Dr . Mary Ellen Hicks is a Professor of Animal Science at ABAC .
Hicks knows the path to being a veterinarian quite well . When she graduated from Tift County High School in 1981 , she came to ABAC to get her associate degree in pre-veterinary medicine . She continued her education at the University of Georgia where she received her doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1988 .
Returning to Tifton , she started work at Branch ’ s Veterinary Clinic .
“ I worked in Nashville a good bit when we opened that clinic there ,” Hicks said . “ I liked it . We were doing what I was trained to do . I did a lot of large animal work .”
Little did Hicks know that her life was about to take a turn . Through a series of events , a faculty position in the animal science program as well as the veterinary technology program opened at ABAC in September 1989 .
“ I was licensed as a veterinarian , so I was able to take over without any problems ,” Hicks said . “ I had left the practice to pursue a master ’ s degree in animal science , so I was available at the time .”
MAY 2022 | TiftonScene 23