News       
from ABAC

Michael D. Chason
Director of Public Relations
ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway
Tifton, GA 31793-2601
Phone 229-391-5055
Fax 229-391-5056
mchason@abac.edu

 

Green Bar Divider

 

IMMEDIATE                                                                                                                                                                                    MARCH 29, 2007

 

ABAC 100th BIRTHDAY PARTY BEGINS THIS WEEKEND

 

            TIFTON—Birthday cakes and sparklers will signal the beginning of a year long birthday party for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College during Homecoming 2007 festivities this weekend.

            ABAC Public Relations Director Mike Chason, who chairs the birthday committee, said the college’s roots actually extend all the way back to Aug. 18, 1906 when the Georgia General Assembly established a state-run Agricultural and Mechanical School in each of Georgia’s 12 Congressional Districts.

            Delegations from Albany, Camilla, Pelham, Ashburn, and Tifton met in Albany on Nov. 23, 1906 to bid for the Second District A&M School.  Through the extraordinary efforts of H.H. Tift, Tifton won the bid.  The area high school opened its doors on Feb. 20, 1908.

            The school’s name was later changed to the South Georgia A&M College and then the Georgia State College For Men.  It assumed its present title in 1933.

            “We’ll have a huge celebration on February 20, 2008 but the fun begins Saturday,” Chason said.  “In fact, Alumni Director Nancy Coleman has arranged for a re-enactment of the bidding ceremony during the awards luncheon on Saturday.”

            Other activities during the weekend include the Golden Alumni luncheon at noon on Friday, honoring the Class of 1957.   A Remembrance Service will be held in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Friday followed by the 7 p.m. Homecoming Dinner and Dance in the dining hall.

            Don Coates and the ABAC Jazz Band will play dance tunes from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond at the dance, which will help to fund the band’s trip to Europe this summer.  Dance only tickets are available at the door at a cost of $5 per person.

            Also on Friday and Saturday nights, the annual Peach State Stampede Rodeo will be held at the ABAC Rodeo Arena.  Gates open at 6:30, and the action begins at 8 p.m.

            On Saturday, ABAC President David Bridges will present a 10 a.m. Forum on Agriculture in the Cordell Conference Room of the Carlton Center.   At noon, the awards luncheon will be held in the dining hall followed by the Centennial Celebration kickoff.

            Merriment in the Meadows is designed as a fun time for children from 2-4 p.m. Saturday.  Games and food will be featured in the area between Bowen Hall and the Music Building in the center of the ABAC campus.

            At 6 p.m. Saturday, a Homecoming Barbecue will begin in the dining hall followed by an alumni/student talent show at 7 p.m.   At 8 p.m., Starbound will play songs from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s for a Centennial Celebration dance in the dining hall.  Dance only tickets are $5 at the door.

The ABAC women’s softball team and the Golden Stallions’ baseball team will also be in action over the weekend.

            For more information on the Homecoming activities, interested persons can contact the Alumni Office at (229) 391-4895 or visit the ABAC web site at www.abac.edu.

# # #