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 MAY 22, 2008

Three Receive Presidential Scholarships At ABAC

TIFTON –Three students have received the first ever Presidential Scholarships at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for the 2008-2009 academic year.

ABAC President David Bridges said Jessica Ashley Kalina from Griffin High School, Colton Farrow from Wilcox County High School, and Jeremy Tanner Newhouse from Warner Robins High School will receive the prestigious scholarships when they enroll for the first day of classes at ABAC on Aug. 18.

With input from several groups, the ABAC administration identified three particularly deserving students from across Georgia to receive these scholarships, which were made possible through the combined efforts of the ABAC Foundation and key supporters of the college.

“The Presidential Scholarship Program was initiated as a model system designed to enhance recruiting power and hence the admission of highly deserving students to ABAC,” Bridges said.  “We looked for students who will make the ABAC of the future even better than the ABAC of today.”

Kalina was a two-time Governors’ Honors nominee, a Global Achievers’ nominee and the recipient of the National Leadership Merit Award, the All American Scholars Award, and the International Foreign Language Award.

She finished second in the Griffin High School science fair and was a member of the National Junior Classical League, the Latin Honors Society, Key Club International, the National Beta Club, and the Interact Club.   Kalina plans to major in Animal Science.

Active in FFA his entire high school career, Farrow serves as the 2008-09 state president of the organization.  He has served as Sentinel, Chaplain, Vice President and President of his local chapter.  He was also a member of the Livestock Judging, Dairy Judging, and Ag Communications teams.

A Governor’s Honors Program participant, Farrow was president of the Wilcox County Beta Club and was named to the National Honor Roll.  He played football and baseball during all four years of high school.  Farrow plans to major in Animal Science.

Newhouse is a former Chapter Treasurer and Chapter President of the Warner Robins High School FFA.  He was a Governor’s Honors’ Program participant and attended the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.  He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Forum, the Beta Club, and the Student Council.

Bridges said Newhouse has already proven his ability to succeed in college by taking classes through the ACCEL program at Georgia Military College.  Newhouse plans to major in forest resources.

“ABAC is on the move,” Bridges said.  “We have an all time record enrollment, new student housing, and brand new four-year degrees which we offer on our campus.  I believe Jessica, Colton, and Jeremy will be very positive additions to our student body.”

As a State College of the University System of Georgia, ABAC offers two-year degrees and selected four-year degrees.  The enrollment of 3,665 students comes from 154 Georgia counties, 12 states, and nine countries.  Classes begin Aug. 18 for the fall semester.

###