From pets to people, this Auburn student took an unconventional path to medicine

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When Logan Crouch arrived at Auburn University as a freshman, he knew two things for sure: he loved agriculture, and he wanted to help people. What he didn’t know yet was exactly how those two passions would come together—or that his path through the College of Agriculture would eventually lead him to medical school.

Now, as he prepares for graduation and the start of his healthcare journey, we sat down with Logan to learn more about why he decided to pursue medical school and how agriculture influenced him along the way.

Rooted in agriculture from the start

Logan grew up in Hartselle, Alabama, surrounded by agriculture from an early age. His father was a veterinarian, an Auburn graduate and the reason Logan says he grew up an Auburn fan.

Growing up on a farm made Animal Sciences feel like the obvious choice, even if the end goal wasn’t totally clear yet. For Logan, Auburn Agriculture offered something important: flexibility.

“I knew Auburn was where I wanted to go. As for picking a major, that was a little trickier. I knew I either wanted to be a doctor or a veterinarian—and agriculture was already such a big part of my life.

I thought, ‘I’m just going to go into Animal Sciences, and if I end up choosing another path along the way, I’ll find a way to make it work.’ Luckily, agriculture gave me plenty of room to figure out what I really wanted.”

Logan Crouch, Senior, Animal Sciences

As Logan began leaning toward medical school, that support never wavered.

“They knew I wasn’t as inclined to follow a traditional agriculture career, and they never changed their perspective on me. They always asked how my med school prep was going, and I always had constant support from my professors and advisors.”

Logan Crouch, Senior, Animal Sciences

Faculty and staff helped Logan find the middle ground between agriculture and medicine—connecting coursework, mentorship and encouragement in a way that made both passions possible.

Why agriculture prepares you for any career

To make the final decision between veterinary medicine and human medicine, Logan did what he now encourages other students to do: he got out there and experienced both.

He spent hours shadowing veterinarians and doctors, but one moment stood out above the rest.

“I’ll never forget walking through the halls of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and just being amazed at what those doctors were doing. I knew that was what I wanted. That experience really helped me make the decision.”

Logan Crouch, Senior, Animal Sciences

Animal Science, Logan says, prepared him in ways people might not expect.

“Before you can work with animals, you first learn how to work with people. That’s what I’ll carry with me as a doctor—that early experience in learning to communicate and work with others.”

Logan Crouch, Senior, Animal Sciences

Advice for future Auburn students

And his advice for students who might be torn between multiple passions?

“If you have a passion for agriculture, absolutely pursue it. It’s more than okay to have two passions. Agriculture transfers into everything, so the skills you learn will never be wasted.”

Logan Crouch, Senior, Animal Sciences

For Logan, agriculture wasn’t a detour—it was the foundation. And his journey proves that within the College of Agriculture, the possibilities stretch far beyond the expected.

Check out our video to hear Logan speak more about his career path with Auburn Agriculture:

For students ready to make an impact, Auburn College of Agriculture offers the tools, mentors and opportunities to make it happen.

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