Dear Colleagues,
It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a few weeks since we celebrated the graduation of more than 5,300 students—sending them off to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world. I’m deeply grateful to each of you for your dedication in guiding our graduates to this milestone and to everyone who contributed to the success of our eight commencement ceremonies, each requiring exceptional planning and coordination.
Our attention now turns to the future and to the newest members of our Auburn Family. We hosted our first session of Camp War Eagle this week for our incoming first-year and transfer students. During our 12 orientation sessions this summer, we will host some 6,000 freshmen and their families, along with over 1,000 transfer students this fall. These early interactions—from course registration and campus exploration to building peer connections—are pivotal in shaping a strong sense of belonging and setting the stage for a successful Auburn experience.
At the same time, we’re closely monitoring the policy landscape that will influence how we support our students in the months ahead. May not only marked the end of the spring semester but also the close of Alabama’s legislative session. We are encouraged by the state’s continued investment in education at all levels, which is reflected in the FY 2026 Education Trust Fund budget. While this support is promising, we remain alert and cautious as federal policy shifts could impact funding for key programs. These changes bring both uncertainty and opportunity, and our Office of Governmental Affairs continues advocating for policies that protect and advance our mission.
In this context, my office hosted the first of two Deans’ Retreats earlier this month—a valuable opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and planning. During our meeting, our academic leaders engaged in thoughtful dialogue around institutional effectiveness and student enrollment, which are two pillars of our continued success.
An additional focus this month has been the search for the next Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station. We’ve welcomed two finalist candidates as part of the process, and our final open forum for our third finalist will take place early next week. I encourage faculty to attend and review the candidate presentations and share your feedback.
I extend a shout-out to several of our faculty, including two colleagues from the Harbert College of Business, who were recently recognized for their outstanding work. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kerry Inger, Harbert College Advisory Council Professor, who is a recipient of the 2025 AAA/J. Michael and Mary Anne Cook/Deloitte Foundation Prize—one of the most prestigious honors in accounting education. Additionally, Dr. Glenn Richey, Harbert Eminent Scholar in Supply Chain Management, shared expert insights on global logistics and the U.S.-China tariff landscape in a recent MSNBC appearance.
I’m also proud to share that Auburn students have been named finalists in the SEC Start Up: A Student-Athlete Pitch Competition for the second year in a row, highlighting their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Juniors Liam Heary and Harrison Ranier, members of the 2024–2025 Swim and Dive Team, were selected as one of five finalist teams for their startup business focused on building cultural connections through food. They will present their pitch, Planet of Snacks, at the competition finals on June 18th in Birmingham, with the event airing on the SEC Network in July.
As we transition into the summer months, I hope you find time in the coming weeks for some well-deserved downtime. As always, thank you for all you do for Auburn University. |
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