Jaclyn Walz almost didn’t attend Auburn, but the senior in Human Resource Management is glad she did.

“Auburn has challenged me in many ways,” said Walz, from Hoover. “Because it is such a large university, I took advantage of the numerous ways to get involved on campus. The Harbert College of Business has been wonderful as well. The faculty cares so much about each student's success.”

Walz, who recently worked as a human resources intern at the Lee County Commission and interned in the same capacity last winter at Greenway Medical Technologies in Carrollton, Ga., will represent the Harbert College as its student marshal during Saturday’s summer graduation ceremony.

Student marshals are selected by an awards committee from each college. They have distinguished themselves by service to their school or college. To be considered, students must have completed a minimum of four semesters at Auburn University with a scholastic average of 3.40 (graduating Cum Laude) or higher and possess qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and promise of professional ability.

Walz is graduating with a 3.51 grade point average.

Harbert College of Business graduates will receive their diplomas in the 2 p.m. graduation at Auburn Arena and will share festivities with graduation candidates from the colleges of Agriculture, Education, Human Sciences, and Nursing.

“Jaclyn is a model Auburn student,” said Norman Godwin, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. “Not only has she performed well in her classes, but she has also tirelessly served the university in numerous ways, including membership in the college’s Executive Society and leadership as head counselor for the university’s summer orientation program.

“For this commitment to excellence both in and out of the classroom, the Harbert College of Business is pleased to select Jaclyn as its summer 2013 graduation marshal.”

Walz, who also holds a minor in Spanish, said she “fell in love with the charm of Auburn” on a campus tour – a tour meant to initially “rule out” the university as a candidate for her postsecondary education.

She praised the staff at the Harbert College of Business’ Office of Professional and Career Development.

“I feel that the College of Business, first and foremost, taught me about professionalism,” she said. “The Office of Professional and Career Development was such a great resource for me and for other students. The OPCD and my professors alike pushed me to network and to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way. Because of this, I have connections that will hopefully help me find a job in the near future.”

One word that defines this senior is “involved.” Walz was and Orientation and Head Orientation Leader at Camp War Eagle in 2011 and 2012, served on the HCOB Executive Society (official host group for the college), worked on an SGA vice-presidential campaign, has been Mortar Board President of the Sphinx Chapter since April 2012, serves of the Auburn University Society for Human Resource Management, and was a member and Property Coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

“Honestly, I just like to be challenged,” Walz said. “I was not very involved my freshman year and I was unhappy because I felt like I did not have a place at Auburn. I made the decision to try out for more organizations and get more involved my sophomore year so that I would be challenged to think out of the box, manage my time, and to try new things. After that, I started to form my identity at Auburn, and I truly felt like I had a place and was making a difference. That is something that I will carry with me wherever I go next.”