Aerospace engineering senior named Auburn Engineering graduation marshal
Published: Apr 28, 2026 10:00 AM
By Olivia Ballard
Cade May, an aerospace engineering senior from Birmingham, Alabama, has been named Auburn Engineering’s graduation marshal for the spring 2026 commencement.
Cade May, a graduating senior in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been named Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering graduation marshal for the spring 2026 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2.
May, from Birmingham, Alabama, excelled academically during his time at Auburn, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He chose Auburn for its academic rigor and the opportunity to challenge himself.
“Auburn provided an environment for me to grow both professionally and personally,” May said. “There is a focus on hard work and practicality at Auburn that I believe greatly benefited me, as I leave this university a more disciplined, determined and generally capable person. I learned that the greatest part about Auburn is the people and strong sense of community.”
May took advantage of opportunities on campus, serving as an Aerospace Engineering Research Assistant and a student engineer for the IDEAS Program. He credits his on-campus research experience with unlocking countless doors, including a presentation of his research at the 2026 AIAA SciTech Forum.
Beyond academics and research, he was active in the Auburn University Marching Band and Concert Band, the Vietnamese Student Association, Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Honor Society and Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society. He was also on the AIAA Design, Build, Fly Competition Team and a Program Manager for the COSMIC Capstone Challenge.
May is praised by faculty for his enthusiasm, leadership and commitment, both inside and outside the classroom.
“Mr. May is among the most well-rounded and professionally mature undergraduate students I have encountered,” said Russell Mailen, associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. “Beyond the classroom and lab, I see Mr. May often at campus events, outreach programs and community-minded events.”
After graduation, May will pursue a master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he will work as a graduate research assistant in the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory.
Commencement will begin at 1 p.m. in Neville Arena. Dr. Jason Thompson, 1973 graduate of the Department of Chemical Engineering, will deliver the keynote address.
Additional information is available on the commencement website and will be posted to Facebook and Instagram. All ceremonies will be livestreamed and recordings will be available on the website following the weekend festivities.
Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326