COSAM Student awarded Rhodes Scholarship

Jordan Anderson, a COSAM student has been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship. This is a prestigious and great honor. For the full story please click here

COSAM Leaders 10 Year Reunion and Presentation of Dr.Lawrence Wit Endowed Professorship

On Saturday, Nov 8th, 2009, COSAM hosted the 10 year reunion for all of the past COSAM leaders. This event was held in the Science Center Auditorium, with a COSAM Tailgate following for the Auburn Homecoming game.

The event was a well attended with approximately 75 past and present COSAM leaders on campus. Each of the past COSAM Leaders presidents spoke for a few minutes describing some of their best memories of their times here at Auburn. This was then followed by a video with some HILARIOUS pictures of all the good times that the leaders have had in the past 10 years. The reunion closed with a video montage and speech by Dean Schneller, who presented Dr. Larry Wit with the Dr. Lawrence Wit Endowed Professorship. Which was quite a surprise to Dr. Wit who had NO idea that this was coming. The video brought many to tears and when the lights came up in the auditorium, Dr. Wit was greeted by his family and friends who had come to this event to see him get recognized for this great honor.

It was quite a spectacular day, one I am quite sure that Dr. Wit and the leaders will never forget!

Here are some pictures from the days events:

Past COSAM Leaders look through scrapbooks

COSAM Leaders: Megan Bagby, Patrick Llewellyn and Davis Reed pose for a picture!

Lots of hugs! Everyone was so glad to see their friends!

Dean Schneller presenting Dr. Wit with the professorship named in his honor.

COSAM Leaders 10 year Reunion pic!

COSAM Leaders are heading to Flag Football Championship!

The COSAM Leaders have finally done it! For the first time in COSAM Leader history, they have finally made the play-offs in intramural flag-football. This may not seem to be that big of a deal, but believe me, it is!! Going against all the odds, the leaders defeated their last opponent while playing two men short. The opponent seemed to somewhat take the leaders for a ‘joke" at first, but they were quickly proven wrong when on the opening play the leaders gained a 15 yard completion. Using 90% of their brains and about only 10% of their muscles, the leaders strategically mapped out each and every one of the moves, planning only for the next. The league is specifically co-ed, meaning that each team relies heavily on both their men and woman to work together in order for each play to be executed accordingly. The ladies on the leader’s team truly stepped up and took the game into their hands as they accounted for over 50% of their total yards gained! With a final score 7 -6, giving the win to the leaders, they continue their pursuit to winning their first Beginner League Championship. "WE ARE…COSAM!!!"

GET ON TRACK SEMINAR FOR PRE HEALTH STUDENTS

On Monday November 16, 2009, Mrs. Krysta Diehl and Mrs. Beverley Childress, COSAM's Pre Health Director will be holding the 2nd Annual GET ON TRACK SEMINAR for all PRE HEALTH Students. This seminar aims to help pre-professional students stay on the right track and to be competitive applicants for medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant professional programs.

Prior to the seminar there will be FREE pizza in the Chemistry Building Lobby at 5:15 and a browse session from 5:30-6:15 in the SCA Lobby. The browse session will give students a chance to explore other options such as : forensic science, occupational therapy, health care administration, chiropractic medicine, sports medicine and genetic counseling.

During the seminar, Mrs. Diehl will be discussing the criteria for admissions committees (grades, professional experiences/job shadowing). Additionally, she will have sample applications of students who have applied and been accepted to professional school for students to be able to see examples of what will get you admitted.

Mrs. Childress will explain the new guidelines for the Pre Professional Applications Committee (PPAC), which will go into effect January 2010. This information will be VERY IMPORTANT for students who will be applying to medical, dental and optometry schools.

Here is the schedule of events:

NOVEMBER 16, 2009
5:15- FREE PIZZA- Chemistry Lobby
5:30-6:15- Browse Session- SCA Lobby
6:30 - Seminar- SCA

For more information about this seminar please contact Mrs. Childress at childbb@auburn.edu or Mrs. Diehl at knd0001@auburn.edu.

War Eagle Days Fall 2009

Throughout the year Auburn hosts many different kinds of events where prospective Auburn students have the opportunity to come and visit the college first hand and see what all the University has to offer. War Eagle Days is one of the major events the College of Sciences & Mathematics participates in order to inform those students on the variety of majors with in the college, as well as answer any general question the students or parents may have. At each War Eagle Day, not only are some of COSAM’s advisors present, but the student ambassadors (COSAM Leaders) are there to interact with the students and basically provide them with information of their own experiences going through COSAM. As a COSAM Leader, I think it is very important that students get the opportunity not only to meet the advisors on a more personal basis, but also meet students like themselves, that have already witnessed and experienced what it is like to be a COSAM student.

At the COSAM booth, information regarding scholarships within the College, curriculum models for each major, as well as general information about COSAM can all be found. All and all, War Eagle Days are not just about overloading students with information and talking about how wonderful Auburn is, but rather allows these students to get a glimpse of what it is like to be apart of the Auburn family and see first hand how GREAT Auburn truly is!

Here are some pictures from the War Eagle Day's that have taken place this year....

A Day in the Life of the COSAM Student Council President

7:15 A.M. – I just woke up to embark on the day before me. As a senior, I can say I have yet to have a semester without 8 AM’s. Gotta love that!

7:35 A.M. – I catch the Tiger Transit to make my way to campus. One of the best services offered on-campus; I ride it religiously!

8:00 A.M. – Sitting in FLLN 1010 – Elementary Latin I. I quickly come to realize why the language is dead. “There is no word order in Latin; put them however you like”. Really?! It still makes you appreciate English a lot more! One thing Auburn is really extraordinary in is its Foreign Language department and opportunities to study abroad

9:00 A.M. – Dr. Steven Knowlton ceases to amaze me in PHYS 1510 – Physics II. While discussing the properties of light in lecture, he demonstrates it with an exciting display of laser beams and mirrors. It’s always fun to remember why you fall in love with science to begin with—it’s what’s fascinating!

10:00 A.M. – I do my office hour in COSAM. As Pre-Pharmacy Club president, I utilize this time to organize meetings, talk to my officers, update the members, and answer the bulk of my e-mail! It’s surprisingly a nice break from my daily academic routine. I must admit student organizations in general are a nice break from academics.

11:00 A.M. – Fifty minutes with Dr. Holly Ellis will fly by in BCHE 5190 – Biochemistry II. She is quite a pro. She is highly knowledgeable of the subject matter and eager to answer our questions. As a student, it’s nice to know our professor genuinely cares about her subject as well as her classroom. She makes class entertaining with humor, songs, and other mnemonics useful in studying.

12:00 P.M. – I have to run home to eat lunch! My afternoon awaits me!

12:30 P.M. – I meet with Dr. Wit, COSAM Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Ms. Krysta Diehl, COSAM Academic Advisor & Student Council Advisor, to discuss our plans for COSAM Student Council. Dr. Wit is full of wisdom and definitely expedites the meeting by offering good advice for myself as president. Ms. Diehl is always helpful in making me stay on-track not only as President but as a student as well. Advisors are definitely good to utilize—especially in COSAM!

1:00 PM – Working at COSAM! I’m the smiling face that greets you when you walk in!

5:00 PM – After work, I run to a meeting in Funchess. I serve as the President for Beta Beta Beta Biological Sciences Honor Society and have lots to discuss with our officers. We are planning a Bat Walk the week of Halloween. It’s always a fun excursion for the community; many students participate, too. Getting involved in COSAM has definitely let me make countless friends with common goals and interests!

5:30 P.M. I can finally sit down and eat dinner with my fraternity brothers. It’s time to take a load off from the daily grind and spend time with my friends. It’s nice to unwind after the eventful day.

6:00 P.M. – Gotta keep the tradition alive—guessing Georgia Lottery numbers before watching Jeopardy. I’m not good at guessing the numbers but dominate in Jeopardy. Always make it a “TRUE Daily Double”.

6:30 PM – I filter through my e-mail once more; update my planner; call some people in regards to COSAM, classes, SGA, other organizations, etc.

7:00 PM – I have a date with Mr. Ralph Broun Draughon! I head to the library to study. I crack open my books and delve deep into glycolysis, Latin verb conjugations, light & optics, and Organic Chemistry Lab procedures.

10:00 PM – Get one last fix of caffeine or sugar. Auburn offers a lot of places to stop. Auburn definitely has its fill of places for its various night owls. From the 24 hour Starbucks, Sonic, TCBY, it’s always good to reenergize after a long day.

11:30 PM – I finally can crawl into bed to start the process all over. What a day in COSAM!

15th Annual COSAM Golf Tournament

The 15th Annual College of Sciences and Mathematics Dean’s Scholarship Golf tournament successfully finished up this past Friday, September 25! It was a gorgeous day, but despite the heat, many of the golfers were still able to bring their “A-game”. With great food and great people, the event was sure to be a success. Aubie was also present at the event, but it took all he could to keep himself out of trouble. Without the generosity of COSAM scholarship donors, we would not be able to have this event, or the scholarships for COSAM students. The receipents of the COSAM Golf Tournament this year were: Megan Benak, Meredith Schneider, Christen Thigpen, and Ben Samuelson.

Not only were the golfers under the pressure of the tournament itself, but they also had to prove themselves on the greens by participating in our putting contest. The winning putt made is a near 4.5 inches from the hole!

As the tournament finished up, many were able to claim their winnings from the silent auction as well as say their goodbyes to their competition. Speaking for all of COSAM, we sincerely wanted to thank all those whom participated in the donations as well as the set-up and organizing of the event so that it was the most successful golf tournament yet!

Here are some pictures of the days events!

Welcome to the COSAM 2009 golf tournament!

The golf carts are lined up and ready to go!

Some of our COSAM Leaders pose for a picture!