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The Week of Service program represents a powerful commitment to service, justice and education, providing students with a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on their local communities. Each year, prior to the start of the fall semester, the Auburn Honors College invites its incoming students to participate in this meaningful program.

Group of people painting the wooden beams of an outdoor pavilion. One person is on a ladder while others use paintbrushes to reach the overhead beams. The setting is sunny with green grass and trees in the background. Participants wear casual clothing and orange wristbands.

Learning Through Serving

This year, 86 incoming students and 15 student counselors served for a total of 1,045 hours at six service locations around Lee County. While at these locations, participants deepened their understanding of how poverty affects individuals and communities, all while increasing their personal passion for service.

One of the first service locations of the week was Storybook Farm. Students engaged in a variety of tasks ranging from pulling weeds and mending fences to painting and tending to the horse track. Storybook Farm empowers children facing profound adversity with specialized, animal- and nature-based learning environments that pave the way for a brighter, more hopeful future.

At the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, volunteers cleaned up trails, worked on small construction projects, cleaned facilities and lent a helping hand with various maintenance tasks. The preserve is a first-class discovery and nature center, as well as an outreach program of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.

O-Grows operates a community garden, youth programs and multiple farmers’ markets year-round in support of its mission to cultivate local food while building relationships and sharing knowledge with area residents. While at O-Grows, students repaired and painted a picket fence, refurbished the goat hut, picked up litter and pressure-washed the area to make it cleaner and more welcoming for volunteers and visitors.

Group of people working outdoors in a park, carrying and installing wooden logs. One person in the foreground wears a navy blue shirt reading 'ASSUMING THIS IS WATER' and black shorts, holding two long logs. Others in the background are assembling a fence or barrier. The sunny weather casts shadows on the green grass beneath large shade trees.

The Food Bank of East Alabama gathers and distributes nutritious food to individuals throughout the area. While at the food bank, students inspected, sorted and packaged donated food items, as well as tidied up the warehouse.

One of the final locations was the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch. Opened in 1973, the ranch provides family-style residential homes for Alabama's at-risk children and youth in an atmosphere where they can grow spiritually and physically into productive, responsible and happy adults. Participants spent the day doing groundskeeping and yard work, organizing facilities and assisting with special projects as needed.

“Being an out-of-state student, I thought Week of Service was an incredible opportunity to serve the Auburn-Opelika community while discovering so much about the area that I never would have known otherwise," said Connor Gilbert, a biomedical sciences major and Week of Service participant.

"Getting to give back alongside fellow students made the experience even more meaningful, and I made lifelong friends who helped me feel truly at home. The week was a powerful and fulfilling way to begin my journey at Auburn, and I am truly grateful for the community and connection."

Classroom with students seated at long tables, working on assignments. Some have laptops and water bottles on the tables. The room features a modern design with a high ceiling, bright lighting, acoustic wall panels, and a large screen displaying information.

Learning Through Listening

The week continues to be a transformative initiative that embodies the Auburn spirit of academic excellence and community engagement. During the hours when students are not serving, they are learning about poverty by listening to speakers and visiting initiatives like The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

“Through Week of Service, I had the opportunity to not only serve our community but also learn and gain perspective on the present and lasting effects of poverty," said Griffin Overton, a chemistry major and Week of Service participant.

"I gained so much valuable insight through discussions with the Week of Service (WoS) community, in addition to making connections before the start of school. The WoS experience provided me with a better understanding of societal issues and ways I can better serve and educate my community to alleviate those issues.

"In three words, I would describe WoS as enlightening, engaging and encouraging.” 

Group of people gathered around a table with a dark blue tablecloth at a school fair. The table displays pamphlets and materials, while a large screen in the background reads 'School Fair.' The room is brightly lit with overhead lighting, and other tables and attendees are visible in the background.

Continuing Service

The week ended with a service fair, encouraging participants to continue their service throughout their time at Auburn. This year, a record-breaking 30 organizations participated in the fair.

“WoS was an amazing opportunity for me to serve with my peers, allowing me to make close friendships and get connected to the Lee County area," said Peyton Graham, a pre-business and public administration major and Week of Service participant.

"I was amazed and inspired by the willingness to serve that I witnessed in the people and local organizations we worked with. My perspective on poverty was truly impacted, and I left the week feeling empowered to serve my community.

"If I were to summarize the week in three words, I would use Serve. Learn. Connect.” 

Having inspired and engaged countless students, the Week of Service program is an integral part of the Honors College experience. Since its inception, thousands of incoming Honors students have participated in this program, which is not only a testament to the Auburn spirit but also a catalyst for personal growth and community impact.