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Auburn students turned out in high numbers for the first ever AUmazing race on Sunday, Sept. 13. The first-of-its-kind activity was inspired by this year’s Common Book, Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by Eric Weiner and modeled after the popular television program The Amazing Race.

Through the race, students were challenged to build connections with their teammates, engage with the themes of the book, explore Auburn’s campus and discover more about the life of Benjamin Franklin. The participants were tested mentally and physically in a race against the clock at each challenge station.

"My team and I had a great time participating in the AUmazing Race,” said participant Brooks Brasfield, an Auburn student studying civil engineering. “Through the experience, we were able to learn more about the founding of our nation and build a sense of community along the way. My favorite activities were probably the memorization challenges, and I appreciate Auburn putting the event on."

Auburn’s Common Book Program introduces new students to the university’s academic community through a shared reading that encourages critical thinking, meaningful dialogue and engagement beyond the classroom. The selection of Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life aligns with the university’s America250 initiatives, inviting members of the campus and broader communities to reflect on the nation’s founding ideals and their continuing relevance to democratic life and civic responsibility. A key part of Camp War Eagle, complimentary copies of the book were given to all incoming students during the university’s summer orientation programs along with copies to faculty and staff who request them.

Released in 2024, Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life is written by New York Times bestselling author and journalist Eric Weiner, a former international correspondent for NPR whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and Best American Travel Writing. By blending history with Franklin’s biography and personal reflection, the text visits the life of the founding figure as a curious, self-educating thinker whose habits of mind remain relevant today.