AIAS Celebrates 36th Annual Pumpkin Carve
The Auburn chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) hosted its Annual Pumpkin Carve on Friday, October 25, in the Dudley Hall courtyard.
This marks the 36th year of the annual event where students, faculty, staff and community members get into the Halloween mood as they view the lighting of nearly 200 freshly carved jack-o-lanterns. The proceeds from this fundraiser go toward providing opportunities for students in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA). This year’s Pumpkin Carve was co-hosted by APLA and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC).
Pumpkin carving began at 9:00 a.m., followed by a packed agenda: a WEGL DJ; lunch of Boo-urgers and Hall-o-weenies grilled by students; Dogtors Nessie and Rooster, therapy dogs from Student Counseling & Psychological Services; a scavenger hunt; and more. Attendees were able to purchase Pumpkin Carve merchandise, including a T-shirt designed by architecture student Mars Bancroft, a crewneck designed by architecture student Camilla Sticklin and stickers designed architecture students Micah Betz, Mackenzie Gwaltney and Trinity Seale.
Late afternoon activities included the awarding of raffle prizes from local businesses and campus partners and a napkin sketch silent auction, featuring over 45 napkin drawings by faculty, alumni and community members. One of the more popular events of the day was a silent auction where winners got the opportunity to throw a pie at faculty members from across CADC.
Pumpkin lighting began when the sun set at 5:30 p.m. and members of the community, along with the contest judges, streamed through the courtyard in a long line to view the exhibit. This year’s judges included APLA School Head Justin Miller, Toby Hanna of J&M and Architecture Professor Rebecca O’Neal. At 7 p.m. AIAS representatives announced the Pumpkin Carve winners and awarded them J&M Bookstore gift cards. The award for Best Overall pumpkin went to Jen Thomas for the design of a dragon, and designs of zipper face, by Amelia Chavez, and a pirate ship, by Lindsey Niles, received second and third place, respectively. Three honorable mentions were named for Funniest, Spookiest and Most School Spirit. Ella Lutzenkirchen’s design was recognized as Funniest, Spookiest was awarded to Emma Brock, and Aidan Berry won Most School Spirit. The winning pumpkins were then auctioned off to the highest bidders with the proceeds going to AIAS.
Architecture students Alanna Bilyeu and Rylee Herndon served as this year’s Pumpkin Carve Co-chairs.