re: TulaneLSU's Top 10 staircases of Auburn University

8. Jordan-Hare Stadium ramps



While I was unable to venture into the stadium -- I tried -- to determine if there are any stairs on these ramps, I resolved to the conclusion that ramps are a form of stairs. After all, all of our wheelchair bound friends deserve a path. These ramps were built in 1980 when Auburn joined the rest of the SEC in building unsightly upperdecks to the old classic bowl stadiums. And for what? To watch kids play a game. LSU’s old ramps were built in 1978, but were torn down in the late 1990s when new upperdecks replaced the really steep old ones. Auburn’s ramps remain and they have a quiet distinction about them.

7. Aubie Hall



As Auburn’s campus grows, new housing is being built on the west side of campus. The Village housing area was complete in 2009 and is quite nice. Its landmark building is Aubie Hall, before which this delightfully large, curved staircase can usher hundreds of walkers each minute. I sat a moment on a bench picturing what the crowds here would look like during normal times.

6. Petrie Hall



Built in 1939 as the old athletics field house and named after the founder of the football program, this outdoor staircase brings an industrial, World War II touch to campus. It has a similar feel to the old Huey P Long Fieldhouse at LSU. Auburn’s campus has a similar feel and history to LSU’s, and there is much gained by simply walking through these campuses. I plan to do a tour of all the schools of the SEC and perhaps a Top 10 staircases of each.

5. Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center



This 2019 construction sadly is associated with one of the most poorly named buildings on campus. I assume an engineer christened this cumbersome name. The stairs themselves are modern and fabulously proportioned in a tripartite arrangement, to which this photo does not do justice.I skipped, jumped and walked up and down these stairs probably twenty times, just to get an adequate feel of them. I was left whistling and repeating, “Splendid stairs,” to the one passerby.

4. Auburn Arena



Auburn Arena replaced the old Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum in 2010. Rather than go cheap with flooring and stairs, the main entrance is beautifully floored with terrazzo and granite. Terrazzo is one of my favorite types of flooring, used throughout Tulane University. It did not become a popular flooring in our country until the mid-1920s when the Del Turco and Bros. company designed a way to divide the patches of stone with strips. This made the material far more durable, thus more economical. It’s simply a great material on which to walk.

3. Haley Center



The Haley Center was built in 1969 and its outdoor staircases are almost identical to the ones at UNO’s education department’s building. Oddly enough, Haley Center is home to Auburn’s education department. I love these outdoor steps, as they remind me of a platform diving board. I would share the story of my mishap on the tall of tall diving board at the YMCA in Metairie during a youth group function, but to do so would identify me, such was the depth of absurdity, embarrassment, and infamy that incident caused.

2. McCartney Terrace at the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology



This 2007 construction calls to mind a Greek amphitheater, which fits quite in line with the American Colonial architecture of the surrounding buildings. I find it interesting that, even in conservative states filled with residents that say they are against big government and politicians, buildings and monuments are named after so-called conservative politicians.

1. Samford Hall



Could there be any other legitimate choice? Tradition matters, and this 1888 building is named for the 31st governor of the state and sits atop the old Methodist university, East Alabama Male College, which burned in 1887. Most consider this the original Auburn University. Although nearly identical to the Mechanical side’s stairs on the northside, I prefer these steps leading into the Agriculture side. Sadly, I never did find the initials of that pressure washer here or on any of Auburn’s staircases.

Friends, keep those eyes open to God’s goodness, which is everywhere. When you find that goodness, you will find a staircase leading to gratitude and generosity.

Faith, Hope, and Love,
TulaneLSU

P.S. Although not on campus, I leave you with some lagniappe, a staircase behind Toomer’s Corner:

Not to be a critic, but it would have been a more interesting tale if Russ's (or Jim's or John's) remains were later discovered in an unmarked grave in your aunt's backyard.