The annual
Common Book Program introduces new students to the university’s community through a shared reading that encourages critical thinking, meaningful dialogue, and engagement beyond the classroom. For 2026, the university has selected
Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life. This book will serve as an anchor for shared academic experiences during the university’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
First-Ever AUmazing Race!
To celebrate the community that forms around our Common Book, the Common Book Program is hosting the Finding Franklin: A Common Book AUmazing Race Event. Like the style of the popular tv show, The Amazing Race, this event will have teams of students traverse campus to complete as many Ben Franklin-themed physical and mental challenges as they can before time ends! Prizes include gift cards, special campus opportunities, and unique Auburn items! Students may register to participate with up to 4 members per team. Student teams sign up to play on the
AU Common Book Program events webpage.
75 Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers sign up through the Office of Sustainability with their auburn.edu email. You can help us in two ways:
- Sign up to volunteer for the event!
- Recruit others from your organizations, community, and friends to sign up!
With many different activity stations scattered across the core of campus, it is going to take about 75 volunteers to pull off the event. Volunteers do not need prior experience or training. They just need to sign up and then show up. All instructions, materials, and answer keys for the challenges will be provided! Each activity station will need 2 – 5 people to hand out challenge sheets and judge completion. The challenge sheets will have all the information the teams need to complete the activity. Volunteers must be over the age of nineteen and can be employees, students, or OLLI members. Volunteers will be needed from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
SUMMARY
Finding Franklin: A Common Book AUmazing Race Event.
Volunteers will work a shift from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Sunday
September 13, 2026
Event is 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Auburn University – Core of Campus.
Student Volunteers Earn Service Hours
Students, please register through the Microsoft form above. Then, prior to volunteering, students will be sent an additional volunteer tracking link to record hours in GivePulse. Hours will be verified in the official university system following the event.
Residence Halls Earn Points for the Waste Reduction and Recycling competition!
When registering, student volunteers will indicate which on-campus hall they live in. This data will be shared with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Department (WRRD) for their September competition. For questions on the WRRD residence hall competition, email Cassidy Hartog.
What’s Next?
The theme for the Common Book AUmazing Race connects the life of Ben Franklin, Auburn University traditions, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence!
We are gathering volunteers throughout the summer. We will be in touch before the start of the academic year with further details about the day of the event. This will include where to park, when to arrive, where to sign in, what to expect the day of the event, etc. Student volunteers will be sent an additional volunteer tracking link to record hours in GivePulse so they can be verified in the official university system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I volunteer with a friend? Yes, when you complete the volunteer registration you will be prompted to list the names of others you would like to volunteer with. Matching is not guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate. They must also register through the form.
Does my friend also need to sign up? Yes, each volunteer needs to sign up for themselves.
If I need volunteer hours for a club or class, can these volunteer hours count? Yes, when you sign up, indicate you are a student. Students will be given a GivePulse Sign Up before the event that will be verified following the event.
Thank you, Volunteers!!
After you sign up to volunteer, if you would like more information on volunteering for the Finding Franklin: Common Book AUmazing Race event, please feel free to contact the Office of Sustainability by phone at (334) 844-7777 or by email at sustain@auburn.edu.
