Gina Cordell (cordegn@mail.auburn.edu)

AU MINORITY STUDENTS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN UPCOMING BANQUET

AUBURN -- More than 200 African-American students at Auburn University will be recognized for their academic achievement during the 13th Annual Minority Recognition Banquet on Monday, May 26

African-American students who have excelled in scholarship, leadership and community service will be honored at the 6 p.m. banquet in the Foy Union Ballroom.

"We like to highlight our talented students to show how successful they have been in leadership and scholarship here at Auburn," said Vivian Larkin, associate director for minority advancement. "This banquet also gives different university departments an opportunity to become aware of the talented students in their programs."

Larkin says the students being honored have distinguished themselves in other ways. They have set high standards for themselves and others to live up to, she said.

Fred Gainous, chancellor of the Alabama's two-year college system, will speak during the banquet. His speech is titled, "Approaching the New Millennium: A Challenge for This Generation."

In addition to the dinner and the speaker, there will also be various awards presented to students.

The Martin Luther King Jr. award will be presented to the undergraduate student who is most devoted to improving race relations and serving others.

An Outstanding Male Student award and an Outstanding Female Student award will be presented to one male and one female undergraduate who have excelled in leadership, scholarship, fellowship, service to others and improving race relations on campus.

The Gregg Pratt award is given to a freshman athlete who maintains high academic standing and has exemplified outstanding performance in his or her area of sports. This year there is a tie for the recipient of this award.

One faculty or staff member will be given an Outstanding Service award for making repeated contributions to improve race relations on campus.

CONTACT: Larkin, 844-3491 (larkivm@mail.auburn.edu).