“ Teaching at ABAC was fun . I liked what I was doing . I had students who were non-traditional who were almost my age . It was time consuming but not difficult . I still had a strong memory of being in a college classroom which assisted me with teaching .”
ABAC had hogs and cattle on the Woodroof Farm at the time , and Hicks ran prevention type herd health campaigns , delivered vaccinations , handled emergencies and did general management of the program .
Time marches on but the students keep coming . ABAC now enrolls almost 4,000 students from 155 of Georgia ’ s 159 counties , 52 of Florida ’ s 67 counties , 19 countries and 18 states . Always observing and analyzing , Hicks sees a different type of student today .
“ More of the students today have a limited livestock background , particularly on the food animal side ,” Hicks said . “ More of them are from urban areas . We still have those who come from genuine farm backgrounds but even those students don ’ t seem to have as much true experience with animals .
“ I spend more time with the basics . It ’ s just different .”
Because of some of the students ’ lack of experience with raising animals , they find a harsh reality when they dive into the animal science program .
“ Sometimes we have to make a decision that an animal ’ s quality of life is over ,” Hicks said . “ These animals must be euthanized . Some of the students have never experienced death before .”
Hicks is the only faculty member in the history of ABAC to be honored with all three top awards
On hand for the recent ClicRtechnologies presentation to ABAC were ( l-r ): Dr . Mark Kistler , Joseph Spicola , Josh Williams , Jalal S . Khatib , Sergio Monge , Doug Hicks , and Dr . Mary Ellen Hicks . that faculty members can receive . She received the 2011 W . Bruce and Rosalyn Donaldson Award for Excellence in Advising , the 2013 W . Bruce and Rosalyn Donaldson Award for Teaching Excellence and the 2019 W . Bruce and Rosalyn Donaldson Award for Excellence in Student Engagement .
“ It ’ s humbling ,” Hicks said . “ And it ’ s not just the awards themselves . It ’ s the connection to Ms . Donaldson . To me , that ’ s what makes the awards special . Her approval means everything to me . She is just the epitome of the Southern woman .
“ I had her in class when I was an ABAC student and I still remember those classes very well .”
Hicks has plenty enough years in to retire from ABAC . But she still has the zest for her job . Ironically , it was the pandemic that recharged her .
“ Before COVID , I had just gotten tired ,” Hicks said . “ Then that spring semester ( 2020 ), I had to learn to teach in a different manner – virtually . Doug and I finished the calving season by ourselves . I know retirement is going to happen one day . I just don ’ t know when .
“ I have enjoyed my life at ABAC . It ’ s the type of place that hits everything on my check list . I have students who want to learn . I have a background in the community . I grew up here . There has always been a purpose here .” TS
24 TiftonScene | MAY 2022