AUBURN, Ala. – Continuing its long-standing tradition of inviting prominent alumni and industry leaders to deliver the commencement address, Auburn will proudly welcome five of its distinguished alumni to address more than 5,100 spring graduates during the university’s eight commencement ceremonies, scheduled for May 9 through May 12 in Neville Arena.

This spring’s inspiring speakers include award-winning journalist and producer Eric Ludgood, ’78; founder and CEO of the Tara Wilson Agency, Tara Wilson, ’97; Dr. Tridoyo Kusumastanto, ’94, president commissioner of Bogor Life Science and Technology, the holding company of IPB University; leading veterinarian and pharmacist Dr. Frank G. Vice, ’86; and Dr. Lucinda L. Maine, CEO Emerita of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The graduates will celebrate their achievements alongside alumnus Gen. (Ret.) Ronald Burgess, ’74, who will be presented with an honorary degree.

“The depth of knowledge and experiences of our speakers showcases their remarkable achievements and professional impact across many different industries,” Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts said. “From media and marketing to policymaking, healthcare and academia, I am confident that these changemakers will inspire our graduates to pursue their own paths of service and leadership as alumni.”

During the weekend’s ceremonies, more than 4,200 undergraduate students will receive their bachelor’s degrees, alongside 140 doctoral and 760 master’s and specialist’s degrees. The celebrations will culminate in professional school ceremonies for 130 graduates of the Harrison College of Pharmacy and 119 graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Together, these graduates will join an impressive alumni network of over 330,000.

Meet the commencement speakers who will address Auburn’s graduates during the university’s spring ceremonies:

Dr. Tridoyo Kusumastanto, ’94

Dr. Tridoyo Kusumastanto, a distinguished scholar and renowned expert in ocean economics and policy development, serves as a professor of ocean economics and policy in the Faculty of Economics and Management at IPB University. He is also the president commissioner of Bogor Life Science and Technology, the holding company of IPB University, Indonesia's largest state-run agriculture, ocean and biosciences university. According to QS WUR 2025 by subject Agriculture and Forestry, IPB University ranked top #50 in the world, #10 in Asia and #1 in South East Asia. Dr. Kusumastanto earned his doctorate in applied economics from Auburn's College of Agriculture in 1994.

A member of the Indonesia Ocean Council and chairman of various national ocean policies, including the Indonesia National Ocean Policy, Indonesia Ocean Act and National Blue Economy Policy, Kusumastanto is a leading authority on sustainable coastal and ocean management and international port management. His international experiences include serving as a regional expert on resource and environmental economics for the South China Sea Project, UNEP in Bangkok, Thailand.

“I am honored to be selected as one of Auburn’s Spring graduation speakers,” Kusumastanto said. “As a proud Auburn graduate, I know that our students’ hard work and talent combined with their integrity, creativity and character will undoubtedly shape their future success.”

Kusumastanto is also the founder of the graduate program in tropical ocean economics and the MBA program in port, shipping, and logistics management at IPB University's Business School, where he has also held several academic and administrative positions, including director of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies, chairman of the University Academic Senate and president of the Indonesia Council of State University Academic Senate. Additionally, he served as President of the Board of Trustees at IPB University and President of the Indonesia Forum of State University Board of Trustees. In addition to Auburn, Kusumastanto also completed an Executive Education Program in Innovation for Economic Development at Harvard University.

Kusumastanto will deliver remarks during the Graduate School ceremony at 5 p.m. on May 9 and the combined ceremony for the Colleges of Agriculture, Education and Sciences and Mathematics at 8 a.m. on May 10.

Tara Wilson, ’97

As founder and CEO of the award-winning Tara Wilson Agency, Wilson is a prominent business leader known for developing innovative marketing and branding strategies through imaginative, immersive and transformative consumer experiences, particularly across the sportswear and beauty industries. She is a 1997 Harbert College of Business alumna.

Since its inception in 2015, the agency has worked with corporations such as Nike, Samsung, Lou & Grey and ESPN to redefine brand engagement. Wilson’s agency was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, and it will be featured again in the fall of 2025, marking its third appearance on the list.

A celebrated entrepreneur known for her business acumen, including brand strategy and corporate event management, Wilson was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Harbert College of Business in 2018. The following year, she launched Fierce Lab, a podcast and conference series for women focused on career development, risk-taking, mental health and financial empowerment. Wilson successfully led the development and launch of the Fierce Lab app in December 2021, providing women with on-demand content designed to help them achieve their greatest potential.

Additionally, Wilson is a highly sought-after industry expert and has been featured on numerous national and local media outlets, including NBC’s The Today Show, Entrepreneur.com, Event Marketer, BizBash and Fox Business.

“It is an honor to be a Spring 2025 commencement speaker at my alma mater, Auburn University,” Wilson said. “I believe deeply in the importance of guiding the next generation, as others have guided me. My goal is to leave the graduates with a message that carries the tone of opportunity and optimism, backed by practical examples of fortitude, perseverance and bit of luck.”

Wilson will deliver remarks during the combined ceremony for the Colleges of Architecture, Design and Construction, Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Human Sciences and Nursing at 1 p.m. on May 10, and at the Harbert College of Business Ceremony at 6 p.m.

Eric Ludgood, ’78

A 1978 graduate of Auburn’s School of Communication and Journalism, award-winning journalist, editor and producer Eric Ludgood will deliver remarks during the ceremonies for the College of Liberal Arts and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering on May 11 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Ludgood most recently served as the head of Scripps News, a 24/7 news network broadcast to more than 95 percent of the U.S. and distributed on major streaming platforms. Prior to his role at Scripps, Ludgood was a producer and planning manager at numerous television stations in the metro Atlanta market, including serving as the assistant news director for Fox 5 Atlanta, WAGA-TV. In this role, he led content development and production for more than 60 hours of news programming each week. Additionally, he served as the executive producer for the station’s investigative team, whose reporting earned numerous accolades, including the Peabody Award for its examination of law enforcement’s use of field drug tests.

As news director for WGCL-TV-CBS Atlanta, Ludgood spearheaded the new station’s programming expansion and revamped its digital infrastructure. Ludgood oversaw an investigative team whose reports resulted in numerous changes for Atlanta residents, including modifications in the city’s fire department’s rules for distributing smoke alarms in low-income communities. The team received numerous Emmy and Associated Press awards for this work.

Ludgood served in various leadership roles during his more than 13 years at CNN International, including vice president for editorial, where he set production and writing standards for the network and managed the hiring and training of editorial staff. He played a pivotal role in the newsroom’s coverage of major stories, including the election of Nelson Mandela, the Sept. 11 attacks and the ensuing war in Afghanistan. Under Ludgood’s leadership, CNN’s World Report unit expanded story contributions from more than 100 contributing broadcasters around the world.

“It is quite humbling to take on the task of speaking to this class of graduates,” Ludgood said. “It's an honor but I also see it as a responsibility to give them encouragement to succeed in the next chapter of their lives.”

Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph., ’80

Lucinda L. Maine was named CEO Emerita of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in July 2023, following a distinguished 20-year tenure as the organization’s executive vice president and CEO. She also served as senior vice president for policy, planning and communications with the American Pharmacists Association.

A 1980 Auburn pharmacy graduate, Maine earned a doctorate from the University of Minnesota where she served on the faculty, practicing in the field of geriatrics, eventually becoming an associate dean at the Samford University School of Pharmacy. Despite her distinguished career and numerous personal and professional achievements and accolades in pharmacy and pharmacy education, Maine attributes much of her success to her Auburn experience.

“Every good thing that I have experienced in life I attribute to my Auburn pharmacy education,” Maine added.

Maine has been honored with several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership Mentor Award and the Remington Honor Medal from the American Pharmacists Association. In 2022, the American Association of Medical Colleges presented her with a Special Recognition Award for her leadership in interprofessional education. Additionally, she received the University of Minnesota Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1998 and the 2024 Weaver Medal from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota.

Maine will address the graduates from the Harrison College of Pharmacy on May 12 at 1 p.m.

Dr. Frank G. Vice, DVM (’86), RPh

Dr. Frank G. Vice is a distinguished professional in both veterinary and human pharmacy. He is a partner at the Fleming County Animal Hospital in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, where he practices large animal medicine. Additionally, he is a staff pharmacist at Lewis County Health Care Primary Plus.

Vice is an active member of local, state and national veterinary associations. He serves as a board member for the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and represents Kentucky as a delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is frequently invited to speak at various local, state and national organizations, where he shares his insights on the pharmaceutical impact in veterinary medicine.

Vice will deliver remarks at the College of Veterinary Medicine ceremony on May 12 at 6 p.m.

Additional information is available on the commencement website, including a live stream link for those unable to attend. The commencement Facebook and Instagram accounts also will live stream the commencement ceremonies.

###