IMMEDIATE APRIL 9, 2004

TOP FACULTY, STAFF, ADMINISTRATOR, ADVISOR HONORED AT ABAC

TIFTON--The top faculty member, staff member, administrator, and academic advisor for the 2003-04 academic year were recognized during Wednesday’s Honors Day ceremony in Gressette Gym at Abraham Baldwin College.

Joy Shurley, an assistant professor in the Science and Mathematics Division, received the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Award for Teaching Excellence. Duane Weeks, electrician from the physical plant, received the Roy R. Jackson, Sr. Award for Staff Excellence. Kay Powell, assistant professor and Director of ABAC on the Square, received the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award for College Administrators. Sue Wilson, associate professor and interim chair of Social Science, received the Excellence in Advising Award.

Bertha Daniel, Director of College Services and Human Resources, received a special award from the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution for her selection as an Outstanding Liaison. Daniel was a former faculty member in the Division of Social Science before assuming her administrative position.

Shurley did not decide to become a teacher until she was already in college while tutoring elementary students for an education class. She graduated from Mercer University with a B.A. in Mathematics and went on to obtain an M. Ed. from UGA.

Shurley became an Instructor of Mathematics at ABAC in 1991. Since that time, she has been one of the highest rated instructors and a major contributor to the Science-Math Division. She has served as an advisor in the area of Allied Health, AIM mentor, and as an ABAC 1000 instructor, in addition to teaching a wide variety of math courses. She has provided leadership in the division, serving as the Coordinator of Mathematics for the past three years.

Shurley has assisted with various projects, such as the Science Olympiad, conducted workshops at the Academic Assistance Center, and has been advisor to the Student Government Association. Shurley resides in Tifton with her husband, Donald, and their two sons, Justin and Matthew. In honor of her achievements, she received a plaque and a check for $2,500 from the ABAC Foundation.

Weeks has been a dedicated employee of ABAC for over 20 years. An electrician at the physical plant, he is always looking for ways to perform the task by means of quality and cost savings. He is the seventh person in his department to win this award.

In addition to his regular duties, he has also contributed to many special events on and off ABAC’s campus. George Scott Day, Love Affair and Dollars for ABAC Scholars are just a few of these events. He and his wife, Donna, have been married for 21 years. They presently reside in Lenox. Weeks has one son and a daughter, who is an ABAC alumna. He is a native of Tift County. In recognition of this award, Weeks received a plaque and a check for $1,250 from the ABAC Foundation.

Powell received her Master’s degree in Business Education from Valdosta State in 1988. She serves on various committees at ABAC and in the community. Her association with ABAC began in 1998 as assistant professor of business administration.

In 2001, Powell became an administrator as Director of ABAC on the Square in Moultrie. Over the last three years she has made significant contributions to the college. Some of these accomplishments have been the 50 percent increase in enrollment and 60 percent increase in course offerings at ABAC on the Square. Enrollment reached an all-time high this semester with 403 students.

Powell recruited 22 part-time instructors and assisted in acquiring a $60,000 donation to set up a science lab in Moultrie. She also assisted in setting up the new student ambassadors program at ABAC on the Square. Powell received a plaque and a check for $1,250 from the ABAC Foundation.

Wilson was a teacher and administrator in the public school system before joining the ABAC faculty in August of 2000. She serves as a mentor and advisor for the 65 students she advises. In fact, 100 percent of her advisees say they would recommend her as an advisor to other students.

Wilson almost singlehandedly convinced Valdosta State University to offer an evening program in Early Childhood Education on the ABAC campus. She also worked extensively with VSU to offer a scholarship program through which 40-45 paraprofessional educators per semester received financial assistance with their classes.

As a result of the honor, Wilson received a plaque and will attend the national meeting of the National Academic Advising Association in October in Cincinnati.

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