Two graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences have received a stipend for research support to collect flying lizards from Thailand, and snails and parasites along Mobile and Tennessee River drainages thanks to COSAM benefactor Meredith Ann Birchfield’s Endowed Fund for Excellence in the College of Sciences and Mathematics’ Museum of Natural History.

Former Auburn University President James "Jim" Martin died Saturday, June 3, at the age of 84. He served as the university’s 14th president from 1984 until he retired in 1992. Under Martin's leadership Auburn completed its most successful private capital campaign in the institution's history at that time, which resulted in $111 million of contributions and pledges. His tenure was highlighted by an administrative restructuring; capital construction projects totaling more than $100 million; a 10-year reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and a faculty salary increase of approximately 25 percent. He also established a recruiting program for academically talented students in Alabama.

The Davis Arboretum, in collaboration with multiple campus units, recently completed construction on an improved wetland and floodplain enhancement in the Garden of Memory. The project promotes cleaner water both on campus and for our downstream neighbors, reaching all the way to the Tallapoosa River Basin. Funding for the enhancement was provided in part by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program 2015 grant and Southern Company.

Our friends in the College of Liberal Arts teamed up with Auburn University Architect Jim Carroll for a behind-the-scenes video tour of the iconic Samford clock tower. We thought our COSAM supporters would enjoy the video too, as it provides insight and history into the famous landmark.

The COSAM Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs introduces its newest organization, the Student Ambassadors Program. The inaugural group of students is dedicated to carrying out COSAM and the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs’ mission of creating a diverse STEM workforce.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the Auburn Alumni Association, was established to recognize extraordinary accomplishments by members of the Auburn Family and is the highest honor bestowed by the Auburn Alumni Association. Individuals will be recognized for significant achievement in their professional lives, meritorious service and/or for distinguished human service. Nominations for the prestigious award will be accepted until Friday, June 23.

In the next several editions of COSAM Today, we will present some student projects that were created to educate the public on key climate science topics. The projects were a requirement in a graduate course titled, “Climate Change Literacy and Communication,” taught by Karen McNeal, associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. The creations vary from websites and infographics to children’s books. We invite you to look at each project and, if you like, share their work and/or provide input about your experience at cosam@auburn.edu.

The first project is a website created by Alexandra Colombara. Colombara is a doctoral student in biological sciences. For her dissertation, she is studying the physiological effects of climate change on sea anemones.

COSAM biologist David Steen spoke with the Washington Post about a regurgitating-snake video that went viral. “The combination of snakes, regurgitation and getting eaten alive is a recipe for viral,” said Steen of the video. Steen is an assistant research professor with the Auburn University Museum of Natural History’s Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Follow Steen on Twitter @AlongsideWild.

C. Harry Knowles, physics ’51, is known for being an innovator. Throughout his career, Knowles has been committed to giving back and supporting education in the sciences and mathematics. His professorship, the C. Harry Knowles Professorship for Research and Leadership in Mathematics Instruction, has been reappointed to Andras Bezdek of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, to continue for a five-year term.

Register now and join COSAM alumni and friends for the 22^nd annual COSAM Dean’s Scholarship Golf Classic at Robert Trent Jones Grand National in Opelika on Friday, September 15. The annual event has awarded more than 50 scholarships to COSAM students. Registration also includes lunch, dinner, player gift packs and a silent auction. For more information, contact Brook Moates at brook@auburn.edu or 334-844-2931.