-------------------- N E W S  R E L E A S E  --------------------

            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
----------------------------------------------------------------

8/16/95              Diane B. Clifton  (cliftsh@mail.auburn.edu)

SALES OF AU 'LICENSE-TO-LEARN' TAGS TOPS $3 MILLION MARK
     AUBURN -- Auburn University has topped the $3 million mark and 
moved into the No. 1 spot in the sale of specialty collegiate
license  plates in Alabama, says the state Department of Revenue.
     Through June 30, Alabama motorists had purchased 65,060 AU 
license plates, generating $3.17 million for Auburn's
License-to-Learn  Scholarship Program. The University of Alabama
was second with sales of  64,140 tags and revenues of $3.12 million
for the same period.
     The distinctive tags cost $50 each in addition to the usual
tag  price, with the fee considered a tax-deductible charitable
contribution  to the institution's scholarship fund. 
     "That's one bright and interesting benefit from athletics,"
says Charles Bruce, director of Treasury Services at AU. "The
athletic  reputation of the university is not just enhancing the
athletic program,  but also enhances the academic program. It's a
real benefit for the  university.
     "These monies have been designated by the Board of Trustees as
an  endowment from which earnings will be used to fund scholarships
to  residents in Alabama," he said.
     The top five counties for sale of AU vanity plates were Lee, 
Jefferson, Montgomery, Shelby, and Madison.
     The program began in 1988 with first year revenues of
$204,845,  but it has grown significantly each year.
     "Through the month of May 1995, our revenues are ahead of last 
year by 22 percent," said Bruce. "At this level of increase, our
revenues  for fiscal year 1995, should be approximately $900,000."
     The License-to-Learn program has generated nearly $8 million
in  scholarship funds for the 23 Alabama colleges and universities
that  participate.  

# # # aug95:AU-tags

CONTACT: Bruce, 334/844-4610 (cbruce@ag.auburn.edu);  or Johnny
Newman,  state Department of Revenue, 334/242-9006.