AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn alumna and Trustee Emerita Sarah Barber Newton will deliver the keynote address to more than 2,300 graduates during the university’s fall commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Neville Arena.

A 1974 Auburn graduate, Newton spent more than four decades of service in education, with leadership experience spanning both K–12 and higher education. Her career began in the classroom and included serving as principal of Fayette Elementary, a Title I school in Fayette, Alabama, where she led efforts to strengthen academic programs, support faculty development and promote student achievement. In addition to improving educational outcomes for underserved students, Newton’s efforts to promote educational opportunities continue to positively impact the schools and communities she served.

Beyond her work in education, Newton has been a driving force in community development throughout West Alabama. In addition to serving as president of the Fayette County Community Development Corporation, Newton was also a member of the Fayette Economic Advisory Board where she advanced transformative initiatives focused on strengthening local infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities and promoting economic growth. Under her leadership, these organizations received grants to fund impactful local projects and built assets to support long-term community programs—efforts that continue to shape the region and her native Fayette County.

“We are honored to have Trustee Emerita Newton as our fall commencement speaker,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “Her decades of service as a teacher, her leadership on Auburn’s Board of Trustees and her lifelong commitment to education will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they prepare to make meaningful contributions in their communities.”

Appointed in 2004 to represent Alabama’s Seventh District, Newton served two consecutive seven-year terms on the Auburn University Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Academic Affairs Committee. In this role, she worked to advance the university’s academic mission, collaborating with its leadership to support academic policies, curriculum development and faculty excellence. Newton’s impact reached far beyond Auburn, as she collaborated with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to advance accreditation and reaccreditation efforts across the region, helping to uphold academic standards and enhance institutional quality.

After serving on the Board of Trustees, Newton translated her lifelong experiences as an educator into a transformative initiative for Auburn students. Collaborating with faculty and administrators, she helped establish Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success, or EAGLES, a nationally recognized postsecondary transition program for students with intellectual disabilities. Now in its seventh year, EAGLES reflects Newton’s enduring commitment to empowering all learners to thrive. In addition to supporting countless students on Auburn’s campus and beyond, the program focuses on personal development, social engagement, independent living and integrated work experiences. To expand its impact, Newton co-founded The EAGLES Foundation, a private nonprofit dedicated to raising scholarship funds for EAGLES students and their families. To date, the foundation has raised more than $2 million in support.

“I have always believed that knowledge is power, and a quality education is the key to the future of our society,” Newton said. “I am excited to be part of Auburn’s commencement ceremonies as we honor their academic achievements and celebrate their remarkable futures.”

In addition to her work with the College of Education, Newton also serves as a consultant in the College of Human Sciences, collaborating with the Department of Human Development and Family Science and the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management to expand educational access through innovative partnerships. A lifetime member of the Auburn Alumni Association, Newton holds two master’s degrees in education administration and leadership from Auburn.

The university's fall ceremonies will be held on December 13, 2025, at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m. in Neville Arena. All graduates and guests must have a ticket to enter. Doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony, and graduates should plan to arrive at the designated time for their college ceremony through the student entrance. All guests planning to attend must adhere to all safety protocols, including a clear bag policy. Auburn's commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the university's website.

For additional information on Auburn’s commencement ceremonies, visit auburn.edu/commencement.

###