TIFTON—Bernice Hughes, the Dean of Students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, has been selected as a 2021 Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator.
“Dean Hughes was selected because of her outstanding support for the Omega Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at ABAC,” Dr. Charlotte Klesman, advisor to ABAC’s PTK chapter, said.
Klesman said Hughes will be honored at the PTK Catalyst 2021 Live on April 9 at 6 p.m. Because of the pandemic, the annual convention will be presented in a virtual format this year. Over 10,000 virtual attendees from across the nation and the world are expected to view the presentation.
“I am honored to receive this recognition from Phi Theta Kappa,” Hughes said. “I was really shocked when the PTK headquarters contacted me and told me about the honor. I knew right away that Dr. Charlotte Klesman had sent the nomination.
“She and I have worked very closely since the pandemic began. A PTK event was in danger of being cancelled last spring when the pandemic started but we did a workaround to make sure that event took place.”
After serving as the Assistant Director of Housing at Middle Tennessee State University, Hughes joined the ABAC staff in 1998 and became the Dean of Students in 2004.
“The ABAC campus was just so beautiful, and the people were so friendly,” Hughes remembered. “ABAC seemed like a really down to earth place. I wanted to work with students at a smaller college.”
Hughes helps to train orientation leaders and deals with many other facets of student life at ABAC including discipline and academic integrity. She says the ABAC students of 2021 are different than those of 20 years ago.
“The students were more open to me helping them and talking to them in the past,” Hughes said. “It’s much harder to get through to the students today. Cell phones and privileges have a lot to do with that.
“Students today have become accustomed to getting everything they want. You get a pizza party and the trophy. As we know, it’s not like that in real life.”
Hughes received the E. Lanier Carson Award in 2003 as the top administrator at ABAC. That’s one of her fondest memories. But there are others.
“One year, a bunch of the students voted and got me selected as the winner of the Kiss the Pig contest,” Hughes said. “That picture still surfaces occasionally.
“I also love the Ms. ABAC contests because you get to see the students all dressed up and looking nice. We have some great students at ABAC.”
Hughes said her best days are days when she can help a student.
“I love it when students walk out of my office with a solution to their problem,” Hughes said. “Most of the time, it’s not nearly as hard as they thought it would be.”
Hughes recognizes that she has changed her character traits over the years.
“I have changed by becoming more patient,” she said. “On Family Weekend, I just had to step back. People move in their own ways and get the job done. I like to work smarter not harder.”
Student life at ABAC and all other colleges has not been the same since the pandemic began, and Hughes is looking forward to the fall term when a return to normalcy is in the works.
“I know you have to stay safe, but I miss students going on trips, winning awards, and seeing the pride in their faces when they come back,” Hughes said. “These students love going out there and putting ABAC’s name out in the world.”
Hughes has lived on campus at Comer Hall for the past 22 years. She is getting a new apartment this fall at ABAC Place.
“There are some advantages to being at ABAC Place,” Hughes said. “But it will be different.”
Hughes has had opportunities to move to other colleges through the years, but she chose to stay at ABAC for a very important reason.
“At ABAC, there is something I am sure of,” Hughes said. “I am sure I can be here and make a difference in the lives of these students.”
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