is a
Coeducational Junior 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 .
Cathy Cox is a graduate of ABAC, she is currently Secretary of State for the U.S. state of Georgia.
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.
Students live on campus in the new 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. While students have had an overall positive attitude toward the brand new apartments, hasty construction and draconian regulations about issues such as noise and keeping doors open (in the traditional dormitory style) have created some backlash among students.
Abraham Baldwin has a variety of athletics for students, with a very strong men's Tennis team headed by Alan Kramer. The college's paper, The Stallion, has won many awards for its division and region, while the college also has a radio station, an Honors program, and the Arts Station which helps the college bring arts and cultural events to Tift and surrounding counties.
In the last few years, ABAC has tried repeatedly to achieve state college status, a move that would allow it to offer some bachelor degree programs alongside the junior college programs. Despite many promises from college and Regents administrators, that prospect is no closer now than it was many years ago when it was first announced as a college goal.
