02/04/2002

Gold Kist Inc. Makes Final Installment for New AU Poultry Building

AUBURN, Ala. - Gerald Bailey, retired live production manager for Gold Kist Inc. in Cullman, recently presented the last installment in a $600,000 pledge made by Gold Kist to Auburn University's new Poultry Science Building fund.
Bailey presented the last $100,000 of the $600,000 pledge to AU College of Agriculture Interim Dean John Jensen early in January. Those funds, which represent contributions of $1 per 1,000 birds placed in Alabama per week, will be used for construction of the building. Ground will be broken soon for that new facility.

This donation represents the largest single donation made by Gold Kist to any university in the nation. Bailey explained that Auburn was picked because of its outstanding poultry science program.

"There is not enough funding in America to fund multiple stand-alone poultry science departments," said Bailey. "I believe that eventually we will end up with only six such departments in the United States. Since the Southeast is a key poultry production area, it is critical that Auburn have one of those departments."

Bailey praised Auburn's program saying that the knowledge provided through Auburn's teaching, research and extension programs is vital to ensuring the poultry industry's future growth. "Our industry depends on Auburn for entry level personnel, for continuing education efforts through extension programs and for the research that keeps our industry growing."

The AU Poultry Science Building Committee, of which Bailey is chairman, continues to raise additional money and hope to establish a fund of at least $1 million (after completion of original building and equipment) for upkeep and future equipment needs of the department.

"We wouldn't be getting this new poultry building without Gerald Bailey and the strong industry committee that has raised money and support for the project," said Jensen. "The coalition of industry and academia represented in this committee is part of the strength of our program and we deeply appreciate their hard work and support. It represents their long-term commitment to Auburn's poultry program and our ongoing commitment to providing information and knowledge to the industry."

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

02/04/02

CUTLINE:
GOLDKIST MAKES FINAL PAYMENT FOR NEW AU POULTRY BUILDING.
Gerald Bailey (center), retired live production manager for Gold Kist Inc. in Cullman, recently presented a $100,000 check from his company to Auburn University to be used in constructing a new AU College of Agriculture's poultry science building. The check was a final payment in a $600,000 pledge Gold Kist Inc. made toward the new building. Pictured with Bailey are Chris Gary, development officer for the College, and John Jensen, Interim dean of the College and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.