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 FEBRUARY 13, 2009

Michael Arena signs the first Presidential Scholarship for the 2009-10 year at ABAC.  Present at the signing were Michael’s parents, Dr. Jean Rachels-Arena, Michael Arena, Sr., and ABAC President David Bridges (right). 

FITZGERALD HIGH STAR STUDENT RECEIVES ABAC PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

TIFTON—President David Bridges announced today that Fitzgerald High School STAR Student Michael Arena will receive the first Presidential Scholarship from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for the 2009-10 year.

“We were very pleased with our first group of Presidential Scholars last year, and I am confident that Michael will also make a positive impact on our student body,” Bridges said. “We are happy that he chose ABAC.”

The 18-year-old son of Michael Arena, Sr., and Dr. Jean Rachels-Arena will begin classes at ABAC when the fall term opens on Aug. 17. He is interested in pursuing a degree in pharmacy.

Right now he is completing his senior year at Fitzgerald High School where he hopes to be the Valedictorian for the Class of 2009. He is also playing the lead role in “The Music Man” in April.

“I have known about ABAC for a long time,” Arena said. “It’s only 30 minutes from home, and I like the idea of small classes.”

Arena said he considered offers from the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern but decided that ABAC was the best fit for him as a college student.

“President Bridges and Keith Barber (Chief Development Officer) helped me to make up my mind,” Arena said. “Donna Webb (Director of Enrollment Services) was also a big influence on me coming to ABAC.”

Arena plans to be involved with the Honors Program at ABAC. He also has extracurricular interests in the Jazz Choir, the Baldwin Players, and the ABAC Ambassadors leadership program.

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