Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Infobox University
name = Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)| (ABAC) type=Public
established=1908
president=Dr. David Bridges
city=Tifton
state=Georgia
country=USA
students=3,665 cite web|url=http://www.usg.edu/research/students/enroll/fy2008/fall07.pdf |title=Semester Enrollment Report |accessdate=2007-12-23 |date=2007-11-12 |format=PDF |work=Office of Research and Policy Analysis |publisher=University System of Georgia ]
campus=Rural
free label=
free=
nickname = Golden Stallions
colors= Green and Gold color box|greencolor box|gold
website= [http://www.abac.edu www.abac.edu]

"'Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)" is a coeducational college specializing in agriculture, located in Tifton, Georgia. It is a part of the University System of Georgia, and is named for Abraham Baldwin, the first president of the University of Georgia, Georgia's first university.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College was established in 1908 as the Second District A&M School, became South Georgia A&M College in 1924 and Georgia State College for Men in 1929. Named for a signer of the United States Constitution and the first president of the University of Georgia, the college assumed its present name in 1933 when it became a unit of the University System of Georgia. At that time ABAC embarked on a mission devoted primarily to associate-level studies in agriculture, home economics, and related fields. ABAC's role later expanded to include a diverse educational program.

The Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources is the largest division on campus, and nursing is ABAC's largest single program major. The college offers 40 college transfer programs in which students move on to four-year colleges and universities after their ABAC careers are complete. Students can also choose from 15 two-year career technological degrees which take them into the job market. Another option is the certificate program, where ABAC offers 19 selections, each of which can be completed in one year.

tudent life

Students live on campus in the ABAC Place apartments, the largest housing project of its kind at a two-year college in America. Most units are four-bedroom, two-bath with a completely furnished kitchen and living area. The units are indeed apartments, rather than traditional dorms. Students are not allowed to leave their doors open in the typical college dormitory style. Unlike many colleges who manage housing through a third party, all housing at ABAC is directly managed by the Student Life and Housing Office, and order maintained by a comparatively small number of highly empowered Resident Assistants known as CA's, along with a coordinator for each building. The most recent addition to ABAC is the ABAC Lakeside housing complex. ABAC Lakeside provides housing for 489 freshmen, as of August 20. The rooms at ABAC Lakeside are built in the suite style, unlike the apartment style housing at ABAC Place. Additionally, ABAC is completing construction of the Welcome Center, which serves as a nexus for guests to the campus, as well as a call nerve center for the campus.

Abraham Baldwin has a variety of athletics for students, with a very strong men's tennis team headed by Alan Kramer. The college's literary magazine, The "Pegasus", has garnered wide acclaim across the state and the college's paper, "The Stallion", has won many awards among Georgia's 2-year college newspapers, while the college also has a radio station, WPLH, an Honors program, and the Arts Station which helps the college bring arts and cultural events to Tift and surrounding counties.

Four year curriculum

After many false starts, the college recently changed sectors from two-year to state college, making it one of the institutions that can offer both two-year and four year programs. Four-year programs have not yet started, however.

Notable alumni

Notable ABAC alumni include George T. Smith, the only person to win contested elections in all three branches of the state of Georgia government, Cathy Cox, former Secretary of State of Georgia and a candidate for Governor in 2006, Kyle Farnsworth, relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Boo Weekley of the PGA tour, and Tom Cheney cite web|url=http://www.tiftongazette.com/sports/local_story_040222004.html |title=ABAC selects six for inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame |accessdate=2008-02-09 |date=2008-02-09] , who struck out the highest number of batters in a single Major League Baseball game.

References