Auburn University

The document details the Auburn University Spring 2019 Graduation Ceremony, which also served as a commencement event. Key segments included the presentation of colors and the singing of the national anthem led by a graduating student. Speeches were delivered highlighting the significance of the commencement as the closing of one chapter and the launch of a new one for graduates. The event recognized the platform party, faculty members, and the families and friends supporting the graduates. Specific mention was made of the 4,474 degrees to be awarded in the spring, bringing the total degrees awarded since 1856 to 329,841. An inspirational address was given by Paul Jacobson, an Auburn alumnus and Delta's Executive Vice President and CFO. The ceremony also recognized graduates achieving academic honors (Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude), Honors College distinctions, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa inductees, and commissioned military service members. The culmination involved the formal conferral of Doctoral of Philosophy degrees and the presentation of doctoral hoods.

The document details the Auburn University Spring 2025 Commencement ceremony specifically for the Harrison College of Pharmacy graduates. Key events included the introduction of platform party members, remarks by University President Dr. Christopher B. Roberts emphasizing the graduates' responsibilities as pharmacists and ambassadors, and a keynote address by Dr. Lucinda Maine. Dr. Maine's speech focused on 'making change' through innovation, evidence-based advocacy, and adherence to core values like hard work and honesty, referencing significant advancements in pharmacy practice, such as the pharmacist role in the COVID-19 vaccine administration. The ceremony concluded with the introduction of the student marshall and the presentation of candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

The event was the Summer 2025 Commencement for the Graduate School. The proceedings began with an invocation, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Charles Allen Howton. The President of Auburn University, Dr. Christopher B. Roberts, welcomed attendees and introduced members of the platform party, including representatives from the Board of Trustees, Provost, various Deans, and commencement officials. Dr. Neil Lamb, a 1992 alumnus, delivered the commencement address focusing on the importance of gratitude, finding common ground, and kindness for the graduating class. The Provost, Dr. Vinnie Nathan, recognized active duty and veteran military service members and graduates being commissioned.

The committee meetings addressed numerous project approvals, including final approvals for the East Thach Residence Hall ($100 million), Central Dining (The Edge) Build-Out ($3.0 million), Quad Residence Halls Renovation Phase III ($28.5 million), Solon Dixon Dorm Replacement ($5.7 million), and Woltosz Football Performance Center Kitchen Renovation ($1.5 million). Architect selections were approved for the Auburn University at Montgomery Locker Room, and project initiation and architect selection were approved for the Bee Lab -- New Building. Project initiation was also approved for the Haley Center Comprehensive Evaluation. Authority to execute was approved for the Beef Cattle Evaluation Center Barn Replacement, and a lease extension for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was approved. The Academic Affairs Committee proposed the restructuring and renaming of Agriscience Education Courses in the College of Education. The Audit & Compliance Committee approved revisions to the Office of Audit, Compliance & Privacy Departmental Charter. The Executive Committee approved revisions to Board of Trustees Policy D-3: Capital Project Approval Policy, which increased the cost threshold to $5,000,000, and approved revisions to Board of Trustees Policy C-7: Policy on Research Misconduct to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

The Board of Trustees meeting covered numerous agenda items, primarily focusing on final approvals for several capital projects under the Property and Facilities Committee. Key project approvals included the final approval for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Outlying Units Support Buildings project, estimated at $6.0 million, and the final approval for the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center -- Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory renovation, estimated at $14.5 million. Architect selection was approved for the Haley Center Comprehensive Evaluation. The Board also addressed real estate actions, including authority to sublease property at the Applied Research Laboratory in Huntsville, authority to advertise property for lease on Wire Road, authority to execute an extension of the Milstead Lease at the E.V. Smith Research Center, authority to execute a new AT&T Cell Tower Site License Agreement in Auburn, and authority to purchase land on Cox Road for the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) expansion. Additionally, discussions were scheduled for a proposed Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, review of the Audited Financial Report, posthumous awarding of a degree, proposed 2026-2027 meeting dates, proposed awards and namings, and the proposed adoption of a new Governance and Authority Policy.