Stellar students serve as graduation marshals
February 2009
Exemplary students like Jenna Valaer `08, Lora Haghighi `08 and Lisa Vogel `09 carry the banner for the College of Education - figuratively and literally.
Each semester, college administrators select a student to carry the College of Education banner ahead of their graduating peers at the start of commencement ceremonies.
Valaer, who received her bachelor's degree in exercise science, served as the college's marshal during the summer 2008 ceremony. She is currently enrolled in graduate school at Elon (N.C.) University, where she hopes to eventually earn a doctorate of physical therapy.
Haghighi, who earned a degree in elementary education, represented the college at the fall 2008 ceremony. A native of Pelham, Ala., Haghighi returned there after graduation to teach fourth grade at Valley Intermediate School.
During her senior year at Auburn, Haghighi received the Patrons of the Keystone-Dean's Circle Annual Scholarship and served as a member of the College of Education's Student Ambassadors. A member of the organization from 2006-08, she served as the group's president during the 2007-08 academic year. As a member of the top five percent of her graduating class, Haghighi was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi.
Vogel, an exercise science major selected as the college's spring 2009 marshal, served on Auburn's Student Alumni Board in 2008. She plans to attend graduate school in the hopes of becoming a physical therapist. Vogel studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, and was involved in a number of campus organizations, including Chi Omega sorority, Campus Crusade for Christ, intramural sports and the Auburn University Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Club.
Another former College of Education student served as the student marshal for Auburn University's Graduate School in fall 2008. Gwendolyn Gray, who earned a doctorate in special education and rehabilitation, led the graduate school's processional.
Last Updated: May 16, 2011
