Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recognized 400 graduates during its spring commencement ceremonies on May 14 and presented Jenna Williams with the Spring 2026 David and Kim Bridges Award.
The event featured two ceremonies with addresses by Lawton E. Bassett III, a banking professional, and W. Bradley Phares, a Florida-based rancher. Bassett told graduates, “Here, professors called you by name in smaller classes. You received more attention, but there was accountability in those smaller classes too. There was no skipping that early morning class, or at least, not without being noticed. This campus culture expected you to show up, participate and produce, and that expectation has provided and shaped you with a foundation that you can take with you when you leave here.”
Phares encouraged students to value authenticity in his address: “We live in a time where faux personas are all the rage, materialism and social media celebrity reign supreme, and most people find themselves constantly questioning the truth and legitimacy of everything presented to them,” Phares said. “Authenticity always rises to the top. People crave it and will eventually begin to seek it out.”
Jenna Williams served as president of the Student Government Association (SGA) for two years while also holding roles such as ABAC Ambassador and Golden Girls dance team member. She advised her fellow graduates: “Don’t be afraid of the wilderness,” Williams said. “Don’t be afraid of the unpaved life. The world doesn’t need more people who know how to follow a map. The world is starving for people who are brave enough to follow their own compass… Because the people who change the world are rarely the ones who stayed on the trail.”
Williams’ achievements include being named J.G. Woodroof Scholar for 2026 and earning recognition as this year’s School of Nursing, Health and Natural Sciences Student of Distinction after maintaining a perfect GPA while gaining leadership experience on her family’s farm.
ABAC President Tracy Brundage presented Williams with the Bridges Award during commencement: “Whether mentoring younger students,
advocating for
her peers, or helping nervous
freshmen
feel at home during campus tours,
she consistently used her influence to lift others up,” Brundage said.
“She strengthened every organization she touched,
not by seeking attention for herself,
but by helping others succeed alongside her.” Dr.
David Bridges retired as ABAC’s longest-serving president in July 2022 after more than sixteen years; he established this award alongside his wife Kim—both alumni—to honor academic excellence,
leadership,
and citizenship among four-year degree recipients.
Of those graduating from ABAC’s Class of 2026,0336 participated in person before Dr.0Carrie Crabtree inducted them into the Alumni Association following conferral of degrees.
According to the official website, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is known for affordable tuition rates; it offers hands-on learning opportunities across healthcare and business fields; features facilities such as J.G Woodroof Farm,
Forest Lakes Golf Course,
and Georgia Museum of Agriculture;
participates in eight intercollegiate sports within major athletic conferences;
anually recognizes outstanding alumni through awards like Distinguished Alumnus Award;
and once named former President Jimmy Carter an honorary alumnus.
