TIFTON – Emma Richwine, an agricultural communication major from Bishop, received the prestigious David and Kim Bridges Award during the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources commencement ceremony at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday.
Richwine received an award and a check for $1,000 from the ABAC Alumni Association, which sponsors the award. The Bridges Award is presented in recognition of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship to a graduate receiving a four-year degree from ABAC.
Dr. David Bridges was the longest-serving president in the history of ABAC. He retired on July 31, 2022 after more than 16 years as ABAC’s chief executive. He and his wife, Kim, are both ABAC alumni.
During her ABAC career, Richwine made the President’s List every semester and was awarded multiple scholarships including the Georgia Agribusiness Council Sumpin’ Big Scholarship, the Georgia Ford Dealers Scholarship, the ABAC Ag Alumni Scholarship, the Georgia Development Authority Scholarship, the National FFA AGCO Scholarship, the NRCW Scholarship, and the Dr. Baldwin Davis Memorial Scholarship.
Her campus involvement included participation with the ABAC ACT Club, ABAC Agriprenuers, the Baptist College Ministry, Student Alumni Council, and SANR Leaders. She also held leadership roles in the Student Government Association, serving as vice-president. Off campus, she was a marketing and public relations intern at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming and was a social media marketing intern for the Georgia FFA. She also spent two summers living and working in Yellowstone National Park.
One of her professors stated, “You will not find a student who has done more to represent and enhance the ABAC experience. Her list of leadership roles is impeccable, her academic success is exceptional, and her service to campus is unimpeachable. But what makes her stand above in my mind, is the way she cares for others. No matter how busy she has been, she always has time to connect with underclassmen and make them feel welcome. She is always in tune with her classmates and has an exceptional nose for their need for empathy and support.”
