NELSON AND OWENS WIN ABAC’S DONALDSON AWARD

Reba Nelson of Tifton and Lisa Owens of Wales, United Kingdom, both received the highest honor presented to graduating students from Abraham Baldwin College at Tuesday’s fall graduation ceremony. The ABAC Alumni Association presented both students with the George P. Donaldson Award for outstanding scholarship and leadership. The award includes a plaque and a check for $500. Donaldson served as president of ABAC from 1947 - 61.

A total of 105 students participated in Tuesday’s ceremony, which was presided over by ABAC President Mike Vollmer. Tifton businessman John Hunt, a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, served as the guest speaker.

Nelson, a liberal arts major, completed her studies at ABAC with a 3.63 grade point average. She is now enrolled at Valdosta State University where she will major in English. Then, Nelson plans to pursue a Master’s degree in creative writing at Florida State University. Her career goals include seeking employment with a creative magazine/book publisher and working with challenged youth through community projects.

“My experiences at ABAC are an award,” Nelson said. “I have learned to be a part of a different kind of family instead of just someone different and apart from a family. I am certain that I would not have found the atmosphere that expertly challenged me and allowed me to thrive at ABAC at any other community college in the South.”

At ABAC, Nelson was the editor of Pegasus, ABAC’s literary magazine, in 2001 and 2002. In 2000, she served as an Inter-Activities Council (IAC) representative and a Budget Committee representative. Nelson also served on the IAC representing Pegasus.

Nelson was a set builder for the Baldwin Players’ theater production and installed an exhibit for the ABAC Art Department in Creswell Hall. She was also very active in the community and in church activities.

Owens, a business administration major, completed her studies at ABAC with a 3.95 grade point average. She first graduated from ABAC in May, 2001 with a one-year certificate in Business Information Technology and received her Associate of Science degree in Business Administration during Tuesday’s ceremony.

Owens’ future plans include attending the University of Georgia (UGA) in the fall of 2003 on a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to earn her Bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation from UGA, she plans to work for an accounting firm or a bank. Owens may also earn her Master’s degree while in the workforce. Eventually, she would like to return to college to earn her teaching certification so that she can teach accounting at the high school or college level.

“My experiences at ABAC have meant more to me than anyone could ever guess,” Owens said. “Being an international student, the chance to come to study in a culture different from my own has been the opportunity of a lifetime and one I shall never forget. . . .ABAC has certainly changed my life.”

While attending ABAC, Owens was a member of Alpha Beta Gamma and the ABAC Entrepreneurial Society. She was also a Resident Assistant for Fulwood Hall and a tutor for Student Support Services.

Owens participated in several activities that benefited the community, such as conducting computer classes for senior citizens, collecting toys for children, and participating in various events and collections for charity. Owens also gave speeches about her home country of Wales to help raise cultural awareness on campus.

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