I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

Relationships matter. That’s why Selen Cremaschi is at Auburn.

Nearly 10 years ago, Cremaschi was an associate professor at the University of Tulsa when the opportunity to come to Auburn presented itself. Several years earlier, she was introduced to Mario Eden, dean of engineering — who was an assistant professor in chemical engineering at the time — during an American Institute of Chemical Engineers annual meeting while she was a graduate student at Purdue. She was intrigued by his topic.

“We are in the same field, in terms of our research, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, my, that’s such a unique way of looking at this,’” Cremaschi said. “I remember talking to him afterward, and he was so nice. He has always been one of those people who’s committed to mentoring people and lifting people up.”

Cremaschi and her husband, Lorenzo, decided to make the leap to Auburn, and they’ve never looked back. Cremaschi is now the chair of chemical engineering — a position previously held by Eden — and Lorenzo is the university’s director of undergraduate research.

“I wanted to be part of a department where process systems engineering was one of their pillars, and that was the case at Auburn,” Cremaschi said. “When I thought of Auburn Engineering, Auburn Chemical Engineering, I was very excited with the potential of becoming part of that group and having colleagues who understood the language I speak.

“We talk about the Auburn family all the time, but it is a reality. I see it every day. I see it in the way we interact with each other. I see it in the way we support each other. Our staff, faculty, our students — we are a true family. We care about each other, we celebrate our successes together, and we help each other when we need a lending hand. This place is special,” she added.