America 250 at Auburn University
America 250 at
Auburn University
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Auburn University will host a yearlong series of campuswide events and activities celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, America250 offers an opportunity to reflect on the ideals that shaped the United States and continue to influence civic life and democratic institutions.
America250 at Auburn University invites the campus community and the public to examine how these principles have been interpreted, debated, and reshaped over time. Through historical inquiry and contemporary discussion, the initiative explores both the promise and the complexity of the American experiment. Spanning disciplines and perspectives, this yearlong programming reflects Auburn’s longstanding commitment to open inquiry, rigorous scholarship, and thoughtful engagement with the ideas that define the nation’s past and inform its future.
New events and programs will be added throughout 2026.
In the spring of 1776, Thomas Jefferson drafted a document grounded in reason, evidence, and moral inquiry. He wrote of equality as a self-evident truth, of rights as concepts to be understood rather than granted, and of government as an institution accountable to an informed citizenry.
Auburn University to host scholars Cornel West and Robert P. George for America 250 Series this fall
As part of Auburn University’s Democracy in Dialogue Signature Speaker Series commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial, the institution will welcome distinguished scholars and thought leaders Cornel West and Robert George to campus on September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST in the Gogue Performing Arts Center for a moderated conversation on civic engagement and the ideals of American democracy.
Dr. Cornel West
Dr. Robert George
Launched in 2026, the Foundation Fellows Program brings faculty and students together in a shared community of inquiry focused on examining the ideas, texts, and traditions that have shaped American democracy. Coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the program encourages sustained engagement with questions of citizenship, leadership, and the responsibilities inherent in democratic life.
Established in 2026, the Foundation Fellows Program brings faculty and students together in a shared community of inquiry focused on examining the ideas, texts, and traditions that have shaped American democracy. Developed in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the program invites participants to engage thoughtfully with questions of citizenship, leadership, and the responsibilities of democratic life.
Auburn University has selected Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by New York Times bestselling author and journalist Eric Weiner as the 2026 Common Book. The selection anchors a shared academic experience for incoming students and aligns with Auburn’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through its campuswide programs and initiatives.
Buckley Nettles ’26 and the 66th Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Photo Credit: Nathaly Norman
Story by Buckley Nettles ’26
Prior to the university’s first Democracy in Dialogue Speaker Series event on March 30, 2026, I had the incredible honor of sitting down for a brief conversation with the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, about leadership and the challenges and opportunities facing college students today.
Throughout the year, the university will present a robust slate of academic, engagement, and commemorative programs, featuring colloquia, lectures, and a variety of special events.
Together, Pebble Hill and the Department of History will launch a speaker series, Revolutionary Legacies, that features three faculty members talking about the legacies of the Revolution on their area of expertise, including journalism, law and public health.
OLLI Course, Winter Term, 2026: "US 250: Perspectives from Auburn University History Faculty,” in collaboration with AU History Department
6th Grade Teacher Workshop on U.S. Independence and Creating U.S. Government...
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art will open its second slate of exhibitions for the 2025–26 academic year on Jan. 20, featuring student-centered projects, statewide partnerships, and nationally significant works that explore themes of belonging in American art in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary. The exhibitions highlight collaborative teaching and outreach efforts, showcasing Auburn students’ creative contributions alongside established artists through printmaking, poetry, quilting, and visual art.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is honoring this historic milestone by inviting gardeners across the state to make a difference through the Grow More, Give More 250 Pound Challenge. Rooted in the same spirit of service, innovation, and community that has shaped the nation for the last two and a half centuries, this challenge aims to help the approximately 2 million Alabama residents who face food insecurity.
Building on the success of the 2025 Geo Explorer Auburn Quest Out West expedition—from Auburn to the Esri Education Summit in San Diego and back—the College of Sciences and Mathematics is preparing an expanded, coast-to-coast initiative aligned with the upcoming 250th commemoration.
Auburn Journalism Day is an annual event organized and sponsored by the School of Communication and Journalism that gives students an opportunity to network with working professionals and learn about the latest trends and important issues in the field.
Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, through the AU Raptor Center, is in discussions to participate in two national America250 commemorative events.
This spring, Auburn University’s ROTC will incorporate America 250 into a rappel tower event by inviting faculty to participate, engaging cadets in conversation, and creating a visible tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary, including a symbolic rappel display and photo opportunities during cadet certification training in the spring.
This year, Auburn’s Navy cadets will create a one-of-a-kind semiquincentennial salute at the heart of campus, bringing cadets in full uniform together at the Clock Tower to form “250,” framed by American flags and punctuated by a soaring War Eagle flyover. Designed as a visual tribute to service, tradition and the enduring ideals of the nation’s founding, the moment will blend Auburn pride with a powerful commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Auburn is commemorating the nation’s founding and democratic values through America 250 at Auburn University, a yearlong series of programs that bring history, civic life and public dialogue into conversation and invite thoughtful participation in democracy.
As part of America250’s national storytelling initiative, Our American Story came to Auburn during the 90th Iron Bowl, marking the program’s first-ever stop at a major sporting event. Stationed at Toomer’s Corner, the mobile exhibit invited fans and community members to share personal stories reflecting the traditions, values, and lived experiences that shape the American experience. The visit underscored the role of college football as a powerful gathering place for community, identity, and shared national heritage as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art will open its second slate of exhibitions for the 2025–26 academic year on Jan. 20, featuring student-centered projects, statewide partnerships, and nationally significant works that explore themes of belonging in American art in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Auburn has a long and proud history of honoring our Auburn military veterans. Every year, Auburn military men and women gather at our Auburn Military Appreciation Reception for camaraderie and recognition.
As part of America 250 at Auburn University, Auburn Magazine will feature a special section in 2026 recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary. Through storytelling and reflection, the issue will explore the legacy of the American founding and its continued relevance for the Auburn community and beyond.
Have questions? Contact au250@auburn.edu.
