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A spirit that is not afraid

3,653 degrees to be awarded at spring 2017 graduation

Leah Rawls Atkins, three-time graduate of Auburn; former Athletics Director David Housel; and Mark Winne, an award-winning journalist, will be speaking at Auburn's spring graduation ceremonies.

The five main ceremonies will be held May 6-8 in the Auburn Arena. 

The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and University College will have a ceremony at 10 a.m. on Sat. May 6. 

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Studies will hold their ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday as well.

The College of Education, Human Sciences and School of Nursing will have their ceremonies on Sun. May 7 at 1 p.m. and at 5 p.m. the College of Agriculture, the College of Architecture, the College of Design and Construction and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will hold theirs.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, John W. and Rosemary Kopel Brown will be awarded honorary doctor of science degrees. Both 1957 graduates, they are said to "have exemplified extraordinary excellence and character throughout their lives."

The College of Liberal Arts will hold their ceremonies on Mon., May 8 at 10 a.m.

The commencement speakers range from renowned professors to iconic faces in athletics to writers. 

Atkins will speak at Saturday's ceremonies. She taught at three institutions including, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Samford University and Auburn University. 

She was the founding director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in 1985 and is a former United States National and World Champion water skier. 

Atkins was the first woman inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Aside from athletics, she has authored many books and articles, including "Alabama: The History of a Deep South State" and "A Century of Women at Auburn, 1892-1992: Blossoms Amid the Deep Verdure." 

On Sunday, David Housel will be taking the stage for his commencement speech. 

Housel graduated with a degree in journalism in 1969, where he continued on to work as the news editor for The Huntsville News. He soon returned to a career with Auburn Athletics. 

He taught journalism from 1972-1980 after two years of working in the ticket office. After varying titles, he became athletics director in 1994 and held the position till 2005. 

Housel has written a number of books. "From the Desk of David Housel, a collection of Auburn Stories" and "Auburn Saturdays to Remember," were a few to mention. 

He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame. Housel was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Auburn Alumni Association in 2015. 

Following Sunday's events to Monday, Mark Winne will be speaking to those attending Monday ceremonies.

Winne's career in crime reporting and journalism began when he was a student at Auburn, working part time for The Birmingham News. He worked in print media for three and a half years, until going from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to broadcast media. 

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Winne has been honored with professional and civic awards. His coverage of a series of mail bombings resulted in the publication of his book, "Priority Mail." 

He is a member of the Auburn College of Liberal Arts Dean's Advisory Council. 

On Tuesday, May 9, Auburn's two professional schools will hold their graduations. The College of Veterinary Medicine will hold their ceremony at 10 a.m. and the Harrison School of Pharmacy later that night at 6 p.m.


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