These stories offer the latest news on CoAg alumni and development efforts. For more information on the AU Agricultural Alumni Association or Agricultural Heritage Park, contact Robert Hensarling, director for Ag Heritage Park/Alumni Relations, at 334-844-3596, or Martha Patterson, special projects coordinator for Ag Heritage Park/Alumni Relations, at 334-844-3595. For more information on development opportunities and news, contact CoAg Development Directors Chris Gary (334-844-3194; garychr@auburn.edu), Mark Wilton (334-844-1198; wiltomt@auburn.edu) or Development Coordinator Katie Hardy (334-844-1475; hardykc@auburn.edu).

Presidential Ponderings
By Tim Wood
Ag Alumni Association President

     As we were having dinner in a local restaurant recently (celebrating my sister-in-law’s birthday), one of Selma’s most distinguished gentlemen, Johnny Russell, approached our table.
     Mr. Russell had graduated from the College of Agriculture back when Auburn University was known as API. He struck up a conversation with my wife’s father, Johnny Jones, who also is a CoAg graduate. Their conversation somehow brought them back to Ag Hill and the humorous stories that took place during their tenure in college. The more they talked, the more they expounded about their experiences with Goofy Guyton, Professor Eaton and many others. By the time they were finished, tears were running down the faces of everyone at the table, and we also had gained the attention of all who were in the restaurant, whether we wanted it or not.
     As they told their stories, memories of my days at Auburn began to run rampant through my mind. We all have those fond memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. They all have two things in common: the College of Agriculture and the greatest college in the country, Auburn University.
     Those memories are what make your Ag Alumni Association special. You can share your stories and renew old acquaintance at our Game Day Tailgate parties, held every home game Saturday at Ag Heritage Park. The food and fellowship are phenomenal and are a “must” in the fall. On Homecoming weekend, we invite you to join us for Ag Roundup. It is a great time for the family to enjoy the foods of Alabama, join in the auction or just visit. The proceeds from the weekend go to our scholarships fund.
     Your Association’s main function is to assist the College in the recruitment of quality students through our Career Days and to provide financial assistance to deserving students. The College’s enrollment is bursting at the seams and we are assisting students in the area of scholarships in the amount of $22,000. Your organization is fulfilling its function. We invite you to join if you are not a member (a form is available on page 4). If you are, your membership is greatly appreciated. Our current membership total is 1,367 with plenty of room for growth. We encourage you to join and help us give our present students the opportunity to have the “Auburn experience” and eventually give back to Auburn as have those who came before us.

Auburn Hosting 2004 National Ag Conference
     What do Aubie, a Southern belle and CoAg Interim Dean John Jensen all have in common? They all took the Auburn word to Ohio this summer to invite some visitors to the state.
     The event was a special appearance to invite those attending the 2003 National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association (NAADA) attendees to come South next year when Auburn hosts the 2004 NAADA Conference. Representatives from more than 50 universities will gather June 13-16, 2004, in Mobile to hear speakers on alumni relations, development and student recruiting plus enjoy special agricultural tours in the Mobile/Baldwin County areas.
     “NAADA was especially helpful in the establishment of the Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Association, and we are delighted to be the host for the 2004 Conference,” states Bill Alverson, Jr., CoAg assistant dean who is helping coordinate the upcoming conference.
     Auburn Ag Alumni are especially invited to participate by meeting and greeting the guests at the June 15, 2004, evening seafood feast and entertainment on the USS Alabama battleship. Ticket prices and starting time are to be announced, but contact Christine Carpenter at 334-844-2502 for more information.

Join Ag 21: the Dean’s Club
     Ag 21 was established in 1992 and is the College of Agriculture’s “Dean’s Club.” Active Ag 21 members donate $1,000 per year to an unrestricted fund that can be used for CoAg needs at the Dean’s discretion. In the past, the funds have supported promotion of CoAg programs, student recruitment, Ag Ambassadors, media equipment, image enhancement and other areas that improve the image and workings of the College of Agriculture.
     Ag 21’s membership goal is 100 friends, and there is still room at the table for all interested CoAg alumni and friends to join. The contribution is tax de-ductible and will have a positive impact on students, faculty and the College of Agriculture. Members receive an Ag 21 lapel pin, a Cross AU pen and an Ag 21 ink pen.
     This group also gets to interact with the Dean on a regular basis. Throughout the year, special events provide fun and fellowship. This past spring, Ag 21 sponsored a “Cooking with the Interim Dean and Charlie” event in which Dean John Jensen and Charlie Wilton, who has been catering the CoAg tailgate events and other functions, together cooked a gourmet meal for members. Similar events are held throughout the year.

AU Campaign Plans Underway
     Auburn University has identified the need to embark on a capital fundraising campaign. At this time, the University is doing its pre-campaign planning to identify leadership for this effort and set goals for the campaign. In the coming months and years, Auburn University will seek unprecedented support from alumni and friends in a capital campaign. The College of Agriculture has also identified many needs and will be calling on alumni and friends for their support in the near future.

Plans Underway for Dean’s Fall Golf Tournament
     The fourth annual Dean’s Invitational Golf Tournament will be held Friday, Nov. 21, prior to the Auburn-Alabama football game. The tournament will be held at Grand National Golf Course. Range balls will be provided. A “Beat Bama” dinner will be served following the tournament. For more information or to reserve a slot, contact Chris Gary at 334-844-3194 (garychr@auburn.edu) or Katie Hardy at 334-844-1475 (hardykc @auburn.edu).

Fall Roundup Date Set
     The 23rd annual Taste of Alabama Agriculture and Fall Roundup will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 (Homecoming weekend for Auburn football), beginning at 9 a.m. at the Ag Heritage Park on the Auburn campus.
     Admission to the season’s biggest tailgate party is free for Ag Alumni Association members who are current with their dues and $5 for others. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free.
     In addition to the food items and displays, the event offers music by various faculty and friends and visits from the AU Cheerleaders and the AU pep band. Also on tap is the annual auction, one of the largest fundraisers, which offers such delights as hunting, fishing and beach trips. In addition, an auction especially for children is planned for this year.

Tailgate Tradition Enters Second Year
     In 2002 a new CoAg tradition was launched — Game Day Tailgates at Ag Heritage Park. The events were a huge success and the tradition continues in the 2003 season!
     Game Day Tailgates are the premier pregame activity for all CoAg alumni and friends and all are held at Ag Heritage Park, just a quick five minute walk from Jordan Hare Stadium. This marquee location provides immediate access to Tiger Walk as well as great exposure for the College of Agriculture.
     The tailgate parties begin three hours before kickoff for home games and offer participants an array of culinary delights that match the visiting team’s name and or place of origin. For example, the 2002 season featured crawfish etouffee for the LSU game and “Junkyard Dogs” for the Georgia game. Game Day visitors are able to gather under a large tent with seating or meander in and out of the old AU dairy barn as they experience the festivities.
     A nominal admission fee is charged to offset expenses, and the event is open to any friends and alums of the College — no reservations necessary.
     Join us at the CoAg Game Day Tailgate at Heritage Park. For more information call 334-844-3595.

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