Virtual ceremony celebrates 2019-20 AEP scholars and graduates

A virtual gathering of nearly 100 Auburn Engineering administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, students and sponsors recently celebrated the closing ceremony of the 2019-20 Engineering Academic Excellence Program (AEP). The ceremony honored high achieving program participants, recognized graduating seniors, highlighted graduate student mentors and featured the recognition of faculty Mentor of the Year Asha-Dee Celestine, assistant professor of aerospace engineering. 

“Everywhere I go see the effects that Auburn Engineers have had in making the world a better place, and I know that’s the role you are going to play as graduates from our program,” said Christopher B. Roberts, dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, in his opening remarks. “I recognize that our college is challenging but I believe you will find that it was worth all of the effort that you put in to differentiate yourself as an Auburn graduate and as an Auburn Engineer. That is something you will carry with you forever.”

Several graduating seniors offered reflections of their time participating in AEP. A common theme among those reflections was crediting AEP with helping them navigate Auburn’s rigorous engineering curriculum, developing a sense of resiliency and for providing a home within the Auburn Family. Computer science senior Ian Brown was one of the students who spoke during the ceremony. He has been a member of the program for the past four years and will be starting a position at Microsoft after graduation.

“AEP is an exceptional program to be a part of,” Brown said. “It provides students with a wonderful place to study, ask questions, mentor and be mentored.”

Like Brown, other AEP graduates have accepted positions at top-tier companies including Accenture, FM Global, Lockheed Martin, IBM and Blue Yonder.

Due to the cancellation of all in-person university events until June 30 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the closing ceremony was moved from the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center to Zoom. Cordelia Brown, AEP director, offered congratulations and noted the resiliency that spring graduates were demonstrating amid unusual circumstances. 

“While we had planned to celebrate your successes together in our new building, we hope that this ceremony honors your time here at Auburn and we know that your overall experience in AEP is something that you can take with you wherever your next phase is in life,” she said. “Congratulations and we wish much success to all, especially our Auburn Engineering graduates, as you continue on your path.”