This semester's graduating class will be sent off by a speaker who has literally been the voice of the President.
Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will give the commencement address at the ceremony Monday morning.
"I couldn't be happier to give something back by speaking to Auburn's 2011 graduating class, who enter an exciting world at an exciting time," Gibbs said. "To me, Auburn University is the heart of the community I was born and raised in and where I will always call home."
Gibbs is an Auburn native who rolled trees on the White House lawn following Auburn's National Championship victory.
"We put together a list with the SGA of who the students would like to come and give a speech without considering whether they're available or cost, just who in the big picture," said Deedie Dowdle, Executive Director of the Office of Communications and Marketing.
Dowdle said Gibbs was appealing not only because of his work in the Obama administration, but because of his strong ties to Auburn.
"We had the added incentive that he was from Auburn, native of Auburn, went to Auburn High School and both of his parents were long time faculty members," Dowdle said. "He was very excited and said whatever honorarium fee that we provided that he would not charge us, but would donate it back to the University in the form of a scholarship in the name of his parents."
Dowdle said any speaker at graduation should not be judged on his or her political affiliation, but for the content of the speech, intended to provide the graduates an uplifting message.
"I think the University would want to encourage anyone who thinks negatively of a speaker because of their political affiliation needs to remember that this speech is not about politics," she said. "This is about someone who has had a successful career, who is a huge Auburn fan that is giving an inspirational speech."
Regardless, Dowdle said her office had received complaints.
"We have people who complain; we've also had good responses," she said. "But that's been true with every speaker. A couple years ago we had Dick Cheney, and we had a lot of complaints and a lot of people who were happy, but again it is not political."
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