Serving at the intersection of purpose and public good

As a high school student, Sydney Rookes took courses that exposed her to plant and animal science and fueled her interest in solving food insecurity through her work on an urban farm.

When she arrived at Auburn University, however, there was no single academic major that aligned her interests in agriculture, veterinary science, and environmental health. When the College of Veterinary Medicine launched its Public and One Health undergraduate program during her sophomore year, Rookes quickly gravitated toward a major that blended her passions and helped her identify a purpose.

“I instantly knew it was where I was meant to be,” said Rookes, a graduating senior from Milton, Ga. “It combined everything I was passionate about into one degree. It really felt like it was made just for me.”

Years from now, Rookes will be the answer to a trivia question as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s first undergraduate graduation marshal. Rookes will lead 11 Public and One Health program graduates during the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 6 p.m. in Neville Arena.

“The graduating cohort of Public and One Health students boasts some very accomplished individuals,” Rookes said. “I am constantly impressed by their work ethic, creativity, motivation and passion to make a positive impact. I am so excited to graduate alongside them.”

Rookes is certainly accomplished in her own right, having served in Auburn’s Student Government Association (SGA) for four years, including the past two as SGA president for the College of Vet Med. She also served as a shift leader for The Campus Kitchen at Auburn University and as vice president of Universities Fighting World Hunger. In addition, Rookes is a member of Delta Zeta sorority and Pi Lambda Sigma Pre-Law Honor Society.

While Saturday will end Rookes’ Auburn University experience, it will mark a new beginning for her. This fall, she will attend Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law to pursue a juris doctorate and a graduate certificate in health law and policy. That will ultimately position her to address the human health impacts of food insecurity that she saw first-hand while growing food on an urban farm to donate to her local food pantry.

“I hope to work as a lawyer and advocate in the field of public health and food systems law,” she said.

For students considering public health as a potential field of study, Rookes said the Public and One Health major offers flexibility and depth. Think of it as a “choose your own adventure” degree.

“It’s a great standalone degree or the perfect complement to any other field,” she said. “Public health touches medicine, veterinary science, economics, law, environmental health, agriculture and more. The PAOH program prepares students to create transdisciplinary solutions – bringing different fields together to address large-scale health issues.”

Participating in a commencement procession she will help lead represents the culmination of shared purpose.

“These graduates are going to be leaders,” Rookes said. “It’s an honor to stand alongside them and celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.”