4/28/06 Contact: Kristen Jackson, 334/844-3224 (jacksk6@auburn.edu)
David Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

AUBURN UNIVERSITY KICKS OFF MONTGOMERY CAMPAIGN

MONTGOMERY, ALA. - Auburn University launched its Montgomery regional campaign on Thursday, April 27, at the Capital City Club. The regional campaign is one of 31 taking place across the country over the next year as part of the $500 million “It Begins at Auburn” fundraising effort for the university.

The Montgomery region has 5,500 AU graduates.

The goals of the regional campaigns are to encourage alumni and friends to contribute to the campaign, keep alumni engaged and develop leaders and volunteers for Auburn University, said Bob McGinnis, AU’s vice president for development.

“The regional campaigns will expand the number of alumni giving to Auburn, and unite the Auburn family in common cause to support our students, faculty, research, facilities and programs,” McGinnis said.

Presiding over the evening’s events were campaign co-chairs Jimmy Lowder, Tom Clement and Danny Cassady. Lowder gave an overview of the campaign’s goals, while Clement served as emcee for the event and Cassady provided closing remarks.

“Auburn University gave me the foundation for my career and helped shape who I have become,” said Lowder. “I feel it is now my time to give something back to the university and this campaign has provided the perfect opportunity.”

Other speakers included scholarship recipients Kelly Darden and Ryan Burton, both of Montgomery, who spoke about their love for Auburn and appreciation for both the education they have received and those who have helped them along the way.

Virginia Thompson, Auburn University Trustee, spoke about the importance of private giving, specifically in the form of endowments, and the reasons for her own commitment to the campaign.

Interim AU President Ed Richardson emphasized the importance of regional campaigns.
“Auburn University is on its way to becoming one of the best public universities in this country,” Richardson said. “With the help of the entire Auburn family we will be able to further meet this goal.”

The remaining regional campaigns will begin by February 2007. These campaigns will last from two to 12 months, with Montgomery’s lasting 12 months.

The “It Begins at Auburn” campaign encompasses all colleges and schools as well as the library, athletics, Auburn University Montgomery and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Endowments for students, faculty, programs and unrestricted dollars make up 58 percent of the campaign’s goal.

In addition to endowments, the campaign will also focus on facilities and equipment, campus beautification, research and current operations. The campaign has raised more than $363 million, or 72 percent of the total goal.

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 40 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama's largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

(Contributed by Kristen Jackson; photos available upon request.)

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