Student in aerospace engineering earns national honor society accolades

Elizabeth Weidl, a rising senior in aerospace engineering, was the south central region winner and national runner-up for the Sigma Gamma Tau (national aerospace honor society) Undergraduate Award.

“This means a great deal to me because I was already honored to be a part of Sigma Gamma Tau, but even more now that they chose me to represent Auburn University,” said Weidl, who is currently spending the summer at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in Savannah, Georgia, as a systems safety intern. “I work very hard because I believe college is a privilege and learning something new every day is a joy not many people get to experience. I was ecstatic to be the regional winner and couldn’t believe I was national runner-Up. It feels amazing because I know all the hard work is paying off.”

Sigma Gamma Tau Undergraduate Award entries are judged on a variety of criteria, including GPA, projects, jobs, volunteer work, extra-curricular activity and career goals. Not only does Weidl serve as a Cupola Engineering Ambassador, she is also enrolled in the Auburn University Honors College, tutors peer students, volunteers at the local humane society, and studied biomechanics and engineering in the arts abroad (Florence, Italy). By the way, she’s also spent the summers of 2021 and 2022 interning at NASA, concentrating on guided flight vehicle safety analyses.

Weidl, from Colfax, North Carolina, credits Auburn Engineering for preparing her to reach the next level.

“Some people might think that college doesn’t accurately translate to the workplace, but that cannot be further from the truth when it comes to Auburn University’s aerospace engineering degree,” said Weidl, who has already earned a minor in Business-Engineering-Technology. “Auburn Engineering has taught me how to problem solve, speak publicly, write technically, work in groups and apply classroom knowledge to the real world. While I may not be estimating the length of a supersonic nozzle based on reflecting shock waves by hand in my career, I will certainly utilize the skills necessary to complete projects like those. Additionally, we have some of the best professors that not only care about helping you grow as an aerospace engineer, but as a person too. That impact is something I will carry with me into the workplace.”

Weidl, who is drawn toward the astronautical realm of aerospace engineering, dreams to one day become a project/program manager within industry, possibly even at NASA or Space X. “But I am also considering earning an engineering management degree following my undergraduate studies to help accelerate me toward a management role,” she said.