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

 

Green Bar Divider

IMMEDIATE                                                                                                                                                                                               January 30, 2008

 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT ABAC ON FEB. 18-22


TIFTON—Fireworks, two concerts, and a hot air balloon will highlight the Centennial Celebration activities on Feb. 18-22 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

ABAC opened its doors as the Second District A&M School on Feb. 20, 1908.  It became the South Georgia A&M College in 1925, the Georgia State College for Men in 1929, and assumed its present title in 1933.

ABAC Public Relations Director Mike Chason, who chairs the 100th birthday committee, said there are plenty of events designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

“We’ll have everything from a parade on campus to fireworks over Lake Baldwin,” Chason said.  “All the young people in the community will love Corey Smith, and the Centennial Concert by the ABAC music program will satisfy everyone’s musical tastes.”

Smith, a Georgia native who is becoming one of the hottest young artists in the nation, will perform at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 in the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.  Tickets are available at the Conference Center ticket office.

 

The Centennial Concert at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 in Gressette Gym will feature the ABAC Concert Band, the ABAC Jazz Band, the ABAC Concert Choir, and the ABAC Jazz Choir.   There will also be a special performance by the “Dixie Stallions,” who will entertain the audience with Dixieland Jazz tunes.

ABAC Music Program Director Don Coates, Choral Director Susan Roe, and Concert Band Director Woody Leonard have put together a program which includes all eras of music from Ragtime to Hip Hop.  There is no charge for admission.

“The Centennial Concert is really ABAC’s gift to the community,” Chason said.  “This community has supported this college in so many ways.  This is a chance to give back and showcase some very talented student musicians.”

Former presidents and interim presidents of ABAC will be recognized in a 10:30 a.m. event on Feb. 20 in Howard Auditorium.  This presentation is open to the community at no charge and includes a special video with historic photos and testimonies.  ABAC President David Bridges will close out the morning by speaking on “A Look Back and A Look Ahead.”

Games, inflatables, a mentalist, and a hot air balloon will be on the front of the campus beginning at 1 p.m. on Feb. 20, and fireworks will explode over Lake Baldwin at 9 p.m. that night.

The first inductees in the brand new ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame will be introduced during the ABAC-South Georgia Tech basketball twin-bill, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 in Gressette Gym.  

All week long a history of ABAC exhibit will be on display in the Baldwin Library, and the bookstore will sell special 100th birthday items.

 

Chason said the college actually began the birthday celebration on March 31, 2007 with the Homecoming activities.   A Homecoming Jubilee will be held on April 3-5 with more events designed specifically for alumni and friends of the college.

For more information on the Centennial Celebration, interested persons can contact the ABAC Public Relations Office at (229) 391-5055 or visit the ABAC web site at www.abac.edu/pr/birthday.

 

 

 

ABAC’s 100th

Birthday Week

 

 

 

 

Monday, Feb. 18

8-9 a.m.                 Faculty and Staff Breakfast                        Dining Hall

Noon                    Birthday Celebration and Cake                   ABAC on the Square

Moultrie

Tuesday, Feb. 19

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.     100th Birthday Cake                         Dining Hall

For ABAC students

3 p.m.                   Parade

8 p.m.                   Corey Smith Concert                                  UGA Conference

Center

Wednesday, Feb. 20

9-10 a.m.               Retired Faculty and Staff Breakfast           Dining Hall

10:30 a.m.             Through The Years of ABAC                     Howard Auditorium

·        Photographic history presentation

·        A look back and a look ahead

Dr. David Bridges

11:45 a.m.             Presidential Plaza Dedication                     Front of Dining Hall

12:30 p.m.             Lunch for Former Presidents                     Lakeside Lobby

(By Invitation)

1-5 p.m.            Activities for Everyone!                             Front Lawn

Hot Air Balloon, Mentalist, Games, Inflatables, and more!

7 p.m.                   Centennial Celebration Concert                  Gressette Gym

ABAC Music Program

9 p.m.                   Fireworks                                                   Lake Baldwin

 

Thursday, Feb. 21

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.     Big Red Chair Pictures (students)

5:30 p.m.               Basketball Games vs. S. Georgia Tech          Gressette Gym

ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame Presentation

Friday, Feb. 22

11 a.m.                  Time Capsule                                    Front steps of Tift Hall

 

·        History Display will be open all week in the Baldwin Library.

·        Bookstore will have special birthday items on sale all week.

 

For more information call 229-391-5055.