IMMEDIATE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      APRIL 29, 2004

 SEWELL NAMED 2004 OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL

TIFTON—Darby Sewell, an instructor in the Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, has been selected as the recipient of the Georgia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (GAFCS) Outstanding Professional Award.

Sewell, who has been an ABAC faculty member since 2002, served as chair of the student organization as a graduate student and is now a member of the professional branch.

Sewell, who lives in Colquitt County with her husband, Jeff, holds an Associate degree in Family & Consumer Sciences from ABAC, an undergraduate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Education degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from the University of Georgia.  She will be continuing her studies this summer when she attends Iowa State University to begin its doctoral program in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

The GAFCS Outstanding Professional Award is given to someone who promotes Family & Consumer Sciences throughout the year. “I’ve been active trying to rebuild the student population in the Family and Consumer Sciences academic program and in the student organization at ABAC as well as in programs throughout the state,” Sewell said.   “The professional development of Family and Consumer Sciences students is a big focus for the GAFCS.”  

Sewell also received the Julius Benton Professional Improvement Scholarship Award for $500.  It will help Sewell with her continuing education. Both of these awards were given to her by the President of the GAFCS, Diane Miller, at the recent state conference.

“I was very excited,” said Sewell. “I’m glad to have a professional organization that recognizes the professionals, as well as the students. GAFCS is a very supportive organization.”

For the past three years, an ABAC student has been the chair of the student division of GAFCS. The chair for this year is another ABAC student, Katie Gilbert from Henry County. Other schools that participated in the conference were the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Fort Valley State University.

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