Warhawk Weekly 12-2: Celebrate graduates; WSFA 12’s Day of Giving
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 Colleges of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, University College and the 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.
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.
Join AUM in supporting 12’s Day of Giving
AUM is sponsoring WSFA-TV’s annual food and toy drive, 12’s Day of Giving, benefitting Toys for Tots, Heart of Alabama Food Bank and HandsOn River Region’s Christmas Clearinghouse.
As a part of the university’s community outreach efforts, AUM Chancellor Dr. Carl Stockton participates in the drive with a shopping spree to collect toys for children in need. He, along with AUM’s mascot Curtiss, Orange Jacket Society members and cheerleaders, recently loaded shopping carts with toys for the Toys for Tots program.
Volunteers will collect donations of food, toys and money on Friday, Dec. 12, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Renfroe’s Market on Eastchase Parkway.
AUM grad’s viral video highlights campus life ahead of graduation
AUM graduate student Ravikanth Sai Gowda is set to receive his master’s degree in computer science on Dec. 13, and he’s leaving a memorable mark academically and online.
In August, Gowda shared a video with AUM’s Instagram capturing the university on a calm, rainy day, showcasing its buildings and students navigating the weather. The video quickly resonated across the AUM community, earning 12,325 views, reaching 7,752 accounts, and generating 871 interactions on Instagram, including likes, shares, and saves.
“I felt inspired to capture the beautiful atmosphere that day,” Gowda said. “I’m glad I had the chance to represent AUM through my video, and it means a lot that it connected with so many people on campus.”
A native of Hyderabad, India, Gowda came to AUM seeking a supportive, diverse environment and found a community that made him feel at home while studying software development, cloud technologies, and system design. Outside the classroom, he pursued his six-year passion for photography and videography, capturing stories and moments of beauty that reflect his creative eye.
“If opportunities come in the future, I hope to grow more in the field of videography as well,” he said.
After graduation, Gowda plans to continue his career as a Java Full Stack Developer and software engineer, creating cloud-based applications and meaningful software solutions.
“I’m extremely thankful to AUM for shaping my academic journey and giving me so many great memories,” he said. “And a special thanks to my parents for always believing in me and supporting me through everything.”
Take a break with Professors-N-Pajamas
AUM traditions like Professors-N-Pajamas help students succeed at every step of their college journey.
Hosted by Housing and Residence Life, the pre-finals event gives students a chance to take a break and enjoy fun downtime with food, games and tutoring. Professors-N-Pajamas for the Fall 2025 semester will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Taylor Center 221–223 and 230.
The event will feature free breakfast items, games, a live DJ, tutoring and opportunities to win prizes, including a housing scholarship.
Celebrate the season with AUM’s Staff Council
The AUM Staff Council Executive Committee and Unit Representatives invite all staff to a Holiday Luncheon and Market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
This year’s theme is “’Tis the Season for Warhawks to Give Back,” and the Staff Council encourages staff to explore opportunities to make a difference on campus and in the community:
- Donate to a cause you support, snap a photo of your donation, and share it with the Staff Council.
- Donate toys, food and other items directly to the Staff Council to deliver to the agency of your choice. Donations can be dropped off at the holiday luncheon or at the Office of Central Advising, Room 45, to Kennedy Smith.
Interested in becoming a Holiday Market vendor? Email Lee Farrow at [email protected].
Staff planning to attend the luncheon and market should RSVP online by Dec. 10 to secure a spot and be entered into drawings for door prizes.
Don’t miss this festive opportunity to celebrate the season with your colleagues.
‘Common Thread’ seeking submissions for 2026 issue
The Common Thread, AUM’s student-run literary and creative arts magazine, is accepting submissions from students, faculty and staff for its 2026 issue. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, and entries should be emailed to [email protected].
This year’s editorial team aims to showcase the creativity and diverse voices of the AUM community. The 2026 issue will center on community, inviting contributors to create together, celebrate one another and explore how collaboration shapes who we are. The “common thread” unifying the issue will come directly from the voices of its contributors.
As a collaborative space, the magazine highlights local creativity, reflects on shared history and imagines a future grounded in resistance, change and collective growth.
Keep up with campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
