2023-24 Joe Forehand Scholarship Recipients 

 Grace Klezmer is a junior studying industrial and systems engineering with a minor in supply chain management. She is from Mobile, Alabama.

Grace knew she wanted to study engineering, but was uncertain which discipline best aligned with her interests. After connecting with the college's fantastic staff and advisors, the appeal of industrial and systems engineering became crystal clear. Its blend of business principles and engineering innovation perfectly matched her interests in people interaction and continuous improvement.

Grace has been involved academically in the College of Engineering through serving as an undergraduate peer tutor for Engineering Student Services and as a member of the Tau Beta Pi honor society, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Last fall, Grace met with Procter & Gamble at a college career fair. She immediately took an interest with the company, and applied for an internship shortly thereafter. Following months of navigating the recruitment process, she accepted an offer for summer of 2024. She said she is eager to apply her academic knowledge in a real-world setting and gain hands-on experience.

Post-graduation, Grace's plan is to dive deeper into industry work before circling back to pursue an MBA, rounding out her skill set with a solid business foundation.

Grace is grateful for the friends and knowledge she has gained from Auburn. She is certain that a degree in industrial and systems engineering from Auburn will open many doors, provide ample opportunities, and apply to a variety of fields.

Emmanuel Garcia is a senior studying industrial and systems engineering with a minor in supply chain management. He is from Jemison, Alabama.

Emmanuel chose industrial engineering because he is passionate about helping others through improved processes.

Emmanuel is a co-op at GE Appliances in Louisville, Kentucky. His first rotation was in the distribution final mile department, where he resolved delivery issues. His second rotation was in the laundry stamping department, where he managed production reports. This co-op has allowed Emmanuel to develop his professional skills while exposing him to real-world engineering challenges.

During co-op rotations, Emmanuel enjoys serving the Louisville community through GE Appliance’s volunteering program. Volunteering events have included tree planting for a local middle school, tutoring reading and math to foster children, and assembling hygiene kits for a community center.

In his free time, Emmanuel likes to spend time with family and friends. He believes the best peaches are from Chilton County, Alabama, where his hometown is located. Emmanuel is passionate about his Mexican heritage and believes Mexican food is the best cuisine in the world.

After graduation, Emmanuel plans to begin his career as an engineer. He believes Auburn’s industrial and systems engineering program has prepared him to begin his journey of helping others through improved processes.