Student engagement focusing on internships, study abroad, mentored research, and the staging of a national event was the theme when students and faculty members from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College addressed the members of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at its February meeting in Atlanta on Tuesday.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our institution for how we always rise to the challenges and opportunities put before us,” said Dr. Jason Scott, Associate Professor of Forest Resources, who spoke on the pedagogical advances the faculty in the Department of Forest Resources have made to streamline ABAC’s program into one of the top Wildlife and Forestry programs in the state.  “From our administrators who recognized this moment as a tremendous opportunity, to the faculty and students who spoke on behalf of ABAC, and the technical and video-graphic support we received, everyone worked as a team to put together a great campus spotlight.”

ABAC President David Bridges introduced the presentation which also included Harrison Booker from Varnell, the ABAC Forestry Club President; Dr. Leslie Pryor, Assistant Professor of Biology; Jovani Raya, a biology major from Norman Park; Dr. Thomas Grant, Associate Professor of Journalism and Advisor for The Stallion newspaper and Stallion TV; and Amanda Mohammed, a rural community development major from Snellville.

“I personally had a Vice President from Georgia Tech come up to me brimming with enthusiasm about our presentation because his son is considering ABAC specifically because of our hands-on approach to teaching in our program,” Scott said.

The presentation included information on opportunities in mentored research, internships, study abroad, and the planning of the 61st Annual Forestry Conclave.  Scott said ABAC is flourishing with life lesson opportunities so that ABAC graduates will be well prepared for the workforce.

“Sometimes when you do things like we did at this Board of Regents’ meeting, people applaud and say good job, but it all feels a bit staged or obligatory for social norms,” Scott said. “What we felt up there was a new level of genuine excitement and unconstrained enthusiasm.  It was electric.”

Dr. Jerry Baker, ABAC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, coordinated the 20-minute information session.