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

For IMMEDIATE Release August 6, 2009

RAY NAMED DIRECTOR OF HONORS PROGRAM AT ABAC

TIFTON—Dr. Brian Ray, associate professor in the School of Liberal Arts at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, has been selected as the new Director of the ABAC Honors Program.

Ray received his B.A. degree in theatre from Yankton College, his M.A. degree in English from the University of South Dakota, and his D.A. degree in English from Middle Tennessee State University.

He has been a member of the ABAC faculty since 2005 and was recently promoted to associate professor. He is also an active member of ABAC’s Baldwin Players theatre troupe and has taken part in local theatrical productions in the community as well.

Because this will be Ray’s first year as the director, he is expecting some adjustments for both he and his students.

“The first year will be a growing process, and I don’t want to change the direction of the program, but enhance it,” Ray said. “The program is in good shape and has been very successful thus far.”

And while he will maintain the high caliber of the honors program, he also has some new ideas he would like his students to retain.

“I would like to place some emphasis on two factors within the honors program,” Ray said. “I would like to implement more international awareness into the program and a better understanding of critical thinking, focusing on the overt view of what that entails.”

Ray has taught some honors composition courses prior to serving as the new director so he is not a complete newcomer to the program. There is, however, one aspect of his title that he is especially looking forward to.

“What I’m looking forward to the most is working with the students. They are all strong students, and they usually are the ones who get involved in campus activities so I will learn more about the college through them. I hope to help each one of them to be successful and see them excel as not just a student, but as a person,” said Ray.

But what is really important to Ray is that the honors program at ABAC continues its high standard.

“I hope to maintain a successful program while helping it to continue to grow into something better,” said Ray.

Ray replaces Dr. Luke Vassiliou, who has accepted a teaching opportunity in New York City.

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