Environmental Design Student to Serve as CADC’s Summer Commencement Marshal

Jordan Rae Payne of Calera, Alabama, has been selected as the student marshal for the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) at Auburn University’s Summer 2023 commencement ceremony, scheduled for August 5-6.

Payne will receive a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (ENVD). As an Auburn student, she was a member of the Environmental Design Student Organization and CADC Ambassador. She was named to the Dean’s List every semester of her academic career.

Payne began her time at Auburn studying business but quickly realized that her true interest was in design. She says she chose to study Environmental Design because it is a unique and personalized design curriculum but found that her favorite thing about the program was the faculty. “Robert Sproull, Kelly Homan and Jennifer Smith go above and beyond to connect with students and guide them through the process of learning new programs, perfecting design techniques and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. They truly made ENVD feel like a small family and made stepping into Dudley Hall each day something I looked forward to.”

After graduation, Payne will join Nequette Architecture and Design in Birmingham, Alabama. She hopes to someday further her education and own her own practice. “My career goal is to influence change in the way that buildings are both designed and constructed in order to encourage sustainable methods,” she stated. She says that she is grateful for her time at Auburn and thankful she changed her major to end up studying in CADC. “I have grown and learned so many lessons throughout my time here. Auburn is a place that I will always call home.”