AUBURN, Ala. — As Auburn University prepares to honor its Summer 2025 graduates on August 9, the campus community is set to welcome back one of its own. Dr. Neil Lamb, president of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and a nationally recognized leader in genomics and science education, will deliver the keynote address during the university’s three commencement ceremonies at Neville Arena, scheduled for 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

From classrooms to communities, Auburn’s newest graduates are prepared to lead, innovate and serve across Alabama and beyond. Marking another milestone in Auburn’s legacy of academic excellence and public impact, the university will confer nearly 1,300 degrees, including 778 bachelor’s degrees and 513 graduate degrees. With each graduating class, the university strengthens its role in fueling the state’s workforce and advancing economic growth, and the graduates join a growing network of more than 336,000 Auburn alumni who are making a difference.

The morning ceremony will recognize undergraduate candidates from the Colleges of Agriculture; Forestry, Wildlife and Environment; Human Sciences; Liberal Arts; and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. At 1 p.m., the Graduate School ceremony will honor master’s and doctoral graduates from across all academic disciplines. The day will conclude with a 6 p.m. ceremony for undergraduates from the Colleges of Architecture, Design and Construction; Education; Nursing; Sciences and Mathematics; and the Harbert College of Business.

As commencement day approaches, the numbers reflect the remarkable scope and diversity of Auburn’s summer graduates. The Harbert College of Business leads with the largest group of undergraduate degree recipients at 175, while the summer's graduates represent 39 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 40 countries, including China, India and Brazil—underscoring Auburn’s broad reach and appeal. Reflecting the power of lifelong learning, the class includes a 70-year-old master’s degree graduate and a 20-year-old receiving a Bachelor of Science, showcasing the wide range of experiences and journeys represented in this summer’s graduating class.

Dr. Neil Lamb

A recognized leader in genomics and science education, Lamb is a 1992 Auburn graduate in molecular biology whose return to campus marks a meaningful full-circle moment. With a career dedicated to advancing science, education and public engagement, Lamb brings decades of experience to the commencement stage.

As president of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology—a globally recognized nonprofit research institute based in Huntsville, Alabama—Lamb leads a team of more than 220 professionals working at the intersection of scientific discovery, education and economic development. Under his leadership, HudsonAlpha has helped shape national conversations around genomic literacy and the role of biotechnology in improving lives.

Before becoming president in 2022, Lamb served for 16 years as HudsonAlpha’s vice president for educational outreach, where he built one of the nation’s most impactful science education programs. His efforts have reached more than one million students, educators, and lifelong learners annually through classroom experiences, digital tools, and public engagement initiatives.

Lamb earned his Ph.D. in genetics and molecular biology from Emory University, where he later joined the faculty and directed educational initiatives and the Center for Medical Genomics. His early research focused on trisomy 21, the genetic basis of Down syndrome.

“With Dr. Lamb’s inspiring message to our graduates and the day of celebration planned, Auburn’s summer ceremonies promise to be a meaningful sendoff for the next generation of Auburn leaders,” Provost Vini Nathan said.

Tickets are required for entry into Neville Arena, and all graduates and guests must use the main entrances; the Scholarship Entrance is reserved for those with accessibility needs. A comprehensive list of prohibited items and parking details is available online. Guests without tickets can watch the ceremonies via live stream on the commencement website.

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