Atlanta — September 21, 2000

Two committees that will assist the Board of Regents in selecting a new president for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee and the Special Regents’ Committee, were announced today by Board of Regents Chairman Glenn S. White and University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen R. Portch.

The Presidential Search and Advisory Committee, consisting of seven representatives from the college community, was appointed by Chancellor Portch in consultation with Chairman White and the chair of the Special Regents’ Committee, Regent George M. D. (John) Hunt III. The campus-based committee has the charge of providing five unranked finalists to the Special Regents’ Committee. It will be chaired by Dr. Chrystle Ross, professor of business information technology. Other faculty members tapped to serve are: Dr. Leon Benefield, professor of biology; and Dr. Larry McGruder, professor of social science. Staff members will be represented by Ms. Cindy Jones, media services coordinator. Mr. Carl Stalvey, president of the Student Government Association, will represent the student body. The Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation will be represented by a member of its board of directors, Mr. William I. Bowen, Jr., manager of E. P. Bowen Farms. Ms. Jane G. Gibbs, a retired teacher from Colquitt County High School and president of the ABAC Alumni Association, will represent the alumni.

Chairman White also announced that Regent George M. D. (John) Hunt III will chair the Special Regents’ Committee for ABAC’s presidential search. Other members include Regents Martin W. NeSmith and Joel O. Wooten, Jr. Regent White and Chancellor Portch both will serve as ex-officio members of the committee.

The search is expected to be completed by the end of the current academic year. An executive search firm likely will be selected to assist in the process.

Chancellor Stephen Portch will travel to ABAC on Thursday, September 21, to charge the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee at the group’s first meeting.

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