ABAC continues breaking records. This past fall semester, a record total of 270 students completed their requirements to graduate as a part of ABAC’s class of 2019.
Dec. 12, 2019, was a special day for a lot of ABAC students and their families. As the students filled the rows of Gressette gym, their families watched from the bleachers as their sons and daughters received their diplomas.
President Bridges administered the event. He introduced this semester’s Keynote speaker, Senior Account Manager of CSX Corporation, and ABAC Class of 2011 Alumnus, Cain Thurmond. Thurmond’s speech was inspirational yet relatable.
He made references to the things he used to do here at ABAC. He mentions going to Asahi, walking the long-distance walks from Lakeside to class and never missing a fried chicken Thursday. He shared a few pieces of advice with the graduates as well, from simple gestures such as not shaking someone’s hand while sitting down, to personal matters as not answering someone’s text message angry. He ended his speech by inspiring the graduates to take their degrees and keep growing and learning.
144 of the graduates received their associate degrees in Science in Nursing, Music, Arts, Science and Applied Science. 126 of this semester’s graduates received their bachelor’s degree in Science, Arts and Sciences, Business and Science in Nursing.
Dr. Anderson, Dean of Arts & Sciences, spoke about growing numbers in ABAC’s future. He states, “ABAC has a unique mission and position among the colleges of the USG system. Our alumni go on to do great things and help further on our strong institutional reputation.”
Kaycee Aultman, a Writing & Communication major, graduated with a 4.0 GPA with a bachelor’s in science and was the recipient of the ABAC Alumni Association Award. This award goes to the top bachelor’s degree graduate participating in the ceremony. Aultman was also the first graduate of ABAC to complete the four-year honors program.
Aultman stated, “I was so excited to get to be the first graduate of the 4-year honors program. It was a lot of fun getting to set the precedent for the future 4-year honors program graduates.”
