AIAS Holds 34th Annual Pumpkin Carve
The Auburn chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) hosted its Annual Pumpkin Carve on Friday, October 28, in the Dudley Hall courtyard. This marks the 34th 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).
After pumpkin carving began at 9:00 a.m., the day’s events included a hot dog luncheon, a scavenger hunt for students and a visit from everyone’s favorite mascot Aubie. Attendees were able to purchase Pumpkin Carve merchandise, including a T-shirt designed by 5th year architecture student Naomi Tony-Alabi and stickers designed by 4th year architecture student Sophie Harward and industrial design major Danielle Byrne. Late afternoon activities included the awarding of raffle prizes from local businesses and campus partners and a napkin sketch silent auction, featuring over 50 napkin drawings by faculty, alumni and community members. One of the more popular events of the day was a silent auction where winners had the opportunity to throw a pie at faculty members from across CADC. The unlucky victims of the pie contest included Alan Bugg of Building Science, Ben Bush of Industrial Design, Robert Sproull of Environmental Design, Frank Hu of Landscape Architecture and Gorham Bird of Architecture.
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 School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture head Justin Miller; School of Industrial and Graphic Design interim head Chris Arnold; Miss Auburn Anne Earthman; and Tracey Roberts, Auburn University’s First Lady. At 7 p.m. AIAS representatives announced the Pumpkin Carve winners and awarded them J&M Bookstore gift cards.
A Pikachu design won Best Overall pumpkin, while designs of a Death Star and a skull received second and third place. Honorable Mentions in the categories of Pop Culture, Most Abstract and Most School Spirit were awarded to designs of a fairy house, holes and Aubie. The winning pumpkins were then auctioned off to the highest bidders.
Pumpkin Carve co-chair and fifth-year architecture student Molly Campbell said that this day is not only an important part of the student experience but also a great opportunity for community bonding. “Faculty often offer a more lenient schedule to allow for participation, so APLA students look forward to this annual event to gather with their peers,” she explained. “Our hope is that Pumpkin Carve can continue engaging students of all majors, not just those within the CADC, and that it cultivates the human touch with the local community to represent the Auburn Family. Pumpkin Carve will remain a fixture of the student experience for years to come.”