Alumni Association Appoints Edith Sayre Auslander Development Director

Dec. 16, 1999


Edith "Edie" Sayre Auslander, a native Tucsonan who graduated from the University of Arizona in 1961, is the new director of development for the UA Alumni Association, said Kent Rollins, president of the association.

"Edie is uniquely qualified for this position, and we are truly fortunate to engage her as our first director of development. Building the Alumni Endowment Fund to support the many programs and services provided to the alumni and the University is critical to our future," said Rollins. "Edie brings with her tremendous knowledge about higher education in Arizona and a love and passion for the University of Arizona, in particular."

Auslander, currently the vice chair of the Alumni Association Board, said, "The University will launch a gift campaign in 2000 that will positively affect its future, and I'm honored to be able to be a part of that campaign as the Alumni Association's director of development."

Auslander, who starts her position at the UA Monday, Jan. 17, has been the vice president of human resources for TNI partners since 1984. Between 1977 and 1984, she worked as a faculty member in the UA department of journalism, where she quickly earned a reputation as an accomplished and caring teacher. During those years, she was co-director of the Editing Program for Minority Journalists, which received national acclaim.

She left the faculty in 1984 when she was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents. She played a central role in helping to guide Arizona's three public universities through a period of rapid growth and change. In particular, she proved to be a firm and constant voice for the interests of women and students. During 1989-90, she served as president of the Board of Regents.

From 1973 to 1981, Auslander, who received her master's degree in journalism in 1975, worked at The Arizona Daily Star, where she was a features writer, a general assignment reporter, an education reporter, a copy editor, and an editor for two features sections. Before she joined the newspaper, she was the managing editor of Arizona Catholic Lifetime for 16 years.

Auslander was the president of the UA Hispanic Alumni Club for three years, during which the club's endowment fund grew from $250,000 to more than $1 million. She also is active in a number of community organizations, including the Hispanic Professional Action Committee, Concerned Media Professionals (founding member and president for two terms), and the Tucson Unified School District "Fourth R" Board.

Philip G. May, chair of the Alumni Association Board, said, "I am thrilled that Edie has agreed to serve as our director of development. She is one of the University's most distinguished graduates and has a long history of service to the University. As a member of the National Board of Directors, Edie has been indispensable. The Alumni Association is extraordinarily fortunate that Edie will be at the helm of its development efforts."




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