< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Convenient, affordable access to housing, health care and education can change the lives of those living in ru- ral areas, and Auburn University is on a mission to build resilient communities throughout Alabama. Several programs bring Auburn’s research and outreach work to rural areas across the state. Health care The university’s Rural Health Initiative seeks to enhance access to health and wellness services and education, both in-person and through telehealth. This initiative, supported by Auburn Out- reach and the Alabama Cooperative Ex- tension System, is a collaborative effort involving a diverse group of faculty and staff. Telehealth emphasizes substance use disorder treatment, mental health and primary care at OnMed health care stations and telehealth carts. Addition- ally, the colleges of nursing, liberal arts, education, human sciences, veterinary medicine and pharmacy contribute sig- nificantly to face-to-face community service, bringing specialized expertise and hands-on support directly to com- munities in need. Their involvement en- sures a comprehensive approach to ad- dressing health and wellness issues and strengthens the initiative’s impact on Alabamians. The Harrison College of Pharmacy partners with the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to offer the AU-SHIP Medicare Outreach Program. Each fall, student pharma- cists assist community members in se- lecting Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. They deliver unbiased information about the plans available and help peo- ple aged 65 and older determine wheth- er they qualify for a subsidy program to help cover out-of-pocket expenses. Funded by the State of Alabama and now in its 19th year, the Rural Medicine Program (RMP) is a strategic collabora- tion between Auburn’s College of Scienc- es and Mathematics and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Launched in 2006, the RMP aims to address the shortage of primary care physicians in rural Alabama by preparing students for medical school and encouraging their re- turn to serve rural communities. The pro- gram includes a pre-matriculation year at Auburn, followed by medical training at UAB and hands-on clinical experience in Huntsville. This three-phase structure includes rigorous science courses, clinical mentorship and experiential learning, all designed to foster a strong commitment to rural medicine among students. Housing The College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Rural Studio is an off-campus design-build program in Newbern, Alabama. Since its founding in 1993, Rural Studio students and faculty have completed more than 220 projects, building homes, recreational facilities, a firehouse, a library and more for the resi- dents of rural Hale County. Through the program’s Front Porch Initiative, innovative housing design plans generated by Ru- ral Studio students and faculty are shared with community organiza- tions around the country addressing the lack of affordable housing. Be- cause many areas of the Black Belt lack waste- water treatment infra- structure due to the clay- based soil, Rural Studio recently expanded its housing efforts to include research on wastewater treatment options. Education The College of Education and Auburn Outreach are working together on the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Achieve initiative. This program is funded by an $18.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, awarded during the 2023-24 school year, to pro- vide greater access and opportunities to more than 6,500 Alabama middle school students, serving students in dis- tricts where college and career readiness support is most needed. Over a span of seven years, these students will receive a college scholarship, enhanced support for higher education opportunities and assistance in navigating the college ad- missions process to help ensure greater post-secondary success. In addition, Auburn’s Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) is working to provide support for entrepreneurs, small businesses and lo- cal governments in rural communities, hosting trainings and workshops across Alabama. GEDI partners with many municipali- ties and professional associations to host certification and credentialing programs for elected officials, community leaders and government employees, as well as programs focused on topics such as eco- nomic and community development, workforce development, retail strate- gies, business attraction and marketing. These programs help participants excel at their jobs, better serve their citizens and grow and strengthen their local communities and economies. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY KELLEY YOUNG Improving health care, housing, education in Alabama’s rural communities As part of the Rural Health Initiative, Auburn nursing students gain hands- on experience by working shifts with Chambers County EMS. Auburn’s Rural Studio has completed more than 220 projects for the residents of rural Hale County, Alabama, including homes, rec facilities, a firehouse and a library.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 Defensive tackle Jayson Jones might not have spent his entire collegiate foot- ball career on The Plains, but he’s well on his way to leaving his mark with the pro- gram as he enters his final season with the Tigers. Jones, a native of Calera, Alabama, started his collegiate career at the Uni- versity of Oregon, playing in 13 games in 2021 on the defensive line. Jones admit- ted that was far from an easy decision, but he also says that he knows he made the right choice in choosing Auburn as his final collegiate destination. “Auburn was close to home, but real- ly it was the people that made me want to come,” Jones said. “The fans have all been so kind and welcoming. When people say, ‘If you love Auburn, it will love you back,’ they are not lying. It is true.” His interest in football began at an early age and has consistently grown throughout his career. At the age of five, he first stepped onto a field and compet- ed. Jones credits his long-lasting desire to play football to the competitive nature of the sport, the ability to grow as a team and the satisfaction he gets from his per- formance on the field. Since joining the Tigers, Jones has made a mark in his two seasons as a con- sistent presence on the defensive line. He has played in every game since joining the team. A frequent starter at nose tack- le in his 25 games with the Tigers, Jones has 48 total tackles to his credit over the past two seasons. A looming presence to the opposing offensive line, his love for the game has consistently grown. “I love to go out there on defense and just hit people,” Jones said with a laugh. “I also just love the competitiveness and the teamwork you have to build and how you have to really trust the people be- side you.” After two full seasons on the Plains, Jones has had plenty of time to get ac- customed to being part of the Auburn program and building bonds with his teammates and the coaching staff. He speaks highly of his relationship with the coaching staff and players, especially the newly promoted defensive tackles coach Vontrell King-Williams. “I think I have a good relationship with everybody on the team,” Jones said. “Es- pecially coach (Hugh) Freeze and coach Vontrell. I talk to those guys a lot. Vontrell has really been a people’s person, so I am happy he got the job.” Jones has a lot of confidence in the ability and the unity of the team this year following spring practices. As for his per- sonal goals, Jones wants to prove that he can be one of the best defensive line- men in the country and is optimistic that this is the season he can do it. “I want to be known as consistent and reliable,” he said. “I hope my teammates say that if there was anything inside or outside of football that I needed, I could go to him with my problems. That’s the type of team we want and the type of teammate I want to be.” As he prepares to play one final sea- son with the Tigers beginning August 31 with Kickoff on The Plains against Ala- bama A&M, Jones has one piece of ad- vice for younger players. “Go to a place that is good for you,” Jones said. “The Auburn Family really means a lot, and I love this city. I wish I could stay here forever.” ON THE PLAINS WITH JAYSON JONES BY CONOR COXWELL ‘IN THE PERFECT PLACE’TREATING HOMES & BUSINESSES WITH CARE SINCE 1928 Because of the pride and dedication of our trained professionals, Cook’s issues a 110% Satisfaction Guarantee. That’s why so many Southern homes and businesses trust Cook’s for pest and termite protection. 54 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. 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