Keeping It In The Auburn Family

There are many reasons one might have for choosing a school to attend. They want to highlight their academic abilities. Play for a top-tier sports program. Be with friends at whatever state school is nearby. Some look at Auburn for the same reasons students choose any other school, those reasons aren't what seals the deal. Auburn University is more than just another school and everyone touched by it's spirit knows. People ultimately choose Auburn because it is a family, and they love it forever because it becomes part of their family.

Camp War Eagle, Auburn University's freshman-orientation program, is designed to fill incoming students with the family feeling that is Auburn. You spend your time meeting new people and learning all the traditions that will facilitate your love for the school. There's also Hey Day, which is exactly what the name implies. A day when students can wave and say hello to strangers walking by them, just to show Auburn University's friendly face. Of course, many do that anyway because they want to show their Auburn University spirit.

Mallory Whiten is native to the Auburn spirit. Her parents as well as her aunt and uncle met and fell in love on the plains, and another uncle of her's also attended Auburn University. Whiten and her cousin are both at Auburn now, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"A big part of coming here was that Spencer [her cousin] would be here, and we're the same age and treated like brother and sister. I knew our whole family would be visiting a lot so I'd get to see them," she said.

Whiten and her cousin go to lunch or hang out together regularly. Her aunt comes to town to shop and hang out. The whole gang is here for every home football game. Whiten's family, along with her friend Kristen Reynolds', hosts a large tailgate that the same people attend each year. A tradition that keeps the Auburn family a part of her family.

Whiten loves Auburn, and she believes that love will never fade.

Reynolds chose Auburn for the same reason as Whiten. Her mom attended Auburn and comes back every football season to take advantage of her season tickets. Reynolds came with her to all the home football games, her mom was even pregnant when she attended the Sugar Bowl 22 years ago. That's just the Auburn Fan side though. Reynolds chose to be an Auburn student because of the love she'd seen in her parents her whole life.

"It's like my second home," she said. "I didn't even apply anywhere else."

Whiten and Reynolds are not alone in this feeling. Many students at Auburn chose this school because of the family feel. They can feel the comfortable vibes of family familiarity as soon as they get here even if their weren't previous ties.

Auburn University has been called "The Auburn Family" for years, and Gene Chizik, head coach of the Auburn University football team, decided to get on board when he was hired. Chizik implemented a rule that all the team members need to spend time with their relatives that are in town after a football game. He understands how important family is to the Auburn community, and wants to stress that to his players.

Auburn University is a special place. Where else could you attend Camp War Eagle, participate in Hey Day and share a love of a place with friends, family and friends that feel like family? No other school is quite like Auburn, and no other family is quite like the Auburn Family.