ABAC Public Relations
ABAC 30, 2802 Moore Highway ● Tifton, GA 31793-2601 ● (229) 391-5055
January 22, 2008
Volume XLVI, Issue 24
www.abac.edu
FOCUS
University System Chancellor Visits ABAC
University System of
Georgia Chancellor
Erroll B. Davis, Jr., made
his annual visit to ABAC
on Thursday and
seemed quite impressed with the many
changes to the campus.
Davis met with President David Bridges as
well as with members of
the faculty, staff, and
administration. He also
conducted an information gathering session
with ABAC student leaders.
“ABAC is well known
in this state, top to bottom, East to West,”
Davis said. “We want
students to continue to
think about ABAC first.
“Our strategic plan
calls for the state to continue to invest in instituChancellor Erroll B. Davis, Jr., of the University System of Georgia visited ABAC Thursday for a tour of
tions such as this one.”
Davis said he makes
the campus and meetings with faculty, staff, and students. Attending a luncheon in the new ABAC Laketrips to University Sysside Complex were ABAC President David Bridges, Davis, Student Government Association President
tem campuses at least
Willie Dean, ABAC Foundation Chair Ruth Raines and former Regent Julie Hunt.
three times per month.
He was earlier schedshows that students who enters the Sysmake ABAC “Georgia’s State College of
uled to visit ABAC in December but
tem through access institutions actually
Choice.”
moved the visit to January so that
do better in their junior and senior level
In a meeting with Davis in Evans Hall,
classes would be in session during his
classes.”
Bridges outlined the key points of the
time at the college.
Davis spoke to a group of alumni,
Second Century Plan.
His last visit to ABAC was for the inaucommunity leaders and Foundation
“We expect ABAC to grow substanguration of Bridges in 2006.
Board members at a luncheon in the
tially in years to come,” Davis said. “As
“David is an excellent leader,” Davis
Grand Lobby of the new $17 million
a System, we want to continue to focus
said. “He is a great planner.”
ABAC Lakeside complex.
on affordability and accessibility. We
Davis said the University System ex“This facility filled up instantly,”
want to make it a more cost effective
pects to enroll 100,000 more students
Davis said. “Other presidents have
System.”
by the year 2020. He believes ABAC
ABAC envy. You are making thjs a desDavis said the results of the Univerwill play a huge role in accommodating
tination of choice. You’re doing all the
sity System efforts are shown every day
those students.
right things.”
in the many alumni of System institu“We want to make an access instituOne of the goals of the Second Centions across the state.
tion like ABAC a first choice for stutury Plan introduced by Bridges at the
“We are transforming lives,” Davis
dents,” Davis said. “The research
November Town Hall meeting is to
ABAC Celebrates the Life Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Christian Student Fellowship Gospel Choir led the participants at the commemorative service for Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., in song and praise Friday morning. The service also featured a responsive reading and a video of King’s “ The
Drum Major Instinct”. The event wrapped up with SGA President Willie Dean marching everyone out of the Chapel with a
whistle to symbolize King’s “Drum Major Instinct.”
Lunch and Learn
Join ABAC Public Service and Business
Outreach for a "Lunch and Learn" series
and fill your stomach and your mind in
one convenient stop.
You will enjoy a magnificent buffetstyle meal and an informative speaker.
Speakers have been selected who are
experts in their area and want to share
their "passion."
The first lecture will be Jan. 29 with
retired ABAC Professor Gary Roberts.
Roberts will share his passion of the Wild
West with attendees. He is well known for
his book “Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend.”
The next class will be on the topic of
Self Defense with ABAC Police Assistant
Director Billy Purcell. Join Purcell March
11 in learning how to defend yourself in
dangerous situations.
Learn Mental Aerobics with ABAC
Social Science Faculty member Etta Lee
April 1. Lee will teach you the techniques
to improve your memory and sharpen
your thinking skills.
Each of these classes take place in the
Donaldson Dining Hall Magnolia Room.
The event is free with the purchase of
lunch.
For more information contact PSBO at
391-5070 or visit www.abac.edu/psbo.
Learn to Stop
Business Killers
Welcome New Library
Director To The College
Mildred Galentine-Steis
started at ABAC as the Director
of the Baldwin Library on Jan.14.
Galentine-Steis obtained her
Master of Library Science from
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and comes to us from the
Okefenokee Regional Library
system, where she served as
Director for 5 years.
Please stop by and welcome
her to the ABAC family.
Learn how to avoid the six common mistakes that are made by
business owners in a program on
Thursday at ABAC.
There are no slides, graphs or
charts used in the workshop. It is a
powerful 90-minute program that
will be one of the most important
sessions you ever attend.
Sign up today for this Lunch and
Learn session that will help you
identify mistakes that could kill the
value of your business.
The program is Jan. 24 from 11
a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Magnolia
Room of the Donaldson Dining Hall
The cost of the class is $29, and
lunch is included.
For more information contact
ABAC PSBO at 229-391-5070.
COREY SMITH TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Vote For Golden
The Guardians Relay
for Life Team has
kicked off its second
annual Kiss-The-Pig.
From now until April 18
at noon, votes will be cast
for
which of the public safety department heads
will get the honor of kissing the pig.
ABAC’s own Bryan Golden is a participant, so for $1 you can cast your vote and
help a good cause.
To place a vote for any of the above candidates, contact Christine Day, assistant
director of Tift County E-911, at 388-6069. All
proceeds of the vote will go to benefit the
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Celebrating
Birthdays
January
21
21
24
25
26
26
27
27
Ali Csinos
Don Allen
Debbie Cromer
Mike Chason
Ken Newkirk
Olga Contreras-Martinez
Tonia Miller
Jeremy Dye
Dr. Tim Marshall and Ashley
Williamson spoke to members of the
Shaanxi Province Agricultural Delegation Jan. 16 at the UGA Tifton Conference Center.
Dr. Eddie Seagle appeared on the
WALB Noon Show with Ruthie Garner Jan. 17 to talk about the new
Turfgrass and Golf Course Management four-year degree program and its
prospects for the present and future.
Coach Todd Sheppard spoke at the
Tifton Rotary Club on Jan. 16 and he
also spoke to the Tri-Alpha Program
for the 9th graders at the NEC of Tift
County High School Jan. 18.
The ABAC Cheerleaders line up in
formation during
practice in 1948.
ABAC has a week
full of activities
planned for the
100th Birthday.
Staff Forum Meeting
Wednesday at 3 p.m.
All ABAC staff members are
invited to attend the Staff Forum
Meeting at 3 p.m. in Room 237 of
the Health Sciences Building.
NEXT FOCUS
The next edition of the FOCUS will appear on your email on Jan. 28. If you have
information for that issue, please email it
to Ashley Williamson at awilliamson@abac.edu by noon on Jan. 23.
Katrina
McCrae had
a baby girl
Jan. 16 at
9:30 p.m. at Tift Regional
Medical Center.
Zoe Elyse weighed in at 9
lbs. 4 oz. & 21" long.
Katrina and baby are
both doing fine.
Open Campus Day
on Feb. 7
Mark your calendar
for the single biggest recruitment
day of the year on
Feb. 7. It’s called
Stallion Day 2008,
and it represents a time when
the entire campus opens itself
for prospective students. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in Gressette Gym. The event ends at
12:30 p.m.
A Note of Sympathy
Stefane Hightower’s grandfather,
Cleveland Johnston, passed away Jan.
12. The funeral was held last week at
the Music Funeral Home in Waycross.
Please keep Stefane and her family
in your thoughts and prayers during this
difficult time.
Basketball Update
Calendar of Events
Enjoy ABAC basketball
Saturday afternoon
when always powerful Georgia Perimeter visits Gressette Gym. The Fillies and the Lady Jaguars tangle at 2 p.m., and the Stallions
will take on the Jags at 4 p.m.
Both games will be broadcast
live on Tifton Radio Station
WTIF (107.5 FM)
Wednesday, January 24
7 p.m.—Arts and Entertainment:
Montana Skies ( Ocilla UMC)
Friday, January 25
6 p.m.—Ya Ya’s Celebrate Sisterhood
Benefit Dinner ( UGA Tifton Conference
Center)
Saturday, January 26
2 p.m.—Fillies vs. GA Perimeter
(Gressette Gym)
4 p.m.—Stallions vs. GA Perimeter
(Gressette Gym)