Evie Pearson is not merely studying forest products; she is a product of forestry. A third-generation student in the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE), she initially set her sights on a different career. However, after witnessing the profound impact the CFWE had on her family and the environment, she was prompted to change her path, and she hasn’t looked back since. 

Pearson was raised in a family built upon forestry. Her mother, father and grandfather studied forestry at the CFWE.   

“I had sworn up and down that I wasn’t going to go into forestry, but I made my way here in a different way,” Pearson recalled. “I completely changed my life plan for this major.” 

Her parents originally introduced her to the idea of studying forestry, but Pearson was adamant about choosing her own path. Her perspective shifted when she recognized the CFWE’s environmental impact, particularly within the Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging program.  

Due to growing environmental concerns surrounding the use of petroleum-based materials, companies are developing new technologies to allow the use of sustainable forest biomaterial for packaging, cosmetics, automobiles, appliances, pharmaceuticals and commercial construction. 

Recognizing the demand for professionals within this emerging industry, Auburn created a major incorporating science, engineering and business courses to equip students for careers developing and producing sustainable packaging and products.

“I was planning to come to Auburn to study nutrition or exercise science, but I was at an event and forestry had a table,” Pearson said. “I was with my mom and Ms. Wendy [Franklin, former CFWE Student Recruiter] was at the table and started telling me about the new Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging major and I thought it was super fascinating that research was being done and innovation was happening to replace petroleum products with forest products.”  

Evie Pearson

Thanks to the program’s relatively low student-teacher ratio, Pearson has built meaningful connections in the CFWE. The unique focus on sustainable biomaterials and packaging attracts passionate, like-minded students. “It was like having built-in friends, and they are people that I am really grateful to have in my life,” she said. 

Pearson encourages future CFWE students to talk to people in their classes. “Odds are if you are in the same class here, you have very similar interests,” Pearson said. “Get involved and make connections.” Her active participation and leadership roles within various organizations such as the secretary of the Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging Society, vice president of the CFWE Schools Council and a four-year student ambassador for the college kept her engaged and connected throughout her journey. 

As she progressed within her degree, her passion for sustainable biomaterials and packaging fostered deeper connections and opportunities in the college. “I would call my mom after class regularly about what I had learned, and I was just so passionate about the material. I was getting integrated and was about to start working at the lab and doing research. I think freshman year was when I first felt like ‘Okay, this is cool’.” 

Another distinctive aspect of the program is the interactivity of the faculty. Pearson attributes much of her success to Maria Soledad Peresin, an associate professor of forest biomaterials in the CFWE, who has been an invaluable mentor. “Dr. Peresin is an excellent mentor and professor to me. Many of the opportunities that I have had as a student can be attributed to her, and she continues to help me even as I work through the career search.” Pearson continued. “She makes a genuine effort to get to know her students, and she is willing to go above and beyond to help us reach our fullest potential.” 

Thanks to the community and passion she found in the CFWE, Pearson’s sense of belonging was solidified during her freshman year. “I love learning about the possibilities for a more sustainable future, and the technology and processes that currently exist that could heavily contribute to building a more sustainable society,” Pearson shared. 

From her freshman year to her future career, Pearson has truly found her place in the CFWE, continuing her family’s legacy while paving her own unique path forward.