Top faculty and staff recognized at ABAC Honors Day ceremony

TIFTON — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College held its annual Honors Day ceremony at the Gressette Gym on Thursday, where an assistant professor of forest services for the institution was given the highest recognition.

Kip Hall, an assistant professor of forest resources, received the highest award, the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Award for Teaching Excellence. Wayne Jones, director of the Arts Connection, was awarded the Roy R. Jackson Sr. Award for Staff Excellence, officials at ABAC said.

Darby Sewell, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs—Engaged Learning, was honored with the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award for College Administrators. Justin Ng, an assistant professor of agronomy, received the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Excellence in Advising Award.

Heather Cathcart, an associate professor of biology, was honored with the W. Bruce and Rosalyn Ray Donaldson Award for Excellence in Student Engagement, ABAC officials said.

Hall received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Marietta College and his master’s degree in forest resources from Pennsylvania State University. Jones has coordinated “An Evening for ABAC,” the annual ABAC Foundation sponsored fundraiser; he also organizes the ABAC Performing Arts Series. Sewell earned her associate degree from ABAC, her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and holds a doctorate from Iowa State University.

Ng received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Trinity University, his master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and holds a doctorate in soil science from Texas A&M University. He has been a student adviser at ABAC since 2013 and has a current advising load of 70 students.

Cathcart earned her bachelor’s degree in biology cum laude from Armstrong Atlantic State University, her master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University and holds a doctorate from the Medical College of Georgia.