IMMEDIATE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    APRIL 27, 2004

MCKIE TO SPEAK AT ABAC GRADUATION MAY 11

TIFTON— Joel McKie will be the guest speaker at Abraham Baldwin College’s spring graduation ceremony on May 11 at 6 p.m. in Gressette Gym.

A native of Abbeville, McKie is the son of Eddie and Kay O. McKie. McKie attended Fitzgerald High School and graduated in 2000. He will be one of the 181 participants participating in the ABAC ceremony, receiving his degree in agri-business.

  McKie has been attending the University of Georgia while finishing his degree at ABAC. Formerly an ABAC Ambassador, McKie took a year off due to his election into the National FFA organization as vice-president for the southern region in 2002. He toured the United States and abroad promoting agriculture and the role that FFA plays in the field.

ABAC President Mike Vollmer will open the ceremony.  Assistant Professor of Voice Susan Roe will lead in the singing of the national anthem.  Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Caroline Helms will present the degree candidates.

ABAC Alumni Association President June T. Branch will induct the graduates into the Alumni Association and assist in the presentation of the coveted George P. Donaldson award.  The award, named for ABAC’s president from 1947-61, goes to the top ABAC graduate participating in the ceremony.

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