4/11/06 Contact: Dina Kanellos, 334/844-2203 (kaneldi@auburn.edu)
David M. Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

PHILANTHROPIC BEQUEST TO BENEFIT AUBURN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS STUDENTS

AUBURN - Paul Bobrowski, dean of the College of Business, announced yesterday the receipt of a $1,080,000 bequest from the estate of Roy Lee Farish and his mother, Wilda W. Farish, of Camden, Ala. This is one of the largest bequests ever received by the College of Business.

Roy Lee Farish died on May 5, 2005, at the age of 79. A native of Camden, Farish graduated in 1950 from Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute) with a degree in business administration. During World War II, Farish served in the United States Navy. He was employed by the Citizens, Farmers and Merchants Bank in Brewton, and later joined Camden National Bank as First Vice President. He remained with Camden National Bank until his retirement.

“Ultimately, the prestige of a university and its programs is determined by the quality of its students,” says Dean Bobrowski. “The competition for these high performing students continues to increase. Attracting these students often hinges upon the scholarships offered by an institution. The Roy Lee Farish and Wilda W. Farish Endowment for Scholarships will enhance our ability to attract outstanding students.”

The first Roy Lee Farish and Wilda W. Farish Endowed Scholarships are expected to be awarded in spring 2007 for the 2007-2008 academic year.

The College of Business at Auburn University is accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the highest standard of achievement for business schools. Less than one-third of U.S. business schools and only 15 percent of business schools worldwide meet the rigorous standards of AACSB International accreditation. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review.

Auburn University is currently undergoing its largest fundraising campaign ever. The “It Begins at Auburn” campaign is a $500-million comprehensive campaign that will raise funds for all colleges and schools on campus as well as the library, athletics, Auburn University at Montgomery and the museum. The campaign’s focus includes student, faculty and program endowments; facility, equipment and campus beautification; research; and current operations.

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

(Contributed by Dina Kanellos.)

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