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 February 15, 2008

General Assembly Honors ABAC On Its 100^th Birthday

TIFTON—Lawmakers under the Gold Dome of the State Capitol honored Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday with resolutions citing ABAC’s 100^th birthday in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

ABAC President David Bridges had a chance to address both the House and the Senate in separate ceremonies.

“I want to thank you for your support of higher education in Georgia and particularly for your support of our college,” Bridges said.  “For 100 years, we have maintained our traditional roots in agriculture, and we have some great plans for the next 100 years.”

Bridges was joined at the podium on both occasions by George T. Smith, an ABAC alumnus (Class of 1940) who is the only man in Georgia history to serve in all three branches of state government.  He is a former Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Supreme Court Justice. He received a standing ovation from the lawmakers both times he spoke.

“I want to tell you that there is no better place in this country to get an education than Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College,” Smith said.   “I went there, and I know that to be true today.  And I want you to remember ABAC when the appropriations committee meets.”

Bridges, Smith, and the ABAC delegation also met with Governor Sonny Perdue in his office in the Capitol as well as with local legislators Joseph Carter, Austin Scott, Jay Roberts and many ABAC alumni serving in the General Assembly.

“I want to thank our local delegation for making this day possible,” Bridges said.  “Without their help, there’s no way we could have managed this visit.”

A complete week of Centennial Celebration Week events will be held at ABAC on Feb. 18-22.   The highlight of the week will be on Feb. 20 with a 10:30 a.m. event in Howard Auditorium where Bridges will speak on the past 100 years and the next century.   A Corey Smith concert will be held on Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. in the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, and the entire music program of ABAC will be featured in a free 7 p.m. Centennial Celebration concert on Feb. 20 in Gressette Gym.  Fireworks over Lake Baldwin will follow at 9 p.m.

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