Lucas and Victoria DeBaets

Why Auburn Engineering?

Lucas - Growing up most of my life in Auburn I initially wanted to go out of state for school. I knew I wanted to be an engineer like my dad, but I thought that moving away from home was the right decision. After touring the College of Engineering, going to Auburn really became the obvious choice. Getting a high quality education combined with a great student life experience was exactly what I was looking for. 

Victoria - My dad and sisters went to Auburn so I grew up as an Auburn Tiger. While I enjoyed growing up as an Auburn fan, I was convinced that I was going to do something different and go out of state. I knew Auburn had a very strong engineering program so I still scheduled a campus visit along with the other out of state visits. There was no denying once I toured Auburn as a prospective student that this was the place for me. Auburn felt like somewhere I could call home for the next four years. As for engineering, my dad studied mechanical engineering at Auburn so I grew up always being interested in math and science. 

How did you meet? If you met on campus, could you tell us your Auburn story? 

We met both serving as Cupola Engineering Ambassadors when I was a junior and became friends. After Lucas graduated and while I was finishing my senior year, Lucas came back to Auburn to visit for a few weeks before starting his full time job. He asked me to go to a Moon Taxi concert with him in Opelika, and even though I had a really bad cold, I knew I couldn't miss it! Shortly after that, we began dating long distance for two years and now we're here!

Where are you now? Tell us about your engineering journey after graduation! 

Lucas and I dated long distance for two years while Lucas was moving throughout the US on a rotational leadership program with GE Aviation and while I was in Dallas, TX, working for Toyota. Knowing we wanted to be in the same city, we decided to make Asheville, NC, our first home together as Lucas had a good opportunity there to continue working with GE Aviation. Shortly after I moved to Asheville and began working for GE Power, we were engaged and got married in June of 2019! Since then, we have moved into our first house in Huntsville, AL, as I now work for Toyota's Operations Management Development Division and Lucas as a quality engineer for GE Aviation. I am currently supporting the launch of Toyota's new joint venture vehicle plant with Mazda, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing US. Lucas is supporting GE Aviation's high volume ceramic matrix composite manufacturing site. While we do miss hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains with our dog, Skipper, we enjoy being closer to family and exploring our new city!