Student thrives with Auburn Family’s generosity

Ennis Rhetta Jr. is having an Auburn experience like no other.

The sophomore industrial and systems engineering major and first-generation college student from Birmingham is customizing his Auburn dreams. And the Auburn Family plays a starring role.

Rhetta has received a number of scholarships during his first two years at Auburn, including being selected for the first cohort of Melton Scholars. This unique program — made possible by gifts from the Auburn Family — provides substantial financial support, but it also offers mentoring, networking and training that empower students to thrive academically, socially and personally.

“Every student coming to Auburn wants to know there’s a place for them,” Rhetta said. “And I think that’s really where I’ve seen the Auburn Family step in — creating these opportunities that help us find resources, accommodations and uplifting support. That’s what I’ve found. That’s my Auburn experience.”

Ennis Rhetta, sophomore industrial and systems engineering major

Embracing roots and wings

Engineering has appealed to him since middle school. Rhetta left other extracurriculars behind to pursue programs emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He ultimately discovered the relationship between STEM fields and architecture and construction.

“I’m interested in project management, construction or automotive manufacturing,” he said. “Being involved with STEM programs in middle school and high school helped me learn about connections with construction and manufacturing which helped me see even more options out there for an engineering degree.”

Rhetta’s dad served in the U.S. Army and later went to trade school. His mom helped people with disabilities. His parents laid a strong foundation. He knows where he comes from and where he wants to go. He casually mentions traits like discipline, hard work and resiliency in his approach to thriving at Auburn.

“There’s always that level you have to rise to,” Rhetta said. “You’ve got to step up and do your part because coming here, expectations are different. They require more from you, but that’s what makes you better.”

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The Melton Scholars Program focuses on providing a supportive and enriching environment that empowers students to thrive academically, socially and personally.

Finding the right place

Thanks to a distinctive program in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Rhetta knew how to navigate Auburn even before he stepped foot on campus as a freshman. Being part of the Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence prepared him to thrive at Auburn. The donor-funded program supports more than 200 students each year through academic and professional development, mentorship and peer learning.

“Coming out of high school, I had the opportunity to be part of a summer enrichment course,” he said. “I had the chance to learn Auburn life by living on campus and getting my bearings. It was really great because we were all able to make connections and build community even before the semester began.”

Building community has been a foundational part of Rhetta’s Auburn experience. Involvement with organizations such as the National Society for Black Engineers and University Program Council, as well as working as a resident assistant for Student Housing, have helped him chart his own path on the Plains. But nothing has marked his experience more than being a Melton Scholar.

“This program has given me opportunities that I never thought would be possible,” he said. “I’m learning and growing in so many areas — like professional etiquette and social interaction or just how to be a more well-rounded individual.”

Launched in 2023, the Melton Scholars Program increases access for underrepresented students and supports them throughout their Auburn experience. The initial cohort of 11 Melton Scholars enrolled in the fall of 2023 with nine students receiving $10,000 annually for four years. A second cohort of 10 students was selected in the fall of 2024.

Rhetta and his fellow cohort members traveled to Detroit last fall to tour Henry Ford Health and General Motors and meet with leaders, growing their professional knowledge, experience and network.

He was also paired with a mentor from the Melton Scholars Advisory Board who is a regular presence in his life — inviting Rhetta into his home, challenging him to learn and grow in a variety of areas from cooking to reading outside his academic discipline and more.

“I see him and his wife at least once or twice a month,” he said. “They’re so loving and giving. I enjoy getting to know them and learning about the experiences they’ve had. But what I really love is that they really want to know me.”

Rhetta easily acknowledges the extraordinary opportunity he has as a Melton Scholar and does his best to honor the experience by going “all in” whether in his academics and involvement or in his relationships with peers and his mentor.

“To know the Auburn Family is supporting this initiative and helping to make this happen for us — taking a chance on us — well, it’s hard to put into words how much that means to me,” he said. “But it motivates me to do my very best and to lead and be an example for the second cohort of scholars following in our footsteps.”

Building a future

Wrapping up his sophomore year, Rhetta knows the next few years will fly by. But he’s in no rush. From internships to an international trip with Melton Scholars, there’s a lot of adventure left to be had before he leaves the Plains. And impacting other students is high on his “to-do” list.  

“Coming from where I come from, I know there are other students like me who wonder, ‘where do I fit in?’,” he said. “And they just need to know that someone’s supporting them. That’s what I’ve found, and I think this is the experience Auburn wants every student to have.”