News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE MARCH 8, 2005

HOMECOMING MARCH 31 – APRIL 2 AT ABAC

TIFTON- Homecoming 2005 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will kick off on March 31 and run through April 2. Alumni returning to the 421-acre campus will find many changes.

“It’s getting harder and harder for the older alumni to find identifiable landmarks,” said Nancy Coleman, director of alumni relations, who is coordinating her 20^th homecoming. “Once you move away from the buildings on the front circle, there isn’t much that looks familiar for alumni from the Golden Anniversary Class of 1955.”

The Golden Anniversary Class will kick off the weekend with a social and dinner at the Donaldson Dining Hall beginning at 6 p.m. on March 31.

April 1 is filled with activities for all Golden Alumni from the Class of 1955 and earlier. Interim President Tom Call will address the group at 11 a.m. in the Cordell Conference Room, comparing the ABAC of 1955 to the ABAC of 2005.

The Golden Anniversary Luncheon gets underway at noon in the Donaldson Dining Hall with the induction of the Class of 1955 into the Golden Alumni Association. Each class member will be presented a specially commissioned bronze medallion.

The Candlelight Remembrance Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel of All Faiths. In a service led by an area minister, individuals are invited to light a candle in memory of an alumnus, student, faculty/staff member or friend of the college. Because the country is currently at war, candles may also be lit in honor of someone serving in the military.

The day concludes with the annual Homecoming dinner and dance. Following a meal, alumni and friends will be listening and dancing to hits from the 50’s to the 80’s provided by MusicMASTER Disc Jockeys from Buford. This event is open to the public.

At 10 a.m. on April 2, students and young alumni will meet with seasoned professionals at the “Networking in the Industry” event sponsored by the Ag Alumni Council. The gathering will be held at the Rowan Pavilion at Lake Baldwin and will include lunch for those who are interested.

Call will once again address alumni at 11 a.m. in the Cordell Conference Room. His remarks will focus on where ABAC will be headed over the next five to ten years, including a sneak preview at the soon-to-be-released Master Plan.

The highlight of the weekend is always the Alumni Awards Luncheon at noon in the Donaldson Dining Hall. Alumni from various walks of life will be honored for their contributions to the professions, their communities, and ABAC. One very special individual will be recognized as an Honorary Alumnus. The Legacy Family will also be introduced at the luncheon.

Alumni who bring prospective students to the event can send them to the annual Spring Open Campus Day from 2 – 4 p.m. on April 2.

Coleman said pre-registration deadline for all meal functions is March 18. Ticket orders received after that date will not be mailed, but can be picked up at the Alumni Office or registration desk at Homecoming. A limited number of tickets will be available the day of Homecoming but will be assessed a late charge of $2 per ticket. For tickets and more information, contact the ABAC Alumni Office at 229-391-4898. For additional information, Homecoming details can be viewed at the ABAC web site at www.abac.edu.

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