ABAC honors Brundage, Thoron at Agricultural Education pinning

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s (ABAC) School of Agriculture and Natural Resources honored ABAC President Tracy Brundage and Dr. Andrew Thoron, Dean of the SANR, at the recent Agricultural Education pinning ceremony.

The pinning ceremony was started by program founder Dr. Frank Flanders to honor graduates who worked to earn both a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification while attending ABAC. The first agricultural education cohort to graduate in May 2019 received the first pins, and every graduating cohort since has been so honored with a similar ceremony.

“Since the beginning of the Ag Ed pinning ceremony at ABAC in 2019, we have bestowed the title of honorary members for each graduating class,” said Dr. Sallie McHugh, associate professor. “The honorary pinning recipients are those individuals who have been advocates and great supporters of the ABAC Ag Ed program.”

McHugh said that SANR faculty meet each year prior to the pinning ceremony to review nominations and select the honorary pinning members, which they have done since the inception of the program.  She said that the honor is reserved for someone who demonstrated unwavering support, genuine investment and a forward-thinking vision for the future of agricultural education.

“From the moment Dr. Brundage arrived on campus in 2022, she has exemplified the qualities we hope our graduates carry forward: commitment to service, a passion for student development, and an authentic belief in the transformative power of education,” said McHugh. “Her leadership has not only uplifted our program but has modeled what it means to lead with purpose, presence, and integrity.”

"To be welcomed into the 2025 Agricultural Education cohort is an honor I hold with deep gratitude,” said Brundage. “This program grows more than educators—it cultivates leaders, visionaries, and change-makers. I’m proud to be part of a community that believes in the power of education to shape lives and strengthen communities across our state and beyond."

Thoron was selected for his service as the head of the Agricultural Education department over the past five years. He began his duties as the SANR dean in May.

“Dr. Thoron began his career at ABAC in 2020 and has helped to further advance the Agriculture Education and Communication programs throughout his tenure as department head,” said McHugh. “He has worked to further strengthen relationships with the state Agriculture Education staff and teachers throughout the southeast.  During his tenure, program growth has continued, making ABAC a nationally-ranked teacher preparation program in agriculture education.  He also served as a champion for the articulation agreements with several graduate institutions and gained prior experiential learning credits for incoming freshmen from their high school Ag Education coursework from students in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.”

“Receiving the Agricultural Education Honorary Pin stands as the greatest honor of my professional career,” said Thoron. “I’ve been recognized for my teaching, research, and student advising, but this recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from those I had the privilege to work alongside for more than five years. These individuals have been trusted collaborators, thoughtful mentors, and steadfast champions of our shared mission. They remain the heartbeat of a program I will always consider home. Their authenticity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to students have shaped who I am, both as a person and as a leader. I am deeply grateful and forever proud to be part of ABAC Ag Ed.”

Over the past seven years, ABAC has celebrated the graduation of more than 260 students from its Agricultural Education program, the largest program east of the Mississippi River and the second largest in the nation.