< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM In 2019, a massive influx of fresh wa- ter from the Mississippi River overflowed into the salty Mississippi Sound, devastat- ing coastal aquatic life. Auburn University student Jill Sower, who arrived a year later to study Gulf Coast oysters, remembers the aftermath. “We would depart from a well-known fishing spot, and whenever we came back, there would be fisherman trying to look at our bushel baskets to see if we found anything live, and it would always just be empty shells,” she said. “There was a 100% mortality rate across Missis- sippi’s historic oyster reefs. It was just so sad.” A native of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a student in the College of Forest- ry, Wildlife and Environment, Sower will graduate this December with a doctorate in earth system science. Her research on Alabama’s oyster farming industry has earned her a prestigious year-long Sci- ence Policy Fellowship from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program. FROM ONE GULF STATE TO ANOTHER After witnessing the collapse of Mis- sissippi’s oyster reefs, Sower, who holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conser- vation from Virginia Tech and a master’s in coastal science from the University of Southern Mississippi, knew she wanted to continue her research. With support from the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, she enrolled in Auburn’s doctoral program and put her knowledge of bivalves and coastal science to work as she developed expertise in the political and economic aspects of the Gulf Coast oyster farming industry. “I knew I wanted to come back to the Gulf because I love it,” she said. “And I want- ed to become a more well-rounded scien- tist and get experience in both the quanti- tative and the qualitative side of things.” THE ‘QUALITATIVE SIDE OF THINGS’ Under the guidance of co-advisor Professor Christopher Anderson, Sower built relationships with farmers, resource managers and other stakeholders. “Jill’s research is really focused on a natural resource management issue — it’s as much about the people as it is the oys- ters,” Anderson said. Sower has traveled the coast, visit- ing Alabama oyster farmers in areas of Mobile, Dauphin Island and Bayou La Batre. While farmers are used to reg- ulators and resource managers stop- ping by, Sower’s visits stood out. Hugh McClure, owner of the Point aux Pins oyster farm in Grand Bay, Alabama, said a conversation with her makes him feel like someone is really listening. “It’s so nice to know I can reach out to Jill with a concern and she will respond quickly,” McClure said. “It has been won- derful how she’s brought attention to Point aux Pins, as I’m sure she has done for other farms.” BUILDING COMMUNITY Beyond her fieldwork, Sower devel- oped the first Gulf Coast oyster industry community of practice, bringing together oyster harvesters, seafood processors, re- searchers and government leaders. Their discussion topics ranged from oyster mor- tality and water quality to crop insurance, public health regulations and food safety. “The whole point of a community of practice is to share knowledge, tools and experience and to increase communica- tion and collaboration across different stakeholder groups, and I think we’ve achieved that,” Sower said. LOOKING AHEAD This fall, Sower will defend her four-chapter dissertation, which in- cludes a comprehensive policy analysis, 62 stakeholder interviews and strategies for mitigating challenges like hurricanes, drought and flooding. She hopes to publish all four chapters soon so her findings are accessible to regulatory authorities. While wild oyster harvesting has been going on for gen- erations, Alabama’s commercial farming industry wasn’t launched until 2009. Sower believes the industry’s growth calls for updated regulations, and her chapters can help. “Once I get those published, they can spur some change,” she said. “I hope it will bring awareness to the issues the farmers face, challenges that can hope- fully be resolved through regulations that are more conducive to farmers keeping and growing their businesses.” Regarding the oysters Sower once studied on the Mississippi Sound, there is new evidence this year that they’re returning. It’s that resilience — and the dedication of those who care for the species — that continues to inspire Sow- er’s work. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: KELLEY YOUNG COASTAL CONNECTIONS: HOW ONE STUDENT IS UNITING GULF STATE OYSTER FARMERS While wild oyster harvesting has been going on for generations, Alabama’s commercial farming industry is relatively new, having launched in 2009. Doctoral student Jill Sower works with oyster farmers like Hugh McClure, who owns Point aux Pins in Grand Bay, Alabama.52 ON THE PLAINS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Senior Jeremiah Wright is a big family guy. The 6-5, 337-pound offensive lineman wanted to go to a place that emphasized the importance of family and that’s what he found when he came to Auburn. “That family atmosphere when I came to visit,” Wright said on why he chose Auburn. “It just felt like home. All the players are together and do activities together. We’ll chill at each other’s house.” Family has been a big part of his life growing up in the South and has continued into college and will continue after his time on the Plains comes to an end. Wright became a first-time father in July. It’s that focus on family and the future for his son that has Wright dreaming big. He graduated in August 2024 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, combining business, communication and leadership. With this unique combination, Jeremiah aspires to set himself and his family up for success. “I obviously want to try for the NFL and also want to start my own family business one day,” Wright said. “Get into clothes and work on my brand or maybe start building something. After the NFL, I have a lot I would like to get back done in my hometown.” That hometown is Selma, Alabama. A product of Selma High school, Wright has a strong sense of connection to the place where he grew up. “Just the people there make the town so special,” Wright said. “I didn’t think I would want to be there my whole life, but part of me wants that. They don’t have all the resources other towns have and I want to be able to help Selma get what it needs.” Not only was it where he grew up, but Selma is where he got his football career started as a sixth grader, which could be considered a late bloomer for kids in Alabama. “I played baseball only first,” Wright said. “In sixth grade, my PE coach, Coach Foster, told me to come out for football and just try it out. After that first practice, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I started at tight end and then moved to tackle and have been on the line ever since.” Entering his sixth year with the Tigers, Wright has made multiple transitions in the trenches throughout his time. He came to Auburn as an offensive lineman, moved to defense for a year and will finish his career back on the offense. That transition back to the O-line all worked out. Wright earned the starting spot at right guard in every game in 2024 and played in every game in 2023 and 2022. His hard work paid off at the end of last season as he earned the team’s Ken Rice Award for Best Blocking Lineman. Through all the adversity and adjustments, he picked up some valuable lessons. “A lot of patience,” Wright said. “Even when you know things aren’t going your way, you have to remain humble and keep putting in all the work. Even when you feel like everything is not going your way, you still have to grind, put your head down and be patient.” Looking ahead to 2025, Wright has one more year to do what he’s been working on since sixth grade with a group of athletes that could arguably have the hardest job on the field. “It all starts up front,” Wright said. “You can’t snap the ball without an O-line. The trench is different. Being able to block somebody that is 300+ pounds every play, it’s different. I think people will see a lot of speed on offense and guys being able to fly around and make plays this year. So, we’re going to count on our group to step up and do our jobs as offensive linemen. We all want to run the ball and prove that we can, but we also have playmakers that we can take shots at. We like playing a role in that.” ON THE PLAINS WITH JEREMIAH WRIGHT BY: KENDRA WILLIARD DRIVEN BY FAMILY 54 2025 STADIUM MAP 2025 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COMThe Medical School making a difference in our community EVERY DAY ©2025 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved. Please go to www.vcom.edu/outcomes for a copy of our outcomes report. At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Auburn, Alabama our mission is to train future physicians who are community-focused and ready to make a difference. That starts right here at home. Over the last 20 years, VCOM students and alumni have made great improvements to healthcare in southern Appalachia, but there is still work to be done. We’re inviting you to join us in this mission and make a difference for our community. Learn more www.vcom.edu56 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2025 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COM1957 East Samford Ave., Suite B Hoka, On, Altra, Saucony, Brooks, Feetures, OS1st, Duadora, Free People, Lululemon, Turtlebox, Clothing Accesories and more! • Daily Tours •Authentic Artifacts •STEAM Days • Open Year ‘Round CELEBRATING 20 YEARS An Archaeological Museum Exploring Daily Life in Ancient Times in Georgia Voted Top 3 Religious Museums by USA Today 130 Gordon Commercial Dr. LaGrange, Georgia 30240 (One hour southwest of Atlanta) Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 5pm (706)885-0363 BiblicalHistoryCenter.combrightinvestments.com Auburn, AL Memphis, TN Nashville, TN DISCIPLINE DRIVES THE PROCESS. FINDING VALUE IS THE ART. 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