“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”

— Jean Vanier, Community and Growth

With the start of the 2016 fall term, Auburn is creating a community unlike any that has come before or will ever be together again.  It will be a unique collection of individuals, events, and activities that we get to experience together.

Whether you are a returning veteran or new to campus, you may be anywhere on the scale from excited to intimidated, confident to uncertain, well-connected to not knowing anybody.  No matter where you find yourself, we have the opportunity to come together in community to create something special.

Success will be measured by how appreciated and connected we all feel come December at the end of fall term.  We can start now by intentionally making an effort to connect.  Welcoming each other, and especially new people, is a common human experience in societies around the world, and it happens here at Auburn too.  Sharing food, flowers, and music and giving small gifts are common welcoming traditions.

Students enjoying the food and music during the 2015 Sustainability Picnic.

I’m not sure about flowers, but sharing food, music and making connections with others is what the Sustainability Picnic and other Welcome Week events are all about.  Check out the Welcome Week website and download the Welcome Week Mobile Guidebook app.

The Sustainability Picnic is 4:30-6:30 on August 24 at the Donald E. Davis Arboretum.  At this zero waste event we’ll have local, fresh food from Tiger Dining, music, representatives from sustainability-related student organizations and academic disciplines, door prizes, some fun little gifts, and a generally good time.

We hope to see you there and at other Welcome Week events.  Have fun!