Director, University of Montevallo. Ford is a passionate advocate for Open Access. With 35 years of experience as a librarian, she has consistently championed free and equitable access to information, particularly in response to the rising costs of journals, database subscriptions, and textbooks.
The workshop also offers professionals the opportunity to connect with peers from across the state who are advancing OER initiatives at Alabama’s colleges and universities.
“We look forward to working together to expand access to high-quality, affordable education in Alabama,” Johnson said. “We hope attendees will leave the workshop with actionable strategies and valuable connections.”
Alumni Professorship: Know an outstanding professor?
The AUM Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2025–2028 Alumni Professorship, a prestigious honor recognizing faculty who demonstrate exceptional achievement in teaching, research/scholarship/creative activity, and service.
Nominees must be current teaching faculty with 10 or more years of full-time service at AUM. The faculty member selected Alumni Professor will serve a non-renewable, three-year term (2025–2028) and receive a $2,500 annual salary supplement. The award will be conferred at the Chancellor Convocation held in the fall.
To nominate your favorite faculty member, submit five letters no longer than two pages (from their dean, department head, a current student, former student, and a colleague) emphasizing their teaching excellence, strong record of publication, and the ways they support students, community, their colleagues. Vitas may be included.
The winner of this award will be chosen by a seven-member selection committee.
The nomination deadline is Friday, Sept. 19.
Send nomination letters to: Awards Committee, AUM Alumni Association, P.O. Box 244023, Montgomery, AL 36124-4023, or email them to alumni@aum.edu.
Step and strut into Kinesiology’s new line dance class
AUM’s Department of Kinesiology, housed in the College of Education, is launching a new course designed to get students moving and teach basic dance theories.
Beginning Oct. 8, “PHED 1803: Step & Strut Line Dance” will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Wellness Center, Room 222.
Open to all students —whether you’re a physical education major or simply curious about dance — the course explores basic dance theories and techniques, with a spotlight on line dance, ballroom, and contemporary styles.
To register:
- Login to MyAUM
- Click on Warhawk Self Service > Student Services > Registration
- When prompted, enter the six-digit PIN you received from your advisor
- Search for PHED 1803 and add the class
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. So, lace up your boots, or sneakers, and get ready to step, strut, and learn.
Make your mark on the AUM Alumni board
Do you have a passion for Auburn University at Montgomery and a desire to help shape the future of its alumni community? The AUM Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its Board of Directors.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a longtime supporter, this is a meaningful opportunity to give back, grow your leadership experience, and play a vital role in strengthening the bond between AUM and its alumni. Board members also serve as ambassadors for the university, helping to advance alumni engagement, support student success, and promote AUM in the community and beyond.
To be eligible, candidates must be graduates of AUM or have earned credit toward one of its degree programs, and be a member in good standing with the AUM Alumni Association.
Nominations are open through Monday, Sept. 15. Apply or nominate someone today.
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.
