< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM The value of an Auburn University edu- cation isn’t found merely in classroom lec- tures or notebook scribblings, it’s the poten- tial to grasp what cannot be learned behind a desk or by staring at a computer screen. Auburn provides those hands-on ex- periences and real-world interactions through service trips and study abroad programs around the world. Twice ev- ery year, one of those programs in the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) travels to Quito, Ecuador, where students work alongside local construc- tion crews to complete a service project using the tools, technology and methods available in the area. “Discovering my passion for helping others was undeniably one of the most profound takeaways from this experi- ence,” said Gavin Medley, one of the student participants from last spring’s Ecuador trip. “The sheer gratification I ex- perienced from making a tangible differ- ence in someone’s life far surpassed any expectations I had held. It ignited in me a newfound sense of purpose, a burning desire to contribute positively to society and a commitment to being an agent of positive change.” On these service trips, students learn to maximize limited budgets and resourc- es and gain skills like cutting and tying rebar and mixing and pouring concrete by hand. In addition to Ecuador, students have also traveled to Haiti and Panama to build low-cost, sustainable housing. “I brought home much more than just some stories and souvenirs,” said Tyler Machen, another student participant. “I left with a new understanding of Ecua- dorian culture, people and architecture. This experience touched my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined — it opened my eyes to many things I never would’ve seen elsewhere.” Also embodying the spirit of benevo- lence and goodwill is the student organi- zation IMPACT, one of Auburn’s largest community service organizations housed in Student Involvement. Short for “Individuals Moving People and Communities Together,” IMPACT provides students with opportunities to participate in weekly community service, major service events and service trips do- mestically and abroad. This student-led organization partners with several non- profit organizations, offering volunteer projects for all interests, from helping ele- mentary students with homework to sort- ing food donations at local food pantries. IMPACT frequently offers alternative stu- dent breaks through- out the year, including an annual trip to the Dominican Republic, usually during Spring Break. It’s a trip that Johanna Mondrag- on-Olvera is particu- larly excited to attend. “I got involved with IMPACT in Decem- ber,” said Mondrag- on-Olvera, a junior from Fairhope, Alabama. “I participated in their alternative break to Washington, D.C., where we served in different food pan- tries and community centers to help com- bat food insecurity. We also helped with a clothing donation, making sure people had warm clothes during the winter. “After my experience in D.C., I felt called to continue serving with IMPACT, so I interviewed to be a site leader for an- other domestic trip and, because of my linguistics, I was placed as an international site leader.” Mondragon-Olvera is bilingual, speak- ing both English and Spanish. Her ability to bridge the gap between the two languages made her an ideal candidate. She demon- strated her skills during the D.C. trip and discovered the cruciality of her role. “Many of the individuals that came into the pantries were non-English speakers, and so, as the only participant on the trip who spoke Spanish, I was able to facilitate those conversations and aid in dismantling the language barrier, ensur- ing everyone got what they needed. “I love that by participating in IMPACT I get to pair my passion for service with my Spanish background — it’s the best of both worlds for me. I’m looking forward to experiencing the Dominican Republican culture while serving in the community and continuing to use my abilities to make a difference in the world.” Service opportunities like those of- fered by IMPACT and BSCI are the back- bone of the Auburn experience, and students and faculty are encouraged to embrace the nature of servitude both on and off the Plains. Whether within the lo- cal community or global society, doing for others no matter the cost and putting in work, hard work, is a distinguishing char- acteristic of an authentic Auburn Tiger. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: KAITLIN STABLER WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER, THESE STUDENTS GOT IT After working alongside locale construction crews, BSCI students visited Peguche Falls, located at an altitude of more than 8,000 feet, on a recent trip to Ecuador. With IMPACT, students perform community service closer to home, such as repainting older buildings. IMPACT offers students an annual trip to the Dominican Republic, during which students work on service projects in health care, sustainability and community action.129 E. Glenn Ave. (Downtown) (334) 209-6390 1673 Shug Jordan Pkwy. Suite A (334) 209-1295 1684 S. College St. (334) 209-1140 Serving Auburn for over 40 years “Bertha!”52 ON THE PLAINS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Going into the 2023 season, Oscar Chapman was sure that it would be his last with college football. It began a lot like Chapman’s other three seasons, with a new coach. An- other year to adjust, adapt and move forward. But it became another year of growth for the punter, who finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference with a 44.6-yard season average. After it was all over, he realized stay- ing another year would be even more beneficial than heading to the National Football League. “I could have attempted to go to the league, or I could have another year at college and not regret not taking that advantage,” Chapman said. “I really wanted to come back, and I am excited for another season with Coach (Tan- ner) Burns and my long snapper Reed Hughes.” With Burns specifically, Chapman is looking forward to having stability with the same special teams coach. “Coach Burns tells us what he wants us to do and for us to get it done,” Chap- man said. “He’s really helped develop us as a unit, and it has been amazing. We had so much fun as a group. Our expec- tations were still high, but we were just having fun.” After starting for Auburn for four sea- sons, he sits fourth among career punt- ing leaders for Auburn with a 43.8-yard average. He was a 2022 Ray Guy Award semifinalist and was placed on the 2023 preseason watch list. Chapman has some final tasks to check off his collegiate career list. He would like to hold the Auburn record for most yards punted, lead the punt special teams to be the best in the country and win the Ray Guy Award. “It’s just really exciting to be here right now,” Chapman said. “We have all these new kids coming in that are really good, and I’m looking forward to having anoth- er year of fun with this coaching staff.” Chapman has some advice for the younger players, specifically for those on special teams, because it isn’t always the most glamorous position on the roster. “As a specialist, we have to be kind of invisible in a way,” Chapman said. “We might do everything right, but you’re almost never recognized until you do something wrong – that’s when people put the spotlight on you. You have to prac- tice really hard and pre- pare really hard to be the best and to be OK to never get the spotlight for it.” As Chapman has continued to tackle be- ing a collegiate athlete, the balance of school- work, football and rela- tionships has been no easy feat. Being a colle- giate athlete has taught him discipline, organi- zation, respect and hard work. The four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree graduated in May 2024 with his bachelor’s degree in accounting, and he is working on a second degree in exercise sci- ence. “There is a lot of pressure with being a football player, but I want to be prepared for everything that I do outside of sport,” Chapman said. “It has also made me realize how much you need time with family and friends.” Even to Chapman, who grew up across the world in Adelaide, Australia, Auburn has become home to him. He is thankful for the chance to have one more year here. “Everywhere you go here feels like family,” Chapman said. “No matter where you go, you are treated so nicely.” Chapman and his fiancé Chloe Smith – also an Australian who graduated from the University of South Australia in Ad- elaide – plan to get married in February 2025, after six years of long-distance dating. After that, he wants to pursue the ultimate dream of American football at the next level. Wherever he ends up, Chapman knows he is just one “War Eagle” away from feeling at home. “To me, it means family to hear some- one shout ‘War Eagle!’ No matter where you are in the world, whenever someone says it, I feel a sense of family,” he said. “In an airport, in another country or on the street in Auburn – stranger or teammate – that’s how it feels - like family.” ON THE PLAINS WITH OSCAR CHAPMAN BY: BAILEY SHEPHERD ‘FEELS LIKE FAMILY’ORANGE AND BLUE ©2024 BLUE MOON BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO • ALE54 2024 STADIUM MAP 2024 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM (NS PASS) NORTH STADIUM LOT SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE BILL & CONNIE NEVILLE LOBBY SUITE TICKET PICK-UP 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 0 EXIT GATE STUDENT GATE STUDENT GATE SOUTH SERVICE GATE AUBURN PLAYER GUEST STUDENT GATE BROADWAY CLUB & MEDIA CREDENTIALS TIGER WALK CLUB ENTRANCE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES 11 10 1U VISITING PLAYER GUEST & VISITING FAN TICKET PICK-UP NORTH SERVICE GATE VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM FOOTBALL RECRUITING OLYMPIC SPORT RECRUITING TIGER WALK CLUB 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 12 12 14 15 14 13 15 16 16 17 17 18 1819 19 20 20 21 46 46 45 44 44 434241 43424140 4039 39 38 38 37 37 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 2929 28 28 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP HRC ONLY BROADWAY CLUB ONLY TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE GAMEDAY TRANSIT & FANFEST NEVILLE ARENA TICKET OFFICE Sales & Pick-Up BROADWAY CLUB SUITESSUITES NELSON CLUB BECKWITH CLUB Entry Gate Water Station Cooling Station LEGEND Medical Bag Entry Special Access Statues Guest Services ADA Shuttle Elevator First Aid Tiger Babies Charging Station Student Section Seating bowl closed to non-students Team ShopCIVIL CONSTRUCTION, DONE RIGHT56 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM WOODFIELD LOT (ADA Reserved with Tailgating) SEE NEXT PAGE FOR LEGEND Auburn University is a smoke-free campus. THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING. Map information is subject to change. Visit AUBURNTIGERS.COM for updates to this map and other game day information. SCAN FOR DIGITAL2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2024 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COMWelcome to Delicious YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 Empowering Your Financial Journey. 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