The
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The Auburn Plainsman AS Spirit p That Is Not Afraid
THURSDAY, January 21, 2010
Vol. 116, Issue 15 32 Pages
www.theplainsman.com
MLK K Weeek: Sharingg th he Dream m...
Alumnus recalls first step BLAKE HAMILTON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
If one were to dig up an issue of The Plainsman from early 1964, one would find a story describing Jan. 4 as being “just another day on The Plains.” This was the day Harold A. Franklin arrived in Auburn, soon to be the first black student at Auburn University. Franklin had just graduated from Alabama State University and was living in Montgomery, seeking an institution where he could do graduate work. “We got to the point where Hood and Malone had desegregated Alabama and we needed someone to desegregate Auburn.” Franklin said. “Since I lived in Montgomery and I filled all the requirements.” Compared to the turmoil
associated with integrating State wasn’t accredited.” Members of the Auburn other southern colleges, particularly the University Board of Trustees wished of Alabama and the Uni- to avoid the same scenes versity of Mississippi, Jan. that had taken place at Alabama and modeled their 4 was just another day. Franklin’s arrival came approach on Clemson University’s seven months afuneventful adter Gov. George mission of it’s Wallace, who, first black stuin his inaugudent, Harvey ral speech, proGantt. claimed “segDean Ralph regation now, Draughon segregation said his goal tomorrow, segwas to “preregation forvent the foever,” stood in cusing of the schoolhouse FRANKLIN public opinion door in Tuscaupon Auburn loosa to prevent black students from enroll- University,” and “to present no target, or, as small ing. Franklin’s first two appli- a target as possible, to the advocates of integration.” cations were rejected. Registration day was to “When Auburn turned me down it wasn’t because be before the other stuI was black, at least that’s dents returned. The camwhat they told me” Frank- pus was sealed to all but lin said. “They turned me authorized faculty, staff down because Alabama and security, and desig-
COURTESY OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Harold Franklin walks through the Auburn campus during 1964.
nated secure routes to Franklin’s classes were organized. Before Christmas break, Draughon had established a series of special rules to be applied upon the stu-
‘The pit’ closes permanently
dent body’s return. These called for students to take firearms home during the break and deposit them at the
New club inspires students to give back DREW THOMPSON
DREW THOMPSON ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR
The B-zone Petrie Lot, commonly referred to as “the pit” is permanently closed and covered with construction workers and equipment. The pit is located north of Jordan-Hare Stadium between the stadium and Petrie Hall. “The lot is permanently closed and Duncan will be relocated,” said David Ve-
dder, manager of parking services. The lot is closed because the Tiger Transit route takes the busses down Duncan Drive and left on West Thatch Avenue. “The angle is too steep for buses right now,” Vedder said. The pit will be filled in and a new transit route will be paved with an outlet on South Donahue Drive. Parking services plans for a more level road for the busses to exit from the
ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR
Rod Guajardo / MANAGING EDITOR
The B-zone Petrie Lot is closed permanently to parking.
Transit station without a hill to climb. When the project is completed, the remaining section of West Thatch Av-
enue will be turned into a pedestrian walkway. For more information, call the Parking Services’ office at 844-4143.
Former vet dean’s career honored MICHELLE WILDER CAMPUS EDITOR
Auburn veterinary dean emeritus John Thomas Vaughan received the Distinguished Educator Award by The American Association of Equine Practitioners. Vaughan, a 1955 graduate of Auburn and former president of AAEP and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, accepted the award in Las Vegas during the President’s Luncheon at the 55th Convention Dec. 8. “It’s always a great honor to be recognized by your peers,” Vaughan said. “I’ve been a member of that organization since 1961, and in that time I have acquired a great number of
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John Vaughn received the Distinguished Educator award.
friends worldwide, so that is very significant to me. I was greatly touched.” Vaughan, who is now retired, was actively employed at Auburn for a little more than 38 years, but said he still remains active
> Turn to MLK, A2
in that he makes regular calls into the dean’s office. Upon graduating with a veterinary degree specializing in large animal surgery and medicine in 1955, Vaughan immediately became a professor at
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Auburn. In 1970, he went to Cornell University as a professor of surgery and director of the large animal hospital. Vaughan remained at Cornell for four years, then he returned to the deanship at Auburn in 1977 for 18 years. He retired in 1995. “(Returning to Auburn) was a homecoming, and I like to think that my association with the students, and with the faculty, was always the high point of my professional career,” Vaughan said. Being a native Alabamian, born and reared in Tuskegee, Vaughan said returning to Auburn was rewarding. “My mother’s family has > Turn to VET, A2
Auburn University student leaders say students must give back to Auburn, which has given so much to the students. The Student Development Board, a new organization at Auburn, consists of 31 students and 10 staff members. SDB is designed and organized to represent the student body, with the campaign slogan “It Starts With One.” The goal of SDB is to encourage students to give back to the University and create a philanthropic culture at Auburn.
SDB provides an organized way to distribute gifts given by the students to their department of choice. “We were asked to be on the SDB because we are leaders on campus, and we would hopefully inspire other students to give back to Auburn in any way they see fit,” said Lena Hulse, junior in Spanish international trade. SDB allows students to give to their passion point, said Hank Galbreath, SDB adviser. “This probably got going through student leadership,” Galbreath said. Hulse said Auburn is > Turn to CLUB A2
Law Fair gives students options MAXWELL NEWFIELD ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR
Some people may not associate scholars with fairs, but Thursday, Jan. 21, the two will come together in the Haley Center lobby. The event is the Auburn University Law School Fair and it will be hosted by the Pre-Law Scholars Program. “It’s an opportunity for students interested in entering law school to meet with representatives on
a personal level,” said Dorothy Littleton, a political science professor and director of the Pre-Law Program. “Each school will have a table and at least one representative and materials available for distribution.” Littleton said the event will feature representatives from 43 different law schools from all over the country. Students can expect to talk to admissions officers from well established > Turn to LAW, A2
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