Before Brundage gave her speech, several local dignitaries welcomed attendees to the event and offered congratulations to Brundage.
Governor Brian Kemp sent remarks via video, and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith, former ABAC Faculty Senate President Diantha Ellis, ABAC Staff Council President Tia Kohler; Student Government Association President Brooke Patry, ABAC Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Jaclyn Ford, and ABAC Alumni Association Vice President Chad Hancock all welcomed the attendees and offered congratulations.
Dr. David L. Passmore, Distinguished Professor Emeritus from Penn State College of Education, and Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, President Emeritus from Pennsylvania College of Technology also sent in video remarks; former ABAC President David Bridges, and Georgia Board of Regents Chair Harold Reynolds also offered remarks. Fran Langan, Vice President at Keystone College in Pennsylvania, delivered remarks from Keystone President John Pullo, who was unable to attend.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what ABAC got in Tracy Brundage was a fighter,” Pullo’s remarks read. “In this current climate in higher education, you couldn’t have picked a better leader at this important time. ABAC has a proud 115-year tradition of providing a unique, intimate learning environment where students are given the tools to embrace their full potential and pursue their aspirations through a hands-on education. Tracy Brundage fits that tradition to a tee, both through her personal vision as well as her style.”
President Brundage spoke about that vision at her investiture.
“My overarching vision is for ABAC to remain relevant,” she said. “Be revolutionary in our ideas for the future, meet workforce needs, understand what makes ABAC unique and distinct- what are our competitive advantages in the marketplace and if we can create that carefully orchestrated balance and have a culture that has high employee morale and a quest for continuous improvement, we will continue to provide transformational experiences for our students and remain sustainable for years to come. Our mission, our institutional values- are so critical and will help guide our work ahead- and frame how we interact internally and externally.”