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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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4/10/95                               Diane B. Clifton

AU VICE PRESIDENT GOES HOME FOR REUNION, BRIEFING ON BLACK BELT 

      AUBURN -- David Wilson, Auburn University's vice president for 
outreach, will return to his hometown of Thomaston on Wednesday for a 
meeting on economic, educational, health and social issues in the 
Alabama's Black Belt.
      Representatives of Wilcox, Lowndes, Perry, Hale and Marengo 
counties will brief Wilson on issues affecting the region. The meeting 
begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Alabama Rural Heritage Center.
      At 10 a.m., Mary Jolley of the University of Alabama will explain 
the purpose of the day-long briefing, while Sharon Farley of AU at 
Montgomery will talk about the Kellogg Project, a three-year program to 
identify and train community leaders in economic development. Health 
issues and youth programs in Wilcox and Lowndes counties will also be 
discussed.
       At 10:30 a.m., Judy Martin of the Alabama Rural Heritage Center 
will address economic and community development. Perry County 
representatives  will include Marion Mayor Ed Daniel; Uniontown Council 
member Dan Moore; Lizzie Kelley of Marion; and Roy Barnett of the Perry 
County Chamber of Commerce.
      Representing Marengo County will be Thomaston Mayor Patsy 
Sumrall; Circuit Clerk Rusty Nichols; County Commissioner Kevin McKinney; 
and Mary Wilson of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
      Speaking for Hale County will be Judge William Ryan, president of 
the Hale Economic and Revitalization Organization;  Garry Smith, 
corporate comptroller of Southern Pride Catfish; Theresa Costanzo, 
director of Hale County Department of Human Resources; and the Rev. 
Stephen Moore of the Salem Baptist Church.
      Sam Mockbee, professor of architecture at AU and director of the 
Rural Studio in Greensboro, will be joined by his students in a 
discussion of "Auburn University: A Presence in West Alabama."
      Wilson will  speak at  3:15 p.m. at the close of the 
conference.        
# # #  april95: wilson                                  
CONTACT: Wilson 844-5700