#GINNing Podcast: Clifford the Big Grad Marshal

Emory Clifford doesn’t describe it this way, but his decision to attend Auburn University may have been preordained, a life-changing choice that has proven worthwhile. 

The results are undeniable. 

On Saturday, Aug. 8, the one-time Trussville resident will serve as the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s graduation marshal during summer commencement at Neville Arena. He’s leaving The Plains with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in business, a 3.96 cumulative grade-point average, a 4.0 GPA as a graduate of the Honors College, numerous Dean’s List placements and several promising post-graduation employment options.

For Clifford, life is good. 

“There are so many incredible people who have done so many things, and the fact that they want me as graduation marshal is an incredible honor,” he said. “There definitely have been a few times when I have had to look in the mirror and be like, ‘are you qualified for this?’

“As it is, it's like the university is putting its confidence and support behind you.” 

Essentially, that sentiment also describes Clifford’s decision — a decision steeped in confidence and support. He had remained a steadfast Auburn fan, even though his family had long since relocated to Bentonville, Arkansas, home to Walmart’s corporate headquarters and a short, 30-minute drive from another Southeastern Conference institution. Living previously in Alabama meant he needed no introduction to the university’s academic reputation. The myriad academic choices at the College of Engineering solidified his choice. 

In his graduation marshal nomination materials, Clifford told administrators that he selected Auburn “because it felt like where I needed to be, and I have never regretted it. Auburn has provided incredible opportunities for me to grow in my faith, in my studies and into more of the man I aspire to be.” 

Once on campus, another decision arose: which of the college’s academic options did he prefer? Aerospace engineering and its “really cool opportunities” were enticing. But mechanical engineering, with its vast range of real-world applications, won his heart and mind. 

Clifford recently completed a three-semester co-op program with IS4S, an Alabama-based defense contractor, in which he designed and assembled a high-pressure test system to characterize solid propellant burn rates, expand testing capabilities and support customer deliverables. 

“I came to Auburn as pre-engineering because I liked the math and science, and I tell people I stayed in engineering because I like the problem-solving,” said Clifford, who also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Multiscale Tribology Laboratory. “But I went the mechanical engineering route because it provided the most options to kind of do just about anything.” 

Guided by a dedication to the campus community, Clifford volunteered with a host of service-minded organizations. He served as an ambassador with the Career Development and Corporate Relations office, a counselor during the Honors College Week of Service, lead mentor for the Honors College’s incoming freshmen classes and shift leader with the student-led Campus Kitchen organization. Each year, Campus Kitchen collects roughly 30,000 pounds of unused food, repackages it as ready-to-eat meals and distributes them to campus and community members. 

“If you're representing the university first and foremost, or representing the college, you should love the university and love what it stands for,” Clifford said. “You should want to be a part of that and be proud of being an alum.” 

This summer’s ceremonies will be livestreamed and archived on the commencement website. Auburn alumnus Gordon Sumner, a retired Army colonel and decorated combat veteran with 28 years of military service, will deliver the address. Sumner is president and CEO of the nonprofit Veterans Moving Forward. 

Updated details and ticketing information are available online.