President Roberts, members of the administration, graduates, and guests, it is with pride and gratitude that I join you today. As an Auburn alum, and a diehard Auburn fan, I am deeply honored to share some words of wisdom with all of you as you step from this remarkable institution and embark on the next chapter of your lives.

When I received the call from Provost Nathan inviting me to deliver the commencement address, I have to admit, I looked at my assistant and wondered if they had perhaps called the wrong person.

But upon confirmation, I felt both humbled and flattered. So, thank you for allowing me a few moments on your special day—a day filled with pride, accomplishment, and boundless gratitude.

As a parent, I understand the significance of this moment—for the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone here with you, as well as those who couldn't be present. I echo President Roberts by offering heartfelt congratulations to the real champions of today—the families who supported you every step of the way.

To this exceptional group of graduates: You are here because you made a commitment—to yourselves, your loved ones, and this university.

Auburn, one of the greatest institutions of higher learning, has been your home—a place where you immersed yourselves in knowledge, built lifelong friendships, and discovered your passions.

Each step you take across this stage today represents years of triumphs, setbacks, and unexpected detours. These experiences are not mere memories; they are the stepping stones that have shaped you into the individuals I see sitting here today.

As you go forward, some of you will wake up tomorrow with a clear path ahead and know exactly what you want to do. Others of you may wake up and choose to let life lead you where it may. And I suspect a few of you won't go to bed tonight.

As President Roberts mentioned, I hail from Birmingham—a city where community ties and servant leadership are woven into the fabric of daily life. My upbringing was shaped by these values, instilled by my family—one with a unique connection to Auburn.

My father, an Auburn graduate, possessed a remarkable quality: patience. Little did I realize the true extent of his patience until I grew older. You see, I was a supporter of the rival school across the state. My affinity for their colors—colors that were decidedly not orange and blue—was shown by a jacket I wore often.

However, life had a way of surprising me. At 16, my father presented me with an opportunity—to drive him and his buddies from Birmingham to Auburn for football games. Freshly licensed and eager for any chance to get behind the wheel, I took the role of chauffeur, adding it to my growing list of skills and talents.

Those road trips—back and forth to Auburn—revealed a different side of my dad. But more importantly, they allowed me to view life through the lens these men shared— their Auburn experience.

As we traveled, they told tales, talked sports, and delved into their lives and careers. Little did I realize at the time that I was being immersed into a new family—-- the Auburn Family.

While game days included tailgating and the thrill of Auburn football, it was those road trips that left a mark on me. Life lessons flowed freely, and I listened, absorbing wisdom and gaining camaraderie from their life travels.

Before long, I applied to Auburn and was accepted, ready to embark on my own Auburn journey, studying what was then called Industrial Management.

As for that jacket? Its fate remains a mystery.

Much like yours, my time on the Plains was filled with its own successes and challenges.

My transition to Auburn was a fun one. Back in the day, Auburn didn't have dorms for male students. So, I lived off-campus with some friends—in a house where good times were a mainstay and going to class was sometimes optional.

But after one quarter, my parents sat me down for "the talk." The message was clear: If partying trumped attending classes, they'd find that jacket——and send me packing.

I took their words to heart. I buckled down, studied hard, and made good grades in most of my classes—- except for typing. I am confident each of you can recall the many late nights hunched over laptops, surrounded by textbooks, wrestling with complex ideas, and wondering how you would make it to the end of the semester.

That's in addition to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with college — the homesickness of that first year, the anticipation of that final grade being posted, or questioning your connection to this place and one another.

All of you know the stress that has come with academic pressures and the weight of expectations as you have walked what often felt like the thinnest of lines between perfection and burnout, only to realize later that your success isn't measured by your grades but rather the journey—the growth and resilience—that truly defines you.

My hope is that you realize that your successes far outweigh the challenges and that, in the end, every sacrifice was worth the feeling of sitting here today.

Auburn isn’t just about academics but instead about becoming well-rounded.

Auburn taught me that life isn't necessarily a linear path but rather a road filled with well-rounding experiences.

By senior year, I faced a choice: my own graduation or a new chapter. I chose love. I skipped my Auburn graduation to marry my wife Heather—a decision that set the course for our next 44 years and three children together.

So, today is actually the first college graduation ceremony I’ve attended where I get to wear my own cap and gown. Auburn instilled in me much more than knowledge -- it taught me the art of questioning and the power of inquiry.

And now, each of you stands at the threshold of your own journey. The world awaits your fresh perspectives, your bold ideas and your curiosity. Armed with an Auburn education, you now possess the ability to shape the future. Accept it with courage.

As I prepared for today, I thought what advice I would have appreciated if I were in your shoes. I believe in three timeless principles:

Over the years, I've filled more than 40 journals, and they remind me of a life lived with purpose. Occasionally, I take a moment to read through some of them and reflect on some of my best and worst life moments. It makes me grateful for the blessed life I have lived and gives me an even greater appreciation for my greatest accomplishment – my beautiful family. And, of course, being your commencement speaker.

So, graduates, as you step into the unknown, armed with an Auburn degree and your own sense of fearlessness, remember these principles. They are not mere words; they are your final lesson from Auburn and one that will guide you on your path.

I wish you all the best in your pursuits and look forward to the great things each of you will do!

War Eagle!