AUM to celebrate the achievements of 750 graduates at fall commencement
Auburn University at Montgomery will honor the accomplishments and aspirations of approximately 750 students expected to walk during its Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The university will award degrees during two ceremonies at the AUM Athletics Complex. Graduates from the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, University College, and College of Sciences will walk at 10 a.m. Graduates from the Colleges of Nursing & Health Sciences, Business, and Education will be recognized at 2 p.m. Livestreams of both ceremonies will be available on AUM’s commencement website.
Fall graduates will be inspired by one of their own, a leader whose journey reflects AUM’s values and the potential of an AUM education.
Retired Navy Capt. Steven C. Williams (’96), whose distinguished military career took him to five continents, continues to embody the university’s commitment to purpose, service and uplifting others. He will share how his life’s work mirrors the character and leadership AUM strives to instill in every graduate.
Since retiring, Williams has devoted his time to volunteering in secondary education, supporting veteran initiatives and serving his local community. He actively mentors high school and college students, serves as a college admissions field representative, and is the 2024–2025 All-American and All-State (Virginia) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Commander with Springfield Post 7327.
Williams retired with more than 35 years of federal civilian and military service as a senior manager with the Departments of Defense, State, Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. His military career included duty on five continents, serving as a surface warfare and special operations officer. He held several command positions and completed non-command tours with the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and two major defense agencies.
His career and civic contributions have earned him multiple honors. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in political science from Auburn University at Montgomery, earned in 1996. Among his proudest recognitions are the Outstanding Alumni Award from AUM’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration and his selection as a Top 50 at Fifty alumnus.
Seventeen outstanding AUM students will have the honor of serving as graduation marshals for their respective colleges during the university’s commencement ceremonies. AUM’s Fall 2025 student marshals are:
College of Business
- Bryana Griffin, Business Administration – Marketing, Alexander City, Ala.
- Stephanie Monique Green-Sanders, Information Systems, Montgomery, Ala.
- Paul Luis, Master of Accountancy, Pike Road, Ala.
College of Education
- Alexis Love Stevenson, Special Education, Tallassee, Ala.
- Jalen Bradley, Exercise Science, Monroeville, Ala.
- McKenzie Horton Cogle, Alternative Masters in Early Childhood Education, Selma, Ala.
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- Tiara Staples, Communication – Theatre, Heidelberg, Germany
- Madelyn Grace Wooldridge, Criminal Justice (minor in Photography), Wetumpka, Ala.
- Sydni Free, Political Science, Freeport, Fla.
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Kanya Perry, Medical Laboratory Science, Phenix City, Ala.
- Kamryn Morris, Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Track, Montgomery, Ala.
- Sydney Atkins, Nursing, Deatsville, Ala.
College of Sciences
- Franziska Dempwolf, Chemistry – Health Science, Geretsried, Germany
- Amari Renee Pace, Psychology (minor in Social Work), Grove Hill, Ala.
- Kayla Noel Stojak, Biology Public Health – Microbiology, Montgomery, Ala.
University College
- Rebecca Reynolds, Interdisciplinary Studies (minor in Social Work), Prattville, Ala.
- Jenna Culberson, Interdisciplinary Studies, Montgomery, Ala.
