There are moments in life that define who we are—not just by what we’ve achieved, but by how we arrived. Today is one of those moments for you. The long nights, the early mornings, the sacrifices, and the self-doubt that you conquered—those weren’t in vain. They were the foundation. Your hard work, resilience, and determination have led you here. And now, the future stretches out in front of you like a canvas waiting for your brushstrokes. You are more than ready.
To understand the gravity of this milestone, look back for just a moment. Consider the obstacles you’ve overcome. The pressure of expectations, the sting of failure, the silence of uncertainty—each was a challenge that might have made others quit. But not you. You kept going. And in every step forward, in every obstacle overcome, you lived out the essence of something greater: The Auburn Creed.
The Creed isn’t just a set of words passed down through generations of students. It’s a declaration of values—timeless principles that continue to define what it means to be part of the Auburn family. It’s more than a motto, more than a banner at games or a line in a commencement speech. The Auburn Creed is a call to live a life of integrity, work ethic, humility, and compassion.
When George Petrie wrote the Creed in 1943, he captured the spirit of Auburn and its people with words that still echo powerfully today. He said, “I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.” You know the truth of this line better than most. You’ve put in the hours, poured your energy and soul into every pursuit—academic, athletic, personal. You didn’t just coast; you climbed.
But hard work is only part of your story. There’s a reason resilience stands beside it. You’ve endured setbacks and disappointments. You’ve weathered personal struggles. Maybe there were times when it felt like the mountain was too high, the weight too heavy. But you kept climbing. You chose not to be defined by hardship, but by your response to it. That’s resilience. That’s strength.
Determination—your unwavering commitment—has been your fuel. Even when the goal seemed distant, even when others questioned or doubted, you kept believing. That belief didn’t always come easily. There were surely moments of doubt, of fear, of wondering if all the effort would pay off. But you pressed forward. You trusted the process, embraced the grind, and chased excellence not for the spotlight, but because you knew you owed it to yourself.
And now, here you stand. Perhaps it’s at the close of your time at Auburn. Or maybe you’re just reaching a turning point—one chapter ending as another begins. Wherever you are in your journey, know this: you are more prepared than you realize. You’ve already lived out what it means to live The Auburn Creed. Now, it’s time to carry it with you into everything you do next.
Belief in education, respect for honesty and truthfulness, the value of sound mind and body—these are not just ideals to be left behind on campus. They’re principles that can shape industries, families, communities, and the very course of the world. You’re not stepping into the unknown empty-handed. You’re bringing with you everything Auburn has instilled: the discipline to stay the course, the courage to lead, the humility to listen, and the passion to serve.
The future may be uncertain. There will be changes, challenges, and even failures ahead. But you’ve already proven you can handle them. Not just because you survived the past, but because you learned from it. You adapted. You matured. You turned every obstacle into a building block. That is a gift not everyone possesses, and it is one of the greatest things Auburn could have given you.
When you live The Auburn Creed, you understand that character is more important than popularity. That success is more meaningful when it’s earned. That service to others is not weakness but strength. That loyalty—to your values, to your community, and to your dreams—is not optional; it’s essential.
This is not the end of a story. It’s the beginning of one you get to write. There is power in that truth. The world is waiting for people like you—people who aren’t afraid to work hard, who won’t fold under pressure, who will stand up for what’s right even when it’s unpopular. People who believe in more than just what’s easy or convenient.
Let your next steps reflect the truth of who you are. Bring the same drive, resilience, and determination to your job, your relationships, your goals, and your passions. The qualities that brought you to this moment will also carry you through the next ones. The Auburn Creed isn’t something you graduate from. It’s something you grow into.
As George Petrie wrote, “I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.” In a world that sometimes prizes competition over connection, hold tightly to this line. Be the person who lifts others, who listens with empathy, who builds bridges where others build walls. That will be your legacy.
And don’t forget where you came from. Auburn isn’t just a place on a map. It’s a feeling, a standard, a home. Whether you’re walking across Samford Lawn, sitting under the oaks at Toomer’s Corner, or wearing your orange and blue thousands of miles away, Auburn is with you. Not just in memory, but in mission.
Because to live The Auburn Creed means to never settle for mediocrity. It means to keep learning, to keep growing, to keep striving to be better—not for applause, but because it’s right. It means standing tall when things go wrong, and showing grace when you succeed. It means knowing that greatness is not measured only by what you achieve, but by how you achieve it.
So yes—the future is yours. It’s full of promise, opportunity, and unknowns. That might seem daunting, but it’s also exciting. Because you are ready. You’ve already faced adversity and won. You’ve already carried the weight and stood tall under it. Now you get to soar.
Live boldly. Love deeply. Work tirelessly. Dream fearlessly. Fail courageously. And above all, live The Auburn Creed with every breath, every step, every choice. Let it guide you not just in the big decisions, but in the everyday ones—the moments that make up a life.
This is your time. The chapter you write next will be uniquely yours, but the values that shape it are shared by a family that spans generations. You are part of something bigger, and that truth will always anchor you.
So go. Go with pride. Go with passion. Go with the unshakable knowledge that you’ve earned this moment. The world is waiting, and you are more than ready.
