TIFTON — A brand new college degree that focuses on rural America will begin this fall at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Dr. David Bridges, president of ABAC, told members of the Dothan (Ala.) Rotary Club recently the degree is “the only one of its kind in the country.
“There are a lot of programs out there that focus on urban studies,” Bridges said. “But this program concentrates entirely on rural life.”
Longtime Dothan Rotarian Gene Ragan invited Bridges to speak to the club about the college and the state of agriculture. Ragan is an ABAC alumnus who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the ABAC Alumni Association in March. He said he rolled his Harley Davidson motorcycle to a stop at the college in September of 1941 with all his possessions tied to the back with a plow line.
Bridges said students can pick from three areas of concentration in the new rural studies degree.
“Students can choose from business and economic development, arts and culture, and community and social affairs,” Bridges said. “We think the internships will be a big part of this degree as well.”
Bridges said ABAC also offers bachelor’s degrees in diversified agriculture and turfgrass and golf course management. About to begin his fourth year as the ABAC President, Bridges is the only president in the 101-year history of the college to have actually been a student (Class of 1978).
“For over 100 years now, ABAC has been producing great alumni such as Gene Ragan,” Bridges said. “With these new degrees and our traditional programs in agriculture, forestry, wildlife and a host of others, we believe that trend will continue.”
Bridges said 3,600 students attend ABAC, and that 1,300 of them live on xcampus in modern apartment and suite-style residence halls. The 421-acre campus includes the 200-acre J.G. Woodroof Farm where peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat are grown.
ABAC also has its own nine-hole golf course where students get hands-on experience working in the various turf programs. Bridges said the college offers over 50 programs of study including a very popular nursing program.
The deadline for applications for ABAC fall semester classes is Aug. 1. The fall term begins Aug. 17.
Local News
Bridges addresses Dothan, Ala. audience
- Local News
-
-
Eighth Street Middle mixes science with Disney
A grant from Lowe's home improvement stores and a Disney corporation science project competition could put Tift County’s Eighth Street Middle School on the map and in the money.
-
Restrictions on political signs lifted
As of now, Tifton citizens are no longer restricted from putting up campaign signs on their property within a specified time frame, says Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater.
According to the city ordinance on political signs, “Unless specifically allowed pursuant to state law, the sign shall not be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of the qualifying period immediately prior to the election it concerns nor shall the sign be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the call for election immediately prior to the referendum it concerns.” - Big yellow school bus stolen in Columbus
-
Ga. House approves revised $18.6B budget
Metro Atlanta would get hundreds of millions dollars in transportation funding while Georgia farmers would get help finding workers they say were driven away by a crackdown on illegal immigrants under an $18.6 billion budget adopted Friday by House lawmakers.
- Rabid 900-pound cow attacks Georgia farmer
-
A lifelong memory: annual Father- Daughter Dance set for Feb. 9
Fathers who are looking to take their daughters out for a night of fun and a memory that will last a lifetime are invited to attend the Tiftarea YMCA’s 10th annual Father-Daughter Dance.
-
Rural communities balk at public broadband bill
Representatives of rural cities and counties across Georgia told a panel of state senators on Thursday that they had to create the broadband networks private providers refused to bring to their communities.
-
Area author releases new inspirational book
A local author, who now resides in Barney, is inviting the community to attend her book signing event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Lion Chasers Christian Bookstore, located at 118 Second St. East, for the release of her religious and inspirational novel, “Lady in Waiting: For the Promises of God.”
- House expects vote on $18.6B state budget
- Georgia's groundhog predicts early spring
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
