News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE December 19, 2008

A Memorable Year For ABAC In 2008

TIFTON – The calendar year 2008 was a time of change for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as ABAC celebrated its first 100 years and then embarked on a second century of service which included brand new bachelor’s degrees on campus.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2008 year at ABAC:

---Dr. Tim Marshall, chair of the Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources, cut the ribbon as ABAC began offering Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Diversified Agriculture and Turfgrass and Golf Course Management on Jan. 7.

---University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis, Jr., visited the campus on Jan. 17. He said “ABAC is well known in this state, top to bottom, East to West.”

---Dr. Susan Roe coordinated the first ever Choral Day at ABAC on Feb. 2 for high school choral students.

---Physical Plant employee John Tanner uncovered a 1922 Heinz ketchup bottle with a handwritten message inside dated March 1, 1922. The paper listed the names of the 1922 sophomore class.

---The Winter Open Campus Day set an all time record for attendance with 1,620 prospective students.

---The ABAC student newspaper, “The Stallion,” was named the top two-year college newspaper in Georgia by the Georgia College Press Association. The paper received 21 awards at the annual GCPA conference. Dr. Eric Cash advises the newspaper.

---The Georgia General Assembly honored ABAC on its 100^th birthday on Feb. 14 when President David Bridges and alumnus George T. Smith spoke to both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Governor Sonny Perdue also recognized the entire ABAC contingent in his office.

---The Centennial Celebration Week at ABAC on Feb. 18-22 included a concert by Corey Smith, a Centennial Concert by the ABAC music groups, hot air balloon rides, a parade, a time capsule, the Presidential Plaza dedication and the induction of six legends into the first ever Athletics Hall of Fame.

---ABAC alumnus Michael Johns attracted worldwide attention when he made it to the top 10 of the American Idol competition.

--Mike Chason edited and Ashley Williamson designed a book celebrating ABAC’s first 100 years titled “100 Years of ABAC Memories.”

---The ABAC Cattlemen’s Association received statewide Chapter of the Year honors from the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks and Doug Hicks advise the chapter.

---For the first time ever, a husband and wife captured two of the top awards at Honors Day when Lorie Felton was named the top faculty member and Jimmy Felton was named the top staff member. Andrea Willis was named the top administrator, and Tami Dennis was selected as the top advisor. Christina Ann Norton was selected as the top academic student.

---Two members of the junior class, Nate Carney and Dan Pennington, were selected as president and vice president of the Student Government Association. They became the first juniors in ABAC history to lead the SGA.

---ABAC alumnus Thomas “Boo” Weekley captured his second straight Verizon Heritage PGA tour title at Hilton Head. He later donated $30,000 to the college through his participation on the United States Ryder Cup team.

---ABAC teamed with Georgia Southwestern to add four-year degrees in Resource Management and Early Childhood Education on the ABAC campus. The two institutions will also continue to offer bachelor’s degrees in management and accounting at ABAC.

---Senator Saxby Chambliss was the guest speaker at the spring graduation ceremony.

---President David Bridges and his wife, Kim, accepted the Arts Citizen of the Year award on behalf of ABAC from the Tift County Arts Council.

---ABAC freshman Monika Lalewicz won the national championship at the NJCAA national tennis tournament. The Fillies finished fourth in the nation and won their 15^th consecutive state title. The men’s tennis team finished third in the nation. Alan Kramer coaches both squads.

---Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed the state budget which allocates $6 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the college’s three original buildings on the front of campus.

---Colton Farrow, Jessica Kalina, and Tanner Newhouse became the first ever Presidential Scholars at ABAC.

---Twelve top honor graduates including three valedictorians and three salutatorians chose ABAC for the fall term.

---Five ABAC athletes, Natalie Barber, Ester Howell, Brazzle Young, Chelsea Nash, and Casslin Couch, were selected for Academic All America status.

---ABAC alumna Cathy Cox was inaugurated as president of Young Harris College.

---A study revealed that ABAC’s economic impact on Tift County and the surrounding area reached an all time high of $237 million during the 2007 year.

---ABAC introduced the design of a new college logo to begin the college’s second 100 years. The college also unveiled a brand new look to its web site.

---Tanya Rafferty was selected for the first four-year scholarship in ABAC history.

---ABAC introduced a new emergency messaging system for students, faculty, and staff.

---Coach Jimmy Ballenger’s ABAC soccer team recorded a best ever record of 13-6 behind the efforts of Katrina Duncan Marshalleck, who scored an all time record of 26 goals.

---Keegan Westberry, a freshman from Brunswick, won the 40^th annual Ms. ABAC competition.

---ABAC alumnus Wasdon Graydon closed out the 100^th birthday celebration with his speech during the fall commencement ceremony.

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