Full Circle: Alumnus Pookie Wilson returns to inspire AUM’s spring Class of 2026
For most graduates, commencement marks the end of one journey. For alumnus Pookie Wilson, it marks both an ending and a remarkable new beginning.
Less than six months after earning his degree, Wilson will return to the stage at Auburn University at Montgomery — this time not as a graduate, but as the voice guiding the next class forward.
Wilson, an AUM Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, former professional baseball player, and respected coach and mentor, has been named the university’s spring 2026 commencement speaker. He will address graduates during two ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, at the AUM Athletics Complex.
Approximately 700 students are expected to celebrate their achievements during the ceremonies. Graduates of the Colleges of Nursing & Health Sciences, Business, and Education will be recognized at 10 a.m., followed by graduates from the Colleges of Sciences, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and University College at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed.
But what makes this moment extraordinary is how recently Wilson stood in their place.
In December 2025, he crossed the same stage as a member of AUM’s fall graduating class, earning his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies—a milestone that reflected perseverance, purpose, and a deeply held belief: it is never too late to finish what you start.
That day carried an unexpected and powerful surprise. Among the graduates was former teammate Otis Dunning, who played at AUM from 1988–91. The two reconnected during the ceremony, sharing memories from their early days on campus and reflecting on the decades-long journey that brought them back together. What began as a chance encounter became a lasting reminder of the lifelong bonds formed through AUM baseball.
Wilson’s roots at AUM run deep.
From 1988 to 1992, he was a standout outfielder and remains one of the most accomplished players in program history, holding multiple career records. As a student-athlete, he earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors and was selected to the USA Collegiate National Team, helping secure a bronze medal in international competition.
He went on to play professionally in the Florida Marlins organization from 1992 to 1997, advancing through multiple levels of the minor leagues before transitioning into coaching and player development. His career includes roles with both the Montreal Expos and Kansas City Royals organizations.
Today, Wilson continues to make an impact far beyond the field. As the founder of Pookie Wilson Baseball in Montgomery, he mentors and develops young athletes, helping shape not only their skills, but their character and confidence.
In 2006, he was inducted into the AUM Athletics Hall of Fame, an honor that now carries even greater meaning as he returns once again to campus.
This time, however, his role is different.
He returns not just as an alumnus, but as a symbol of perseverance, growth, and possibility — and as a powerful reminder to the Class of 2026 that the path forward is not always linear, but always worth pursuing.
Photo caption: AUM alumnus and former standout outfielder Pookie Wilson sits next to Otis Dunning, his former AUM baseball teammate, during AUM’s fall 2025 commencement ceremoy (Nicolette Parrish, AUM photographer).
