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   NEWS/EVENTS OF NOTE AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY -- July 2-8, 1995
            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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 6/30/95                     Janet McCoy

BETTY DEMENT NAMED AUBURN'S VP FOR ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT
     AUBURN -- Betty DeMent, who for the past five years has
spearheaded one of the nation's largest and most active university
alumni groups, has been named vice president of alumni and
development at Auburn University.  AU President William V. Muse
announced that DeMent, associate vice president for alumni and
development and executive director of the Auburn Alumni
Association, will assume her duties July 1. DeMent is the first
woman to hold the position at AU.
     An AU graduate, DeMent, 46, heads an organization which
represents more than 130,000 alumni worldwide. She succeeds Earl
"Buddy" Weaver, who named interim vice president for a one-year
period.
     "Betty DeMent has the knowledge, the perspective and the
experience to advance Auburn's alumni and development office into
the 21st century," Muse said. "It is imperative that Auburn
University have capable leadership for it's alumni and development
office and we have that in Betty. Both areas are highly critical to
the success of the university and I know Betty and alumni and
development employees will meet the challenge."
     The new vice president takes the helm of Campaign Auburn: The
Next Generation, the university's six-year comprehensive campaign
to raise $175 million in private support for scholarships, faculty
support and other long-term development. With 18 months to go, the
campaign has raised $135 million in donations and pledges from
alumni and friends of the university.
     Muse also thanked Weaver, saying, "I want to express my
sincere appreciation and thanks to Buddy Weaver, who took a year
out of his life to come work for Auburn. Buddy's dedication to
Auburn is indicative of the love all Auburn alumni have for their
alma mater."
     DeMent first joined the Auburn Alumni Association in 1984,
serving as associate director of alumni and development. She left
AU in 1987 to become director of economic development for West
Georgia Technical Institute, and rejoined AU in 1990 as assistant
vice president for alumni affairs. 
     In 1993, DeMent was one of two acting vice presidents for
alumni and development, and in 1994 was appointed associate vice
president for alumni and development and executive director of the
Auburn Alumni Association.
     In her most recent position, DeMent was responsible for the
strategic planning of the Office of Alumni and Development, in
addition to responsibilities in program development, leadership and
management and activities of the Auburn Alumni Association.
     Under the leadership, Auburn clubs have grown to more than 120
worldwide and the Auburn Alumnews tabloid was transformed into a
full-color magazine, Auburn Magazine.
     Paul Spina, a Birmingham businessman who is president of the
Auburn Alumni Association, said, "The alumni board and myself in
particular are pleased and excited to have Betty DeMent as our vice
president. 
     "I've worked closely with Betty for many years and have
observed not only her love and loyalty for Auburn, but her strong
management abilities," he said. "We are very excited to have an
Auburn alumna in this position."
     " You'll never know how honored and humbled I am," said
DeMent.  "The challenge begins now. It's a challenge and
opportunity to make a difference at Auburn University. I'm here to
serve my alma mater." # # # june95:AU-dement
     CONTACT: DeMent, 334/844-1134.
     (NOTE: DeMent is the daughter of Adel McLendon and the late
Enoch McLendon of Fort Mitchell, and is married to Don DeMent of
Auburn. The couple has one son, Jason, 20.)