ABG/AES STUDENTS AT ABAC CONDUCT COMPUTER CLASS FOR SENIORS

Students in Alpha Beta Gamma/ABAC Entrepreneurial Society (ABG/AES) at Abraham Baldwin College recently conducted a computer class for senior citizens called “Computers for the Young at Heart.” ABG/AES also offered this class last year.

Business students who helped teach the class included Shine Rankin of Tifton, Heather Thompson of Marietta, Bill Hampton of Moultrie, Victoria Anderson of Tifton, Thomas Futch of Tifton, and Allen Hutto of Tifton. ABAC faculty members Kathy Moreno, ABG/AES advisor and instructor in the Division of Business Administration, and Joy Godin, assistant professor of information technology, assisted the students.

Ten senior citizens attended the class, which was led by Rankin. During the class, the students and professors worked individually with each student as they participated in the “hands-on” portion of the class.

Moreno said members of ABG/AES have a lot to offer the community and a strong tradition of service.

“The students offered a computer class for senior citizens because this segment of our population tends to experience a sense of isolation as their health declines and family members move away,” Moreno said. “Teaching seniors citizens to use a computer has opened up a whole new world of communication for them. They can chat electronically with children, grandchildren, and friends, e-mail pictures, and even shop on-line. We have taught them to overcome their fear of the computer and to see its potential. ABG/AES intends to offer this class every year. Both the students and the senior citizens enjoy it.”

Godin added, “It is important for students to learn the value of community service. Since computers play such a vital role in society today, offering a free computer class to senior citizens in our community seemed like a perfect fit for ABG/AES.”

According to its website, ABG is an International Business Honor Society established in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students in business curricula. Since its founding, over 52,000 students from accredited community, junior, and technical colleges have been initiated into the society.

AES is a general student organization in ABAC’s Division of Business Administration. Its purpose is to connect students with business community leaders, business faculty, and other business students. AES and ABG work together on all projects.

# # #