TIFTON— Long-time Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) supporters Rick and Sandy Bostelman have been selected to receive the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Regents Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award.
This award recognizes “distinguished alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature and dedicated service to a USG institution,” according to the USG Foundation’s website. “The winner must be a person of such integrity, stature, and proven ability that the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the USG will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition. Nominees need not be graduates of an institution of the USG but must demonstrate a care for and commitment to higher education in Georgia that inspires others.”
The couple will be honored at the Board of Regents’ Scholarship Gala on Sept. 8 at the Atlanta History Center.
The Bostelmans met and fell in love while attending ABAC and have together served their alma mater in countless ways throughout the years after graduating in 1966. In addition to their significant contributions to supporting and enhancing ABAC and its mission, they are consistently active in the campus community. Rick serves on the ABAC Alumni Association Board, and Rick and Sandy regularly volunteer throughout the year at student and alumni events such as the ABAC Rodeo, greeting alumni at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, inviting ABAC students to their home for meals, and recruiting students to attend the college.
They are lifetime members of the Alumni Association, the ABAC President’s Club, and frequently attend ABAC recruiting events such as Milk & Cookies Day, An Evening for ABAC, and Homecoming. Rick and Sandy Bostelman (joined by ABAC President Tracy Brundage) will receive the prestigious USG Regents Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award in September. The Bostelmans have generously contributed to four endowments that support both academics and study abroad: the Bostelman Family Foundation Scholarship Endowment, the Bostelman Family Foundation Endowment for Student Engagement, the Rick Bostelman Agricultural Scholarship Endowment, and the Dr. Donna Miller Scholarship Endowment in honor of Sandy’s college roommate and long-time friend. They have also donated towards the housing food pantry and professional dress clothing closets for students.
In April 2022, the couple received one of ABAC’s highest awards: the Distinguished Alumni Award, which was the first time this award was given to a couple rather than an individual.
ABAC President Tracy Brundage said that the couple operates as a team in every aspect of their lives, and therefore it was appropriate they receive the Distinguished Alumni Award and be nominated for the USG Board of Regents award as a couple.
“This outstanding couple is a wonderful example of service to their alma mater and were among the first people I met upon joining the ABAC family,” Brundage said. “I believe Rick and Sandy Bostelman represent the very best traits of dedicated alumni and citizens and are very deserving of this honor.”
Chief Advancement Officer Deidre Martin, another nominator, said that the couple, known as “Honey” and “Papa” to many, are a joyful part of the ABAC campus.
“They are the epitome and very best example of what it means to give back to your alma mater as dedicated alumni,” she said. “The Bostelmans care deeply about ABAC and our students. During the pandemic, they were the first to step up and contribute to the food pantry and assistance for students in crisis. They are also well known on campus and take everyone they meet – students, faculty, staff, and fellow alumni – into their hearts. Rick and Sandy bring joy and happiness to everyone they meet. I know my life in advancement has been greatly enriched by the opportunity to know, love and be inspired by them.”
“ABAC was, and is, a great place for education,” Rick said. “The older I get, the more I realize what a special place ABAC has always been for building life-long friendships. I left ABAC with a solid foundation for success at future schools, the military, and as a business professional in my community.”
Rick graduated from ABAC as an animal science major and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia. He later attended John Gupton Mortuary College and obtained an associate of arts in Funeral Service. He served the Office of Marketing and Communications ABAC 30, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, Georgia 31793-2601 | publicrelations@abac.edu | 229.391.5055 Fitzgerald community through Paulk Funeral Home, where he was the owner and manager, as well as serving on the Fitzgerald Chamber of Commerce Board, the Public Health Homes Board, was the Chairman of the Fitzgerald Housing Authority, Lions Club, and served as the Chairman of Fundraising for the local American Heart Association. He has also been an active participant with the Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, and local schools. He served his country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Military as a Post Mortuary Officer in Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sandy also graduated from ABAC, majoring in home economics. She went on to attend the University of Georgia, where she double majored in child development and development disabilities. She later earned an M.Ed. from Georgia Southern University and an Ed.S in leadership from Valdosta State University.
During her career, Sandy held numerous leadership positions with the Ben Hill County School District in addition to her work inside the classroom. She served as the Director of Curriculum, staff development coordinator, technology coordinator, media coordinator, substitute teacher coordinator, gifted education coordinator, testing coordinator, and acted as a grant writer for the school system for more than 31 years.
Sandy has also been dedicated to her community, serving as a member of the Fitzgerald Arts Council, Pilot Club, Communities in Schools, the Fitzgerald Choir Parents, Fitzgerald High Boosters, Review Club, and Ocilla Book Club.
The Bostelmans are both active members of First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald. Rick and Sandy have one son, Blaine Bostelman, and a grandson, Will Bostelman, a 2021 ABAC graduate who served as the Student Government President while attending ABAC.
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