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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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5/26/95                        Janet McCoy

AUBURN BLACK CAUCUS TO HOLD FIRST AWARDS PROGRAM JUNE 4
     AUBURN -- The Auburn Black Caucus will present its first
honors award program Sunday, June 4, to recognize Auburn University
faculty, students, staff, administrators and community leaders who
have advanced African-American issues on campus, in the community
and throughout the state.
     The program will be held in Foy Union room 213 at 3 p.m. and
is open to the public. A reception will precede and follow the
program.
     Two special awards will be given, the ABC Precedence Award and
the W. L. Strain Award,according to Rene Middleton, vice president
of the ABC who is chair the honors awards program.
      The Precedence Award will be given to an AU employee who has
worked to advance the cause of African-Americans and other
underrepresented groups through a spirit of cooperation in bringing
together people, public relations, significant contribution at the
local, state and national level, and creativity in supporting and
promoting activities of underrepresented groups.
     The W.L. Strain Award, named for longtime Alabama Cooperative
Extension Service employee Willie L. Strain, will be given to a
person who has spent their life mentoring, supporting and advancing
equal opportunities for African-Americans and other members of
underrepresented groups.
     Additional awards will be given in the following categories:
board of trustee member, faculty senate chair or member, dean,
director or department head, professional staff, community leader,
graduate student and undergraduate student.
     Those awards will be given to those who have distinguished
themselves by extraordinary leadership or in addressing the needs
of African-Americans or other underrepresented groups.
     Middleton said the ABC decided to establish the awards program
to recognize those who have worked to better African-American
issues on campus.
     "The gains that we have seen in the last two or three years
here at Auburn didn't just happen," she said. "People had to put
themselves on the line and we felt like it was appropriate to honor
them."
     The ABC was established in 1988 and formally organized in
1990. 
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     CONTACT: Middleton at 334/844-4446.