April 19, 2006

 LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama will dedicate the new Howard R. Vaughan Tennis Complex, built in memory of the former Trustee, in a formal ceremony Saturday, April 29 at 3 p.m. at the complex.

Vaughan, who served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1967 to 1988, was a tennis lover and longtime supporter of the institution. After his death in 2004, his family established an endowment to build and maintain the Howard R. Vaughan Tennis Complex, which is used by the UWA men’s and women’s tennis teams and the student body.

“Howard Vaughan was a good friend to this institution and to me,” said Clemit Spruiell, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “I am proud to dedicate this tennis complex in honor of his many years of devoted service to UWA and in honor of his friendship.”

In 1967, Vaughan was appointed a member of the UWA Board of Trustees and was reappointed to a second term in 1978.During his tenure on the Board, he served as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee. On Sept. 12, 2005, the Board of Trustees officially designated the University’s tennis courts the Howard R. Vaughan Tennis Complex in honor of the avid tennis player and fan.

“We appreciate the Vaughan family’s generosity very much,” Spruiell said. “The tennis courts not only enhance our athletic program, but also serve as a fitting memorial to Howard because tennis was his passion.”

The public dedication ceremony will showcase the recently completed monument honoring Vaughan and include remarks from Spruiell, UWA President Richard Holland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Alex Saad and friends of the Vaughan family. The UWA tennis teams will also be on hand for a short exhibition following the ceremony.

Vaughan, a Birmingham native, received the Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and the Bachelor of Laws degree from the Birmingham School of Law. After serving as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he joined Liberty National Insurance Company as Vice President for Governmental Relations, representing the interests of the company and its policy holders to the Alabama Legislature and to the U.S. Congress. He was widely recognized as a knowledgeable and effective spokesman for the life insurance industry in governmental affairs.

He retired in May 1984 with the rank of Colonel following 30 years of service in the United States Air Force Reserve. In ceremonies marking the occasion of his retirement, Colonel Vaughan received the Legion of Merit and was cited for “exceptionally meritorious” service and “singularly distinctive accomplishments.” From July 1979 to May 1984, he served as the Chief Legislative Attorney (Reserve) and played a significant role in the development of national policy relating to personnel and reserve matters. He was an active member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States and of Sigma Delta Kappa Law Fraternity.

The University of West Alabama awarded Vaughan with the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, in 1985 for his many years of dedicated service to the University, for his leadership in the insurance business and for his illustrious career in the United States Air Force.