Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will hold two 2026 spring commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 14. The ceremonies will be held at the college’s Gressette Gymnasium.

 The 10 a.m. event will include graduates from the School of Nursing, Health and Natural Sciences; the School of Social Sciences, Education and Arts; and the Stafford School of Business. The 3 p.m. event will include graduates from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A pinning ceremony for nursing graduates will begin at noon at Gressette Gymnasium.

“Graduation is the culmination of everything we aim to accomplish at ABAC,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “These graduates have gained a high-quality education at a cost that makes sense, are well-prepared for their next steps, and have earned this moment through dedication and effort. We’re excited to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate alongside them.”

ABAC alumnus Lawton E. Bassett III will be the commencement speaker at the morning ceremony, and Florida-based rancher W. Brad Phares will be the speaker for the afternoon ceremony.

Bassett has served as president of Ameris Bank and chief banking officer of Ameris Bancorp since February 2017. He previously served as executive vice president and chief banking officer for the company’s Georgia and Alabama regions and held regional and market president roles from 2006 to 2016. From 2003 to 2006, he was president and chief executive officer of Citizens Security Bank, a former subsidiary of the company. Earlier in his career, he held commercial lending and leadership roles at Barnett Bank and SunTrust. Bassett earned degrees from the University of Georgia and ABAC.

Phares is an eighth-generation Florida rancher, artist and storyteller based in Okeechobee, where he and his family operate Cowhunters Unlimited, LLC, a company dedicated to sharing the state’s ranching heritage through art, literature, apparel and specialty foods. After earning a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, Phares chose to preserve Florida’s cattle legacy through creative work rather than pursue a legal career. He is the author of “Celtic Cowhunter” and host of the “Between the Beaches Podcast.” A conservationist, he serves on the Florida Conservation Group Advisory Board and helps manage his family’s Lazy JP Ranch along Lake Okeechobee, where they focus on regenerative ranching practices that support water quality and long-term sustainability.

Jenna Williams of Douglas, Georgia, will also address students at both ceremonies. A dedicated student leader, she serves as president of the Student Government Association in addition to participating in several other campus groups and initiatives. She is a recipient of the Nathan Deal Scholarship, which will cover most of her tuition as she attends the Mercer University School of Medicine beginning this fall.

“Witnessing our students graduate is a powerful reminder of why higher education matters,” said Dr. Jason Goodner, ABAC provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Graduation represents years of discipline, growth and perseverance coming together in a single moment. An ABAC education provides more than a degree. It equips our students with the confidence and practical skills to lead meaningful lives and make a positive impact in their communities.”

The commencement and pinning ceremonies will be livestreamed by visiting link.abac.edu/Live-Grad or the ABAC Facebook page.