AROUND THE AREA

Once a Trojan, always a Trojan

Central Alabama Community College graduates can now easily become Troy University Trojans. The two colleges signed an agreement this week that makes transferring to a 4-year college significantly easier for CACC students.

“CACC’s articulation agreement with Troy assures the acceptance into its baccalaureate degree program in Occupational Education for those graduates of CACC’s Associate in Applied Science degree programs with the appropriate admission qualifications,” CACC president Jeff Lynn said.

Troy’s Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Education degree provides a path for individuals with specialized skills to provide expertise in the design, delivery and practice of instructional programs for adults in a variety of professional and technical vocations, including online instruction, workforce development, continuing education, higher education and military education. The BSOE combines theory with experience to prepare students as workforce development

professionals in a variety of settings and occupations. “A lot of kids don’t know what they want to do,” Troy University vice chancellor Ray White said. “Sometimes, after a two-year degree, they are still unsure what they might want to do.” The agreement allows students to transfer directly to Troy, even if they take a couple years off after getting an associate degree “It s an agreement to encourage them to get their education or continue their education regardless of what stage of life they are at,” White said. “The two- year degree is a direct translation to the four-year degree New Paths Students at CACC now have a guaranteed route to Troy University. with this.” White said he hopes the agreement will add to the skillsets many in the workforce already have. “We want students to see you can continue your education as an adult,” White said. “You can go to your occupation and come back to finish your bachelor’s degree.” ~Cliff Williams

Pennington Park pavillion named for Bill Ponder

On Nov. 10, Pennington Park’s picnic shelter was dedicated Ponder Pavilion after joiner, amateur historian and lifelong Dadeville resident Bill Ponder.

“Bill has been an extraordinary contributor and a huge philanthropist in the City of Dadeville,” said Kurt Pfitzner, who owns the park with his wife Leigh. “After considering a wide number of individuals, it became intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer that Bill Ponder was the right selection.”

In 2019, Ponder won a lifetime achievement award from the Lake MartinDadeville Area Chamber of Commerce for his civic spirit, which includes the founding of the Dadeville Beautification Board, a recycling center and a human society and the registration of just about every historical marker in town. With too many club and board positions to count, in The Outlook Ponder’s all-encompassing attribution is “Bill Ponder, local historian.”

Ponder thanked the Pfitzners for the recognition.

“It's quite an honor and I appreciate deeply that aomeone would think enough of me to name it after me,” he said. Ponder also praised their dedication to Pennington Park which he described as “their grandchild.” “In just a few short years it has become the center for entertainment,” he said. ~Siri Hedreen

To Be Dedicated

The pavillion at Pennington Park was named after Bill Ponder.