News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5051 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE April 23, 2009

Jessica Gandy

LENOX STUDENT ENTERS BRAND NEW RURAL STUDIES PROGRAM AT ABAC

TIFTON – Sophomore Jessica Gandy of Lenox has always had a love of history, so when a new bachelor’s degree in Rural Studies became available at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College she jumped at the chance to enroll.

“I heard about the program from my instructor and was really interested,” Gandy said. “I can’t wait to take part in the internships that will be offered.”

Gandy, whose specific area of study will be Rural Community and Social Affairs under the Rural Studies umbrella, was bitten by the history bug courtesy of her great-grandfather, a World War II medic.

“He was serving in France when he was wounded in action,” Gandy said. “The French gave him a medal for his service.”

Students who enroll in Rural Studies can choose from three different areas of concentration including Rural Business and Economic Development, Rural Arts and Culture, and Rural Community and Social Affairs.

Graduates of the program might find careers with private sector organizations that deal with rural issues, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Other possibilities include historic preservation, rural history, rural sociology, global studies, journalism, or public administration.

Students interested in the program can visit the web site at www.abac.edu/ruralstudies or call (229) 391-4782.

Gandy’s decision to attend ABAC came about in a rather unique way. She was home-schooled and when it came time to decide on a college she was set on going to a Bible school in Australia, but her mom wasn’t too fond of her being so far from home.

“She suggested that I take my core (curriculum classes) here and if my heart was still set on Australia then we would see, but I fell in love with ABAC my first semester,” Gandy said. “That is just another reason why I am so excited about the Rural Studies program. I can stay here a little longer.”

At ABAC she is an active part of student activities. She served as President of Phi Theta Kappa for two semesters, tutors at the Academic Assistance Center, and serves as the Phi Theta Kappa representative for the Student Government Association.

She is currently enrolled at ABAC, majoring in political science, and will attain her associate’s degree this summer before beginning the rural studies program in the fall.

In her free time she loves to read, press flowers, and do genealogy.

“I hope to work on my family genealogy soon with my grandfather,” said Gandy.

Five years from now Gandy hopes to be teaching as a history professor, in the midst of writing her first book on the cultural history of Georgia, finished with her master’s degree, and pursuing her education even further by working on her doctorate.

“Ideally, I would like to teach modern European history, specifically German,” Gandy said. “I love anything dealing with World War II and the German language. And I would be thrilled to teach Rural Studies if that took off for me.”

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