AUBURN, Ala. — Distinguished alumnus, decorated Army veteran and nonprofit leader Dr. Gordon Sumner will return to Auburn University as the featured speaker for the university's summer commencement ceremonies on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

A retired colonel and nationally recognized leader in military service, veteran advocacy and organizational leadership, Sumner has built a career focused on supporting service members, strengthening military communities and advancing public initiatives nationwide. As president and CEO of the nonprofit Veterans Moving Forward, Sumner has expanded the organization's national impact by expanding its outreach and volunteer engagement and significantly increasing the number of service and emotional support dogs provided to veterans at no cost.

“Dr. Sumner's distinguished career in military service, leadership and advocacy reflects the values of integrity, service and resilience that we strive to instill in our graduates,” Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts said. “His lifelong commitment to supporting others and leading with purpose will provide an inspiring message for our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”

In addition to his advocacy for veterans and military families, Sumner has built a distinguished consulting career focused on strengthening nonprofit organizations. He is the founder of Gordon Sumner Consulting, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and American Indian Small Business, where he advises nonprofit organizations, associations and defense-sector clients on governance, strategic planning, fundraising and organizational effectiveness. A member of the Santee Tribe, Sumner leads a firm that supports a wide range of veteran-serving nonprofit organizations. His consulting work includes leadership and organizational support for numerous organizations, including the Association of Air Medical Services and the MedEvac Foundation International, as well as federal clients including the U.S. Department of Defense.

A decorated combat veteran with 28 years of service in the U.S. Army, Sumner served globally in numerous infantry and aviation command roles. Following his retirement, he was appointed National Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. As a presidential appointee and member of the Senior Executive Service, he also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, providing executive leadership for one of the Department of Defense's largest volunteer organizations, representing more than 5,000 personnel nationwide. He later served as Division Chief for Army Training at the Pentagon, overseeing global military training initiatives and a $3.2 billion budget supporting the professional development of Army personnel worldwide.

Throughout his career, Sumner has remained actively engaged in service to veterans through leadership roles with organizations such as the American Legion, the Association of the U.S. Army and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where he has supported programs addressing issues such as food insecurity, educational needs, and care for wounded service members and their families. Drawing on a lifetime of service, Sumner's career reflects many of the values embodied in the Auburn Creed, key principles he hopes to impart on this semester’s graduates.

“I am honored and humbled at the invitation to return to Auburn serve as the summer commencement speaker,” Sumner said. “The values embodied in the Auburn Creed have remained with me throughout my life and career, and I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of Auburn’s newest graduates and welcoming them into the Auburn Alumni Family. War Eagle!”

Sumner earned a Master of Business Administration from the Harbert College of Business in 2006, where he currently serves on the Dean's Graduate School Advisory Council. His military and public service honors include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service and numerous additional U.S. and international awards recognizing his leadership and service.

Sumner will deliver the commencement address during the university’s bachelor's ceremony at 10 a.m. CST and the Graduate School ceremony at 3 p.m. CST. Tickets are required for all ceremonies and must be reserved by graduates in advance. For additional information, including ticketing details and livestream links, visit the commencement website or follow Auburn University's commencement Facebook and Instagram channels.

For questions, email commencement@auburn.edu.

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