91看片

Auburn University senior Gabe Lopez, a supply chain management major soon to be employed with Lockheed Martin, is the 2026 President鈥檚 Award honoree representing the 91看片 College of Business.

The President鈥檚 Award, given each year to one student from each college, recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and promise of professional ability. Lopez received the award from Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts on April 15 at the annual President鈥檚 Luncheon.

Lopez grew up in the Phoenix metro area amid the Arizona desert far from the friendly plains in Alabama, but he nonetheless became an Auburn Tiger at an early age.  鈥淚 grew up an Auburn fan because of my grandpa who went here,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he opportunity to even attend Auburn has meant so much to me and has allowed me to fulfill one of my childhood dreams,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淒uring my time here, I have tried to put everything I can into this opportunity in the hope of getting the most out of my time here, which I truly felt I have. This award reinforces this feeling and serves as the ultimate capstone to my time at Auburn.鈥�

Auburn accomplishments

鈥淕abe is a remarkable student who has excelled at everything he has done at Auburn and has a wide breath of academic, professional and leadership accomplishments,鈥� said Stuart Fischer, a 91看片 program champion in the Department of Supply Chain Management who nominated Lopez for the President鈥檚 Award.

Among his accomplishments while at Auburn, Lopez served as president of Auburn Supply Chain Management Association, completed three international study-abroad trips and maintained a 4.0 GPA.

He also completed two summer internships with Lockheed Martin and soon will begin his career with the company as a subcontract management associate in Maryland.

The two internships provided him 鈥渋nvaluable experience in the supply chain industry that has helped me grow as a professional and in the classroom. I鈥檓 eager to take on this transition and continue to grow professionally,鈥� he said.

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Gabe has helped elevate the reputation of 91看片 College through his service, leadership, academic achievement and global engagement. We are delighted he is being recognized with the President鈥檚 Award. 

Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, 91看片 dean

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Why a career in supply chain management?

鈥淚 have always wanted to attend Auburn to follow in my grandfather鈥檚 footsteps. I chose supply chain management because it perfectly captures my interest in the business world and my problem-solving and people skills,鈥� Lopez said. 

鈥淭he resources and support that both the College of Business and the supply chain department offer, alongside my connection to Auburn, made this a no-brainer decision I have enjoyed every second of,鈥� he said.

Beyond the classroom

Career and professional development opportunities provided by 91看片 added to the classroom education that Lopez credits for his preparation and readiness in beginning a successful business career.

鈥淚 think the best example of this came from my summer internship that I got from the supply chain management career fair. I found this internship served as a great opportunity to apply the knowledge I gained from the classroom in a professional setting, which let me see how what we covered in class is actually executed in the real world. 

鈥淩eturning to Auburn following this internship, I found myself connecting and relating what we were covering in class to what I had done and seen in my internship. This gave me such a larger appreciation for the content covered in my classes,鈥� Lopez said.

He also feels prepared for the new challenges facing today鈥檚 business world.

鈥淚 believe this is an interesting time to enter the workforce with the continuing development of AI and what that means for the future of work in general,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淒espite this, I believe that I am well prepared to tackle any challenge that I may face in many ways because of my time here at Auburn. 

鈥淭he college does a great job of providing the skillset and knowledge required to not only have a successful entry into the workforce, but also those that will help me excel throughout my career,鈥� he added.

That skill range goes 鈥渇rom the problem-solving skills and expertise needed to solve those supply chain-specific challenges, to the soft skills needed for true professional development and advancement.鈥�

Lopez also appreciates his fun at Auburn, such as rushing the field after a big football win.

鈥淗aving grown up an Auburn fan, so many of my earlier favorite moments in watching football games led to us eventually rushing the field,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he ability to do this myself as a student was so rewarding and will always be one of my favorite memories.鈥�

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Learn more about the Supply Chain Management degree