AUBURN | Bobby Lowder is back at Auburn.

The long-time member of the university's Board of Trustees and the all-time, largest financial contributor to Auburn athletics now is serving on the board of the Tigers Unlimited Foundation, the athletic department's fundraising arm.

"It sounds corny, but I love Auburn University and if I can do anything to better it, I'll do it," Lowder told AuburnSports.com on Wednesday. "I'm happy to help in any way I can."

Lowder replaced outgoing member Jim Mathews and will attend his first board meeting in November. He's collaborating with Jim Pratt, Earlon McWhorter, Mike McCartney and Mac Crawford to make decisions about how the organization allocates its considerable resources. Athletic director Jay Jacobs, university president Jay Gogue and TUF executive director Tim Jackson serve on the board as non-voting members.

Tigers Unlimited, a non-profit organization, reported $44 million in net assets at the conclusion of its 2012 fiscal year. Total revenue was listed at $30 million.

"He brings incredible wisdom," said Jackson, who is principal officer of Tigers Unlimited. "His work on the Board of Trustees and a lifetime of allegiance to the university gives him the ability to understand all aspects of what we do. He's a great businessman. He really strengthens us in a lot of ways."

Lowder graduated from Auburn in 1964 and was named to the university's Board of Trustees in 1983 -- a position he held for 29 years. A successful financier based in Montgomery throughout his career but now living close to campus, Lowder played a high-profile role in the growth and promotion of the Auburn brand. Enrollment grew by 40 percent during his time on the Board of Trustees.

Lowder played a central role in Auburn hiring Pat Dye from Wyoming prior to the 1981 season, agreeing to pay the new coach a stipend to ease the university's financial burden. Dye went on to become a member of the College Football Hall of Fame after winning 99 games and four Southeastern Conference titles at Auburn.

"Nobody is more qualified to assist Tigers Unlimited than Mr. Lowder," Jackson said. "Nobody has a better understanding of numbers and what they mean to Auburn."

Lowder downplayed his return to the Auburn athletics scene.

"It's a board that meets two or three times per year," Lowder said. "We're just making sure funds are taken in properly and those funds are distributed according to proper procedure."