History - In 1946, a couple of AU faculty members' wives organized a group which they called the Newcomers Club. It's purpose was to welcome the wives of new faculty members to the Auburn community. Caroline Draughon, wife of then-AU president Ralph Brown Draughon, renamed the group the Campus Club two years later. At that time it expanded to include all faculty wives as well as all women faculty and staff. The club remained primarily a social club until 1996, which was the club's 50th anniversary, at which time the group expanded once again to include all AU employees and their spouses, as well as friends of the university. Now anyone with an interest in Auburn University may join the group.
Major project - In honor of the club's founder, the Caroline M. Draughon Endowed Scholarship was established in 1996 as well. This endowment effort was so successful, the club established the Auburn University First Ladies Award program in 2001. This program was to award at least one $1,000 scholarship each year to an Auburn student. These awards are named for one of the Auburn University's past first ladies or the current president's wife. To fund this endowment, the Campus Club sponsors a fund-raising plant sale each spring. The Department of Horticulture linked with the club to help with the plant sale that year by providing dozens of healthy plants left over from various research projects. Because of the success of that first plant sale, the club voted to earmark all of its scholarships for students majoring in horticulture. The Plant Sale is held on A-Day weekend.
Friendship & Activity opportunities - The Club provides opportunities for making new friends, sharing interests with others, and participating in projects. This year's Kick-off Event will be held on Thursday, September 16 at 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Kiesel Park. The community service project for this event is to bring canned food or $5 for the donation to the East Alabama Food Bank. Some of the special events that members may participate in include Antiquing Aficionados, Campus Capers, City Sites, Curtain Calls ( Alabama Shakespeare Festival Theatre), Expert Entertaining: Fine Wines by Gus, Flower Fun: An Evening with Stanley at The Flower Store, Garden Gurus: Petals from the Past, Garden Gurus: Quail Hollow Gardens, Happy Hearts from Helping Hands: Goodwill Career Center and Salvation Army, Positively Pampered (Spa at Auburn), Shopping Sprees, and Travel Time. One may also join some of the several interest groups including Antiquing, Book Club, Bridge, Bunco, Culinary Cohort, Ladies to Lunch, or Needle crafters. In addition to the Kick-off event where you sign up for the events you choose to attend (Bring your checkbook or cash so that you can pay in advance for those events which require payment), the Club will hold a Holiday Luncheon at Saugahatchee Country Club on Dec. 8 and a Spring Tea at the AU President's Home in April.
Membership dues are $20 per year. If you are interested in participating in Campus Club, you many contact any member including Ellen Faurot of Magnolia Realty (334-332-3359 or efaurot@charter.net) for additional information.
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Magnolia Realty @ 1:12 PM
