Jim Edens of Tifton is the first student at Abraham Baldwin College to earn the Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology (BASIT) degree offered through Valdosta State University. He completed the program this summer.
The BASIT program, which began in the Fall of 2000 through the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) funding, allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in Information Technology at ABAC by taking on-line classes offered by VSU.
The program provides technical and managerial skills in computer technologies that will prepare a graduate for the job market. Topics of study include web programming, Visual Basic (VB) programming, Microsoft Office automation, project management, and Microsoft operating systems and networks. The BASIT program also prepares students to earn the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification.
A native of Connecticut, Edens holds an M.S. degree in Industrial Relations from Georgia State University, a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University, and a certificate in Information Technology from ABAC in addition to the BASIT degree.
"I decided to pursue the BASIT degree because I enjoy programming," Edens said. "The program is very convenient because all of the courses are offered on-line, which allowed me to set my own hours. I really enjoyed the flexibility of the program and the convenience of the web-based structure. If the program had not been offered on-line, I never would have been able to obtain this degree."
Edens, who is the Human Resources Director for the City of Tifton, is also involved with telecommunications, City Net, and web application development. He said the BASIT degree has really helped him in his current position, and he is already putting the programming skills he learned to good use.
Edens wrote an application that generates an individualized statement on all the employee benefits offered by the city. The statements show projected pension benefits, the value of the paid time off programs, and the cost for the city to provide benefits. He is also creating an internal program that allows employees to access information on-line as well as a customer service program for City Net to input cable orders.
Jo Ann Brannen, Assistant Professor of Information Technology at ABAC, is the coordinator for the BASIT program on the ABAC campus.
"The BASIT program is very convenient for students," Brannen said. "Students can stay at ABAC and earn a bachelor's degree, without having to commute to a distant location or relocate. Since the program is entirely web-based, students who work full-time and have family obligations can still fit the program into their schedules."
Edens extended his appreciation to everyone who supported him.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Earl Bennett [Professor in ABAC's Division of Science and Mathematics] for all of his programming classes," Edens said. "I'd also like to thank my wife, Teresa, and my sons, David and Robert, for all of their support. I'd never have been able to do this without them. I also want to thank the excellent professors at VSU. They are very committed to helping students learn, and they have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. There is a growing demand for on-line degree programs, and I believe we will be seeing a lot more of them in the future."
For additional information about the BASIT degree program, contact Brannen at (229) 386-3114 or the VSU program coordinator, Dr. Dave Gibson, at (229) 333-5786.
ABAC also offers other four-year degree programs on campus, including early childhood education from VSU, information technology from Macon State College, accounting and management from Georgia Southwestern, and agricultural science from the University of Georgia (beginning in the Fall of 2003).
# # #