Hunter Holton, a Writing and Communication major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, received the 2026 E. Lanier Finch Scholarship from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, according to a May 7 announcement. Holton was one of six college students in Georgia to earn this recognition before his graduation on May 14.
The scholarship is intended for students who show professionalism, leadership, and dedication to broadcasting. “We are honored to support these exceptional students,” said GAB President Randy Gravley. “Their passion for journalism, storytelling and communication embodies the spirit of Lanny Finch’s legacy and the bright future of broadcasting in Georgia.”
Holton was awarded $1,500 at Atlanta’s Emory Conference Center after submitting an essay as part of his application process. “I was one of the six they chose,” he said. “I put in there, and I feel this way, that I’m meant to be working in a newsroom.”
During his time at ABAC, Holton wrote for The Stallion student newspaper and interned at Albany television station WALB. He said about his internship: “My internship has been more or less behind the scenes… I have learned a lot about the producing side of the work.” After graduation, he will join WALB as a producer for “Today in Georgia,” where he will help launch a new segment called “TIG+” later this year.
Holton credits ABAC faculty with influencing his career direction after taking public speaking classes and switching majors. “I really liked what I was learning from Dr. Jay Baldwin,” said Holton. He also mentioned that skills gained through classes and student media were useful: “A lot of things that I have learned here through the introductory and advanced broadcasting classes and The Stallion were really useful.”
Outside academics, Holton ran Sunshine Event Service—a karaoke company now transitioning into Sunshine Media—helping him pay tuition without incurring student loan debt like many ABAC graduates.
Dr. Matthew Anderson, dean of ABAC’s School of Social Sciences, Education and Arts said: “Hunter’s experience at ABAC is what we strive for all students to have in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Arts… He acquired valuable knowledge from his classes, gained experience in the field through our student media outlets, and leveraged his internship into a full-time role shortly after graduation.”
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College offers affordable tuition rates alongside first-class facilities such as J.G. Woodroof Farm and Forest Lakes Golf Course; it promotes community involvement with hands-on learning opportunities across fields like healthcare or business; participates in eight intercollegiate sports; affiliates with organizations including Southern States Athletic Conference; recognizes outstanding alumni annually; and once recognized former President Jimmy Carter as an honorary alumnus—all according to its official website.
