VOLUME XLVII ISSUE 39 APRIL 20, 2009

Olguin Wins Top Academic Award at Honors Day

Hector Olguin, an engi-neering major from Ty Ty, was named the top aca-demic student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural Col-lege at Wednesday’s Hon-ors Day ceremony.

Olguin received the J. G. Woodroof Scholar Award, given annually to the stu-dent who is recognized in a proclamation by the Geor-gia General Assembly. Woodroof was president of

ABAC from 1933-34. Each of the 35 units of the Univer-sity System of Georgia se-lect a top student as the Academic Recognition Day Student of the Year.

Olguin also re-ceived the disci-pline award in Phys-ics from the School of Science and Mathematics. Dur-ing his time at ABAC, Olguin has recorded a perfect 4.0 grade point av-erage. Also during the ceremony, Awards of Distinction were

presented to the students with the greatest overall positive impact in

each school of study, both academically and through college service.

Top Faculty, Staff, Administrator, Advisor Honored at ABAC The top faculty member, staff mem-

ber, administrator, and academic advi-sor for the 2008-2009 academic year were recognized during Wednesday’s Honors Day ceremony at Abraham Bald-win Agricultural College.

Geoff Clement, Associate Professor of Mathematics, received the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Award for Teaching Excellence. Shirley Wilson, Senior Administrative Assistant for Physical Education and Athletics, was honored with the Roy R. Jackson, Sr., Award for Staff Excellence. Dr. Jeff

Gibbs, Dean of the School of Business, received the E. Lanier Carson Leader-ship Award, and Dr. Jewrell Rivers, As-sociate Professor of Sociology, received the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Excellence in Advising Award.

Clement earned his bachelor’s de-gree in Mathematics from Emory Uni-versity and his master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Georgia State University. At ABAC he not only teaches, but is active in campus activi-

ties. He has coordinated new student orientation sessions, assisted with the Science Fair and Sci-ence Olym-piad activi-ties, and is involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Relay for Life.

Wilson graduated from ABAC in 1984

with an associate degree in Office Man-agement/Information Processing. She joined the admissions staff as a Senior Secretary the same year. In 1991, she moved to the Division of Health, Physi-cal Education, and Recreation as the Administrative Associate.

Gibbs earned his bachelor’s, mas-ter’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia in Business Ad-ministration. In addition to his duties as Dean of the School of Business at ABAC, he has also served as a student club

advisor and conducts eco-nomic impact studies for the college. He also assisted in the devel-opment of ABAC’s new bachelor’s degree in Ru-

ral Studies. Gibbs is also extensively involved in the Tift County Arts Council and the Tifton Rotary Club.

Rivers obtained his bachelor’s de-gree in Psychology and his master’s degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University. He received his Ph. D. in Family Relations from Florida State Uni-versity in 2008. He has been an ABAC faculty member since 2001, advising sociology, human services, and criminal justice majors. Rivers will represent ABAC at the National Academic Advis-ing Association conference in San Anto-nio, Tex.

Olguin receives the J.G. Woodroof

Scholar Award from President

Bridges at Honors Day.

Dining Hall Lot Closed Thursday The parking lot located be-tween the Donaldson Dining Hall and the Carlton Center will be closed on Thursday until 2 p.m. The lot will be used for the high school jazz bands performing during George Scott Day activities and for members of the Chamber of Commerce who will be meeting on campus for lunch at noon. Thank

you for your cooperation.

George Scott Day, an annual Celebration of the Arts, and the 31st annual ABAC Jazz Festival will take place on April 23 on the campus of Abraham Bald-win Agricultural College.

The event, sponsored by the ABAC School of Liberal Arts and the ABAC music program, is held each year as a tribute to George Scott, an associate professor of English at ABAC, who passed away in

1994. The George Scott Day festivities will

feature performances by high school jazz bands from throughout Georgia from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in an area near the ABAC dining hall. All these perform-ances are free of charge to ABAC stu-dents and the public.

Peach County High School kicks off the day at 10 a.m. followed by Thomas County Central at 10:30 a.m., Northside (Warner Robins) at 11 a.m., Americus-Sumter at 11:30 a.m., Valdosta at noon, Colquitt at 12:30 p.m., Lanier County at 1 p.m., Lee County at 1:30 p.m., Henry County at 2 p.m., Tift County at 2:30 p.m., Ware County at 3 p.m., and Lowndes at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to the excellent perform-ances, there will be giveaways, spot-

lights on club activities, art displays,

and great food. Bring your own lunch or purchase one from Sodexho dining services. In the event of rain, the Jazz Festival will take place in the Donaldson Dining Hall on the ABAC campus.

Other events will kick off in the music building at 10 a.m. with the Pegasus awards, poetry readings, and art ex-hibit. Short story and poetry readings by ABAC faculty and staff will also be held in the same location from 11:30 a.m. - noon. An ABAC art exhibit will be in The Meadows next to the dining hall from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The 40th An-nual Lew Akin Speech Showcase will be held on the third floor of Conger Hall from 5-7 p.m.

To culminate the Jazz Festival, a spe-cial Arts and Entertainment Series per-formance by the ABAC Jazz Ensemble

with guest jazz artists Bill Watrous, trom-bone; Roger Pemberton, saxo-phone; and Jeff Jarvis on trumpet will take place at Howard Audi-torium at 7 p.m. The ABAC Jazz Ensem-ble has given numer-ous performances throughout the south-eastern part of the

United States, Mexico, and Europe. The

band has taken three European tours, in 1980, 1996, and, most recently, in 2007, where it performed at two of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world, the Montreux in Switzerland and the North Sea in Amsterdam as well as at the opening of the Tour de France in London, England.

This year the Ensemble performed at the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Or-ange, Fla., after concerts at Valdosta and Lowndes high schools during its spring tour.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students to this event. ABAC students will be admitted free. Advance tickets can be obtained by calling the ABAC Arts Connection office at (229) 391-4820. Tickets will also be available at the door.

George Scott Day, Jazz Festival at ABAC Thursday

ABAC Retirees Honored, Service Awards Presented

Six retirees were honored and 34 other faculty and staff members re-ceived awards at the service awards recognition during Honors Day at Abra-ham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Retirees included Nancy Coleman, Margie Senkbeil, Dr. Herbert Shippey, Brenda Keller, Lyn Smith and Andrea Willis.

Coleman was the Director of Alumni Relations who joined the staff on Sept. 23, 1985 and retired on Aug. 1, 2008. Senkbeil was the administrative assis-tant in the Office of Financial Aid whose

first day on the job was May 16, 1994. She retired on Aug. 1, 2008.

Shippey was a professor in the Divi-sion of Humanities who joined the fac-ulty on May 16, 1994 and retired on Aug. 1, 2008. Keller was the Senior Ad-ministrative Assistant in the ABAC Po-lice Department who joined the staff on March 22, 1979 and retired on Jan. 1, 2009.

Smith was the Assistant Di-rector of Financial Aid who joined the staff on July 1, 1974 and retired on April 1, 2009. Willis was the Chair of the Divi-sion of Health, Physical Educa-tion, and Recreation who joined the faculty on Sept. 1, 1974 and will retire on June 1.

Patsy Hembree, Information Systems Coordinator; Don Coates, Associate Professor of Music; and Willis were recog-nized at the event for 35 years

of service to ABAC. Recog-nized for 30 years of service were Mike Chason, Director of Public Relations; Dr. Chrystle Ross, Chief Information Offi-cer; and Dr. Kay Weeks, Pro-fessor of Speech and English.

Others recognized at the ceremony for years of service included: 25 Years:

Teresa Williams, Dr. Larry McGruder, and Shirley Wilson; 20 Years: Janet

Weaver, Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks, Wayne Jones, and Cindy Barber; 15 Years: Kim Scar-

borough, Rebecca Arnold, and Brenda Bailey; 10 Years: Phillip

Hightower, Bev-erly Wesley, Dr. Eric Cash, Dr. Re-nata Elad, Anthony Fitzgerald, Wanda

Golden, Katrina McCrae, Dr. Su-kanya Senapati and Debbie Cro-mer; 5 Years: Teri

Mathis, Sandra Sellers, Keisha

Spears, Deborah Pyles, Lee Ann Taylor, Shawn Cox, Emily Cheek, Dawn Davis, and Nancy Anthony..

Don Coates, Andrea Willis and Patsy Hembree were recog-nized for 35 years of service at Honors Day. Hembree was unavailable for the photo.

ABAC’S 31st Jazz Festival

The Meadow Adjacent to the Dining Hall

Free Admission to high school jazz performances

10 a.m. Peach County High School

Darren Johnson, director

10:30 a.m. Thomas County Central High School

Michael Davis, director

11 a.m. Northside High School

Paul Guilbeau, director

11:30 a.m. Americus- Sumter High School

Debra Hughes, director

Noon Valdosta High School

Andrew Hill, director

12:30 p.m. Colquitt County High School

Jennifer Phillips, director

1 p.m. Lanier County High School

Matt Elder, director

1:30 p.m. Lee County High School

Hank Carter, director

2 p.m. Henry County High School

Thetheus O. White, director

2:30 p.m. Tift County High School

Vann Thornton, director

3 p.m. Ware County High School

Albert Bussey Jr., director

3:30 p.m. Lowndes High School

Charles E. Todd II, director

4:15 p.m. Jazz Clinic with guest Jazz Artists

Bill Watrous, Roger Pemberton,& Jeff Jarvis

****************************

7 p.m. ABAC Jazz Ensemble in Concert

In Howard Auditorium with

Bill Watrous,trombone Roger Pemberton,

saxophone, Jeff Jarvis, trumpet

Tickets Available At Door!

George Scott Arts Celebration 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m Pegasus Poetry Readings,

Art Exhibit, and Awards Ceremony

Music Building

11:30 a.m. –Noon Prose and Poetry Readings

Music Building

11 a.m.-4 p.m. ABAC Art Exhibit

The Meadow

5 p.m.-7 p.m. 40th Annual Lew Akin Speech

Showcase—Conger Hall

Bridges Joins the Cast of May-Haw

President David Bridges joined the cast of May-Haw in Colquitt

Saturday to announce the Rural Studies program. Colquitt is home

of the legendary arts and culture performance, Swamp Gravy.

With the help of Kim Bridges, Paul Willis, Dr. Bobbie Robinson,

and Ashley Williamson, over 800 hand fans with information on

Rural Studies were distributed to all in attendance. Bridges is pic-

tured on the stage with the three main announcers for the show.

Prize Fish Tips Scale at 11.5 Pounds

The Residence Hall Association held a fishing tournament at Lake

Baldwin. Over 20 students participated in the event from the

shore, dock, and boats on the lake. Residence Hall Association

President John Kimbrell holds 11.5 lb winning catfish caught by

Eric Ayers, a sophomore Ag Transfer major from Nicholson.

The FOCUS is a weekly electronic publication produced by the Abra-ham Baldwin Agricultural College Public Relations Office . Ashley Williamson Mike Chason Ashley Williamson Mike Chason Ashley Williamson Mike Chason Ashley Williamson Mike Chason Writer and Layout Writer &Editor

Please submit any information to Ashley Williamson at awilliam-son@abac.edu by Thursday at noon for inclusion in the next FOCUS.

Dr. Jewrell Rivers presented a

research paper entitled, "The Re-

lationship Between Parenting

Style and Academic Achievement

and the Mediating Influences of

Motivation, Goal Orientation and

Academic Self-Efficacy" at the

12th Annual Conference of the

National Association of Social

Workers (NASW) on March 27.

ABAC Birthdays 22 Kim Scarborough

23 Penny Chesnut

The Stafford Steinway Series will fea-ture pianist Andrew Davidson at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Howard Auditorium at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. This event, which was originally sched-uled for March 30, is open to the com-munity at no charge. A reception will be held following the performance.

Selections featured will include Sonata in E flat Major, more commonly known as a London Sonata, by Joseph Haydn and Felix Mendelssohn’s Opus 41.

“The selections I chose were

based on the reactions of my students and peers to what I was playing prior to the series,” Davidson said. “This is really exciting music.”

Davidson is the instructor of piano at ABAC. He earned his under-graduate degree in music with a con-centration in piano performance and

Tennis, Golf Aim For State Titles This Week The ABAC tennis teams will host the NJCAA Region XVII tournament on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Red Hill Tennis Center. Coach Alan Kramer is the coach for both teams. Coach Herb Hendrix and the ABAC golf team will be in Albany beginning Thursday for the Region XVII tourna-ment. The softball team of Coach Donna Campbell will be at home today against Truett McConnell for a 2 p.m. double-header. The Fillies will also be at home Tues-day against Andrew for a 6 p.m. twin-bill. Coach Steve Janousek’s baseball Stallions will host South Georgia for a 6 p.m. game on Wednesday. Come out and support these ABAC athletes.

Pianist To Be Featured in Stafford Concert Sunday

double majored in Italian at Florida State University. He then attended Val-dosta State University where he re-ceived his graduate degree in piano performance.

While at FSU, Davidson served as the principal pianist for the Tallahas-see Theatre Ballet.

The Stafford Steinway Series is a pi-ano and chamber music performance series specifically designed to present professional artists featuring the How-ard Auditorium Steinway grand pi-ano. This series is made possible by a

generous grant from the Stafford Foun-dation which gave the piano to ABAC as a part of the renovation of the audito-rium. Open without charge to the gen-eral public, these concerts show the tremendous expressive capacity of fine piano and piano chamber music in the hands of seasoned professional artists.

Repairs To Conger Hall Have Begun Repairs to Conger Hall

due to excessive

winds and hail have

begun. The project is

expected to take three

more weeks. A tempo-

rary roof is in place.

Pool Opens Today

The ABAC swimming pool opens

today. All ABAC employees and

their immediate families who live in

their house are admitted free of

charge with ABAC pool passes.

These passes can be picked up at

the Student Financial Services office

on the second floor of the J. Lamar

Branch Student Center.

The pool is open from 3-7

p.m. Monday through

Thursday and from 1-6 p.m.

Friday through Sunday.

A Note of Sympathy A Note of Sympathy A Note of Sympathy A Note of Sympathy Paul Dunn, Sodexho plumber,

passed away of an apparent heart attack on Saturday. He had been at ABAC a little over

a year. Visitation is at Bowen-Donaldson tonight from 7-9 p.m. and the funeral is Tuesday at 4pm at Omega Baptist Church. Burial is immediately following the funeral at the Omega Cemetery. Please keep Paul's family and the Sodexho Family in your thoughts and prayers.