Advises future ag students to get involved
The spring 2025 graduation marshal for the Auburn University College of Agriculture is a familiar face around Comer Hall.
Will Rich was selected from among the agriculture spring graduates to represent the college at the commencement ceremony Saturday, May 10. Marshals have distinguished themselves by service to their colleges and lead their fellow graduates by carrying the colleges’ flags during the processional.
He graduates with a Bachelor of Science in crop and soil sciences and an undergraduate certification in geographical information systems, has worked as an administrative student assistant in the Dean’s Office, served as an Ag Ambassador, been a member of the Crops Judging Team for three years, and held the role of vice president of the Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences Club.
Incoming Auburn students would do well to follow in his footsteps.
“Anytime that I am talking to prospective students during tours or recruiting events and I get asked this question, my response is always the same: Do not be afraid to dive into any and all opportunities,” he said. “During my time at Auburn, I have done my best to take advantage of every opportunity that was put before me, even the ones that got me out of my comfort zone or that I was timid about liking. This advice goes for club involvement, taking on leadership roles, or professional/personal development opportunities.
“Coming into college from high school is a big transition, but I feel that it is best to jump into these development opportunities to meet new people, make lasting connections and jumpstart your advancement into the professional world.”
In addition to his position in the Dean’s Office, Rich took on several work experience opportunities as an undergraduate. He most recently worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Professor Thorsten Knappenberger, conducting research on land use changes and the possible implications in coastal Alabama using ArcGIS Pro and NLCD products and developing GIS resources to be distributed to the public following the completion of wetland studies in coastal Alabama.
He also spent a semester as a teaching assistant in a lab section of Soils & Life, a core science class offered for non-science majors, and he spent a summer as an agronomics crops intern with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, developing and completing a project scouting cotton variety trials in northeast Alabama.
“I enjoyed returning home for the summers to work in the hayfields with my dad and starting my sweet corn business to provide locally grown produce in my community,” said the North Jackson High School alumnus.
He received several scholarships and awards over the last four years, including his department’s Crop Plants Student Achievement Award, the AL Soil Classifiers Association scholarship, two four-year university merit scholarships, multiple College of Agriculture scholarships, the Southeast Produce Council STARS scholarship, and an Alabama Farmers Federation scholarship.
His experience at Auburn will continue after graduation as well. He will spend the summer in an Agricultural Technology Internship with Greenpoint Ag before beginning a biological and agricultural technology management master’s program in Auburn’s Department of Biosystems Engineering in the fall.
“I look forward to applying my agronomic knowledge and interest in technology and mechanics to further my education and the development of implements and tools which increase productivity and profitability of agricultural production,” said the Stevenson, Alabama, native. “Overall, I hope to use my education to make meaningful positive contributions to Alabama’s agricultural industry and the communities and people who depend on it.”
Rich wanted to attend Auburn since middle school, and his experience over the last four years has been a dream realized. Despite growing up in a farming family, he did not always plan to study agriculture. But he found a home in the college, and he encourages others to consider it, too.
“Not only have I been able to study a subject that I grew up loving and found complete interest in, but I have made some of the greatest friends, had the best mentors, implemented what I have learned on our own farm and developed into an eager young professional who is ready for the next step,” he said. “Overall, being a part of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University has been my favorite part of the Auburn experience. It has afforded me so many opportunities to build lasting relationships and has been a very positive influence on who I am today.
“But above all, I have my family and community to thank for my accomplishments. Their support has never gone unnoticed, and I would not be where I am today without them.”
