TIFTON – Brooke Patry, a senior business major from Greensboro, NC, was recently elected as president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Student Government Association (SGA).

Patry has been involved with SGA for two years.

“Last year, I was a business senator,” she said. “I joined other clubs and organizations on campus, and I saw SGA as more of a leadership role. One of my best friends reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in joining. I was able to learn more of the structure and what SGA does, and I wanted to become a part of it.”

She said that being involved in the behind the scenes work that SGA does inspired her to run for the president position.

“The main thing that fueled me is to help fully bridge the gaps between the schools,” she said. “I feel like all the schools are kind of separate. We’d like to hold more events and get SGA’s name out there to let students know we’re that listening ear they can voice concerns to. There is a whole team of senators and the executive team students can voice concerns to. We have offices in Branch Hall, and someone is always there if someone wants to reach out. I’m also available by email.”

Patry said SGA is planning a lot of events for this upcoming school year aimed at getting students and other clubs involved with each other.

“Last year was a big transition phase for SGA,” she said. “Our team has trying to rebrand, and I really wanted to continue the work we did last year and be the voice for the students. I really love ABAC. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do, but it’s become home.”

Patry originally came to Georgia to attend technical college but made friends with ABAC students and fell in love with the atmosphere and how welcoming other students were.

Patry also serves as the vice president for Women in Business, a new club she helped found last year. She is a Stafford Scholar, and she is also a resident assistant at ABAC Lakeside. She said that serving in leadership roles such as SGA president has brought her out of her shell.

“When I first came to ABAC, I was quiet … very quiet,” she said. “Public speaking terrified me, but I feel like this has helped me grow as a person and has pushed me out of my shell more. I want to go into health care marketing, so it’s a good way to grow those connections and easily having conversations with people and building connections.”

“I am so very proud of Brooke,” said SGA faculty advisor Diantha Ellis, professor of business administration with ABAC’s Stafford School of Business. “She has made a concerted effort to take full advantage of the complete college experience in her time at ABAC. Her enthusiasm, which she balances with a calm maturity and wisdom, is both captivating and inspiring. When I think of the quiet young lady who first entered my economics class a couple of years ago and compare her to the powerhouse that she has become, I am in awe.

“Brooke is going places, and I am eagerly anticipating the adventures that this Stallion will share with us for years to come,” Ellis added. “My greatest joy in my role as faculty advisor for SGA is in working with our student leaders as they grow and develop their leadership skills and abilities. This year’s SGA team is deeply committed to ABAC and eager to serve as effective advocates for the student body.”

In addition to Patry, ABAC’s SGA team consists of Jenna Williams, vice president; Tucker Parrish, judiciary; Taelor Hill and Harmon Smith, Stafford School of Business senators; Emily Rowland and Lionela Gutierrez Nava, Schools of Arts and Sciences senators; Oscar Martinez and Talana Holloway, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources senators; Reagan Pate and Cierra Boney, School of Nursing and Health Sciences senators; and Brooke Vanzant, Recognized Student Organization (RSO) chair.