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 MAY 22, 2008

GRIFFIN STUDENT SELECTED

FOR

ABAC PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

TIFTON – Jessica Ashley Kalina, a senior at Griffin High School, has been selected as the recipient of a Presidential Scholarship at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Combined with the HOPE scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship covers a large portion of the remaining cost of tuition, fees, books, room and meals at ABAC for the 2008-2009 academic year for an estimated worth of $6,212.

ABAC President David Bridges said Kalina is one of only three Presidential Scholars selected during the inaugural year of the program. With input from several groups, the ABAC administration identified three particularly deserving students from across Georgia to receive these scholarships, which were made possible through the combined efforts of the ABAC Foundation and key supporters of the college.

“The Presidential Scholarship Program was initiated as a model system designed to enhance recruiting power and hence the admission of highly deserving students to ABAC,” Bridges said. “We looked for students who will make the ABAC of the future even better than the ABAC of today.”

Kalina was a two-time Governors’ Honors nominee, a Global Achievers’ nominee and the recipient of the National Leadership Merit Award, the All American Scholars Award, and the International Foreign Language Award.

She finished second in the Griffin High School science fair and was a member of the National Junior Classical League, the Latin Honors Society, Key Club International, the National Beta Club, and the Interact Club. Kalina plans to major in animal science.

“ABAC is on the move,” Bridges said. “We have an all time record enrollment, new student housing, and brand new four-year degrees which we offer on our campus. I believe Jessica will be a very positive addition to our student body.”

As a State College of the University System of Georgia, ABAC offers two-year degrees and selected four-year degrees. The enrollment of 3,665 students comes from 154 Georgia counties, 12 states, and nine countries. Classes begin Aug. 18 for the fall semester.

###

###