2008 Woodie Awards
"The Stallion" announces the 2004 ABAC Pacesetters
Special Annual Awards Feature
- Page 1 of 1
|
The Awards:
Since 1970, the Pacesetter awards have been given annually to provide unique recognition to those who have made more than a difference at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Each year, the staff of "The Stallion" selects recipients from a pool of campus-wide nominations of students, faculty, staff and administration members who best exemplify the tenets of scholarship, service, and commitment at ABAC.
Additionally, the staff presents one superior Pacesetter award to an individual whose work has proven to be crucial to the college, who stands out even among those at the top of the ranks.
Pacesetters are both leaders and followers. They are unsurpassed in their endeavors and in their achievements. They are simply the best of the best at our college.
It has become the policy in recent years for the staff to remove from consideration for these awards those whose extraordinary achievements have earned them Pacesetters in the past few years. Although the achievements of these past winners are still remarkable, we are able to recognize so few every year that recognition must be restricted to those not recently honored.
The Winners:
Superior Pacesetter: Jonathan Harrington
He is devoted to the students of ABAC and helps them to become active members of the working world. He helps students to prepare for testing, find jobs, and develop their career goals. With his work in bringing successful programs such as the Career Fair to ABAC and his efforts in visiting area employers, he is always seeking to inform students of the opportunities available to them while they are at ABAC and once they leave. As a fervent Ole Miss fan and as the college's Job Placement Coordinator, he is our own "Rebel with a cause."
Pacesetter Awards:
Lani Burden (Student)
She is a great role model to all students. Once a student here at ABAC, she wanted to come back and make a difference, and she has done so by taking on the responsibility of being the Hall Director of ABAC Place.This position showcases her abilities, commitment, and dedication to doing what's right.
Julie Connor (Coach)
She is responsible for many activities on campus to help elevate school spirit. She is always gracious and never forgets to thank students for showing their support. She is one of the most enthusiastic coaches we have ever had at ABAC. Four years after women's basketball made a comeback, she has continued to make ABAC basketball history.
Lori Felton (Faculty)
She has taught at ABAC for 14 years and is very pleasant, nice to be around, and cares about her colleagues, students and advisees. She keeps the agriculture buildings looking nice with fresh plants and trees. She always has a smile on her face and will do anything she can to help anywhere on campus, including providing greenery for graduation ceremonies and other events on campus.
John Galyean (Faculty)
When his door is open, he offers student a chance to come in, talk, and view his eclectic collection of figurines. When his door is closed, he can be found helping students perfect their speeches or putting together another successful play. He is famous for his teaching style and because of this, his gifted direction of the Baldwin Players, and his dedication, he continues to be one of ABAC's strongest assets.
Wasdon Graydon (Administration)
He has been instrumental in raising diversity awareness at ABAC. He has been representing minorities at ABAC since he came to the college many years ago. In his work with Trio and Student Support Services, he has been involved in securing funding for important programs to help students to do their best. He is one of those quiet, "behind the scenes" people who is driven to assure that all students enjoy the finest educational opportunities that the college may provide.
Jimmy Grubbs (Faculty)
He is simply an institution at ABAC. In his many years here, there has hardly ever been a more loved teacher than this man. It has been said that he could weld two 2x4s together with a toothpick. He lives every day to the fullest and has spent the past 20 years aiding the Wildlife program and participating in programs on Sapelo Island. As he retires this year, an era will be ending at ABAC.
Catrina Kennedy (Student)
She is one of ABAC's most involved and active students. She has been the freshman class vice president, the secretary for IAC and is currently serving as the IAC president and the SGA treasurer, as well as having represented the IAC in the Ms. ABAC pageant. She is involved in helping all clubs on campus gain members and is always willing to put down what she's doing to come help anyone who needs it. She is a great friend to students of ABAC and a fine example of campus leadership.
Sara McKellar (Student)
As president of Student Union, vice president of GAESP, and SGA senator, she truly makes a difference on campus of ABAC. She knows the importance of being involved on campus, and you can always find her encouraging others to get involved in the myriad activities and organizations available. She embodies all that is the best about the students of ABAC.
Billy Purcell (Staff)
During his 15 years of outstanding service to this campus, he has proven to be one of the most dedicated police officers working with ABAC Public Safety. He gives of his free time to make presentations to residence halls on drug and alcohol abuse, campus safety and security issues, and anything else anyone on campus needs him to do. He has been, and continues to be, committed to treating everyone he encounters in a professional and courteous manner and handles every situation with a level head.
Janet Weaver (Staff)
She is responsible for supervising all of the student-use computer labs and classroom PCs across campus as well as the 14 student workers who serve as lab assistants. She is always smiling, friendly, and pleasant to everyone. She takes pride in helping provide our ABAC students with the most up-to-date hardware possible, given tight budgetary constrictions. She has been with the college for a total of 15 years, a testimony to her dedication to the institution.
Brian Wilson (Student)
In all of his roles at ABAC, especially that as a resident assistant in Branch Hall, he continually exhibits remarkable leadership. In everything he does, he goes the extra mile to make sure that the job is well done. If a student has a question, he doesn't just tell them the answer and send them on their way. He takes the time to show them how to solve the problem and works with them until the task is complete. He is a member of several clubs, a community servant, and a friend who is respected by his peers.
Barbara Wood (Staff)
She is always available to do everything she can to help students with their problems. Mrs. Barbara, as students call her, is a calm in the storm for ABAC students. In her many years of dedicated work at ABAC, Mrs. Barbara has always been steady and able to handle anything thrown at her, and, as secretary in the Student Services office, that includes keeping VP and Dean Tom Call on schedule and on time.