Morgan Aldridge

I grew up in a rural area in Alabama that fueled my passion for the outdoors. From spending time with my dad, a mining engineer, I have developed a passion for the world’s natural resources and how engineering can utilize and care for these resources. Spending time with my grandparents in summertime gardens led to a love of agriculture. My passion for these things led me to choose Biosystems Engineering because it applies engineering methods to our natural world. During my time at Auburn in the Biosystems department, not only have I found a major that will allow me to combine my interest in the outdoors with my professional career, but also has provided a community of people that have left a strong impact on me. BSEN has led me to life-long friends. The BSEN professors and staff stand out above all others because of their desire to help each student succeed. I am grateful to the Biosystems department for providing me with the academic skills to pursue a professional career and for the family-like community of my peers.

Kristen Black

Auburn has felt like home since the moment I stepped foot on campus.  I discovered the Biosystems department during a tour of the College of Engineering at Auburn’s annual E-Day.  Between my love for science and the environment, I knew immediately this was the place for me.  I elected to pursue the Ecological track in Biosystems because it included courses I was most interested in such as Site Design, GIS, Waste Management, and Environmental Engineering.  Each professor is passionate about their work and their students. They encourage communication and support you in every way they can. One of my favorite things about my time in Biosystems is how dedicated the professors and department head are whether it be trips to the field/lab for hands-on experiences or calling you by name in the hall to ask how your semester break was.  The Biosystems department is a true family and I have loved every minute of my time here.  I have made forever friends and I am proud to say that I have become a well-rounded and well-prepared Biosystems Engineer.

Camille Colter

When I began my engineering career at Auburn, I was in a program that I didn’t feel comfortable in but was afraid to “give up”. When I finally decided to put my pride aside for a program that would make me happy and fulfilled, I switched to Biosystems Engineering. Upon joining the department, I was immediately welcomed by faculty and students. The community within the program is truly unmatched. Dr. Fasina learned my name within my first month, I found community, I was working in Dr. Adhikari’s lab, and I received my first 4.0! The support and kindness I have experienced improved my mental health, showing my decision to join the department was one of the best decisions made in my undergraduate career. Thank you to all my professors, the faculty, and the friends I have made! I will always love the Biosystems Engineering Department and what everyone has done for me.

Audrey Gray

My experience in Biosystems has felt anything but ordinary. From the first impromptu visit to Corley during my senior year of high school, this department has been so special to me. The knowledge I’ve gained and the opportunities I’ve been afforded are indispensable. As for my relationships with my peers and instructors, they mean more to me than they will ever know. The education I’ve had the privilege to receive from this department helped a wide-eyed, ambitious young woman, with a very vague understanding of engineering, discover that she was capable of carving out the future she wanted for herself. Biosystems engineering encompasses a lot, across varying disciplines and specializations, but these people and this place make it all feel accessible.

Bradley Lowery

My time in this department has been nothing short of life changing. As a high school senior, I was certain of my passions in engineering, agriculture, and forestry. However, I had a difficult time finding a career path that would allow me to pursue these passions. After being informed of the department by my high school ag sciences teacher and completing a tour I was certain that there was no place I would rather pursue my education and career. The Auburn creed states “I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.” This department has made those powerful words a reality in my life. My professors have always made me feel a personal connection and provided an environment that was conducive to learning. I have made friends that will undoubtedly last a lifetime and experienced things that have helped mold me into what an Auburn man is supposed to represent. I have had the great fortune of accepting a job offer well before graduation that will allow me to utilize my education and pursue my passions that led me to this great department. I will always look back on my time in this department with fond reflection and hold immeasurable gratitude for the education I have received and the moments I have experienced while a student.

Jacob Powell

As a freshman, I was changing majors and was encouraged to seek opportunities in engineering. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and wanted my work to have a positive impact on the environment, so Biosystems seemed like the perfect fit. The BSEN staff have supported me in this endeavor, not only by ensuring I understood class content, but also by encouraging me to seek engineering experiences and helping me to find those experiences. The professors care about their students’ success and want to know them personally. Their classes challenged me to grow both in knowledge and in my teamwork abilities. Biosystems has prepared me to begin my career and make a positive impact!

Tatem Reynolds

I transferred to Auburn in January 2020, and found the biosystems engineering major that fall. Despite COVID and the hardships of transferring, I never once questioned being apart of the Biosystems Department. Even being online the professors got to know their students and I could tell they really cared about our success. Our major may be small but I enjoy it because it has given me the chance to form bonds with professors and faculty, as well as build awesome friendships with my peers. Engineering can be difficult, but having a department full of people who truly want you to succeed makes it more fulfilling when you do. I’m proud to be graduating with a BSEN degree, and I feel like I have been set up well for my future.

Timothy Squires

The biosystem engineering department has created an environment that feels like one big family while still creating ample opportunities to get out of my comfort zone. Being a part of this close-knit community gives the students and professors the ability to interact with each other on a personal level. I have been fortunate to interact with many successful and hardworking people within this program and on this campus. Through this program, I have built close relationships with peers and colleagues from several backgrounds and cultures. I chose biosystems because the world needs people who see things from a sustainable point of view while providing solutions to issues facing the world today. The small class sizes, rigorous degree path, and family-style environment in biosystems have allowed me to find my home on a campus full of opportunity

Hannah Bartels

I began my college career in COSAM to become a surgeon. I was encouraged to look into engineering and I began pursing a biosystems engineering degree. It increased my love for outdoors and I learned how I could do my part to improve the environment. I found a group of students who had the same desire to work hard in classes and enjoy the clubs and activities Auburn has to offer. I was encouraged to work harder everyday by my professors who went out of their way to develop relationships with their students and understanding our potentials. The small but growing department allowed me to grow as an individual by providing me with challenging classes, as well as a strong support group of faculty and students.

Grady Freeman

As part of a high school engineering competition, we were tasked with finding a way to utilize wastewater. We proposed using microbial algae to eat excess nutrients and turn the algae to useful products. This research heightened my interest in biosystems, and the bio-processing option fit perfectly for how I wanted to apply engineering to these concepts. Some of my favorite moments in biosystems were learning how to model fluid and solid motion, storage, and production. I had the chance to apply these principles to topics as varied as the transportation of potato chips in Bulk Solid Transport to the separation of hydrothermal liquefaction products in Biomass and Bio-fuels Engineering. Additionally, the camaraderie with my peers and teachers during group projects prepared me to be an effective team member as I begin my career.

Drew Johnson

I came into my freshman year at Auburn, not sure exactly what I wanted to major in. I saw the Biosystems major and was drawn to it because it combined both engineering and biology. It was a great choice. The BSEN department really helped me work through my classes as I learned how to become a college student and helped make the best of classes during the pandemic lock-downs. I appreciate all the professors in BSEN who knew me by name. The Biosystems department was amazing because of the professors and fellow students who did their best to help each other. I would recommend biosystems to anyone who enjoys engineering and biology and wants to work hard while meeting exceptional people.

Emily Miller

Through my love for the environment and serving others, I found Biosystems Engineering to be the perfect fit for me at Auburn. I was looking for a smaller department of welcoming and supportive professors that would allow me to explore many different disciplines within engineering. The entire BSEN department was able to give me exactly that, along with many lifelong friends. My favorite part of this major was the community among the students and staff. The small class sizes allowed me to get to know the majority of my peers as well as form relationships with my professors. Having welcoming professors that were always willing to give meaningful support, whether it be for a class, club, or post-grad advice, was an amazing aspect of the BSEN department.

Sean Miller

My favorite part of Biosystems was being a part of a community of faculty, staff, and students that were passionate about their work and took pride in making a difference in the world. It was a privilege to be surrounded by driven people for different backgrounds. I believe choosing biosystems opens more doors for students than they realize. I changed my major my junior year because I was interested in ecological engineering/environmental remediation. As time goes on there will be more employers from outside the agricultural industry that acknowledge biosystems graduates for their work and preparation. While I didn’t start in this program, I couldn’t have chosen a better place to finish.

Julia Palazzolo

When I chose my major at Auburn, I wanted to work in solar energy and biosystems was the right route. Four years later, my interest in solar died out, but my love for biosystems remained. You can’t find a more close-knit, encouraging group of professors and peers. I still keep in touch with my biosystems peers and professors today. As a student I appreciated the open-door policy instead of having to set up a time to meet with my professors. This department teaches outside the classroom; taking you to creek for testing or a trail to view different types of erosion. Biosystems Engineering plays a pivotal role in many industries, and if you put in the work, you’ll find a career that you love.

Joe Saia

As a recent alumnus, my favorite part of BSEN was the relationships I formed within my major. These relationships allowed me to be more personally involved with activities inside and outside of the classroom and gave me a stronger desire to perform well. I am grateful to have had such passionate professors who delivered their lessons enthusiastically which made me genuinely curious to further my learning on certain topics. My most fulfilling moment as a BSEN alumnus is crossing the graduating stage and embracing the professor of my most challenging classes, Dr. Fasina, who is hands down one of the most knowledgeable professors I’ve ever had.

Courtney Eagle

All of my favorite memories in Biosystems include the building itself - Corley. This building has been the home for generations of students who enter as freshmen with big dreams & leave as professionals with practical tools to build a better future. The long hours & late nights in the computer lab & design room have built some of the best friendships I have & been the setting to some of my favorite memories. Most importantly, I have learned the value of hard work, perseverance, & life-long learning.

Charles Reichley

My favorite experience has been all the friends that I’ve made from the department. I’ve been able to grow extremely close with some of the members of my cohort to where we hang out with each other on the weekends most weeks. The tight knit community that our faculty & students have fostered sets us apart from other departments in my eyes. Since we are not as large as some of the other engineering departments it really allows students to grow closer with one another & with the faculty that we’ve seen for 4 years now. I am forever grateful for the department for all the joy & knowledge that have surrounded me the last few years.

Andrew Sauer

Originally, I was interested in biomedical engineering. I applied to Auburn at the last minute & saw no biomedical engineering option, but I saw Biosystems & figured, “Eh, close enough.” It was not close, but here I am receiving my Bachelors in Biosystems Engineering. Why did I stay? BSEN turned out to be a better fit for me than I believe biomedical engineering would have been. I grew up loving nature & the outdoors, & Biosystems has given me the skills to not only understand those things better, but to work with them for human solutions. Working to gain understanding & an ability to solve problems in that arena is what kept me here. Food & water are the essentials of human life, & I feel that my education will allow me to have a positive impact on the world.

Jessie Williford

In high school, I was in a leadership program that showed career paths like military, health, & agriculture. Two Ag Ambassadors spoke about different career options & went over all of the majors the College of Agriculture offered.  The last major they covered was Biosystems. They opened my eyes to the food shortages that the world is expected to face in 2050 & beyond. I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful with my life, & I instantly knew that Biosystems was the way to do it.  My degree direction has changed since then, but I am thankful I was exposed to what BSEN has to offer. Earning this degree will be one of the most pivotal moments in my life.