Abraham
Baldwin Agricultural College
Faculty/Staff Meeting
Wednesday,
August 16, 2006
**MINUTES**
The Fall 2006 Faculty/Staff Meeting was called to order at 8:45 AM.
Mr. Mike Chason, Director of Public Relations, welcomed everyone to the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Joseph Njoroge, Associate
Professor, gave the Invocation.
Mr. Jason
Chapman, SGA President, welcomed all faculty and staff back to another academic
year, and expressed his appreciation for all that we do for students.
Introduction of new personnel and announcement of personnel changes
were made by Mr. Mike Chason, Director of Public
Relations, as follows:
Business Office
Ruth Jackson, Cashier – Associate of Office Management from BFW College, Bebra, Germany. Started work at ABAC in April of this year.
Sharon Ellis, became Interim Director of Business Office in March of this year, she was the Information Systems Coordinator prior to taking interim position.
Stefane Hightower, was moved from Accounting Clerk position to Accounting Assistant position, and can be found in the One Card Office in the One Stop Shop.
Development and Alumni
Amanda Bridges, Administrative Records & Research Assistant – graduate of Worth Co. High School, AS in Computer Science from ABAC, BBA in management from Georgia Southwestern. Started work in November of 2005.
Division of Agriculture and Forest
Resources
John Joyce, Ag Technician
– BS in Wildlife Science and an MS in Wildlife & Fisheries from
Timothy Marshall, Division Chair and Professor – holds an AS in Agriculture from ABAC, a BSA from the University of Georgia, and an MS and a PhD from the University of Florida, all in Animal Science.
Judy Perry, Sr. Administrative Assistant – former Sr. Accounting Assistant, moved from the Business Office in July to take on her new duties with the division.
Division of Business Administration
Linda Underwood, Instructor of Business – AS in Business Administration
from ABAC, BBA in Management and a Masters in Management Information Systems,
both from Georgia College and State University.
Lee Ann Taylor, new Instructor of Business, she was formerly employed as
a full-time temporary Instructor.
Division of
Humanities
Gina Wilson, Senior Administrative Assistant – AS in Business
Administration from ABAC, and a BBA from Georgia Southwestern. Started work here at ABAC in June.
Kelly Keener, Instructor of English – BA in English from Louisiana
State University, and expects to complete her MA in English from the University
of New Orleans this month.
Michele Lee, Instructor of English – BA in English, and an MA in
English Literature, both from Minnesota State University.
Tyrie (T.J.) Smith, Instructor of English – Associate of Arts in English from
Young Harris, BA in English from Georgia State University, and a Master of Arts
in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Becca Turner, moving to full-time temporary Instructor of Speech, from
part-time temporary position.
Division of
Nursing
Vickie Holloway, LPN1 in the Health Center – received her LPN from
Moultrie Technical School. Started work in March of this year.
Jeannie Paulk, Clinical
Instructor/Lab Assistant – AS in Nursing from ABAC, BSN from Georgia
Southwestern, and is working on an MS from Valdosta State University.
Jeannie Rigdon, moving to
full-time temporary Assistant Professor from a part-time position.
Division of
Science & Mathematics
Avijit Kar, Instructor of
Mathematics – BS in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska, and MS in
Mathematics from the University of Florida.
Anna Liner, Full-Time Temporary Instructor of Biology - BS in Zoology
from the University of Florida, and an MS in Wildlife Ecology and Management
from the University of Georgia.
Derek Westwood, Assistant Professor of Mathematics – BS from Reading
University in England, and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, all
in Mathematics. Dr. Westwood started his employment at ABAC in January of this
year.
Sue Wong, Instructor of Mathematics – BS from Barry University, and
an MA from the University of South Florida, both in Mathematics.
Division of
Social Science
Diana Fuller, Assistant Professor of Psychology – BA and MS in
Psychology, and an Ed. S. in Educational Psychology, all from the University of
Georgia.
Learning Support
Kim Thomas, COMPASS Testing Specialist – AS in Public Administration
from Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina. Started work
at ABAC in March of this year.
Erin Campbell is the new Director of Learning Support, since May of this
year. She was formerly an Assistant Professor in Humanities.
Library
Baretta King, Part-Time Library Assistant I – Business degree from
Moultrie Technical School. Started work at ABAC this past April.
Office of
Information Technology and Services
Jimmy W. Harper, Application Support Analyst – AS in Information
Technology from ABAC! Started work in March of this year.
Public Safety
Betty K. Barber, Public Safety Officer – AS in Criminal Justice from ABAC, and a BA in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University. Started at ABAC in July.
Gail Drayton, Public Safety Officer – working on Criminal Justice degree from ABAC. Started work in July.
Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Public Safety Officer – graduate of the ABAC Police Academy. Started work in August of 2005.
Andrew M. Smith, Public Safety Officer – working on Criminal Justice degree from ABAC. Started work here in August of 2005.
Student & Enrollment Services
Logan Edwards, North Georgia/Metro
Atlanta Recruiter – she is a Tift County High School graduate, and holds a BA
in History from Berry College.
Tonya Hamm, Coordinator Residence Life – BS in Consumer Economics from UGA, MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. Started work here at ABAC just last month (July).
Ryan Myers, Financial Aid Processing Specialist – AAS Business Information Technology from ABAC, BS in Information Technology from Macon State College.
Caren Gladin, formerly a Records Coordinator II, became an Enrollment Specialist I in the One stop Shop as of December 2005.
Mandy C. Ponder, Enrollment Specialist – AS in Business Administration from ABAC, BBA in Management from Valdosta State University. She was hired as Part-time HOPE Information Coordinator I in June of 2005, and moved to this position last December.
Brooke Sanders, South Georgia Recruiter – Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Speech Communication and an emphasis in Public Relations from Valdosta State University. Started work at ABAC in March of this year.
Van McGriff, Administrative Associate - moved from her position as Sr. Administrative Assistant in the Division of Humanities in April.
Ellen Resta has been temporarily assigned to the Enrollment Services Office as an Enrollment Specialist. She will continue to handle her duties for the Office of Evening and Off-Campus Programs as a Coordinator Assistant in her new location.
Student Support Services
Marsha Anderson, Director of Student Support Services Program– prior to September 2005, she was the Administrative Coordinator of that program.
Upward Bound
Christopher Kinsey, Guidance/Academic Specialist – BA in History, MBA in Social Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University. Started in December of 2005.
Gerald Williams, Tiftarea
Upward Bound Coordinator – BA in Legal Studies, MPA (Personnel Administration) and M.Ed.
from
President’s Office
Dr. David C. Bridges
President’s Address –
Dr. David C. Bridges
Dr. Bridges gave an overview of his “commitment to excellence” policy. He hopes to lead ABAC to bigger and better things as we begin our next 100 years of excellence.
Mission Statement
Dr. Helms, Vice
President and Dean of Academic Affairs, called for a vote on the proposed new
mission statement, that addresses our new four-year degree options:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a residential institution
offering certificates, associate degrees in a broad array of disciplines, and
baccalaureate degrees in targeted fields. With a state-wide mission in
agriculture and strong programs in the liberal arts, nursing, business, the
natural and physical sciences, the social sciences, and physical education, the
College serves students with diverse educational and career goals. Associate of
Applied Science degrees prepare students for entry into a career field.
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree programs provide the first
two years of study toward a baccalaureate degree. Baccalaureate degrees in
selective fields may be pursued by students holding an associate’s degree.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a student-centered
institution. As a point of access to
higher education, the College provides a learning support program for
under-prepared students. Evening, off-campus, and online courses furnish
educational opportunities for individuals who are unable to attend classes in
the traditional setting. Intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs and
numerous student organizations offer students opportunities for physical and
social development. Modern, state-of-the-art apartments provide the convenience
of on-campus residence.
Vitally involved with the educational and economic development of south
Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College continually strives to expand its
service to the region. Public service programs include special-interest
activities and courses, occupation-enhancing classes, youth enrichment courses,
and performing and visual arts events. The College also provides administrative
services and facilities that enable community and state organizations, as well
as other units of the University System of Georgia, to bring seminars,
meetings, and upper-level and graduate instruction to the region.
The College’s goal is to contribute to a better-educated Georgia. To
that end, it engages in a comprehensive planning and assessment process,
enabling it to build upon its strengths and correct weaknesses. The College’s
faculty, staff, and administration are committed to excellence in preparing
students to be informed, productive citizens in the Twenty-First century.
Motion was made, seconded, and passed
unanimously to accept this new mission statement.
Committee
Assignments
Dr. Helms reviewed the committee assignments for 2006-2007: anyone wishing to be added to or removed from a committee should contact the Office of Academic Affairs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lori Felton introduced Centennial Campaign area/unit campaign leaders and encouraged faculty and staff to contribute.
CLOSING
There being no further business, the meeting
was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.