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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Exhibit honors Windham Greer

Auburn student arrested on various charges Crystal Cole Managing Editor

Auburn student Jacob K. Greer, 20, was arrested by Auburn police June 26 on multiple charges. Greer was questioned on East University drive Sunday regarding a recent residential burglary complaint. After investigation, it was determined Greer had connections to other business and auto thefts. “After he was arrested, it was discovered that he was a part of those burglaries,” Auburn Police Capt. Tom Stouffer said. “It is our understanding he is a student.” Greer has been charged with three counts of third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property. These come from an investigation of burglaries in the 400 block of North Dean Road over several months. He was found in possession of an undisclosed amount of prescription drugs and is further charged with one drugtrafficking offense and three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. In connection with an automobile burglary, he is charged with unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle and second-degree theft of property. Following his arrest, Greer was taken to the Lee County Detention Center, and he is being held on $63,000 bond. Other charges could come to light as the investigation is still ongoing. The case will now be turned over to the district attorney.

Tribute to popular storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham on display at library Kristen Ferrell Campus Editor

Auburn creates an eerie backdrop for many ghost stories written by well-known writer and story teller Kathryn Tucker Windham. For a large part of her life, Windham gathered and crafted stories focusing on southern folklore, and an exhibit in Auburn’s Ralph Brown Draughon Library was created to showcase Windham’s collection. Windham died June 12 at 93 years old. She left behind a legacy of wonderful storytelling and riveting ghost stories. Windham wrote several books focused on southern ghost stories and even southern recipes. She is best known for her collection of short stories, “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey,” published in 1969. Windham’s short story “The Auburn Spirit” is just one of the many books on display. It is Windham’s telling of the origin of a ghost many residents might be familiar with. Dwayne Cox, head of special collections and archives, is more than willing to pull the book out of the exhibit and let anyone interested read the short story telling the origin of the confederate ghost that is said to have once haunted the Auburn University Chapel. It is not known if the story of the chapel ghost originated from Windham or if she got her story from another source, but it is definitely an interesting ghost tale. According the Windham’s story, the ghost was once a Confederate soldier from England named Sydney Grimlett. After he died of gangrene in the chapel, which was being used as a makeshift hospital, he was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery. Windham continues her story by saying that Grimlett came back 60 years after his death when the chapel was being used as a theater for the University. Hearing the sounds of music brought him to the chapel, and he never left. Windham ends her story by saying Grimlett is said to still haunt the University but has

The article “Former nude model runs for office,” on A1 of the June 23 issue of The Plainsman, should have said Terry Rodiguez transferred to Auburn University from Florence State College, and she ran for Auburn City Council more than four years ago. The headline should have read, “Former nude model reminisces about past.” The Plainsman regrets the error.

Natalie Yarid News Editor

Kristen Ferrell / Campus Editor

John Varner, a University Archives employee, opens the display case to turn “Jeffrey’s Latest 13 More Alabama Ghosts” book to the story about the Auburn Spirit.

Kristen Ferrell / Campus Editor

Windham’s photos and books are included in the display. moved on with the theater majors to the Telfair Peet building. Windham does reassure the reader that there is no need to fear Grimlett for he merely whistles and occasionally moves a few

Nicole Singleton Sports Editor

Todd Van Emst / Media Relations

Gene Chizik phones recruits on National Signing Day. emphasis he puts in his faith, said in the book he was able to express how his faith helps him navigate through the manic world of college football. “In the faith element, me personally, I was able to talk about the role that it plays in my wife and myself ’s life,” Chizik said.

Correction

City boosts safety with new system

props around. Without Windham recording stories like “The Auburn Spirit,” they would just die off into the faint whispers of those who told » See Windham, A2

Chizik ‘All In’ for the release of his new book Faith, family and football are the main focus in coach Gene Chizik’s upcoming book “All In: What It Takes to Be the Best.” The book will be released Tuesday, July 5. “We’re extremely excited about the way the book turned out, and I hope that a lot of people can relate to the book no matter who they are,” Chizik said. In the book, Chizik talks about many subjects from his journey to Auburn from Iowa State to confronting drama about the Cam Newton scandal. “The Auburn Family will no doubt enjoy ‘All In’ and the insight it provides into Coach Chizik, his philosophy of building a team with a family environment and the vital role that faith plays in his life,” said Jay Jacobs, athletic director. “The book also has a lot of great behind-the-scenes stories that have never been told before. While Auburn fans will surely enjoy the book, its message of hope will inspire everyone who reads it.” Chizik, who is known for the

Vol. 117, Issue 34, 12 Pages

Another main focus, family, is something Chizik wanted to pay close attention to. “The family part of it, which is extremely important to me, it’s really how we zeroed in on the team-building part,” Chizik said. Chizik said the book offered him an opportunity to reflect on

the past season, something he thinks he may have not he been able to do otherwise. “It was really unique because it was the first time and the only time since Wes Byrum made that kick that I’ve actually had time to sit down and think about how that season unfolded in any sort of depth,” he said. Because Chizik’s faith is an integral part of his and his family’s life, all the proceeds from the book will go to the YouTurn foundation. “My wife, Jonna, she’s got a huge heart for children and kids, and all of the proceeds of this book are going to go directly to helping the children and the kids in the Auburn area and the Lee-County area,” Chizik said. “For anybody that is interested in getting involved in that we have a website up that they can go to allinforyouturn.com.” Jeff Whitaker, sophomore defensive tackle, said he will read Chizik’s book and said how great he thinks Chizik is. “When God made Coach Chiz, he took his time. Then he sat back, and he took a 30-second break » See Chizik, A2

Auburn University and the City of Auburn have joined their technological and public safety departments to assure the safety of students. The University was awarded the 2010 Graff Emergency Management for Higher Education grant and is now partnering with the information technology program in Auburn to enhance the emergency preparedness of campus. The $708,471 grant will bring developments to the Auburn and Montgomery campuses of the University. “This is a great opportunity to better prepare our university system as a whole and to also show the collaboration between both campuses and our community partners,” said Chance Corbit, associate director of public safety and security at the University. The University approached Chris Graff, director of Geographic Information System in Auburn, in January to help implement the new program. “You guys have a big piece, and we have a big piece,” Graff said. “Let’s just combine forces and avoid starting from scratch.” Graff said this is the first and biggest partnership between the University and the GIS department of Auburn, and it has been fruitful. The mapping system will enable the police and fire department to work more effectively and efficiently when called to campus for emergency needs. It will benefit fire, criminal and other emergency response activity. The system will allow public safety officers to obtain detailed information regarding the buildings in need of assistance before arrival or entry. Bill James, director of public safety, said it will be another tool officers can use to help them do what they need to do. The map will include location of fire extinguishers, occupancy numbers of each room and possibly a live feed from on-campus cameras. Communication officers, detectives and police with laptops in their vehicles and all 911 answering services will have this information at their fingertips. “Right now our men have to make a decision on the spot,” James said. “This would allow them to make a decision earlier being given more information, as» See System, A2 Recycled paper