A much-anticipated milestone is on the horizon for more than 200 students in the Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) as the university gears up to host its spring commencement ceremonies this weekend.
As the semester draws to a close, nine of CADC’s newest graduates reflect on the pivotal moments, invaluable lessons and cherished experiences that have defined their Auburn journey.
Meet CADC’s Class of 2024!
Leonard Jefferson — Architecture
HOMETOWN Montgomery, Alabama
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN ARCHITECTURE The program provides a balanced and thorough education, multitude of travel opportunities and tight-knit culture. Attending Auburn allowed me to stay close to home while simultaneously attending one of the best Architecture schools in the country.
PLANS AFTER GRADUATION HASTINGS Architecture (Nashville, Tennessee); pursuing architectural license and LEED certification
Annika Olson — Architecture/Interior Architecture
HOMETOWN Dallas, Texas
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN ARCHITECTURE/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE I toured Auburn after one of my high school friends came here, then did the Auburn Architecture summer camp and it made me want to come to Auburn!
FAVORITE MEMORY OF AUBURN ARCHITECTURE/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE During a trip to Chicago last summer with my thesis studio, we enjoyed exploring the rich architectural landscape of Chicago on a riverboat tour and tried a Chicago-style hot dog at a Cubs game.
Sophia Velezis — Building Science
HOMETOWN Birmingham, Alabama
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN BUILDING SCIENCE I took a campus tour and fell in love with the entire atmosphere of Auburn. I am a people person and a problem solver, so Building Science was right up my alley. It really combined everything I enjoy into one major, and I have never looked back. The people are what have made Auburn feel like home and there’s truly no place quite as special.
FAVORITE MEMORY OF AUBURN BUILDING SCIENCE One of the coolest memories I have was the chance to study abroad in England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands in May of 2023. We were in London during the coronation—a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN I loved the fact that Auburn was a big school with a small-town feel. I originally chose to attend for Industrial Design but changed my major to Environmental Design because it enabled me to learn design on an interdisciplinary level.
PLANS AFTER GRADUATION ExpoDisplays (Trussville, Alabama)
Ethan Shapiro — Graphic Design
HOMETOWN West Palm Beach, Florida
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN GRAPHIC DESIGN The minute I stepped foot onto campus for a tour, I knew I was home. I always wanted to pursue a creative field that made a difference in the world, and Graphic Design is the perfect melting pot of creativity, problem solving and purpose.
FAVORITE PART OF AUBURN GRAPHIC DESIGN The community is like nothing I have ever felt before. Everyone has helped me grow in some way, and I couldn’t be more thankful for every single person.
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Both my grandparents are Industrial Designers in Japan and have always shared their love for creativity and art with me. Following along in their footsteps just always felt right. Auburn Industrial Design excited me because of the dedication they have to teach you everything you need to know. From holding a pencil to crafting beautifully designed products, you can learn everything here. I am the third of my siblings to attend Auburn so we have a bit of a family tie.
FAVORITE PART OF AUBURN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN The collaborative studio environment has fostered many relationships over the years and has given me lifelong friends, all of whom have played a huge role in furthering my design education.
Maggie Brand — Master of Landscape Architecture
HOMETOWN Camden, Alabama
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN MLA I grew up in a big Auburn family and loved visiting campus as a kid. By the time I was choosing a college, Auburn felt like a great fit for me. While in Auburn’s undergraduate ENVD program, I was introduced to Landscape Architecture in a class taught by Assistant Professor Kelly Homan. This was my first exposure to the complexities of designing landscapes, and I was hooked from that point forward.
FAVORITE PART OF AUBURN MLA Fieldwork! Whether measuring and drawing sections at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest or exploring cities across the United States, fieldwork has been filled with lots of learning and great fun.
WHY I CHOSE AUBURN MBC My affinity for Auburn University began long before setting foot in the United States. The university’s reputation, its culturally rich campus life, the warmth of its community, and not least, its celebrated football spirit, were aspects I had come to admire from afar. My decision was driven by the MBC program’s prestigious standing as the second oldest and one of the most respected programs globally in this discipline.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION RECEIVED – Sigma Lambda Chi
Martell Armstrong — Master of Real Estate Development
HOMETOWN Elgin, Illinois
FAVORITE PART OF AUBURN MRED The overall professional experience of my cohort is pretty extensive and covers various aspects of development—from construction and underwriting to project management and finance. It was great to learn from others and gain insight to their respective expertise. I am moved by the lasting, life-long friendships that have been created as a result of our shared experiences.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION RECEIVED – Honor Society
– Dean’s List
PLANS AFTER GRADUATION I plan to use my knowledge and skill sets to build more affordable housing and will stay involved with the MRED program and the Auburn Alumni Association.
CADC Class of 2024 Q&A
LEONARD JEFFERSON
My favorite project was an urban-focused, Nashville-based study completed in Assistant Professor Mark Blumberg’s fourth-year studio. It sought to address highways constructed through thriving communities, leaving them as a shell of what they once were. It allowed us to consider how our project connected to a deeper issue beyond the program we were given. I believe architecture is about putting people first, and this project was the embodiment of that.
SOPHIA VELEZIS My favorite class was Project Analysis with Senior Lecturer Drew Yantis, which detailed how to manage a successful project through scheduling, estimating and site logistics. The class was at 8 a.m. but I always looked forward to going—and even wanted to get there early! My greatest takeaway was seeing the power of effective communication.
ZACHARY KALISH
My favorite project was the UNFOLD Studio Desk, a collaborative effort with fellow ENVD student Miriam Abikaled. We designed and fully fabricated a drafting desk that would efficiently serve the needs of future design students, providing a student with storage space for materials as well as enough room to spread out full-size plotter pages during critiques.
MAGGIE BRAND My favorite experience was a Research by Design Seminar at Graham Farm. We spent time camping and doing fieldwork at the farm, and the hands-on experience was super inspiring.
HANNAH BLANDING Seeing Associate Professor Ben Bush show up to our Industrial Design introductory course in an inflatable dinosaur costume should have told me enough about him, but needless to say, there’s always more to Ben. He’s great at seeing your potential and pushing you towards it. He’s an Auburn legend.
MUSAHIB ALI
Dr. Salman Azhar impressed me with his expertise and unwavering support; Associate Professor Keith Rahn has been an incredible mentor, offering guidance beyond the classroom that has been pivotal in preparing me for my career in the US; and Dr. Ben Farrow’s extensive knowledge and engaging personality have made me wish I had the chance to learn from him earlier in my program.
MARTELL ARMSTRONG Professor Justin Benefield always reminded me that my role as CEO of a medium-sized housing authority is very important. His simple but effective passion and motivation helped me focus on my “why”: serving low-income populations with housing needs.
LEONARD JEFFERSON
Associate Professor Matt Hall takes time to genuinely get to know his students and adapts his teaching based on their interests. In my case, he could tell I was interested in adding more detail than usual in drawings. As a result, he would often go out of his way to sketch and explain different advanced nuances of the building.
MAGGIE BRAND
The Library of Architecture, Design and Construction (LADC). Whether researching for a history/theory paper or looking for inspiring graphics, I found the LADC’s extensive collection was a great place to look.
ZACHARY KALISH The hands-on support I received from CADC Career Services Specialist Mindy Walden. I absolutely recommend that students speak with her about the next steps in their career and how to make an impression on employers.
ETHAN SHAPIRO Do it! The breadth of Graphic Design gives every opportunity to combine your love of art and design with any passion that you have. I’ve always loved sports, and Graphic Design has allowed for me to combine those two passions into a full-time job.
MAGGIE BRAND
Just go for it! Studying Landscape Architecture has been quite a challenge but not without great reward. My relationship to the world around me has changed dramatically—increasing in wonder and curiosity.
SOPHIA VELEZIS
Fully invest in the program and all that it has to offer. I have found such a wonderful community within Building Science and am thankful that it opened the door to a lifetime of memories and friendships.
HANNAH BLANDING There’s a place for everyone in this profession. There’s a designer for every niche or broad interest—electronics, furniture, appliances, etc. The sky’s the limit!
LEONARD JEFFERSON
My three internship experiences exposed me to the technicalities of an architectural practice. Internships allowed me to work more efficiently and comprehend more about the buildings I attempted to design in school.
HANNAH BLANDING My UI/UX internship with COLSA Corporation has strengthened my skills tenfold and taught me valuable lessons. I frequently apply what I learned from this internship to my studio projects.
SOPHIA VELEZIS I had the opportunity to intern all three summers during my time in Auburn. Each internship had great team dynamics and prepared me to manage construction projects full time.
ANNIKA OLSON
My two internships taught me how to communicate with others in a professional environment and the importance of asking the right questions.
ZACHARY KALISH
An internship with M&N Construction helped me further develop several technical and interpersonal skills.
ANNIKA OLSON
Outside of my schoolwork, I’ve been actively engaged as a CADC ambassador as well as working part-time downtown and pursuing a real-estate license. Giving tours to prospective students and sharing insights about our program felt like a full circle moment for me because I took the same tour in high school.
MUSAHIB ALI
My involvement in extracurricular activities and memberships in number of international associations, along with attending University Program Council (UPC) events, enriched my time at Auburn. These activities provided a platform for cultural exchange and learning, enhancing my overall experience by fostering a sense of community and broadening my perspective.
LEONARD JEFFERSON
I served as a CADC Ambassador, CADC Student Council Representative and President of Auburn’s chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS). NOMAS placed second in the annual Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition this past fall, which gave me additional exposure to project management and team leadership within an architectural setting.
MARTELL ARMSTRONG
MRED is my second master’s in a five-year period. Balancing life, work, school and travel can be very challenging, but a commitment to discipline and taking time to decompress are key.
ETHAN SHAPIRO Learning to balance everything comes with time. Get started on things early. The earlier you start, the less likely they are to pile up at the end.
MUSAHIB ALI
Discipline has been key in managing my academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities and social life. My professional career taught me the importance of time management and prioritization, allowing me to maintain my grades while enjoying life at Auburn.
ZACHARY KALISH
I developed strong time-management skills, using a bullet journal to visualize my class schedule and designate time for each of my commitments.
MUSAHIB ALI
Although I brought over a decade of industry experience to my studies, Auburn’s MBC program has significantly enhanced my readiness to address the sector’s challenges. The program has broadened my perspective, deepening my understanding of construction management and equipped me with a robust set of tools to contribute meaningfully to the field.
MAGGIE BRAND
I am leaving the program confident in my ability to communicate complex ecological and cultural systems and relationships to wide audiences. I have also been well equipped to learn quickly and humbly where my skills can be improved.
LEONARD JEFFERSON I believe Auburn has done a one-of-a-kind job of preparing me for the Architecture industry. The balanced attention to practical and conceptual ideals in the curriculum means that I can leave as a confident designer.
ANNIKA OLSON
Innovation is constant in the field of Architecture, so adaptation to learn new tools and concepts and the ability to evolve alongside the profession is critical. Rather than trying to master specific skills or software, I’ve learned the importance of keeping an open mind.
MARTELL ARMSTRONG Auburn MRED had certainly prepared me for Real Estate Development. I am better prepared to participate in the development of affordable housing and have learned far more than I initially imagined.
ETHAN SHAPIRO How to be vulnerable. Critique taught me how to not only process constructive criticism, but to be more open to it in all aspects of life.
SOPHIA VELEZIS The biggest thing I have learned in my past four years is the power of effective communication. Being a CADC Ambassador, participating in competition teams and group presentations have allowed me to grow my public speaking skills.
ZACHARY KALISH It truly never hurts to ask for help. Even if someone does not have the answer, they can often direct you to someone who does.
ETHAN SHAPIRO Work hard and be a sponge. A common phrase is “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and that is beyond true. Even so-called “masters” of their crafts are still learning every single day, so never stop learning.
HANNAH BLANDING Being able to build relationships. Our professors are always willing to have a conversation about life, career goals or general questions. Many of the nuances of this field that I have come to learn have been from these conversations.
Congratulations, CADC Class of 2024!
1 of 4
BSCI senior Sophia Velezis participated in multiple competition teams nationally and internationally during her time as a student.
BSCI senior Sophia Velezis enjoyed numerous travel opportunities while in the McWhorter School of Building Science. (Pictured with Associate Professor Alan Bugg)
ENVD senior Zachary Kalish, in collaboration with fellow ENVD student Miriam Abikhaled, designed and fully fabricated a drafting desk to efficiently serve the needs of future design students.
ENVD senior Zachary Kalish, in collaboration with fellow ENVD student Miriam Abikhaled, designed and fully fabricated a drafting desk to efficiently serve the needs of future design students.
