8/14/06 Contact: Kristen Jackson, 334/844-3224 (jacksk6@auburn.edu)
David M. Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

AUBURN UNIVERSITY SETS STATE FUNDRAISING RECORD

AUBURN - Gifts to all 12 colleges and schools and significant and generous endowment giving during the past eight days enabled Auburn University’s “It Begins at Auburn” campaign to set the record this week for the largest campaign fundraising effort by any university in Alabama, bringing in more than $390 million to date.

With a goal of $500 million, the “It Begins at Auburn” campaign is the largest campaign in the university’s history.

“The large outpouring of support by alumni and friends of Auburn is a great show of support for the university and its students,” said Robert McGinnis, AU’s vice president for development.
“With continued support like that we have seen, especially in recent months, we are well on our way to meeting not just the campaign goal, but also the broader educational objectives that these funds allow us to achieve.”

He added, “Based on the enthusiasm I am seeing among Auburn alumni and friends around the nation, even around the world, I am very optimistic about the prospects for the campaign, and, indeed for the future of the university.”

The six-year “It Begins at Auburn” campaign began in June 2002 and entered its public phase last February. The campaign encompasses all colleges and schools on campus as well as the library, athletics, Auburn University at Montgomery and the museum. Endowments for students, faculty, programs and unrestricted dollars make up 63 percent of the campaign’s goal.

In addition to endowments, the campaign will raise $124 million for facilities, equipment and campus beautification. The remainder will benefit research and current operations.

The previous record for the largest campaign fundraising effort was held by UAB, which raised $388.7 million through The Campaign for UAB that ended in 2003.

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 Katie Wilder.)

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