Ida Belle Young, cattle woman and Arts philanthropist, died September 18, 2004, in Montgomery, Alabama, from carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas-powered generator in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

AUM landmark is now the Ida Belle Young Library Tower

AL.com By AL.com

on April 20, 2012 at 7:37 PM
   
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA -- The Auburn University board  on Friday approved naming  AUM's Library Tower to honor one of Auburn Montgomery's most generous benefactors, Ida Belle Young.

Now known as the Ida Belle Young Library Tower, the 10-story building is an icon and the most recognizable building on AUM's campus. It is being named in Young's honor as a permanent acknowledgement of her remarkable support of Auburn Montgomery and higher education.

"It is fitting that the Library Tower is named for Miss Young, whose generosity to this institution will continue to support Auburn Montgomery's mission and enhance our educational efforts for years to come," said Chancellor John G. Veres III.

A graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Young attended Auburn University and the University of Alabama before returning to Montgomery to help her father manage their family cattle ranch.

Among her many civic activities, Young served AUM as a member of the Chancellor's Advisory Board. She believed that investing in higher education reaps invaluable returns in the enrichment of society, and her investment of $14.8 million dollars in Auburn Montgomery is the largest single gift ever received by the university.

Funds generated by the Ida Belle Young Endowment are used for scholarships, graduate assistantships, research projects, and numerous other educational programs and initiatives.

http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2012/04/aum_landmark_is_now_the_ida_be.html