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Student News
Chris Chammoun
After graduation, Chris plans to attend graduate school or return to South Georgia to work. His ambition is to help farmers better understand farm economics and farm policy. In his leisure time, Chris enjoys reading and studying the teachings of the Bible, watching the history channel and discussing agricultural issues. Additionally, he is a gardener, works outside, hunts, fishes, and shoots in competition and just for fun. He attends the Catholic Center at UGA. Through his involvement in various organizations, he enjoys participating in philanthropic activities, including Toys for Tots, a Night in the Cold (gathering canned food items), and helping with the Spring BBQ in order to raise money to send a child to YMCA Camp.
During the summer of 2004, Susannah studied abroad in Brazil. In the spring of 2006, she worked as an intern with Bayer CropScience in Florida. Currently, she is working as an intern with AgGeorgia Farm Credit. Susannah views internships as very important. She stated, “The experience gives students exposure to the world outside of the classroom.” Susannah has been able to apply some of what she learned in class to real business. Her internship experience has helped her decide what she wants from a career and the kind of work environment she wants. After graduation, she plans to pursue agricultural sales or work to promote Georgia products. In her leisure time, Susannah enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, traveling and attending UGA sporting events. She is a member of Brooklet United Methodist Church and a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club and Relay for Life.
Matthew Thompson
During the summer of 2006, Mat worked as an intern with AgGeorgia Farm Credit in Royston, Georgia. After graduation, he plans to work in the financial field, hopefully with Farm Credit.
Chris met some dignitaries while in Washington, including Senators Chambliss, Thomas, Harkin, Talent, and Roberts. He had the privilege of meeting the Japanese Ambassador in a committee meeting. While he did not meet President Bush, Chris attended the President’s dinner and was able to see him. On his way to a luncheon, he met the actor, Woody Harrelson, who was preparing to shoot a movie. During the first two weeks in Washington, Chris spent time getting to know his new roommates, and he toured the White House twice. During the week of July 4th, his girlfriend visited him in Washington and they saw the Capital, all of the Smithsonian museums, all the monuments, and Arlington Cemetery. On weekends, Chris spent most of his time hanging out with his roommates and becoming more familiar with his neighborhood. He attended a few social functions both “on the hill” and off. Chris stated, “This internship has greatly impacted my life, not only because of the connections I made, but because of what I learned. Yes, I learned more about the government and how it actually works than I could ever learn in a text book, but I also learned how to relate to people in a professional setting. I had a wonderful time in Washington, D.C., but it is not the place for my career. I hope to visit frequently as I have made many new friends and enjoyed the time I had there, but I feel that I belong here in Georgia. Personally, I loved every minute of it. I am very appreciative to everybody involved in making this wonderful experience possible.” In his leisure time, Chris enjoys being with his girlfriend. When he is not with her, he likes to hang out with his fraternity brothers throwing a ball, watching sports center, or “just having fun.”
After college graduation, Matt hopes to find work related to the agricultural field, perhaps as a sales representative. His long term ambition is to have his own cattle farm. Matt attends the Whitehall Baptist Church in Athens and enjoys working with children. He tutored elementary school children last semester. Presently, he is having a great time as a bull rider with the rodeo. He stated, “I am not that good yet, but I am trying.” Matt’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his girlfriend. If she is busy, he likes to play with his dog, Howdy, who is getting good at chasing tennis balls and Frisbees. Matt remarked, “I like to lend a hand to anybody that needs it.” Abbey Williams
She doesn't have that cowboy swagger, but she does look downright comfortable in jeans, hat and boots. She should be. After all, her belt buckle reads, “32nd annual Great Southland Stampede Rodeo Chairman.” The Great Southland Stampede Rodeo, put on by University of Georgia 's Block and Bridle Club, is the only student-run rodeo in the nation that's a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. It runs each April at Heritage Park in Oconee County , Ga. , and this past spring, Williams was the chair. “It's pretty stressful, getting national and regular sponsorships, and in the springtime organizing people, announcers, clowns, specialty acts,” she said. “The night of (the rodeo) was crazy.” She and 20 other people kept the 2006 show going. And when the 2007 rodeo committee met, she was able to talk about this year's successes — the fact that they raised $6,000, were able to give $600 of that to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and another $600 to UGA livestock judging teams and also worked with Make-A Wish Foundation to help one child's dream of participating in a rodeo come true — instead of listing the problems that have haunted past UGA rodeos. The rodeo “was pretty much the coolest thing I've ever done,” Williams said. “Throughout it, at different times, I thought I wouldn't be able to do it. Then I got to the end and saw people having fun. It was the proudest moment of my life.” One of the greatest challenges, she said, was proving to herself and everyone else that she could do a good job as chair. “A lot of people think we go into rodeo to have fun,” she said. “I think it's a lot more than that.” One of the key aspects she enjoyed is learning business skills, something that's seldom covered in the animal and dairy science program. In 2007, ADS students will team up with students from UGA's Terry College of Business to better market the rodeo. Williams is looking forward to working primarily as a rodeo advisor next year. She'll be coordinating the free children's rodeo the Thursday before the main events on April 20-21, 2007 . Then in May, Williams will walk the graduation stage. She plans to continue her studies in beef cattle genetics in either Colorado or Kansas before returning to UGA to work on her doctorate. Southscapes, Fall 2006
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Chris Chammoun, a third year agricultural economics major from Adel, Georgia, was recently inducted into AGHON, the agricultural honor society. Chris is also a member of the Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Zeta Professional Agricultural Fraternity, and UGA Collegiate FFA. He is a Presidential Scholar and a recipient of the Roy Proctor Scholarship, the Georgia Farm Credit Scholarship and the CAES Scholarship. In addition, he served as house manager of the Alpha Gamma Rho Agricultural Fraternity, representative for the Ag Hill Council of the UGA Agronomy Club, and he is currently serving as the club’s president. 
Susannah Martin, a fourth year agribusiness major from Brooklet, Georgia, was recently inducted into AGHON, the agricultural honor society. She is a recipient of the CAES Alumni Association Scholarship, the CAES Staplcotn Scholarship, and the John William Firor, Sr. Scholarship. In addition, Susannah is a CAES Ambassador and a member of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. She served as vice-president of new member education for the Delta Zeta Sorority and a UGA Football Recruitment Assistant. She also served on the Dance Marathon Special Events Committee.
Matthew (Mat) Thompson, a fourth year agribusiness major from Ochlocknee, Georgia, was recently inducted into AGHON, the agricultural honor society. Mat serves as treasurer of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and as a member of the Judicial Committee for the Interfraternity Council (IFC) of the University of Georgia, the governing body for fraternities on campus. He is also a member of the Alpha Zeta Professional Agricultural Fraternity.
Chris Cunningham, a fourth year agribusiness major from Quitman, Georgia, spent the summer of 2006 working as an intern in the office of Senator Saxby Chamblis in Washington, D.C. His duties were varied and included meetings with other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee and various lobbying groups. He was assigned a long term project in which he compiled a very large spreadsheet containing all the groups who received agricultural appropriations in the state of Georgia for the past five years. He also helped prepare for all the regional field hearings hosted by the Agriculture Committee. 
Matt Davis is a third year agribusiness major from Powder Springs, Georgia. He serves as treasurer of the Rodeo Club and is the recipient of the Lawrence M. Burk Scholarship. He has recently started working as an intern with a horse trainer. Matt stated that he enjoyed his work so much that he would work even if it wasn’t necessary.
Abbey Williams eased out of her Jeep boots first, then turned and grabbed her white cowboy hat. 
Fred C. White, Head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia, announced his retirement effective December 1, 2006. He has served as Department Head since 1997. Dr. White received his B.S. from Texas Tech University (1967) and his M.S. (1969) and Ph.D. (1971) from Oklahoma State University.