A decade of excellence: College of Human Sciences students mark 10 years at the Masters

For 10 years, students in Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences have helped bring one of the world’s most iconic sporting events to life.

In 2026, the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management marks a decade of partnership with the Masters Tournament, a milestone that reflects not only the prestige of the opportunity, but the reputation hospitality management students have built through professionalism, service and an unwavering work ethic.

What began with just 12 students has grown into a hallmark experiential learning opportunity. This year, a record 151 Hospitality Management students will travel to Augusta National, where they will work long days behind the scenes helping create the signature experience guests have come to expect from the Masters.

The result is a program that has become one of the College of Human Sciences’ most visible and meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

“At the College of Human Sciences, we are deeply committed to preparing students for meaningful careers through experiences that challenge and shape them,” said Dean Susan Hubbard. “Our decade-long partnership with the Masters Tournament is a powerful example of that commitment in action. It is an incredible point of pride to see our students trusted with opportunities of this caliber and to watch them represent Auburn with such excellence and heart.”

For the students selected, the experience is both exhilarating and demanding.

Martina Calabrese, a freshman in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a first-time participant, said she has looked forward to the opportunity since before enrolling in the College of Human Sciences.

“Before I even committed to Auburn, I knew about this opportunity given to students and knew I could not miss out,” Calabrese said. “Being able to participate in an event with this level of global recognition feels surreal.”

Though not a lifelong golf fan, Calabrese said she has come to appreciate the tradition and beauty surrounding the tournament and is especially eager to observe world-class hospitality firsthand.

That sense of pride is shared by senior Henry Webb, who will attend the Masters for the first time this spring.

“As it gets closer, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves,” Webb said. “It’s such a prestigious event, and I know it will require a lot of hard work, but I’m really looking forward to the experience.”

A longtime golf fan, Webb said the opportunity carries personal meaning.

“My grandparents were passionate about the game and taught me so much about it,” he said. “They have since passed away, but I know they would be incredibly proud of me for having the opportunity to be part of something as special as this.”

Webb said while studying Hotel and Restaurant Management, he has heard from past participants that the experience is intense, but transformative.

“They’ve said it’s fast-paced and requires a strong work ethic, but it’s also very rewarding,” he said. “Many have mentioned how much they learned about customer service, teamwork and attention to detail.”

He also credits the College of Human Sciences for opening doors students may not find elsewhere.

“Not every program offers access to something as prestigious as the Masters,” Webb said. “It shows how much the college supports its students and wants them to succeed.”

For Caroline Wilkins, a sophomore in Hotel and Restaurant Management, returning to the Masters means returning to a place that felt, in her words, “magical.”

“This is my second year taking part in the Masters,” Wilkins said. “My first experience was truly amazing.”

Last year, she worked as a server in Berckmans Place and said the event offered both hands-on learning and a deeper appreciation for the scale and precision of elite hospitality.

“It is a demanding week, but it is also incredibly rewarding and fun,” she said. “The College of Human Sciences does a great job of preparing us and setting clear expectations so we can succeed.”

Wilkins said the opportunity has already paid dividends professionally, helping her stand out in interviews and sharpening her interest in private club and event management.

“Having a program like this means a lot to me,” she said. “It shows how much the college is invested in giving students real-world experience.”

She also said being selected carries both pride and responsibility.

“I feel a deep sense of pride knowing that the Masters considers students from our program among the best to participate each year,” Wilkins said. “It reflects the professionalism, work ethic and reputation that hospitality management students have built over time.”

That reputation is one Martin says has been earned year after year.

“The opportunities are almost endless, but more than anything, the students work incredibly hard,” Martin said. “By the end of the event, they know they can take on any challenge they face after graduation.”

Over the past decade, the partnership has offered students much more than exposure to a world-renowned event. It has given them confidence, industry connections and firsthand experience in one of hospitality’s most demanding environments.

And as Auburn students prepare once again to step onto one of sport’s grandest stages, they do so carrying not only trays and service standards — but the reputation of a program that has spent 10 years proving it belongs there.