Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Annah Williams, an Agribusiness major from Lenox, was chosen as this year’s J.G. Woodroof Scholar, the highest academic honor the college awards each year.
Williams was among four students honored during a ceremony at ABAC Thursday afternoon. Williams was also selected as the Student of Distinction for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Also winning Student of Distinction honors in their respective schools were Tucker Parrish, a Business major from Adel, for the Stafford School of Business; Janeth Ovalle, a Nursing major from Douglas, for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and Delaney Garcia, a Writing and Communications major from Albany, for the School of Arts and Sciences.
According to Dr. Amy Willis, interim Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, the students are chosen by faculty in each school from the list of Superior Honor and Distinguished Honor students, who are classified by their earned hours and grade point averages at the end of fall semester 2023. Many other factors are considered during this selection, including but not limited to involvement in engaged learning activities, participation in clubs and school and college-sponsored activities, service in their communities, leadership among peers, and strong interpersonal skills.
“These students are considered our top students and are sure to become role models in their communities and serve as leaders in their professions,” Willis said.
The Woodroof Scholar, named for the first president of ABAC, is also honored at the University System of Georgia’s Academic Recognition Day. Criteria from the University System includes a 4.0 GPA (or close to it) and qualities characteristic of outstanding scholastic achievement at the institution. Dr. Mark Kistler, Dean of ABAC’s School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said Williams is a natural born leader who is dedicated to agriculture and goes above and beyond to take the lead on projects. He added that she displays admirable commitment to operating and managing her family’s farm, church, and community.
She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her academic career, making the President’s List every semester she has taken 12 or more hours. She has participated in group projects, oral presentations, and research activities that are built into many courses in the Agribusiness curriculum and has completed an internship at Atlantic and Southern Equipment, Williams also attended Woman in Agriculture and Natural Resources Club and Agripreneurs Club meetings, and was selected to serve as a SANR Leader, providing student leadership and recruitment at key events such as the Ag Expo and Stallion Days.
Parrish has been active in the Student Government Association, the men’s cross country team, and has served as President of both the Entrepreneurs Club (Enactus) and the Circle K International Club. He was a founding member of the ABAC Homelessness Club and served as a Stafford Scholar, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
Dr. Renata Elad, Dean of the Stafford School of Business, said Parrish is engaged in the classroom, anxious to soak up a full, well-rounded experience, is kind, thoughtful, judicious, and always quick to point out the achievements of his peers, who highly respect his insight.
Dr. Jeffrey Ross, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said Ovalle is known for communication and collaboration in the online classroom environment, excelling in course assignments, being remarkably active and responsive in activities and discussions, and demonstrating synthesis of course materials in her critical thinking and scholarly writing.
Ovalle is a non-traditional student who maintains a full-time course load while also working both in the Intensive Care Unit at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta and in the Medical/Pediatrics Unit at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas. She was recently named Caregiver of the Month at Coffee Regional, recognizing her commitment to being a team player by assisting both coworkers and patients.
Dr. Matthew Anderson, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said Garcia excelled in many roles and set herself apart by being unafraid to ask critical questions, capable of expressing contrary views diplomatically, and able to articulate her thoughts clearly.
Garcia has been active with ABAC’s school newspaper, The Stallion, where she rose from staff writer to editor-in-chief; hosted “Horsin’ Around” on the ABAC radio station WPLH, and assisted with producing the Pegasus literary magazine. Her work has been featured on the cover of Georgia Magazine, and she is currently interning at WALB.
