Above, Mrs. Chanell Davis, prepares a bowl of soup for a student during the “Soup with Success” event.
Students Digest Spring Strategies with Every Spoonful at Campus Kickoff Event
By: Trace Espinosa
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – They say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. It’s an old adage that has stood the test of time
partly because it’s true and classic; however, some say if you look close enough you might see
foundations shape in your own backyard.
Last Wednesday, on the second floor of the library tower, the Warhawk Academic
Success Center (WASC) laid a cornerstone of its own with the “Soup with Success” event—an
unassuming gathering that offered more than just warm bowls of comfort. It served up something
bigger: a blueprint for triumph in the semester ahead.
As the weather dipped and the demands of a new term loomed, the WASC extended an
invitation to students—not just to share a meal, but to make some connection. Faculty like
Tammy Riggins and Meredith Rayborn, alongside key coordinator Mrs. Chanell Davis, served a
variety of bowls of soup with an equal measure of guidance and support. Meredith Rayborn
explained, “We did this to introduce students to additional resources and services.”
“We want them to know who we are, where we are, and how we can help them,” Davis
explained.
By 11:00 a.m., the second-floor space began to experience a steady flow of students. Some may have come for the soup—tomato, broccoli and cheese, chicken noodle, and loaded potato. But what they found went deeper than the warm sustenance. The event dissolved the icy solitude of winter, replacing it with camaraderie, encouragement, and practical strategies for navigating the challenges of the semester. Tammy Riggins shared, “It’s great to welcome students, and warm up about any concerns they have.”
It wasn’t just the menu that made an impact. It was the unspoken promise in every ladle, every word of advice written down on that paper, essentially saying the same thing: You are not alone. For students who are often overwhelmed by the pressures of coursework and expectations, this was more than a meal. It was a lifeline.
Some lingered longer than they planned, drawn into conversations with faculty and peers that reminded them they belonged here at AUM. What began as a simple offer of soup transformed into something profound—a testament to the power of connection in its simplest form.
As the afternoon gave way to evening and the last bowls were served, the library tower returned to its usual quiet sound of pages turning and whispering conversations. But something stayed behind—a warmth that defied the January chill. It wasn’t just the memory of savory soups but the realization that, even in the hardest moments, there is a network of support ready to catch you.
Through the smell of chicken noodle, potato, broccoli and cheese, and tomato, a nostalgic comfort filled the air. It wasn’t just food; it was care. It was reassurance. It was a quiet promise that, no matter what the challenges were ahead, there is always a way forward.
At its heart, “Soup with Success” wasn’t only about soup. It was a moment that reminded AUM students that success isn’t built in a day—but with the right tools, the right people, and a little warmth, it’s always within reach.
