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

IMMEDIATE APRIL 12, 2007

TOP FACULTY, STAFF, ADMINISTRATOR, ADVISOR HONORED AT ABAC

TIFTON--The top faculty member, staff member, administrator, and academic advisor for the 2006-07 academic year were recognized during Wednesday’s Honors Day ceremony in Gressette Gym at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Beth Thornton, an assistant professor in the Division of Science and Mathematics, received the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Award for Teaching Excellence. Pam Leonard, administrative associate in the Office of Public Relations, received the Roy R. Jackson, Sr., Award for Staff Excellence. Dr. Bobbie Robinson, chair of the Division of Humanities, received the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award for College Administrators. Kay Powell, Director of ABAC on the Square in Moultrie, received the Excellence in Advising Award.

Thornton has been a part of the ABAC faculty since 1995. She earned her Associate degree in Biology from ABAC, and a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Georgia.

She is active in the community as a volunteer science instructor with Len Lastinger Elementary School and Garden Clubs of America “Environmental Studies School”. She is a Science Fair judge locally and regionally and a Science Olympiad event facilitator for this region.

Leonard has served the campus of ABAC for 21 years. She received her Associate degree in Business Administration from ABAC in 1995. For several years, Leonard served as the producer of the Miss ABAC pageant. She designs the weekly campus electronic newsletter; is co-advisor to the ABAC Ambassadors; and handles all bookings of facilities on campus.

The students at ABAC honored Leonard with the prestigious Pacesetter award on three occasions, in 1990, 1994, and 2001. She was also selected for the Staff Excellence Award during the 1998 fall quarter.

Robinson first served the college from 1976 – 1979 as an assistant professor of English. She returned in 1992 as an associate professor of English in the Division of Humanities. She served as the Director of The Writing Center for one year. Since 2001 she has served as chair of the Division of Humanities. In that capacity, she works with the ABAC Arts Connection and multiple student organizations and activities on campus.

She earned her Bachelor’s in English in 1973, her Master’s in English in 1974 and an additional Master’s in History in 1976 from Valdosta State College. She received her Doctorate in English from Baylor University in 1989.

Powell joined the ABAC faculty in 1998 as an assistant professor in the Division of Business Administration. In 2001, she was chosen as Director of ABAC on the Square in Moultrie. There, she also serves as advisor for the business administration, education, and cooperative degree students. Since 2004, she has served a dual role as Interim Director of Evening and Off-Campus Programs for the Tifton campus.

Powell was the 2004 recipient of the E. Lanier Carson Award for ABAC Administrators. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration form Valdosta State University.

###