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A spirit that is not afraid

More than 1,700 degrees awarded at fall commencement ceremonies

The Auburn Arena was transformed to honor fall 2018 graduates on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. More than 1,700 graduates were honored during two ceremonies held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

President Steven Leath began the 10 a.m. ceremony by expressing the impact the faculty and staff have had on the graduates since the beginning of their time at Auburn. He also thanked all the other people that have influenced the students throughout their years. 

“There are a number of people who have made the graduates time here at Auburn possible,” Leath said. “Many are in the stands today, some are with you in spirit, and all these people are all the ones who have supported and encouraged you throughout the years."

About 1,308 undergraduate received degrees Saturday. Seventy-five doctoral, 355 master’s, 10 education specialist and two veterinary medicine degrees were also conferred.

After his remarks, Leath introduced the commencement speaker, Walt Woltosz. Woltosz is an Auburn graduate from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering with a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering. He later earned his masters degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama Huntsville. 

Upon completing his studies, Woltosz was inspired to work on improving the lives of others with disabilities after his mother-in-law was diagnosed with ALS. Through his engineering training, he developed Simulations Plus, which provides technological advances for people with disabilities. 

Woltosz discussed three main lessons that have shaped his life. The first one was to accept and learn from failure. 

“You are all going to fail now and then," Woltosz said. "Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from pursuing your dreams. Acknowledge it, take responsibility for it and move on,”. 

The second lesson Woltosz mentioned was that many decisions that govern people's lives are made by others. One of his greatest accomplishments was assisting Stephen Hawking in communicating when he developed ALS. Woltosz, however, doesn’t want to take credit for this, because what inspired it was a decision made by his wife.

“People credit me for helping Stephen Hawking, but it was really Ginger’s idea to use personal computers to help her mom communicate, and her perseverance to push me into giving that a try,” said Woltosz. 

Woltosz then encouraged the graduates to give back to what has been given to them. 

“I will never know the donors that helped me, so I can never thank them, but I can pay it forward by helping to support today’s students and those of the future,” said Woltosz. 

After Woltosz spoke, the honoring of the graduate began. The first to be recognized were honors students, including students graduating Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Auburn Honors College graduates. 

Next to be recognized were doctoral graduates, followed by master’s and specialist graduates. 

Finally, undergraduate students in the College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Samuel Ginn College of Engineering were given their diplomas. 

During the 2 p.m. ceremony, students in the remainder of the undergraduate colleges were recognized. This includes Agriculture, Architecture, Design and Construction, Business, Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Human Sciences, Nursing, Science and Mathematics and graduate students in these respective fields. 

At the end of each ceremony, as tradition, the students moved their tassels to the left of their cap and everyone joined together to sing Auburn's alma mater. 

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