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 APRIL 27, 2006

GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE TO SPEAK AT ABAC GRADUATION MAY 9

TIFTON— Governor Sonny Perdue will be the guest speaker at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s spring graduation ceremony on May 9 at 6 p.m. in Gressette Gym.

Elected in 2002, Perdue is Georgia’s 81^st governor. He received his Doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Georgia in 1971. He joined the United States Air Force while still in college and has been a licensed pilot for over 30 years. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Perdue was a practicing veterinarian in North Carolina before returning to Georgia.

He became a small business owner, starting two businesses from the ground up, focusing on agribusiness and transportation. Those businesses are now in several locations across the Southeast. He started his career in public service after being asked by local community leaders to run for the Georgia State Senate.

Perdue won the election and spent the next 11 years representing Houston, Bibb, Bleckley, and Pulaski Counties in the General Assembly. He became Majority Leader of the Senate after four years and in 1997 was elected President Pro Tempore.

Perdue and his wife, Mary, have four children and five grandchildren.

ABAC Interim President Tom Call will open the graduation ceremony. Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Caroline Helms will present the degree candidates.

ABAC Alumni Association Vice President Joy Carter will induct the graduates into the Alumni Association and will 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.

Approximately 200 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony.

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