TIFTON — Javier Gonzalez, director of the College Assistance Migrant Program and the High School Equivalency Program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, will be the featured speaker at the ABAC fall commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 in Gressette Gym.
“I feel extremely honored to have the opportunity to address the graduating class,” Gonzalez said. “Having come from a humble background, where earning a college degree was a very rare exception, I learned the value of education at very early age.”
Gonzalez has been a member of the ABAC staff since 2003. In recent weeks, he has been selected to attend the University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute. The institute addresses the need for succession planning by identifying and developing high potential employees to equip them to become the next generation of exemplary leaders.
He has been involved in the education field for 18 years. He served as a Resource Specialist for the Marion County Board of Education and an Adolescent Outreach Specialist at the Chattahoochee-Flint Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) before joining the ABAC staff.
Gonzalez earned a General Educational Development (GED) diploma from Heart of Georgia Technical College. He received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s in Education Leadership degree from Columbus State University. He earned an English as a Second Language (ESL) certification from the State University of West Georgia and an education certification in Spanish Education K-12 from Georgia Southwestern State University.
“I came to understand that education is the great equalizer, that a diploma at any level, from a GED to a Ph. D, can provide the same opportunities for success to anyone regardless of their background,” Gonzalez said.
“It is my hope that my words will inspire the graduates to utilize their earned diploma to confidently face the next phase of their educational or personal journey and take pride in their accomplishment.”
A total of 133 students are expected to participate in the Dec. 11 ceremony.
Local News
Related Photos
Javier Gonzalez to speak at ABAC graduation
- Local News
-
-
Tift Co. Pre-K applications available
Applications for the 2012-13 Georgia Public Pre-K Program will be available March 12 through March 23 at the Tift County Pre-K Center and at all Tift County primary schools. This program provides preschool learning experiences for children who are 4 years of age on or by September 1, 2012.
-
Murder victim’s identity stolen
Millions of people have fallen victim to identity theft and the deceased are no exception.
-
Local vet injured in motorcycle accident
Dr. Larry Branch, 60, of Quailwood Animal Hospital was involved in a motorcycle wreck at approximately 10:35 a.m. Sunday, which resulted in his breaking several bones and being airlifted from Tift Regional Medical Center to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon.
-
Texas drought means higher prices for Ga. ranchers
Georgia cattle producers soon should see higher prices for their beef cattle due to a drought in Texas that's contributing to a shortage of cattle, authorities said.
-
Rain, sleet, snow possible in North Georgia
Forecasters say a mix of freezing rain and snow is possible over parts of North Georgia as moisture combines with cold air in the region.
- In-person advance voting in Ga. begins Monday
- Report: Lobbyist handouts not fully disclosed
- House fire kills Rincon man, critically injures wife
-
Mark York to run for post
Chief Magistrate Judge James M. (Mark) York announced Friday his candidacy in the July Primary for the office of magistrate of Tift County.
-
$5M investment to find tax cheats proposed
In a rough economy, Georgia’s leaders are looking to collect every nickel owed to the state.
A budget proposal from Republican Gov. Nathan Deal would spend roughly $5 million annually on a first-of-its-kind database meant to identify people who steal the identities of others and use that information to falsely claim tax rebates from Georgia authorities. The budget plan, which received initial approval from House lawmakers, is now under review by the state Senate.
“If everyone pays what they rightfully owe, we can all pay less,” said Republican Rep. Larry O’Neal, the House majority leader and a proponent of tightening tax enforcement. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
