The reception honoring ABAC President Mike Vollmer and his wife, Lennie, will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Marian A. Sumner Room in the Margaret Jones Public Library, 205 East Pope Street, in Sylvester.
The ABAC Alumni Association and the ABAC Foundation will host the reception for the Vollmers. The event is one of several sponsored by the ABAC Alumni Association and the ABAC Foundation to honor the Vollmers. The reception is open to anyone who would like to attend. Vollmer became ABAC's ninth president on July 1.
Lydia Harris, President of the Chamber of Commerce in Sylvester, said she is proud that a reception for President Vollmer is being held in Sylvester.
"This is a good opportunity for the people of Sylvester to welcome President Vollmer and his wife--not just to Tifton, but to the ABAC community as a whole," Harris said.
According to ABAC's Office of Development and Alumni Relations, some 100 Worth County students enroll at ABAC each year.
In addition, several Worth County citizens are influential members of the ABAC community and in Sylvester. For instance, Dr. H. Gordon Davis, Jr. of Sylvester has sponsored the Davis Nursing Scholarship at ABAC since 1993. Local businessman William H. Davis, Jr. ('72) of Sylvester serves on the Board of Trustees for the ABAC Foundation. Dr. Larry D. Daugherty, D.M.D. ('78) was recognized as the Outstanding Health Care Professional at Homecoming 2000. Jerald L. Carter ('62) is a Director on the ABAC Alumni Association Board. Worth County Sheriff Freddie Tompkins is a 1975 ABAC alumnus, and Sylvester City Councilman William J. Yearta is a 1978 ABAC alumnus.
ABAC Foundation President Melvin Merrill said he is pleased with the interest everyone in Sylvester has shown in welcoming ABAC's new president.
"This is a great opportunity for the president and Lennie to meet people associated with the college," Merrill said. "The reception is part of an effort to introduce the Vollmers into the entire ABAC community, and we are glad to be involved in that process. Above all, we are grateful for the positive response we have received in Sylvester."
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