News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE JULY 9, 2007

BRIDGES REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR AS ABAC PRESIDENT

TIFTON - It’s a good bet Dr. David Bridges will always remember his first year as the 10^th president in the history of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.  But even if his memory fails him, the history books will be there to record one of the most remarkable times in the 99-year history of the college.

Only days before he took office, Bridges stood on the steps of Tift Hall and enjoyed a celebration as ABAC was elevated to State College status by the University System of Georgia.  Just over one year later, accreditation has been received to actually begin offering the college’s first four-year programs since it was the Georgia State College for Men from 1929-33.

“I have been very fortunate to be the ABAC President when a number of significant events took place,” Bridges said.  “I had very little to do with most of them but I do enjoy seeing the college move forward, and I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Bridges became the first ABAC alumnus (Class of 1978) to ever serve as president of the college when he began his tenure on July 1, 2006.   He also became the first president to be involved in a full regalia inauguration ceremony on Aug. 25, 2006.   One day later, he initiated the ABAC women’s intercollegiate soccer program when he booted a ball past the goalie into the net.

During Bridges’ first fall semester as the chief executive, ABAC had an all-time record enrollment of 3,574 students from 153 Georgia counties, 11 other states, and 10 countries.  Bridges pushed the plunger for a dynamite charge at the groundbreaking for the ABAC Lakeside student housing project and watched as soccer balls fell from a helicopter for the groundbreaking of the women’s soccer field. 

On a blue sky day in September, Bridges presented timely remarks at the dedication of ABAC’s $7.2 million Health Sciences Building.   He was also on hand for the presentation of the prestigious Regents’ Hall of Fame award to esteemed ABAC alumnus George T. Smith in Atlanta in March.  Smith later spoke at the ABAC graduation and received the first Abraham Baldwin Distinguished Service Award.

“Judge Smith is one of my favorite people,” Bridges said.  “He never fails to amaze me with his energy level and his almost uncanny recollection of historical events in the life of our state.”

Bridges traveled all over Georgia during his first year with stops ranging from the Georgia National Fair in Perry to a television appearance around the corner from his favorite chili dog restaurant in Cordele.  His stay-on-the move strategy even extended to the ABAC campus where he moved the President’s office from Tift Hall to Evans Hall earlier this month.

“It’s time for us to rehabilitate all three of the buildings (Tift, Lewis, Herring) on the front campus,” Bridges said.  “We can’t do that with our offices located there.  It’s time to move on that project.”

Bridges helped to kick off the college’s 100^th birthday celebration at Homecoming in March and looks forward to a year-long series of events including the opening of the soccer field and ABAC Lakeside in August.

“We do need to celebrate our long history of accomplishments,” Bridges said.  “But we also need to make plans for our second century of service.”

If the first year was any indication, the days ahead should be quite unforgettable.

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