Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College celebrated 400 graduates during its two spring commencement ceremonies Thursday, May 14, and honored Jenna Williams as the Spring 2026 David and Kim Bridges Award recipient.
Lawton E. Bassett III, banking professional, and W. Bradley Phares, Florida-based rancher, gave the commencement addresses.
Bassett, speaking at the 10 a.m. ceremony, reminded graduates that they are prepared for their next steps.
“Here, professors called you by name in smaller classes,” Bassett said. “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, giving the address at the 3 p.m. ceremony, encouraged graduates to prioritize authenticity.
“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, president of the Student Government Association (SGA), gave counsel to the graduates who are feeling uncertain about their path forward.
“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. So, my fellow graduates, trust your needle. Embrace the uncertainty. And never, ever be afraid to go off the beaten path. Because the people who change the world are rarely the ones who stayed on the trail.”
Williams, a graduating biology major and business minor from Douglas, has been a staple of student leadership at ABAC as this ceremony marks the fourth time in her college career she has addressed students at graduation.
Williams’ impact on ABAC extends beyond serving as SGA president for the past two years. ABAC Ambassador, former Ms. ABAC, Golden Girls dance team member, and Stallion Society Orientation Leader headline her long list of campus involvement and accomplishments. Her commitment to ABAC and excellence led to her selection as the Spring 2026 David and Kim Bridges Award winner during the commencement ceremony.
In addition to her previously mentioned accomplishments, Williams was honored as the 2026 J.G. Woodroof Scholar and recognized as this year’s School of Nursing, Health and Natural Sciences Student of Distinction after earning a perfect 4.0 GPA. She also represented ABAC on the University System of Georgia Student Advisory Council while gaining hands-on leadership experience working on her family’s fifth-generation blackberry farm in Douglas. This fall, she will attend the Mercer University School of Medicine as a recipient of the Nathan Deal Scholarship, which will cover most of her tuition expenses.
ABAC President Tracy Brundage presented the Bridges Award to Williams and spoke to the impact Williams’ leadership has had on the community.
“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 served as the longest-tenured president in ABAC history, retiring July 31, 2022, after more than 16 years as the college’s chief executive officer. He and his wife, Kim, are both graduates of ABAC. The Bridges Award honors a student earning a four-year degree who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and citizenship, all of which Williams exemplifies.
Of the 400 graduating in the Class of 2026, 336 participated in the ceremonies. Dr. Carrie Crabtree, vice president of the ABAC Alumni Association, inducted the graduates into the association after degrees were conferred.
