Top College of Human Sciences stories of 2025

5. A LEGACY CONTINUED: Human Sciences bids farewell to Spidle Hall, looks ahead to new era

Sitting on an easel just inside the lobby, a watercolor painting of Spidle Hall would soon be filled with hundreds of signatures in the blank white space surrounding the portrait as numerous College of Human Sciences alumni spanning several decades, past and present faculty and staff members, and guests attended a Farewell to Spidle Hall event on July 17 marking one final goodbye to a cherished Auburn academic landmark.

Although most current faculty and staff members have already moved out of the 63-year-old building and many of the rooms are bare, attendees were encouraged to take one last walk through the halls of Spidle to relive memories and remember the home of Human Sciences that’s stood since 1962. Several left heartfelt messages on the walls, doors or outside particular classrooms or labs that held special meaning to them.

4. A RECORD-SETTING NIGHT IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL: College of Human Sciences honors Gates, Davis at 32nd annual International Quality of Life Awards in Washington D.C.

In a setting that’s hosted some of the most significant moments in American and global history, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium added another distinguished event to its storied list by hosting the College of Human Sciences’ 32nd annual International Quality of Life Awards (IQLA) on Monday, Dec. 8 in Washington, D.C.

A neoclassical masterpiece built nearly a century ago, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue welcomed the largest crowd ever to attend IQLA as more than 300 distinguished guests including Auburn University President Dr. Christopher B. Roberts, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Vini Nathan, members of the Auburn Board of Trustees, senior leadership, deans and friends to the College of Human Sciences were there to honor two remarkable individuals whose vision and leadership have made a profound global impact on quality of life.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was honored as the 2025 IQLA Laureate recipient and Dr. N. Jan Davis ‘77, former NASA astronaut and Auburn alumna was honored with the 2025 IQLA Lifetime Achievement Award.

3. Turning pages, building bonds: The power of shared reading with babies

The ability to read is an essential and crucial life skill. In fact, you are currently displaying your literacy skills by reading this feature. Central to the recent data collected by researchers in Auburn’s College of Human Sciences is the idea that consistent shared book reading between parents and their babies during the early developmental stages of life can bring with it several positive benefits.

Guided by theory, research and practice — along with cooperation by caregivers and in partnership with Alabama pediatric clinic partners — waves of data focusing on families’ experiences with shared book reading, parents’ mental health symptoms, parent-provider relationship quality and more were collected and thus, the Books and Babies studies were born.

The researcher spearheading the Books and Babies studies is Cynthia Frosch, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS), along with her graduate student research assistants, Olivia Martín-Piñón and Jamie Gensbauer. Sheila Sjolseth, a current HDFS doctoral student, and Kimberly Rogers, a graduate of the HDFS master’s degree program, were key contributors to the first wave of data collection for the study.

2. A NEW ERA: Trustees granted final approval for the construction of the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility, the future home of the College of Human Sciences.

The new four-story, 138,000-square-foot facility will bring together the college’s academic programming, classes, labs and offices under one roof. This consolidation will create a more connected and collaborative environment, enhancing teaching, learning and research for students, faculty and staff.

1. WHERE INNOVATION MEETS PASSION: The Incubator opens this fall as dynamic new addition to Hey Day Market

An exciting student-driven concept where student innovation meets culinary passion is hitting the Hey Day Market as the multi-concept food hall prepares to welcome The Incubator — a launchpad for future chefs, entrepreneurs and hospitality leaders set to open Monday, Aug. 18 coinciding with the start of the fall semester.

Presented by the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, The Incubator is a unique concept where culinary science students are the focal point and given freedom to showcase their culinary creativity while gaining real-world business experience in a dynamic, hands-on setting.