3/5/03

Melissa Foster Denney, 334/844-5426

AU'S RURAL STUDIO RECEIVES GRANT FROM BASEBALL TOMORROW

AUBURN -- Auburn University's Rural Studio has received a $25,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to design and build a playing field and buy new baseball equipment for the Newbern, Ala., Little League team.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, not only for Rural Studio, but also for the boys and girls in Newbern who deserve it," says Rural Studio co-director Andrew Freear. "We will use the grant to give these kids the opportunity to play baseball this summer that they wouldn't be able to without this support."

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Rural Studio, an internationally known architecture program, combines the teaching of architecture with a commitment to public service.

Four fifth-year architecture thesis students -- Julie Hay of Huntsville, Ala.; Jason Hunsucker of Jeffersonville, Ind.; Patrick Nelson of Huntsville, Ala.; and Jermaine Washington of Pass Christian, Miss.; will complete the baseball field project.

"Rural Studio is Joe Torre meets Jackie Robinson," says Bruce Lindsey, head of the School of Architecture and co-director of the Rural Studio. "New futures built from passion, hard work, and courage. Architecture like baseball has a cultural dimension that is realized through action. We are delighted to work with Baseball Tomorrow Fund to help build communities through building and sport."

The New York-based Baseball Tomorrow Fund promotes and enhances the growth of baseball among youth throughout the world. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association developed the program as a collaborative effort to ensure the future of baseball.

The Rural Studio, founded in 1993, uses community service to improve living conditions in rural Alabama. With more than 24 completed community projects and charity homes to its credit, it is widely recognized throughout the world.

It brings students from AU's College of Architecture, Design and Construction to the Rural Studio's base in Newbern, a town about 160 miles from the Auburn campus in rural Hale County. The west Alabama county is one of the poorest in the United States, with more than 1,400 substandard dwellings.

The Rural Studio was operated primarily through private funding until a year ago when AU President William F. Walker announced permanent university funding for the program.

mar03:AU-baseball

CONTACT: Melissa Foster Denny, 334/844-5426; or Kyes Steves, 334/844-4523.

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NOTE: For more information on the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, write to:

Baseball Tomorrow Fund
245 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10167