PHOTO GALLERY: University, town form tight community in Auburn

August 16, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

Auburn, Ala., known as the "Loveliest Village on the Plains," lives up to its nickname. The eight beliefs of the Auburn Creed help solidify a sense of community among residents, students and alumni.

A statue of 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was recently unveiled outside Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. Newton led the school to its second national championship in football in 2010. | Harry Plumer

Students exit the Ralph Draughon* Library in the center of Auburn University's campus on April 29. The building is red brick, typical of all buildings on Auburn's campus.
| Harry Plumer

William J. Samford Hall on the campus of Auburn University houses the school's administrative offices. Some Auburn fans claim the building is the most photographed in the state of Alabama, though that is unconfirmed. | Harry Plumer

The seal outside Langdon Hall on the campus of Auburn University is an iconic part of the school's campus. It is alleged to be bad luck to walk on the seal before an Auburn student graduates. | Harry Plumer

A white Lexus sporting a Virginia license plate shows Auburn pride with a vanity plate outside a dormitory on Auburn's campus. WDE2 stands for "War Damn Eagle," the school's unofficial battle cry. | Harry Plumer

Auburn graduate student Everett Duke takes in the Tigers' baseball game against the Tennessee Volunteers from the Plainsman Parking Deck outside the stadium on April 29. Many Auburn fans gather on the deck to have a few drinks and watch the game. | Harry Plumer

Toilet paper hangs from one of the oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala., to celebrate the Tigers' sweep in baseball of the Tennessee Volunteers. The two iconic oaks were poisoned by Alabama fan Harvey Updyke in January 2011, and are still in danger of dying. | Harry Plumer

The Old Rotation on the campus of Auburn University is the oldest continuous cotton experiment in the world. It consists of six cropping systems and 13 plots on one acre on the southeastern part of Auburn's campus. | Harry Plumer

The corner of College and Magnolia Avenues in Auburn, Ala. is also known as Toomer's Corner. The corner is where Auburn fans go to celebrate Tigers victories by throwing toilet paper into the two oak trees on the southwest edge of the corner. | Harry Plumer

Members of the Sand Hill Bible Church sing under the oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala. The church members sing on the corner on the last Sunday of each month, and choose the spot because of the heavy foot traffic in the area. | Harry Plumer

Stained glass windows line the walls of Auburn First Baptist Church in Auburn, Ala. Although it's a Baptist church, member Drew Smith says the group is "moderate to liberal by Southern standards." | Harry Plumer