Rory Smith, President’s Award 2024
Rory Grace Smith, a graduating senior in geospatial and environmental informatics from Madison, Alabama, has been selected to lead the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment’s class of 2024 at Auburn University’s spring ceremony on May 4.
Smith chose her degree field in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) to pursue her goal of joining the geospatial analysis community within the United States government.
“Geospatial and environmental informatics is a relatively new major here at the CFWE,” said Smith. “I decided to pursue this degree as it combined my passion for both art and science in a unique, developing industry.”
During her time at Auburn University, Smith committed to enriching her knowledge by working with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Smith will return to the NGA as a geospatial analyst intern in the summer.
Smith also received the President’s Award for the CFWE. The President’s Award recognizes one graduate in each college who has completed at least three semesters at Auburn with a minimum grade-point average of 3.40 and possesses outstanding qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and promise of professional ability. All honorees were celebrated at a special awards ceremony on April 16.
Left to right: Auburn University President Christopher Roberts, Rory Grace Smith, and Emmett F. Thompson Dean Janaki Alavalapati at the award ceremony
As a student, Smith has held integral roles within the CFWE as a Student Ambassador and member of the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Leadership Academy (FEWL). Smith also served as the current vice president of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) for the Auburn Student chapter. Smith was also a member of the Auburn University Marching Band, where she played the piccolo for four seasons, and is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music fraternity, Kappa Phi chapter.
“Rory is an excellent representative for our College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment’s class in this spring’s commencement ceremonies,” stated Janaki Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.
“Rory’s dedication to pursuing knowledge beyond the classroom has given her irreplaceable experiences, which will provide her with a solid foundation in post-graduate life. We look forward to witnessing her continued success as she enters the geospatial intelligence industry.”
Reflecting on her time in the CFWE, Smith is grateful for the defining educational opportunities that will assist in her overarching goal of analyzing geospatial and environmental data to aid in resource preservation for individuals and their communities.
The university will kick off its graduation weekend at Neville Arena at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday, May 4. Additional information, including updates regarding inclement weather, will be available on the commencement website and information will be posted on the Facebook and Instagram accounts.
All ceremonies will be live-streamed, with recordings available on the commencement website following the weekend festivities. Graduates and their families are encouraged to check the website regularly for updated information.
(Written by Mary Hillhouse)
