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Auburn University’s Ashton Richardson named Rhodes Scholar finalist
10:55 AM, October 30, 2012
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn University senior football player Ashton Richardson has been named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, marking the fourth straight year an Auburn student-athlete has become a Rhodes finalist.
The Rhodes Scholarships, founded in 1904, are the oldest international fellowships. Winners of the scholarship have the opportunity to do graduate work at the University of Oxford located in Oxford, United Kingdom.
"Ashton is an ideal representation of whom my office seeks to endorse for the Rhodes Scholarship. He is someone who combines a sound intellect and puts it to good use by making good grades and engaging in the undergraduate research experience; someone who channels his energy for the betterment of our world, for others who are less advantaged and for those who struggle every day; and he is someone who lights up the room when he is around," said Paul Harris, Auburn associate director for national prestigious scholarships.
Richardson's major professor, Dale Coleman, said, "To Auburn, Ashton is a true 'scholar-athlete.' But to the world, Ashton is so much more -- a true gentleman and a true humanitarian."
Richardson is an Honors College student majoring in animal sciences with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine in Auburn's College of Agriculture, earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.94. He is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree and earlier this year was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy, which is presented annually to the top football scholar-athlete in the country. Richardson, who grew up helping his father raise quarter-horses, has aspirations to become an equine surgeon.
The four-year letter winner at linebacker has played in 32 career games, registering 13 tackles. In 2012 Richardson has played in all eight games, making four tackles, recording one sack and recovering one fumble. He walked on to the football team as a freshman and earned a scholarship prior to his junior season.
A New Orleans, La., native, Richardson is writing his Honors thesis tentatively titled "Comparison of Articular Cartilage Thickness in Cadaveric Equine Limbs" under the direction of Reid Hanson, professor of equine surgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine. He is scheduled to graduate from Auburn in December. Off the field, Richardson has volunteered each week for the past four years as a mentor at the Lee County Youth Development Center.
"When I was first notified that I was a finalist, I was so thankful to God and to all the people who have helped me," Richardson said. "I was overwhelmed with a sense of humility. When you realize how prestigious and competitive the Rhodes Scholarship is, having the chance to try for it is a dream come true. I will give it my all to make Auburn proud and represent all the people on campus who have worked with me and believe in me.
"I am an aspiring veterinarian, but studying at Oxford would be a tremendous opportunity to pursue my dream of using my education to give back. These scholarships are set up to prepare individuals to 'fight the world's fight.'"
If awarded the Rhodes, Richardson plans to pursue degrees in biodiversity and environmental fields.
"The Auburn Family has been tremendous in helping me pursue my dreams," Richardson added. "From the day I walked on to campus, there have been numerous people who have embraced me and have gone above and beyond to help me handle the challenges of being a student. My experience in athletics has taught me hard work and perseverance, and applying yourself every day. If I can go to the interviews and adequately represent what I have learned and experienced at Auburn, it will be an incredible experience."
Richardson is the fifth Auburn student-athlete to be named a Rhodes finalist in the past four years. Other past finalists include former diver Dan Mazzaferro, swimming and diving student-athletes Erica Meissner and Jordan Anderson and former gymnast Krissy Voss. Anderson won the Rhodes Scholarship in 2009.
"Ashton is a remarkable young man, and we are incredibly proud of him for this outstanding accomplishment," Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. "He is an exceptionally bright scholar with outstanding research credentials, but I think the Rhodes committee will be equally impressed by his humility and the community service he has done on his own since he came to Auburn. I also want to thank Dr. Paul Harris and Ashton's professors for their guidance and encouragement during this process."
"This is an incredible honor for Ashton, who embodies the best and highest ideals of what it means to be a student-athlete," Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik said. "During his time at Auburn, he has worked extremely hard on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. He is a leader on and off the field and is highly respected by his coaches and teammates. Watching Ashton develop over the past several years has been a joy. He represents himself, his family, his teammates and Auburn University in the highest way imaginable and we're very proud of his accomplishments."
The next step for Richardson is a two-day interview process. He will appear before the District VII Selection Committee Nov. 16-17 in Birmingham, joining 12 other finalists from the district. Two finalists from District VII will be selected as 2013 Rhodes Scholars.
Contact: Kirk Sampson, Auburn University Athletics, (334) 844-9800 (sampska@auburn.edu)
Mike Clardy, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu)
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Auburn offers study abroad trips for pre-freshman honor students
1:12 PM, September 19, 2012
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Many Auburn students travel abroad as part of their educational experience, but 16 pre-freshmen ventured overseas for college credit before stepping onto campus this fall.
The students, now freshmen, in July traveled to the Central American country of Belize as part of Auburn's new international studies course for high school honor students who have applied for admission to the university.
"We want them to think internationally early on," said Andy Gillespie, assistant provost for international programs. "Then, throughout their undergraduate careers, they will relate their international experiences to their coursework."
Plans for the trip began last spring when the Office of International Programs teamed up with the Office of Admissions to identify top applicants who might be interested in studying abroad.
"They had applied but had not committed yet to Auburn when we approached them with mailings," Gillespie said. "They paid for their own travel while Auburn covered the cost of the course."
Students earned two credit hours in international sustainability on the weeklong trip, which included lectures at the University of Belize on the history, people and government and on natural resources and land use; a visit to a citrus-produce facility where orange juice is made; a tour of a Mayan ruin and village; and a trip to a barrier island where they learned about the tourism industry.
Belize is an English-speaking country that was once a British colony. It has a diversity of peoples and cultures, such as Mayans, Spanish, Creoles and Garifuna, descendants of escaped slaves and native Indians. The landscape varies from tropical rainforests to coastal areas with coral reefs.
We were able to interact with people of various cultures and hear their opinions on the progress of their nation," Auburn freshman Kate Duke said. "In addition to learning about sustainability and tourism, I was able to build some amazing friendships with the 15 other students who went on the trip. We have 'Belizean' reunions almost every week."
Many teachable moments also occurred apart from the planned topics.
"One student asked, 'Why is gas so expensive here (at $8 to $9 U.S. dollars a gallon)?'" Gillespie said. "So geology professor David King, who traveled with us, used the opportunity to discuss the oil trade and that Belize has no refineries."
Gillespie will lead another group of pre-freshmen next summer to either Belize or Mexico. High school honor students interested in the trip can contact Deborah Weiss, Auburn Abroad assistant director, at weissds@auburn.edu. Current Auburn students also can contact Weiss about study abroad opportunities.
"My goal is to get all students to go abroad and to change their view on life and to change them as students," Gillespie said.
(Written by Charles Martin)
Contacts: Mike Clardy, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu); or
Charles Martin, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (marticd@auburn.edu)
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Auburn named a top 50 public university for 20th consecutive year in U.S. News survey
1:00 AM, September 12, 2012
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn University is ranked 37th among public universities nationwide for its undergraduate programs, according to an annual survey released by U.S. News & World Report today. The ranking marks the 20th consecutive year the magazine has ranked Auburn among the nation's top 50 public universities.
Auburn is ranked 89th in the nation among both public and private schools, while its College of Business undergraduate program ranked 27th among public institutions and 47th overall.
"We are certainly honored to continue to be recognized as a top 30 public business school in the U.S.," said Bill Hardgrave, dean of the College of Business. "External rankings serve as validation of the reputation we have created among our peers. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to our mission of producing highly desired graduates and generating knowledge that drives business thought and practice. This dedication is reflected in the rankings."
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering ranked 30th among public universities offering doctoral programs in engineering and 53rd overall.
"These rankings are among the highest in the history of the College of Engineering ... they are a testament to the strength of our faculty and reflect a commitment by our students to succeed in a rigorous curriculum," said Christopher Roberts, dean of the College of Engineering. "They also represent our ongoing commitment to position the college among the nation's premier engineering institutions."
Rankings of other programs are released at various times during the year by U.S. News & World Report.
"While no calculation can ever capture what is most essential and alive about a college or university, it is always good to have confirmation of the challenging and supportive environment that Auburn provides for learning," said Drew Clark, director of Auburn's Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.
Among land-grant universities, Auburn ranks 19th.
Auburn is also included in the magazine's list of A-Plus Schools for B Students, which identifies schools that admit solidly prepared high-school students and do a good job of helping them advance toward their educational goals.
To establish its rankings, U.S. News categorizes colleges and universities primarily by mission and, in some cases, region. The magazine then gathers data from each on up to 16 indicators of institutional resources and quality, assigning each factor a weight that reflects the magazine's judgment about how much each measure matters.
The indicators the magazine staff uses to estimate academic quality fall into seven categories: academic reputation among its peers, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and (for national universities and liberal arts colleges) graduation rate performance, or the difference between the proportion of students expected to graduate and the proportion who actually do.
The 2013 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges will be on newsstands Sept. 18.
(Written by Charles Martin.)
Contact: Mike Clardy, Auburn University, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu), or
Charles Martin, Auburn University, (334) 844-9999 (marticd@auburn.edu)
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Auburn University achieves high rankings from The Princeton Review
1:46 PM, August 24, 2012
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn University achieved high rankings in The Princeton Review's "The Best 377 Colleges: 2013 Edition" released this week.
Auburn ranked in the top 10 in four categories, including seventh in the category of students packing the stadium, eighth in most conservative students, ninth in best quality of life and 10th in supporting future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution. Following up these top 10 rankings, Auburn also ranked 12th in most religious students and 13th in the quality of town-gown relations.
These rankings are based on The Princeton Review's survey of 122,000 students attending the 377 colleges included in the book. The 80-question survey asked students to rate their own schools on several topics and report on their experiences at them. Topics ranged from assessments of their professors to opinions about their financial aid and campus food. The survey results were tabulated into Top 20 lists in 62 categories.
Auburn is also featured in a two-page profile, which includes details about academics, life, the student body, admissions and financial aid, along with other information from the Office of Admissions. The "Survey Says" portion of the profile lists some of the topics on which students surveyed at Auburn were most in agreement. Students agree that the university has a great library, that they all love the Tigers and that they are generally happy.
"The Best 377 Colleges" is the 21st edition of The Princeton Review's annual "best colleges" book and is available for purchase in bookstores.
(Written by Rebecca Orr.)
Contact: Mike Clardy, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu)
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Auburn University graduate awarded National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship
3:26 PM, August 3, 2012
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn University Honors College graduate Matthew Ramirez has been awarded a National Science Foundation graduate fellowship.
Ramirez is the fourth Auburn student to be named a fellow this year, joining Nicole Garrison, Bianca Williams and Devin Kalafut.
The fellowship provides three years of support at $30,000 annually and an additional $10,500 cost of education allowance. The purpose of the fellowship program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States.
Ramirez, a 2011 College of Sciences and Mathematics graduate, worked under the direction of Wendy Hood in the Department of Biological Sciences. He completed his honors thesis on the functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract of lactating Columbian ground squirrels.
"The recognition of Matt's proposal speaks volumes to his potential as a young scientist," said Hood. "As an undergraduate researcher in my lab, Matt consistently worked at the level of a grad student. It's been exciting to watch him progress."
Ramirez will join the Fisheries Science Master's Program at Oregon State University in the fall.
"I plan to use my graduate training to study the population dynamics of sea turtles, ultimately investigating the mechanisms driving changes in population structure," said Ramirez. "This research can be used to guide further conservation research and develop effective management policies that will aid in the recovery of these threatened and endangered species."
Two incoming Auburn students, Rebecca Koch and Alex Benz, recently admitted to the Department of Biological Sciences, were awarded NSF graduate research fellowships. The two applied from their home institutions.
The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. For more information, go to http://www.nsfgrfp.org/.
Contact: Paul Harris, The University Honors College, (334) 844-5860 (pah0005@auburn.edu), or
Mike Clardy, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu)
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Two Auburn University student-athletes named finalists for NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship
3:47 PM, April 13, 2012
AUBURN - Two former Auburn student athletes are among the six finalists for the 2012 Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, the NCAA's highest academic award. Auburn's finalists are Dan Mazzaferro, diving, who graduated in 2010 from the College of Sciences and Mathematics and in 2011 from the College of Business; and Mary "Katy" Frierson, women's soccer, who graduated in 2011 from the College of Liberal Arts.
Each year, three male and three female finalists are invited to interview for one of two awards. One male and one female former student-athlete will be selected later this month for the renewable award, which provides $24,000 annually.
A soccer All-American in 2010 and 2011, Frierson was a four-time first-team All-SEC member and named conference freshman of the year in 2008. The Homewood, Ala., native led Auburn to the 2011 SEC Tournament title and was named the tournament MVP. She was drafted 10th overall in the women's professional soccer draft.
Academically, Frierson graduated summa cum laude in three and a half years with a degree in political science and was the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year her senior year. A member of Phi Kappa Phi and a Lowe's Senior Class Award first-team member, Frierson was the 2010 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Hermann Trophy semifinalist. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in international development at Auburn.
"I'm immensely honored to be considered for this scholarship," Frierson said. "To be named as a finalist in such a well-rounded group of student-athletes is extremely exciting and humbling. I'm very thankful for this opportunity and would like to thank the Auburn family for their continued support."
Mazzaferro was a three-time SEC champion diver and the SEC Male Diver of the Year in 2009 and 2011. A native of Cheshire, Conn., Mazzaferro is a seven-time All-American who participated in the 2007 and 2009 World University Games and was a United States Olympic Trials finalist in 2008.
A Rhodes Scholar finalist in 2011 and 2012, Mazzaferro graduated from Auburn with a 3.92 grade point average in chemistry and was a two-time SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Mazzaferro was a finalist for the Byers Postgraduate Scholarship in 2010 and 2011, and is a four-time College Swimming Coaches Association of America Academic All-American. Currently studying medicine, Mazzaferro is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi, Golden Key International Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Iota and National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
"It is a tremendous honor to be named a finalist for the Walter Byers Scholarship," Mazzaferro said. "The experiences and opportunities I had as an NCAA Division I student-athlete, have positively impacted me and will remain a part of me throughout my life. I am grateful for the service of Walter Byers and the thousands of other NCAA coaches and staff who have created, and continue to improve, an environment that encourages excellence in academics, athletics, and service."
"Dan and Katy's selection speaks volumes for the mentoring, guidance and support they received in the Athletics Department with special thanks to Mary Boudreaux, Committee Chair, Faculty Athletics Representative, and Gary Waters and his wonderful academic counselors Courtney Gage and Jenna Sample in the Athletics Department" said Paul Harris, Associate Director of the Honors College.
"We're very proud of Katy Frierson and Dan Mazzaferro and congratulate them on the high honor of being named Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship finalists," Auburn Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. "They have each excelled academically and athletically throughout their time as student-athletes at Auburn, exemplifying the best and highest ideals of the Auburn Creed."
This is the second consecutive year an Auburn student-athlete has been named a finalist; Dan Mazzaferro was a 2011 finalist. To date, Auburn has claimed one winner, Matthew Busbee as a Byers Scholar. Busbee, who graduated in 2000, is an orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Mobile.
The Byers Scholarships were established in 1988 to recognize the contributions of former NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. Recipients must have at least a 3.5 grade-point average, demonstrate evidence of superior character and leadership, and show that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on their personal and intellectual development.
Contact: Paul Harris, The University Honors College, (334) 844-5860 (pah0005@auburn.edu), or
Mike Clardy, Office of Communications and Marketing, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu)
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Last Updated: October 12, 2012
