Hannah Grimes, a graphic design major with a near perfect GPA, will represent the College of Architecture, Design and Construction as its Graduation Marshal at this spring’s commencement. She served as a CADC Ambassador this past year and is active in the college ministry at Lakeview Baptist Church.

Originally from the town of Midway in southeast Alabama, Grimes decided to study graphic design at Auburn after a tour of Wallace Hall. “What really sold me on Auburn’s graphic design program was being able to go into the senior room and see their nearly completed final projects,” she recalls. “I was blown away. I knew that day that I wanted to be able to do that too, and I knew I wanted to learn at Auburn.”

Grimes credits the freshman cohort program with inspiring her to be a better designer. Cohorts are communities of first-year Auburn students who share a similar interest, such as a major. The students attend some of their classes together and experience many aspects of their freshman experience as a group. Grimes has come to see her cohort as a family. She believes that the supportive environment, along with Auburn faculty, has been integral to her growth, both as a graphic designer and as a well-rounded person.

Among the Auburn faculty, Grimes identifies Kelly Bryant as her most influential mentor, noting that this award-winning professor challenges students through her classroom instruction and personal inspiration. In response, Bryant praises Grimes’ talent and strong character: “Grimes epitomizes all the best qualities of a graphic designer and individual who lives out her deep faith in all she does in design and life.”

Immediately after graduation in May, Grimes is moving to New York City for the summer to work as a missions intern with New City Church in Long Island City. She plans to apply her graphic design knowledge and skills in ministry.