Michael Arena, a pharmacy major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, did not choose pharmacy as his first career goal.  In fact, the Fitzgerald High School valedictorian had other plans in mind.
   “I was dead set on being an engineer since the seventh grade,” Arena said. “I worked at a local pharmacy in Fitzgerald my junior year and was influenced by the pharmacist. I realized there were a lot of benefits to being a pharmacist, especially if you are working for a corporation.”
   Arena chose ABAC to get his college education because of the small campus size and the proximity to home.  His decision to choose ABAC might have also been affected by his selection as an ABAC Presidential Scholar.  ABAC President David Bridges initiated the Presidential Scholarship Program as a model system designed to enhance recruiting and the admission of highly deserving students to ABAC. 
   Besides residing on campus at ABAC Lakeside, Arena is also a part of the Student Government Association (SGA), the Residence Hall Association, and the Honors Club.
   After ABAC, Arena plans to attend either the University of Georgia’s pharmacy school or South University.