"Everything The First 56"

There’s nothing more rewarding for Bobby Woodard than watching the Auburn campus come alive. “We have over 34,000 students, and it's my job to be their chief advocate,” said Woodard.Woodard embraces his role as Senior Vice President for Student Affairs with dedication and enthusiasm.“I get paid never to leave college,” joked Woodard.  “But seriously, every day we can have input on how somebody is going to set a trajectory for their life to make it better.”Woodard, a North Carolina native, is entering his twelfth year on the Plains. He’s previously held leadership roles at East Carolina University, University of Georgia and University of Central Florida.“This is my fourth university in four states,” said Woodard. “After I interviewed here, I called my wife and said, ‘it's just a little different.’  Auburn will give you what you put into it, and it’s a great place.” Guiding thousands of 18-to-22-year-olds is no small feat. Woodard understands the profound influence he has on each student's journey.“You're 18 years old coming here, and no matter where you came from, you get to decide where you go and what you become,” said Woodard.  “That is what's so important.” To help students discover their path, Woodard and Auburn University’s Office of Student Involvement created The First 56 – eight weeks of special programming, events and initiatives to promote student engagement. Organized by the University Program Council, The First 56 starts at move-in and runs through October. The program involves 500+ student organizations and nearly 400 events – all designed to help students find their niche.“Research will tell you the first 56 days is when you begin to feel part of a campus or any town that you go to,” said Woodard. “If students have a good social network, they’re likely to perform better in the classroom."If there’s one thing Woodard enjoys just as much as serving the Auburn student body, it’s a visit to the restaurant chain Waffle House.“It's easy, it's quick and I like to people watch,” he said.Fueled by Woodard's passion for all things scattered, smothered and covered, Waffles with Woodard was born in 2014. In just six short years, this event has become a beloved tradition as part of The First 56 with Waffle House food trucks dishing out mouthwatering waffles and bacon.“You would think that we were giving out free tuition,” Woodard laughed.This year Waffles with Woodard will be held on Wed., August 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. on the Haley Concourse.“It's one of the best days,” said Woodard. “I get to go out there for about four hours, see the students and talk to them. We want to know who you are.”In addition to Waffles with Woodard, other signature events scheduled as part of The First 56 include a Block Party, Concert with Joshua Bassett, Casino Night, Convocation, an Involvement Fair, Pizza & Popsicles with the President and much more.Students can view The First 56 Calendar of Events here or follow @auinvolve on Instagram for updates. They can also visit the AUInvolve website for a complete list of student organizations and activities to discover their path on the Plains and beyond.Check out our Everything Auburn Podcast Hub!