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 20, 2007

George T. Smith

SMITH TO SPEAK AT ABAC SPRING GRADUATION

TIFTON— The Honorable George T. Smith will be the spring graduation speaker for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on May 4 at 6 p.m. in Gressette Gym.

A native of Mitchell County, Smith is the only Georgian ever to have won contested elections in all three branches of state government – legislative, executive and judicial. He served the people of Georgia as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lieutenant Governor, and as a Georgia Supreme Court justice.

Smith started his career in public service while still a student at ABAC by serving as student government president. He graduated from ABAC in 1940 and joined the Navy. While serving his country, Smith attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and received the Naval Merit Unit Citation. In 1948, he attended the University of Georgia School of Law and graduated with his law degree in 1948.

Smith practiced law privately and served as County Attorney, Solicitor of the State Court of Grady County, Cairo City Attorney, and attorney for the Grady County Board of Education.

He served in the Georgia House of Representatives for Grady County from 1959 – 1966 and was Speaker of the House from 1963 – 1966. He then ran for Lieutenant Governor and won, serving from 1967 – 1970. He was elected to the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia in 1977, serving for four years. In 1981, he was named to the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia, serving 10 years in the position.

At ABAC’s 2007 Homecoming celebration, Smith was named the first recipient of the Abraham Baldwin Distinguished Service Award. The award honors men and women who have been true public servants of the citizens of Georgia in a variety of capacities. The award is named for a signer of the United States Constitution from Georgia, the first president of the University of Georgia, and the namesake for ABAC. Smith also received the Regents’ Hall of Fame Award this year.

ABAC President David Bridges will open the graduation ceremony. Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Caroline Helms will present the degrees.

ABAC Alumni Association President Joy Carter will induct the graduates into the Alumni Association and assist in the presentation of the coveted Donaldson award. The award, named for ABAC’s president from 1947-61, goes to the top ABAC graduate of the approximately 165 who are expected to participate in the ceremony.

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