Elizabeth Fritsch
The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Fritsch, a dedicated Auburn alumna whose passion for environmental stewardship and public service led her to join the college’s development team. With deep, personal ties to Alabama’s natural resources and a strong background in fundraising, Fritsch brings both experience and heart to her role supporting the CFWE’s mission.
Fritsch is a two-time Auburn graduate, earning her bachelor’s degree in political science and her master’s degree in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management. Her passion for public service led her to serve six years in the Alabama National Guard as a medic while a student. Fritsch also worked as a student employee in Auburn’s Annual Giving Office and Office of Gift Planning, where she discovered her passion for fundraising and advancement work.
“I am excited to join the CFWE because of the environmental and community work we do,” Fritsch said. “While every college at Auburn does great work, I was especially impressed by the land management services the CFWE offers to the citizens of Alabama. Coming from a rural area, the economic development and land management resources the CFWE and Alabama Extension provide are especially important to me and my community.”
After working in the Office of Gift Planning, Fritsch knew that fundraising for Auburn was her calling. Growing up in Andalusia, Alabama, where forestry and agriculture were central to everyday life, she believed the CFWE’s work and involvement aligned closely with her background and values. She also recognized that the college’s alumni and donor community reflected the people she grew up around. Her military experience, which included spending significant time outdoors, further strengthened her appreciation for the environment and those who care for it.
In her development role, Fritsch hopes to support faculty, staff, students and researchers by expanding philanthropic partnerships. Her main focus is attracting private donors, corporations and foundations that have not previously been affiliated with the college, helping to connect more people to the important work taking place across the CFWE and the state.
Fritsch is especially excited to engage Auburn and CFWE alumni and friends with some of the college’s most impactful programs and properties, including the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center (KPNC), Crooked Oaks and newer academic programs, such as the Parks and Recreation Management major.
“The KPNC is such a special place enjoyed by many in the community,” Fritsch said. “Crooked Oaks is a legacy property, and I am excited to share that with more people. The Parks and Recreation Management major is also something I consider ‘uniquely Auburn,’ so I am excited about promoting and fundraising anything to highlight how special Auburn and the CFWE are.”
Fritsch is proud to serve the CFWE and its friends as she works to forge new connections that will advance the college’s mission. Through her dedication to environmental sustainability, community engagement and philanthropy, she is honored to help support the faculty, students and alumni who work every day to preserve the CFWE and the state’s natural resources.
