IMMEDIATE NOVEMBER 18, 2004

ABAC REQUESTS STATE COLLEGE STATUS

TIFTON—As Abraham Baldwin College nears its 100^th birthday, ABAC officials are hoping for a nice present, four-year college status for the 3,400-student academic institution.

“We have requested that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia grant ABAC state college status,” Interim President Tom Call said. “That means we would continue to offer all the two-year programs currently available as well as selected four-year degrees.”

Call said the college is requesting Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Turfgrass and Golf Course Management as well as Diversified Agriculture.

“These two degrees fit well into what we’re already offering on the two-year level,” Call said. “I believe there will be considerable interest among prospective students.”

Dalton State College and Macon State College are the only State colleges in the 34-unit University System at the present time. With a record enrollment and more students living on campus than ever before, ABAC seems to be a perfect choice for the upgrade.

Call said the college may not know the outcome of the request until at least April, 2005. If accepted by the System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, coursework could begin in the fall of 2006. ABAC celebrates its 100^th birthday in 2008.

ABAC began as an area high school called the Second District A&M School. It became a four-year college in 1925 called the South Georgia A&M College. In 1929, the name was changed to the Georgia State College for Men. In 1933, ABAC became a two-year college and joined the University System.

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