Spring 2011 Donaldson Award Winner

Cain Thurmond, an agribusiness and agricultural economics major from Jefferson, received the prestigious George P. Donaldson award at the spring commencement ceremony on Friday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Thurmond, who served as the first president of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at ABAC, was selected for the award based on a combination of academics and extracurricular activities. The award included a plaque and a check for $500 from the ABAC Alumni Association. Donaldson served as president of ABAC from 1947-61.

Thurmond added the Donaldson Award to his vast array of achievements including the Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics Award from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Award of Distinction from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources during this year’s Honors Day.

The son of Phil and Susie Thurmond, he has been an active member in ABAC’s Cattlemen’s Association and the Ag Business Club. During the 2009-2010 academic year, Thurmond served as the Student Government Association’s freshman class president and was a member of the ABAC Ambassadors, where he completed over 70 hours of service as a representative for the college.

Thurmond won the Mr. ABAC contest in 2010 and received a Pacesetter Award for his contributions to the campus as a student leader. He made the Dean’s List three times while at ABAC.

His involvement outside of ABAC includes his participation with the National Agri-Marketing Association and serving as a representative for Alpha Gamma Rho during this year’s National Ag Day in Washington, D.C.