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 September 20, 2007

ABAC TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RANKED SEVENTH IN U.S.

TIFTON—With graduates working at golf courses all over the United States and the Caribbean, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has established quite a reputation for itself in the turf business. That reputation was recently solidified when TurfNet Magazine selected the ABAC associate degree program as the seventh best in the United States.

The ranking serves as a perfect prelude to the brand new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Turfgrass and Golf Course Management which ABAC is rolling out for the start of the spring term on Jan. 7, 2008. That ABAC four-year degree program is already ranked 26^th in the nation without a single class being taught

“To have a worldwide organization like TurfNet realize ABAC’s educational program is humbling and provides us a lot of inspiration to get the four-year degree started,” Dr. Tim Marshall, Agriculture and Forest Resources Division Chair, said.

TurfNet Magazine’s rankings included all programs in the U.S. and Canada. The University of Central Florida conducted the survey in conjunction with the magazine. ABAC’s bachelor’s degree ranking was based on the college’s reputation, current and projected resources and the course curriculum of the newly accredited program.

“I am very excited about our ranking,” Dr. Eddie Seagle, Professor of Agriculture and Environmental Horticulture at ABAC, said. “I can’t wait to start the four-year classes in January and get these students through the program and out in the job market in two more years.”

Seagle said ABAC has an advantage over many colleges which offer turf programs since ABAC has its own golf course, the 9-hole Forest Lakes Golf Club. Students get extensive hands-on experience at the course, which was donated to the ABAC Foundation by Tifton ophthalmologist Larry Moorman and his wife, Debra.

ABAC will also offer a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Diversified Agriculture when the spring semester begins. The two new four-year degrees are a result of ABAC gaining State College status in the University System of Georgia. State Colleges offer primarily associate degree programs but are also able to offer selected four-year degrees.

For more information on the new programs, interested persons can contact the ABAC admissions office at (800) 733-3653.

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