Madison Lynn from Vidalia and Ashley Jensen from Sumner received the top awards presented by the ABAC Alumni Association during the fall commencement ceremony on Thursday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Lynn, a crop and soil science major, was named the winner of the ABAC Alumni Association Award which goes to the top bachelor’s degree graduate participating in the ceremony, and Jensen, an agricultural education major, received the George P. Donaldson Award for the top associate degree graduate participating in the ceremony.

Dr. Tracy Nolan, an ABAC alumnus who is the first female general surgeon at Tift Regional Medical Center, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

“Start climbing the ladder of success today,” Nolan said.  “Every rung brings you closer to being or doing what makes you, you.  Develop connections.  Let people know they can count on you.  Be confident in your ability to get the job done.  Get out there!  Not much was ever accomplished by sitting around.”

A total of 180 graduates received their diplomas in Gressette Gymnasium. ABAC President David Bridges extended special recognition during the ceremony to Dr. Johnny Evans, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, who is leaving ABAC to become the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Coastal Georgia, and to Pam Leonard, who is retiring as the Executive Assistant to the President after an ABAC career of over 32 years.

During her time at ABAC, Lynn immersed herself in student activities including service as the president of the ABAC Ambassadors leadership group and being crowned Ms. ABAC 2016.  She was a member of the ABAC Young Farmers, Agri-Life, and the Agronomy Club.

Winner of the 2018 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Collegiate Discussion Meet, Lynn was the 2017 Miss Georgia Forestry Scholarship winner.  She was a U.S. Row Crow Sales Intern with Monsanto, a field sales intern with Bayer Crop Science, and a research and development intern with Bayer.

During the 2017 fall semester, Lynn participated in an ABAC internship with Georgia Senator David Perdue in Washington D.C.

“My time in Washington opened my eyes to experiences I would have never had the opportunity to encounter if it was not for the connections and opportunities ABAC provided me,” Lynn said.  “I’ve always wanted to be somebody in agriculture, and I know that my involvement with ABAC is helping me to accomplish that goal.”

One of her nominators called her, “A model student which all our other students can learn from.”  Another nominator said, “She never fails to say a good word about ABAC.  When she graduates and goes on to other pastures not colored green-and-gold, she will continue to spread the good news about our college.”

A member of the prestigious Honors Program at ABAC, Jensen has been a member of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, FFA, and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries during her ABAC career.  She received the Donaldson, Louise Hill 4-H, and Bynum Rural Studies scholarships.

Extracurricular activities for Jensen include Ag in the Classroom, participating in the Louisiana Relief Effort, and teaching a pre-k-3rd grade class on Wednesday nights at the First Baptist Church of Ty Ty.  She has also assisted Lynn McDonald, the volunteers’ coordinator at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village, since 2017.  Jensen has also become certified as a Project Learning Tree Educator.

Jensen leaves no doubt about her career goal which she wants to embark upon with a middle school teaching position.

“Once I am certified to teach agriculture, I want to work with my fellow ag teachers, former students and community sponsors to bring agriculture, FFA, and fun to the younger students,” Jensen said.   “I believe the younger we start educating students about agriculture, the better opportunities the students will have in their future because of their experiences and connections.”

One of Jensen’s nominators said, “with her professional experience, campus involvement, and dedication to her education, she embodies what President Donaldson would consider a well-rounded student.”  Another said, “her career goal is to inspire students to be a part of agriculture and for them to know how important it is for their lives.”

Spring term classes begin at ABAC on Jan. 8. The college will be closed for the holidays Dec. 24-Jan. 1.