TROY Today - Fall/Winter 2017

F ALL/ WI N TE R 2017

SUMMER OF RHYTHM Theatre and dance students study, perform in Pietrasanta, Italy

THAT’S THE STUFF Collaboration at heart of students’ success

VISION FOR CHANGE A candid Q&A with Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr.

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TROY TODAY

Troy University Marketing and Communication Fall/Winter 2017

Executive Editor Donna Clark Schubert

From the desk of the Chancellor One of the benefits of serving as Chancellor is on occasion I have a front-row seat to watch our students excel. Such an opportunity presented itself in June as I traveled to Pietrasanta, Italy, to see our theatre and dance students perform in the first Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta (DAP) Festival.

TROY dance students spent two weeks in Italy taking classes in special workshops and then performing for festival audiences. Of course, I almost burst with pride when I watched our dancers perform, but I also reflected on the bigger picture, that is the reason why we have worked so hard over the past 25 years on a program of intentional internationalization for TROY. Providing our students with this global experience was priceless, and I wish every TROY alumnus could have sat in that audience. This edition features coverage of that trip, which is the next best thing to being there.

This issue also introduces our alumni family to several special students, including our new SGA President Ashli Morris of Athens, Alabama. We have been fortunate over the years to have many outstanding student leaders serve as the SGA chief executive, and Ashli continues that tradition. She is a member of our Army ROTC and plans a military career following her graduation from TROY, so leadership is a part of her DNA. Another student, Cole Debardelaben of Deatsville, Alabama, has taken the extraordinary step of funding a $1,000 scholarship to help classmates offset their college expenses. Cole’s selflessness and love of TROY serve as an inspiration not only to fellow students but also to the extended Trojan alumni family around the world.

Another story of generosity in this magazine is that of Patti Baum and the Baum family, which has ancestral roots in Montgomery. Ms. Baum made a gift to the Rosa Parks Museum in memory of her late husband, Charles. Last spring, we unveiled the Charles Cahn Baum Atrium in his honor. The Baum family’s gift will help fund new educational programs at the museum.

We also shine the spotlight on several capital improvements on the Troy Campus.

The new admissions center addition in the Adams Administration Building is open for business. The expansion, which includes ample parking for prospective students and a beautiful new University Avenue entrance, is already drawing rave reviews from our visitors. We have also completed our upgrade to the Trojan Center food court, a great investment in service to students made by our valued partner Sodexo, which provided the funds for this project.

In closing, I remind all Trojans that the annual homecoming weekend is scheduled for October 27-29. I hope to see you there!

Editor Samantha Johnson Art Directors Rob Drinkard ('09) Mark Moseley ('97, '99) Copy Editors Andy Ellis Emily Price ('09) Contributors Reba Allen ('75) Matt Clower ('04) Tom Davis ('81) Colin Edwards Andy Ellis Bill Hopper ('72, '77) Brent Jones Clif Lusk Jane Martin ('97, '99) Sam Moody Michael Orlofsky Greg Phillips ('06) Adam Prendergast Emily Price ('09) Jonathan Sellers ('07, '11) Savanah Weed ('17) Josh Yohn ('07, '14) Photographers Kevin Glackmeyer Mark Moseley ('97, '99)

Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D.

Sincerely,

Senior Vice Chancellor, Advancement & Economic Development Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan, USAF, Retired ('89)

Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. Chancellor

Associate Vice Chancellor, Marketing & Communication Donna Clark Schubert Associate Vice Chancellor, Development Becky Watson

TROY Today Magazine welcomes comments, ideas and suggestions from readers. Editors reserve the rights to determine if letters to the editor will be published and to edit submissions for content and length. Copyright 2017

by Troy University, all rights reserved. Troy University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Troy University. The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

TROY Today Magazine is published for alumni members, donors, students, parents and friends of Troy University.

For more information, contact the office of Marketing and Communication at: 256 Adams Administration Building Troy, AL 36082 Phone: (334) 670-5830 E-mail: troymagazine@troy.edu Find us on: troy.edu/social and at www.troy.today Advertising : Contact Shannon Morrell at 334-670-5830 or see the media guide at troy.edu/advertising.

Director, Alumni Affairs Faith Ward (’81, ’87) Director, Communication Andy Ellis Director, Marketing Samantha Johnson Director, University Relations Matt Clower ('04) President, Troy University Alumni Association Bill Hopper ('72, '77)

T ROY T O DAY

Fall/Winter 2017

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On The Cover

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., has served as Chancellor of Troy University since 1989.

NEWS

FEATURES

2 From the desk of the Chancellor

22 Life changing online experience

6 Baum Family honors Rosa Parks

Experience the Troy Campus through the eyes of USO Airman

STUDENTS 44 Bringing history to life 47 SGA president Ashli Morris

of the Year and TROY Online student U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bellio.

7 Hall-Waters prize 8 Sweet progress

24 Summer of rhythm Life is art in Pietrasanta, Italy. Read about the exciting study abroad opportunity that allowed TROY theatre and dance students to share a stage with artists from around the world.

48 DNP student receives $1.1 million grant

10 First impressions

49 Paying it forward

12 Mission accomplished

PERSPECTIVES

13 History in the making

50 Random acts of kindness

FACULTY & STAFF 14 Shaffer recognized for excellence 16 Anderson honored with national recognition

28 That’s the stuff

17 Menon awarded Fulbright grant

owner and the Sorrell College of Business collaborate on

18 Giving back

Dudinsky’s Trojan Warrior Spirit.

20 Developing TROY

What happens when a young entrepreneur, a creative business a project? Success, that’s what. Learn more about Avalon

32 Vision for change

ATHLETICS

Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., sits down for a candid Q&A and shares his thoughts about TROY’s mission and his vision for continued success.

BE IN THE KNOW. FOLLOW THE BLOG.

38 Oh, what a year

www.troy.today

41 Taking TROY to the fans 42 Trojans rally as ONE TROY

ALUMNI 55 Finding direction 56 Paving the way 58 Johnson receives distinguished leadership award 58 Boothe devoted to family, education 59 A wild calling 60 Alum Notes 63 Franks named executive director 64 Alumni of the Year

TROY TODAY

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A part of Charles Cahn Baum’s legacy now honors the life and bravery of Rosa Parks, the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Thanks to a generous donation, visitors will now enter TROY’s Rosa Parks Museum through the Charles Cahn Baum and Family Atrium.

BAUM FAMILY

HONORS ROSA PARKS Surrounded by friends, family and the deep, rich history found

Baum made a gift to the museum in her late husband’s memory

within Troy University's Rosa Parks Museum, Patti Baum

in order to help fund new educational programs, such as the

stood proudly as the museum's Charles Cahn Baum and Family

museum’s summer camp, and continue the mission of uplifting

Atrium was named in memory of her husband.

Mrs. Parks’ legacy.

Reared in Montgomery in a prominent Jewish family, Charles

The choice of the museum to help continue her late husband’s

Baum went on to graduate from Princeton, Harvard Business

legacy came as a result of his email response to a friend. The

School and the University of Maryland Law School. A

friend had seen the movie “Selma” and, knowing

resident of Baltimore, Maryland, for most of his life,

that Charles had grown up in Montgomery

Baum had a passion for civic and philanthropic

during the Civil Rights Movement, inquired “I want his children, causes, always maintaining his devotion to as to what his life was like during those grandchildren and Alabama until his death in 2015. Within times. In that email response, Charles great-grandchildren to the following year, Patti Baum found the lamented about his family not being know... why he encouraged all of us relentlessly to inspiration to honor her husband. “In January “brave nor courageous, nor willing to risk speak out and stand up 2016, I went to see the musical 'Hamilton' on our own comfort for a greater cause.” for what is right.”

Broadway,” Patti Baum said. “It was a wonderful “I want his children, grandchildren and greatstory of a man and his legacy. A line from one of the songs poses the question, ‘Who lives, who dies and who tells your story?’ I left that play wanting to figure out a meaningful place to tell Charles’ story.”

-Patti Baum

grandchildren to know... why he encouraged all of us relentlessly to speak out and stand up for what

is right," Baum said. "I wanted to do something that Charles might have done had he not run out of time, and I certainly wanted to honor his Alabama roots."

T ROY T O DAY

NEWS

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AUTHOR CASSANDRA KING WINS HALL-WATERS PRIZE

With five successful novels under her belt, including the

Since the death of Conroy in March of 2016, King said she had

critically acclaimed "Moonrise," author Cassandra King has

discovered the power writing truly has in her life.

become Troy University’s latest Hall-Waters Prize winner.

“It has been a difficult year,” she said. “I feel that the literary

Recognizing individuals who have made significant

world lost a great writer, but I lost the love of my life. One

contributions to Southern heritage and culture in history,

thing that I have learned from this is that writing has helped

literature or the arts, the Hall-Waters Prize was first endowed

me through my grief. I have discovered the transformative and

by the late Dr. Wade Hall, a TROY alumnus, author and former

healing power of writing.”

faculty member of the University of Florida and Bellarmine

“Troy University is delighted to honor Cassandra King with the

University.

Hall-Waters Prize,” said Dr. Kirk Curnutt, professor and chair of

With this award, King joins the ranks of past winners including

the Department of English. “Her work celebrates friendship and

Rep. John Lewis, Rick Bragg, Bobbie Ann Mason, Natasha

the need for us to invest our empathy in each other’s lives so

Trethewey and her late husband, Pat Conroy.

we can understand our own. Her fiction also embodies the best

"I am deeply honored in ways I can’t even begin to express,”

of Southern values: hospitality, generosity, concern and, most

she said. “When you receive an honor from your home folks it means so much more than anything else."

important, love and commitment.”

NEWS

SWEET PROGRESS Preparing to take on a new fall semester of courses and

Slab Creamery. “We realized that we were running out of

challenges, students returned to the Troy Campus to find an

seating capacity, and we needed to refresh our selection

expanded, renovated Trojan Center food court. Thanks to a

of offerings,” said Ibrahim Yildirim, general manager for

$2 million, Sodexo-funded expansion project, students are

Sodexo Campus Services, which provides food service at the

now enjoying more amenities and food options than ever

University through Troy University Dining Services.

before. One of the most noticeable changes to the Trojan

Yildirim said the additional seating capacity comes from

Center is the increased seating. While the former capacity of the dining area was 250, the renovation has grown the center’s seating to approximately 450 people.

an expanded outdoor seating area and a redesign of the interior seating. Great American Cookies offers freshly baked cookies, brownies and cookie cakes, and Marble Slab

Also, with this new update, TROY provides diners with

Creamery offers fresh, homemade ice cream. Steak ‘n Shake

an expanded Chick-fil-A as well as a new Steak ‘n Shake,

is known for its steakburger and hand-dipped milkshakes.

Boar’s Head Deli, Great American Cookies and Marble

This architectural rendering showcases plans for Steak ‘n Shake, one of the newest dining options located in the Trojan Center on the Troy Campus.

Updates to the center also include expanded seating and other eateries.

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TROY TODAY

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

NEWS

Troy Campus renovations bring tech to new students' fingertips

When students step into the Adams Administration Building on

The addition allowed space for an “experience room” that

the Troy Campus, they are not walking into a building—they are

has interactive video displays and entry screens that put the

walking into an immersive experience.

admissions process at a student’s fingertips. The room can seat

In June, the newly renovated Admissions Office in Adams

about 60 people. Also created was a new reception area that

Administration created a new front entry along University Avenue and also provided an interactive space that welcomes prospective students and gives them access to information about the campus, city and University as a whole. “Potential

includes private meeting rooms and a foyer where a digital ribbon greets each visitor with his or her name. An additional parking lot was constructed to allow for visitor parking, and existing office space was updated and reconfigured to

students of today have so many expectations,” said Buddy

maximize space available for staff.

Starling ('84, '96), associate vice chancellor for enrollment

“The big focus of the project was on an ‘experience room’ where

management. “A lot of that is in technology and responsiveness.

you could go in and do presentations and have interactive

They base so much of the outcome on an experience.”

technology,” Starling said. “That’s what we accomplished

The TROY experience is precisely what Starling hopes his team

there… there’s nothing comparable, and other institutions can’t

has accomplished with the capstone project. “We had already invested a lot of effort and resources into making a visit to our

match it.” The $2.3 million renovation project also included the addition of an executive conference room on the second floor.

campus an experience, but the addition has really made that so much easier. With the strong integration of technology into the experience, and with the integration of the social media aspect, we have created an experience we think families will not find on another campus,” he said.

Thanks to the Troy Campus’ $2.3 million upgrade to its Admissions offices, prospective students and parents are treated to an immersive, state-of-the-art TROY introduction.

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TROY TODAY

NE WS

MISSTROY MI S SION CROW ACCO M P NED LISHED “Get us to Carnegie Hall” was the mandate Dr. Diane Orlofsky heard from Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., when the new John Maloy Long Hall was dedicated three years ago. “The Chancellor laid his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘we’ve built this space—now get us to Carnegie Hall,’” she recalls.

That’s exactly what she’s done with the University’s Concert Chorale. The performance group is headed to New York City’s Carnegie Hall in 2018 and will premiere a new multi-movement work by conductor and composer Eric William Barnum. The TROY choral group will present its recently commissioned piece “Evensong” as well as several other arrangements in connection with the Distinguished Concert International New York performance of “The Music of Eric Barnum.”

“Being invited to perform in Carnegie Hall is a

Carnegie Hall, New York City

tremendous honor,” Orlofsky said. “It truly is a benchmark for the University and for our choral

Photo by: Jeff Goldberg/Esto

program. The opportunity to have our students work with Barnum and to perform in one of

To defray the costs of travel and lodging, the Concert Chorale

the world’s greatest concert halls, which itself represents

members have launched a fundraising drive to cover the

excellence and musical achievement, is a privilege and a

estimated $55,000 it will cost for the performance. “The

thrilling opportunity.”

students are very excited about the invitation, and the chance

The concert, set for May 25, 2018, in the Isaac Stern

to perform in the nation’s premier music hall is an unbelievable

Auditorium in Carnegie Hall, involves a select group of

opportunity for them,” Orlofsky said. “They’re ‘all-in’ for raising

invited ensembles to perform the Barnum program under his

funds for the trip and we vowed to leave no singer behind.”

direction,” said Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal

A fund drive is under way. To make a financial contribution,

conductor at DCINY. “The Troy University Concert Chorale

please make checks payable to the Troy University Foundation

received this invitation because of the quality and high level

and mail them to Orlofsky at John M. Long School of Music,

of musicianship demonstrated by the singers as well as the

Long Hall, Troy University, Troy, AL 36082.

exceptional recommendation given by Dr. Eric Barnum,” he said. “…This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”

Contribute online at donate.troy.edu/Troy_Annual_Giving.

NEWS

H I STORY

T ROY T O DAY

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IN THE MAKING

Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., sits in a historic meeting at Hanban, the global headquarters for Confucius Institutes. TROY’s Confucius Institute was the first to be allowed to hold a board meeting at Hanban, located in Beijing, China.

The leadership board for Troy University’s Confucius Institute

Through the 1-2-1 Program, students from Chinese universities

recently held a history-making meeting at Hanban, the global

who have completed their first year of study transfer to the

headquarters for all Confucius Institutes located in Beijing.

United States for two years of study at the Troy Campus,

With more than 500 Confucius Institutes worldwide, TROY’s

then return to their home institutions for a final year. When

Confucius Institute was the first to be allowed to hold a board

the students complete their academic programs, they receive

meeting at Hanban. “Having the opportunity to hold our board

degrees from the home institution and Troy University.

meeting at Hanban was a great honor, and it speaks to the high

The trip also included a stop at Tianjin University of Commerce

regard held for TROY’s Confucius Institute,” Dr. Jack Hawkins,

where an agreement was finalized to bring a group of 10

Jr., said. The board meeting included Hawkins and other TROY

students from TUC to the Troy Campus this fall.

leaders, along with representatives from TROY’s Confucius

Dr. Hawkins called it a remarkable week spent in China.

Institute partner, Chongqing Normal University.

“It’s been transformative for Troy University to become

Leaders were eager to discuss the future for TROY’s

Alabama’s International University,” Dr. Hawkins said.

Confucius Institute, particularly its role as a training center for

“Working with the military, we found ourselves in countries

language teachers. “Hanban challenged TROY and our partner

around the world, but it didn’t occur at home until about 25

Chongqing to create innovative and creative programs related

years ago when we really made the strategic commitment to

to second language instruction,” said Dr. Earl Ingram, Senior

bring the world to Troy. We have, today, students from 76

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

countries at the Troy Campus, including more than 400 from

The meeting came during a 10-day trip to China by TROY

China, and if you listen carefully, you can hear more than 85

leaders. While there, Dr. Hawkins presented degrees to 1-2-1 Program graduates at DaLian JiaoTong University.

languages being spoken.”

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TROY TODAY

FA CULT Y / S TA FF

SHAFFER RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

Dr. Chris Shaffer, dean of library services at Troy University, has received the Alabama Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Award, which is presented to an individual or a group that conducts programming in support of intellectual freedom and in opposition to censorship.

“I am deeply honored that the Alabama Library Association chose to recognize me with this year’s [award],” Shaffer said. “Over the past 10 years, my favorite part of my role at the TROY libraries has been to bring to our campuses unique and interesting programming that encourages thought-provoking discussions, while exposing our students to new ideas and perspectives.”

Shaffer has been instrumental in providing programs on the Holocaust, African-American studies and understanding Muslims and the Islamic world.

TEMPLETON NAMED DEAN OF GRADUATE SCHOOL Dr. Mary Anne Templeton has been named associate provost and dean of the graduate school at Troy University. A member of the TROY faculty since 2006, Templeton has served as associate dean of the graduate school since November 2013. Prior to that appointment, she served as an associate professor and rehabilitation counseling program coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Psychology.

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve as associate provost and dean of Troy University’s graduate school,” Templeton said. “TROY is committed to offering academic programs that are quality-driven and student-focused, and I look forward to serving and working with our graduate students and faculty.”

Templeton earned her Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Alabama in 2006 and is a certified rehabilitation counselor.

She also earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alabama. “Dr. Templeton is a leader and scholar with an unwavering commitment to serving students. We pride ourselves on that at Troy University,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “She brings a proven record of success at various levels throughout the University, and I know our graduate school and its students will benefit from her experience.”

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TROY TODAY

FA CULT Y / S TA FF

ANDERSON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION Former TROY coach and head athletic trainer John “Doc” Anderson ('69) has been inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame. Anderson, professor emeritus, was one of six people inducted during a ceremony in Houston, joining the ranks of more than 250 distinguished hall of fame members.

Anderson said he was surprised and grateful to be recognized, but ultimately believes the honor goes back to TROY. “It’s Troy University’s (honor) because I stand on TROY’s shoulders,” he said. “It belongs especially to the College of Health and Human Services, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, which we are under, and the athletic training program.”

Anderson has experience at every level of athletic training: student, coach, trainer, professor and curriculum director. “My motto with athletics is simple,” he said. “Athletics makes you strong. Study makes you wise. Character makes you great.” He and his wife, Susan, currently reside in Troy and have two children, Cindy and John III.

TROY’s Doc Anderson joined the ranks of more than 250 distinguished National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame members.

GNOINSKA RECEIVES

INGALLS AWARD

Dr. Margaret K. Gnoinska, associate professor in Troy

history. In addition to her service on the faculty senate, she

University’s Division of History and Philosophy, is the recipient

serves as advisor to the Japan Club, committee chair of the

of the University’s 2017 Ingalls Award for Excellence in

Honors Convocation, chair of the division’s website and Public

Classroom Teaching. The Ingalls Award is given annually to

Relations Committee and as a member of the Student Affairs

the teacher on the Troy Campus who has “most diligently,

Committee and the Undergraduate Academic Council. She

effectively and cheerfully conducted his or her classes during

received the TROY Athletics Appreciation Award in 2013.

the current academic year.” Students nominate faculty

Gnoinska has also published two book chapters and numerous

members for the award, and a committee of students and

articles in academic journals and has made presentations at

faculty advisors selects the recipient. The award consists of a

conferences in the United States, Germany, England and China.

statue of Socrates, a plaque and a check for $1,000.

She has served as a guest lecturer for the Alabama Humanities

A member of the TROY faculty since 2010, Gnoinska teaches a

Foundation and East China Normal University.

variety of undergraduate and graduate level courses, including world history, the Vietnam War, research and methodology, the Cold War, and Russian, European, Far East and East Asian

FA CU LT Y / S TA FF

T ROY T O DAY

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MENON AWARDED FULBRIGHT GRANT

“This was an incredible honor, and I am very excited and humbled to be a part of the illustrious Fulbright alumni.”

Dr. Priya Menon, associate professor of English, received a

Dr. Larry Blocher, dean of the College of Communication and

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program grant to India from the U.S.

Fine Arts, commended Menon for the award. “It is exciting to

Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign

see Dr. Menon’s scholarship recognized at this level,” he said.

Scholarship Board.

“She is a bright light among our communication and fine arts

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational

faculty and all Troy University faculty. We certainly commend

exchange program sponsored by the United States government and is designed to build relations between the people of the

her for the dedication she has to teaching, scholarly research and service to others.”

United States and other countries that are needed to solve global challenges.

“This was an incredible honor, and I am very excited and humbled to be a part of the illustrious Fulbright alumni,” Menon said.

In her research, Menon studied and documented a counterarchive of the typical success stories of emigration to the Arabian Gulf States disseminated by mainstream media in India. In addition to conducting research, she offered a series of lectures and discussions on the topic and helped local faculty develop curricula, host seminars and engage in community services benefiting expatriates who have returned to India from the Gulf States.

“There is an exciting and growing body of literary texts— primarily conceived and circulated in southeast Asia—featuring these emigrant workers’ quotidian experiences, which often involves exploitation grounded in a neo-colonial model of economic inequality and exclusion," she said. "It was interesting to study whether literature can aid in bringing about social change apropos Arabian Gulf emigration.”

Menon is one of more than 1,200 U.S. citizens who taught, conducted research and provided expertise abroad for the 2016-17 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.

As a Fulbright Scholar in India, Dr. Priya Menon conducted research, led lectures and participated in discussions with local faculty.

BACK

FA CU LT Y / S TA FF

GIVING After 20 years as a practicing attorney with the same firm,

Malcolm McSwean ('91) wanted a change. That change would take the form of a new position with Troy University as a disability services coordinator for TROY Online where, today, he also assists the Student Success Team.

“When I found out about this position being open, I thought it was the perfect fit for me because I could use my legal background to help the students and the school,” McSwean said. “I work with some of the best people, and after all this time, I still look forward to coming in every day.”

Working with students on a daily basis, it didn’t take McSwean long to come to the decision that he wanted to give back to the University that had given so much to him. “I decided to give to the University because I see the hardships faced by our students every day, especially the economic difficulties,” he said. “I also wanted to leave the gift in honor of my mother, Martha Ann McSwean, who graduated from Troy Teachers College in 1957. Mom taught first and second grade for 30 years, retiring in 1988. After retiring, she worked for Troy University as an adjunct, supervising student teachers in the classroom, for several years.”

McSwean’s planned gift will result in the Malcolm and Ann McSwean Scholarship, which will help Troy University graduates who are wishing to obtain a master’s degree in education from the University. “I just wanted to do something to repay the University for the major impact it has had on my life,” he said. “My time here as a student is full of the best memories I could have, and I have friends to this day who graduated from here or are current students. Because of my mom’s substantial background in education, my interest is in teaching. I thought that giving scholarships to put excellent Troy University-educated teachers into classrooms was a great idea. When I approached my mom about it, she thought it was a wonderful choice for us both, and she was instantly on board. With the rising costs of tuition, I hope that others make this same decision and give to the University,” he said. “Ben Franklin once said that ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.’ That sentiment alone is reason enough to give to a school.”

“I will always have TROY in my heart...I’m going to love TROY forever because they gave me this chance. That’s a big part of why I wanted to [leave a planned gift].”

Dr. Mary Ann Hooten, Professor

Psychology. Planned Giving Donor.

- Dr. Mary Ann Hooten

YO U R P R ES E N T .

T H E I R F U T U R E. We all want to change the world. By partnering with Troy University, YOU CAN. Since our University’s founding in 1887, proud TROY alumni, faculty, staff and friends have given selflessly to ensure new generations of students have new opportunities to learn. You can join them by setting up a planned legacy gift. No matter your age or income level, by planning today to give tomorrow, you can make all the difference in the lives of future TROY students, faculty and staff members.

When planning your legacy, please include TROY in your planned gift today, and leave your mark on the University that helped shape you.

troy.edu/donor or call 1-800-586-9771.

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TROY TODAY

FA CULT Y / S TA FF

DEVELOPING

TROY

management skills, building corporate partnerships, event planning and fundraising.

Watson also previously served as the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s associate vice president for alumni and annual giving where she managed and directed operations

Rebecca “Becky” Watson of Birmingham has been named

for both Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving offices. Before

associate vice chancellor for development at Troy University.

joining the UAB staff, she served as owner and president of the

Watson began her duties in June. “Becky has extensive

Birmingham-based Connections, Inc., a market research firm

experience in friend-raising and fundraising, and she is a

serving local, regional and national companies.

valuable addition to our team,” said Walter Givhan, senior vice

“I am proud to join the Troy University family,” Watson

chancellor for advancement and economic development.

said. “TROY has an excellent reputation for offering quality

Watson comes to TROY after having served as a consultant

academic programs and a dedicated faculty and staff

with RVW Consulting, a Birmingham-based firm specializing in

committed to serving students. I look forward to serving in this

services including business development, strategic planning,

role and am excited about what the future holds for TROY.”

market research, building and fostering organizational and

Bill D., Alumnus

Owner, Durden Outdoor Displays.

Donor.

TROJAN WA R R I O R S

PAY I T FORWA R D For more than a century, TROY alumni and friends have helped provide opportunities and lessons to those following in their footsteps. Today, you are a part of that legacy. You know better than anyone that TROY is a top-notch university guiding students to achievement; it’s an institution with a rich history of success. By investing in TROY, your gift will inspire students to find their Trojan Warrior Spirit and do more than they ever thought possible.

You can begin your TROY legacy today by: · Donating to TROY’s Annual Fund Campaign · Creating or donating to a much-needed student scholarship · Supporting academic programs · Supporting our fabulous Trojan athletic programs · Establishing a planned gift · Purchasing a Fraternity, Rosa Parks or Graduate Walk of Honor Brick · Joining or renewing your Alumni Membership · and more © 2017 Troy University

Feel it at troy.edu/donors 334-670-3608

Founded in 1887

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TROY TODAY

F EAT UR E ST O R Y

LIFE CHANGING ONLINE EXPERIENCE WRITTEN BY: GREG PHILLIPS

TROY student U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bellio surveys Veterans Memorial Stadium while on his tour of the Troy Campus this spring. A student since 2010, this marked the first time Bellio visited the Troy Campus.

U

nited States Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bellio

had been involved in a traffic accident. The award recognizes

sighs as he looks down from the stands at Veterans

specific acts of heroism from enlisted airmen.

Memorial Stadium for the first time. “Wow,” he

“In the military, you have a lot of time to reflect, and one of

says, gripping the guardrail in front of him and

turning his eyes to the scoreboard. “This is awesome.”

the things that I constantly do is a self-evaluation of how I’m able to give back,” Bellio said. “Being honored by the

Bellio has been a TROY student since 2010, but he’s never

USO—an organization that is constantly helping others—there

visited the Troy Campus until this day. A management and

are no words to explain it. It’s an award given to me for my

business administration major, Bellio was in town for a Phi

contributions to others, and it’s very humbling.”

Kappa Phi honor society initiation, but that’s just the latest of

Bellio was driving when he saw cars pulled over on the side

his achievements. In 2016, the USO named him “Airman of the Year” after his heroic actions saved the life of a woman who

of the road. After stopping to investigate, he saw a car upside down in the nearby river. Jumping into action, Bellio eventually

T ROY T O DAY

23

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bellio, a management and business administration major, meets with Sorrell College of Business Dean Dr. Judson Edwards. Bellio spent his trip touring campus and being initiated into TROY’s Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

pulled a woman from the car, in freezing water, then used

and then I saw that they offered a full online degree plan, and

his training to stabilize her body temperature and treat her

that (aspect) really got me hook, line and sinker.”

for shock.

Though his academic road hasn’t been easy, Bellio wouldn’t

Despite his heroism, Bellio’s humble nature makes him hesitant

have it any other way. “It’s definitely been very challenging

to talk about his accolades. According

in a positive way,” he said. “A lot of

to an article on the Air Education and

my friends go to some of these other

Training Command website, Bellio,

schools. If you compare what we learn

a radio frequency instructor for the

versus some of the other schools, it’s

338 Training Squadron, declined to

definitely a lot more academically

be identified by a local news station

challenging. Because of that, I have a

that interviewed him on the scene

lot of tools that I’ll take with me the

of the rescue.

rest of my life.”

Bellio’s selflessness is matched by his

The online college experience has

work ethic both in his duties and in

proven to be transformative for Bellio.

class, as evidenced by his induction

“It’s been life changing,” he said. “There

into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest

are many people enrolled in the school,

multidisciplinary collegiate honor

and the one thing that’s awesome is

society. Back in 2010, when Bellio was

the flexibility that it has. I’ve taken

looking for the right college to suit his

classes in four different countries now.

needs for flexibility, he quickly realized

Being able to take classes at my own

TROY was the right choice, particularly

pace and having the flexibility to do it

due to TROY Online.

worldwide, it’s truly life changing. My

th

“I started at the remote campuses and then integrated fully online,” Bellio said. “TROY offered evening classes,

In 2016, Bellio was awarded for his heroism.

future career is going to be dependent on my current career along with the education I’m getting.”

TROY TODAY

FEAT U R E S TOR Y

24

SU MMER O F R HY THM

T R OY danc e an d t h e atre stu dents stu d y, per for m at It al i an fest i v al

WRITTEN BY: EMILY PRICE

A

chorus of footsteps and rolling luggage echoed

Wagstaff (’10), a TROY alumnus with a rich background in

through the streets of Pietrasanta, Italy, as a

choreography and dancing, said performing and having his

group of TROY dance students, alumni and

pieces brought to life at the DAP Festival have been the

faculty trekked uphill toward a new adventure.

highlights of his career, so far.

Playing a role within Italy’s inaugural Danza in Arte a

“The experience was nothing short of amazing,” he said. “It’s

Pietrasanta (DAP) Festival, a unique international festival of

been truly such a blessing to me to have this opportunity to go

dance and visual arts, students had the chance to study abroad

to Italy and showcase our art and personal creativity.”

within the festival’s college taught by dance professionals from

Wagstaff said through this study abroad program, he and his

around the globe.

fellow performers were able to live out what others consider a

Serving as the festival’s artistic director, world-renowned

dream—visiting Florence to view “The David,” touring Pisa to

dancer/choreographer Adria Feralli extended this once-in-

see the leaning tower and dancing with, and for, some of the

a-lifetime opportunity to TROY students after watching the

biggest names in the world of entertainment.

department’s choreography showcase in November as her

“We took master classes from some of the world’s most

time as a TROY adjunct faculty member drew to a close.

talented artists and performed different pieces for hundreds of

Reflecting on two weeks of hard work and summer

people at multiple times,” he said. “The No. 1 highlight for me,

exploration, TROY professor and dance coordinator Deborah

and I feel I can safely speak for others as well, was meeting

Hicks said it was fulfilling to watch the 11 young performers—

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade. They were awesome

nine dance and two theatre majors—stretch their abilities

individuals with great spirits!... I was able to perform my

during the life-changing program.

personal piece we brought to the showcase in front of them

“Our students participated in the festival college, which is

and their team in the theatre there. We received a standing

an intense two-week workshop schedule,” Hicks said. “They

ovation from them afterward! My heart is still full.”

staged their choreographic piece around beautiful sculptures

Reflecting on and celebrating the achievements and successes

and pieces of art and then performed the piece during a

of her students, Hicks said she hopes life-long lessons and

touring performance. They also auditioned for the opportunity

memories were made through the study abroad program.

to work with and perform in Sebastian Kloborg’s piece that

“I hope they returned with a much broader view of their art

debuted at the festival’s gala performance.”

form and of themselves and that this exposure will continue

Within the first week of study, performances and tryouts,

to influence their future artistic creations, their performance

Kloborg, a world-class Danish choreographer and dancer, cast

quality, their world view, their desire to seek out cultural

five TROY dancers to be a part of his performance piece—

diversity and to understand it,” she said. “I hope this experience

Alexus Crooms, Kenzie Haynes, Emma Shepard, Taylor Bagley

also brings about gratitude and genuine appreciation.”

and Ryan Wagstaff.

TROY dance majors Alexus Crooms, Kenzie Haynes, McCall Donaho, Emma Shepard, Taylor Bagley and Neely Aaron take in Pietrasanta's annual open-air art installation. Students got the chance to travel to surrounding areas and study Italian culture and history.

26

TROY TODAY

Caitlin Hicks, Marion Givhan, Tori Lee Averett ('01, '07, '08) and Patrick Jackson visited Rome's ancient Colosseum, an iconic symbol of the Roman Empire.

Hicks said she’s excited to see what new professional opportunities will be born from her students’ Italian experience. “They definitely gained exposure to other cultures, as they participated in class with students from many different countries, mostly European but some Asian, as well,” Hicks said. “I hope this has helped them begin to network professionally and that this opportunity has introduced them to the possibility of working internationally upon graduation. Dance is exploding all over the world. It seems limited for anyone not to explore international opportunities.”

Wagstaff said he will always be grateful to his alma mater for the opportunity to study and perform abroad.

“What I’ve taken away from this experience are the memories, the lifelong friends that were obtained, the breathtaking views, knowledge from each insanely talented artist/instructor, the delicious, incredible food, and last, the knowledge that no matter how near or far you go, if you look hard enough, you will always be able to find family and a sense of ‘home.’ I’m so extremely proud of the TROY Department of Theatre and Dance. Seeing how far they’ve come and how they’ve grown each year has been a true inspiration and makes me proud to be an alum. I’m proud to be a Trojan!”

Josette Loscalzo, Caitlin Hicks and McCall Donaho had the chance to make lifelong memories and dance with world-renowned professionals.

2017-2018 FELLOWSHIP SERIES Come hear the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s two young Artists-In-Residence perform a series of six exciting chamber music concerts. All recital performances will be held at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art. October 19, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Sven Stucke, violinist November 2, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Nathan Cottrell, cellist December 7, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Sven Stucke, violinist January 11, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Nathan Cottrell, cellist February 11, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.

Featuring Sven Stucke, violinist March 18, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.

Featuring Nathan Cottrell, cellist

2017-2018 CONCERT SEASON Classical Concert l October 9, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts Classical Concert ll November 20, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts Joyce Caddell Holiday Pops Concert December 19, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Montgomery Performing Arts Center Classical Concert lll February 19, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts Classical Concert lV April 30, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts Please make plans to join the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra in our 41 st season.

This coming season we will have something for everyone! *All programs are subject to change

For more information or tickets please call 334-240-4004 or visit our website at montgomerysymphony.org.

TROY TODAY

FEAT U R E S TOR Y

28

THAT'S THE

STUFF

COLLABORATION AT HEART OF STUDENTS' SUCCESS WRITTEN BY: GREG PHILLIPS AND EMILY PRICE

S

ometimes the sweetest of collaborations begin with a savory recipe. For TROY marketing majors Avalon Dudinsky and Aaron Wilhite,

that recipe happens to be Stan’s Stuff, an allpurpose seasoning created in Panama City, Florida, in 2010. Today, with guidance from TROY’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and with the help of Wilhite’s web design and video skills, Dudinsky’s sharp eye for business has not only saved Stan’s Stuff from discontinuation but has also grown the company from a local favorite to a regional seller.

How it all began Growing up in Panama City, Dudinsky spent her high school years working part time at Howell Tackle Supply. That’s where she befriended Stan Cooper and his wife, Georgia. A charter boat captain working part time on the mainland, Cooper has spent his life on the water and is known locally for the popular, all-purpose seasoning he and his wife created, bottled and distributed at a handful of Panama City stores.

Between 2014 and 2015, Dudinsky was surprised to learn that her friends were planning to retire and were no longer creating their popular seasoning. That’s when Dudinsky’s business classes started kicking in. “They had some more seasoning

When Stan Cooper (right) and his wife Georgia (left) decided to retire from the boating business and discontinue their locally famous, all-purpose seasoning, TROY marketing major Avalon Dudinsky (center) approached her friends with an offer to buy their recipe and brand.

left, but once they retired, they weren’t going to make any more, so once it was gone, it was gone,” she said. “In the summer of 2015, I went back to work and tons of people came into the store trying to buy as much of Stan’s Stuff as we had, because we were the last place that had any.”

Dudinsky had a plan, but she needed some help putting it together, so she went to TROY’s SBDC where she got the advice she was looking for. The TROY SBDC provides free consulting to help new entrepreneurs evaluate their business ideas and to help existing businesses remain competitive in today’s global marketplace.

“Meeting with Avalon, I knew she would be a success,” said Judy Callin, SBDC director. “She needed to know the steps to make a reasonable offer, acquire the business and understand legalities in selling a food product. We helped her develop her business plan (and) shared different marketing strategies.”

Marketing major Aaron Wilhite got a chance to put his creative web and video skills into action when TROY’s Small Business Development Center teamed him up with fellow classmate and business owner Avalon Dudinsky.

Together, the two created a brand and campaign for Dudinsky’s all-purpose seasoning, Stan’s Stuff.

With the SBDC’s advice still fresh in her mind, Dudinsky approached Cooper with an offer to buy the rights to Stan’s Stuff, and her friend quickly agreed.

“He was very happy to do that,” Dudinsky said. “We have a great friendship, and he’s always helpful with the little bumps in the road I’ve come across."

T ROY T O DAY

Enter Wilhite, stage right Having used TROY’s SBDC resource to help clear the first hurdle of her business venture, Dudinsky was then faced with a new challenge—how to market her newly acquired seasoning.

31

Piggly Wiggly in Troy and seafood markets in Dothan and Marianna and Panama City, Florida. The eventual goal is to become a national brand, she said, with a variety of different flavors.

As a student within TROY’s Sorrell College of Business, she

Thankful to have had the chance to work with Dudinsky,

knew that in today’s world, it’s not enough to have a local

Wilhite said he will now be concentrating on his company,

presence for your product—a website is a necessity for a small

Aaron Wilhite Productions, where he plans to focus on

business looking to grow. That’s why the SBDC recommended

photography and videography. However, his Stan’s Stuff

the young entrepreneur reach out to her classmate, Wilhite.

experience will remain a shining star in his portfolio.

With a passion for photography and advanced skills in

“My dad gave me some wise words: Do what you love and you’ll

videography and graphic and web design, Wilhite’s creative

never work a day in your life,” he said. “I love photography. My

background was the perfect fit for the next phase of Stan’s Stuff

ultimate goal is to just live off of this business. If I can’t, though,

branding. “I had met Aaron in a class before but never really

the portfolio’s there.”

spoke to him, although I knew he did website design,” Dudinsky said. “[The SBDC] connected us so he could use his talents for my project, and we could work together to create something really beautiful and help both of our businesses out.”

For Wilhite, the arrangement was a natural fit. He could continue building his portfolio while helping another small business owner grow. “Collaboration is essential to any business,” he said. “You have to humble yourself and be at the bottom of the totem pole, and from there you can grow. I saw Avalon as a catalyst for that, where we could both grow. I also loved her seasoning.”

After the successful launch of stanstuffseasoning.com, the partnership continued into new marketing ventures. “I made her that website last fall, and she said, ‘Let’s go farther than that,’” Wilhite said. “I told her that social media uses videos as the highest rated material that shows up, and I said, ‘You need a video.’ We took a whole day down in Panama City, and we ended up coming out with a 30-second advertisement and a two-minute, 30-second documentary about her seasoning.”

Looking to the future As SBDC’s director, Callin said collaborations like this are a sign of what can be accomplished when small business owners put their minds together. “What a great opportunity for both of them,” she said. “It gave Aaron a chance to build his portfolio to show potential clients as well as make some money, and it helped Avalon out at an affordable price. It was definitely a winwin situation.”

Moving forward, Dudinsky hopes to see the distribution of Stan’s Stuff continue to grow, as it’s already in stores including

Thanks to Dudinsky's vision, Stan's Stuff has a growing following and is finding a home for itself on shelves around the Southeast.

FEATU R E S TOR Y

VISION FOR CHANGE

IN DEPTH WITH DR. JACK HAWKINS, JR. PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARK MOSELEY

D

uring Jack Hawkins’ tenure as Chancellor at Troy

communications, and we also believe in proper dress. I want

University, the only constant has been change.

parents to know that we're aligned with those values, and I

With nearly 30 years at the helm, Dr. Hawkins has

think most of those values are what most of our parents would

led an era of growth that has seen TROY emerge

have us to live by.

as a global leader in education, serving students around the world with a unique focus on both value and values. Recently, Dr. Hawkins sat down to discuss the journey, why leadership, service and academic quality are so important in education and what the Trojan Warrior Spirit means to him.

I'm very proud, too, that about 70 percent of our students, when surveyed, indicate that their faith is also important.

You know, there are many different faiths practiced at Troy University. But faith is important regardless of background or regardless of denomination. We think success is found in those

Q: After 28 years at Troy University, what keeps you excited

values that Troy University embraces.

about coming to work every day?

Q: The cost of higher education is a concern for many parents

A: It’s the students. We're dealing with some of the best

and students. How do we know that TROY is a

and brightest in our society, and that's a real privilege. The

good investment?

most important thing we do is serve our students. It's not a

A: The great challenge in America today is student debt.

marketing cliché. It's the philosophy of the institution that we know our students by name and not by number.

Students across this country owe $1.4 trillion. It's the first time that student debt has exceeded credit card debt. Now, we're

Q: What do you say to parents who are considering sending

very proud that student debt at TROY is kept to a minimum.

their children to TROY? What sets TROY apart?

And that's our job, to make sure that our programs are

A: Troy University is a unique environment. We believe in civility, we believe in respect, we believe in proper

affordable, but not at the expense of quality.

For almost three decades, Dr. Hawkins has walked among students on TROY’s four campuses greeting new generations of Trojans and encouraging them to pursue their goals.

T ROY T O DAY

35

One of the key indicators of quality is the success rate of

abroad is so critical. We believe in it so much we've created a

our graduates. For example, in the health professions, about

scholarship fund to help defray some of the costs because it can

90 percent of the students who study with us are admitted

be expensive.

into professional schools. The Hall School of Journalism

Q: TROY is unique because of its long history with the

and Communication is ranked No. 6 in America, and the risk management and insurance program is ranked No. 12.

The combination of affordability and quality make TROY a great investment. Forbes Magazine has ranked TROY among the best value institutions in America, and Princeton Review has ranked TROY among the best colleges in the Southeast for 13 years in a row.

military. How did Troy University become involved in serving those who serve?

A: It's often said that freedom is not free. We take very, very seriously the role that Troy University has embraced for more than seven decades and that is service to our military.

It began at Camp Rucker in 1950. It expanded to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. It was extended to Fort

Q: One of the defining characteristics of TROY today is

Benning in Georgia. Today, we service members of the military

its global focus. How did TROY become Alabama’s

around the world. There is a patriotic sense of support of our

International University?

military at Troy University. We're very proud of that service to

A: It was our concern about ignorance, ignorance of each

those men and women who are making a sacrifice.

other. I think it's really important that we graduate students

Q: What do members of the military need that Troy

who are globally competitive, and you can't be globally

University provides?

competitive if you're not globally aware. I think there's real

A: Most of all, they need the personal attention that Troy

value in understanding differences because inherent in those differences, you find strength. That's what makes Troy University a bit different, and I think it makes it the university of the future because in the world ahead, that global village will be where all of us will live.

University seeks to provide. Our military men and women around the world are making great sacrifices every day. They recognize—and we recognize—freedom is not free. Somebody is paying that price, and we need to support them. That's what we seek to do. We offer programs on base. We offer programs

Q: How do students benefit from attending a university with

at a distance. We will offer and use any technology that we can

a strong international focus?

to make sure that those men and women in uniform have what

A: I think our philosophy has been quite simple, and that

they need because they are protecting all of us.

is if you understand people unlike yourself, then you may

Q: TROY’s work with the military contributed to the

appreciate them… and then you build relationships. And truly,

University’s emergence as a leader in online education.

life is about relationships. It's not about things, it's about

How did TROY make the decision to embrace technology for

people. And I think that's a distinguishing feature of Troy

course delivery?

University where you find a culture of caring.

A: Through our relationship with the military, we learned

Q: The international focus includes giving students

early the importance of being able to use technology, and it

opportunities to travel and learn overseas. Why is study

was in the mid-'90s that we began to offer courses online.

abroad so important?

Troy University was one of the very first in America to really

A: It was once said that a mind stretched by a creative thought

embrace technology and to deliver coursework at a distance.

never returns to its former shape. That's what occurs when students leave this country and have an experience in another

We made the commitment to be part of the future and not linger in the past and that requires a recognition of different

culture. Because in the end, I think people from around the

delivery systems.

world have many things in common. Not the least of which, they

Today, we're very proud that we serve students in 13 different

want opportunities, they want their families to be safe, they

time zones, but there's one standard, and that's academic

want to have a chance to really develop their potential. Study

excellence. We want our programs to be the very best that they

36

TROY TODAY

Each year, Dr. Hawkins welcomes thousands of students into TROY’s alumni family.

More than 154,000 men and women worldwide make up TROY’s living alumni.

can be in order to serve those students who look to us. Because

The beautiful motto of Troy University is “We educate the mind

when they look to us and they enroll with us, what they're

to think, the heart to feel, the body to act,” and I think as an

doing is entrusting their future and their potential to us and

addition to that, the spirit to soar. I think that is encompassed in

putting it into our hands.

the Trojan Warrior Spirit.

Q: When students come to TROY, they are not only taught in

Q: What does the Trojan Warrior Spirit mean to you?

the classroom, but they are given opportunities to volunteer, to learn and to become servant leaders. How important are these opportunities? What is the importance of learning to become a leader?

A: Great universities stir great emotions, and it's seen through the Trojan Warrior Spirit. The Trojan Warrior Spirit is reflective not of just the University, but of a way of life. The Trojan Warrior Spirit means the ability to succeed and the persistence

A: We're in a critical state in America. Daily we talk about

required to succeed. That whatever the task is, you're prepared

the shortage of really well-qualified leaders. We see that as

to pay the price to overcome. I think that's where the Trojan

a mission for Troy University, to prepare leaders who can

Warrior Spirit makes the difference because it gives us the

help guide this nation, and we're working hard to do that. We

strength to take that extra step, and it's often in that extra step

take very, very seriously the preparation of our students for

where success is found.

leadership roles. Churchill said it best. He said, "You make

My personal warrior spirit is respect for the world around us,

a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.” We want our students to be servant leaders, and that begins with a sense of service and a willingness to give to the communities that will embrace them and that need them.

for the willingness to pay the price, to recognize those who pay the price. Perhaps my Trojan Warrior Spirit, if you were looking for one word, is leadership and the value that I place on quality leadership: leadership with integrity, leadership with ability and leadership with vision.

Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park

Visit th e Janice Hawki ns Cu ltu ral Arts Park —h om e of TROY's Intern ation al Arts Center!

Come see 200 replica Chinese terracotta warriors standing at attention, and dig into the rich history of Xi’an, China’s celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Complete your experience by touring the Center’s Fred “NALL” Hollis and Huo Bao Zhu galleries to see the works of world-renowned and local artists.

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Begin planning your tour today by visiting troy.edu/artspark.

AT H LE TICS

OH, WHAT A YEAR TROY ATHLETICS CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING YEAR WRITTEN BY: ADAM PRENDERGAST

TROY’s men’s and women’s basketball teams walked away from their 2016-17 seasons as Sun Belt Champions and into the NCAA tournament.

T ROY T O DAY

The 2016-17 TROY athletic season was

featured the highest rated television

one to celebrate as the Trojans enjoyed

audience for a game with two Group of

unparalleled success across several of

Five teams.

its athletic programs on the field, in the

On the hardwood, the men’s basketball

classroom and in the community.

On the field There is no easy place to start when looking back at the 2016-17 year. Do you start with football’s 10-3 record, the Dollar General Bowl Championship and the Associated Press Top 25 ranking?

Or do you start with men’s basketball going to March Madness? How about

team made a dream run through the Sun Belt Conference Tournament after entering as the No. 6 seed. Led by tournament MVP Wesley Person, the Trojans opened with consecutive 20-point victories over Appalachian State and Georgia Southern before knocking off No. 2 seed Georgia State in the semifinals after erasing a 15-point deficit.

women’s basketball winning back-to-back

Jordon Varnado turned in a double-

Sun Belt titles and advancing to the Big

double with 18 points and 12 rebounds

Dance again? We also have women’s golf

in the Sun Belt Championship game as

winning its third Sun Belt championship in

TROY knocked off Texas State, 59-53,

the last four years to consider. And what

to advance to the NCAA Tournament for

about men’s golf advancing to the NCAA

the first time since 2003. TROY drew No.

Regionals for the third straight season?

2 Duke in the opening round of March

TROY athletic programs captured three Sun Belt Conference titles last season, the most since 2009-10. In fact, those three championships came in succession starting with men’s basketball and women’s basketball on consecutive nights and women’s golf soon after.

Football laid the groundwork for a year to remember in TROY Athletics. The Trojans opened the season 8-1—the first team in Sun Belt Conference history to do so— with the lone loss coming in controversial fashion at eventual national champion Clemson University.

39

Madness in a game that would draw the most cable television viewers that day. When it was all said and done, the TROY men posted the fifth-largest win improvement in the NCAA as the Trojans finished with 22 victories on the season.

The TROY women made it look easy in the Sun Belt Tournament winning their three games by an average of 25.3 points, including a 29-point victory over No. 2 seeded UT Arlington in the semifinals. The Trojans pulled down 86 rebounds in their victory over Arkansas State, which ranks as the second-most ever in a game in NCAA history. TROY

Along the way, TROY had memorable

tallied a Sun Belt Tournament record

victories at Southern Miss and South

of 208 rebounds in its three games in

Alabama and a game for the ages against

New Orleans as the Trojans advanced to

Appalachian State, which catapulted TROY

the NCAA Tournament for the second

into the Associated Press Top 25 for the

straight season. TROY drew national

first time in school history and for the first

runner-up Mississippi State University in

time in Sun Belt Conference history.

the first round of the NCAA Tournament

TROY went on to defeat Ohio 28-23 in

in Starkville, Mississippi, in what would be

front of a large Trojan turnout at the

the final game in the outstanding career

Dollar General Bowl in a game that

of Caitlyn Ramirez.

40

TROY TODAY

The links provided another source of pride last season with

TROY baseball (982) and men’s golf (993) programs posted

the continued success of both golf programs. The women’s

the second-highest multi-year score in the Sun Belt in their

team, behind four-time, All-Sun Belt First Team selection

respective sports, while women’s track and field has the third-

Fátima Fernández Cano, laid claim to dynasty status by

best mark in the league with a 987 multi-year score.

winning its third league crown in the last four seasons. The

Additionally, Trojan student-athletes recorded a 3.007

Trojans defeated Georgia State by five shots at the league

cumulative grade point average with nine of the 15 programs

championship and have now led following 10 of the last 12

finishing the academic year with a 3.0 grade point average or

rounds at the Sun Belt Championship.

higher. Twenty-five TROY student-athletes recorded a perfect

TROY’s men won the stroke play portion of the Sun Belt

4.0 GPA for the academic year, and TROY’s student-athletes

Championship by nine shots, but fell to Georgia State in the

posted a higher GPA than the general student population.

semifinals of match play. However, the Trojans earned an at-large bid into their third straight NCAA Regional.

In 2017, TROY’s women’s golf team became Sun Belt champions for the third year in a row.

The Trojans finished in sixth place at the College Grove Regional, just one spot out of advancing to the NCAA Championship. Senior Cam Norman finished sixth overall and qualified as an individual for the NCAA Championship where he went on to finish tied for 23rd overall.

In the classroom TROY’s student-athletes continued to shine academically, as well, as the football team posted its highest Academic Progress Rate in program history. All of TROY’s programs were well above the NCAA’s 930 multi-year threshold, while the women’s golf and women’s cross country teams posted perfect 1,000 scores and received special recognition from the NCAA.

In the community Giving back to the community is one of TROY’s fundamental values. TROY athletic programs participated in various community service projects throughout the year including Habitat for Humanity, Empty Bowls, Bench Out Breast Cancer, Special Olympics, Baseball Miracle League, canned food drives, Hurricane Matthew relief drive, nursing home visits, reading at local schools and much more.

TAKING TROY

ATH LE TICS

T ROY T O DAY

41

TO THE FANS

Barry McKnight, the voice of the TROY Trojans, welcomes a crowd of TROY fans during this year’s Trojan Tour. Fans flocked to each stop to offer support and excitement for the new season ahead.

Summer means a lot of things to a lot of people, but for TROY

T-Roy and TROY cheerleaders were also on hand at each

Athletics it means taking the show on the road.

stop, and new to this year’s Trojan Tour was the ability for

For the fifth consecutive summer, TROY Athletics traveled

TROY fans to purchase gear from Barnes & Noble at each

across the state of Alabama and into the Florida Panhandle

Trojan Tour stop.

bringing coaches and administrators to Trojan fans in order

Trojan Tour wasn’t the only public appearance for football

to share the excitement of TROY Athletics for the new year

head coach Neal Brown as he made media rounds in

ahead. The 2017 installment of Trojan Tour saw packed houses

Birmingham, Dothan and Mobile during the month of

in each of its six stops—Troy, Montgomery, Dothan, Greenville,

June. During his “Media Car Wash,” Brown connected with

Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach.

TROY fans by making numerous live radio and television

Head football coach Neal Brown, men’s basketball head coach

appearances and even throwing out the first pitch at a

Phil Cunningham, women’s basketball head coach Chanda

Birmingham Barons game.

Rigby and baseball head coach Mark Smartt shared with TROY

Between his stops in three of the largest markets in the state,

fans a message of success and growth across all of TROY’s

Brown appeared on eight live radio shows, nine television

athletic programs.

broadcasts, two Minor League Baseball in-game broadcasts,

In addition to having the opportunity to interact with coaches

two live television shows—including WBRC’s “Good Day

and TROY Athletics Director Jeremy McClain, fans were also treated to an up-close look at the Dollar General Bowl trophy

Alabama,” the largest morning show in the state—and had face-to-face meetings with more than 20 of Alabama’s top

and the Sun Belt Conference championship trophies for men’s

sports personalities.

basketball, women’s basketball and women’s golf.

Brown also had the opportunity to meet with officials in Mobile to discuss TROY’s upcoming seniors for their inclusion in the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

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TROY TODAY

AT H L E TI C S

TROY TROJANS RALLY AS ONE TROY

Members of Montgomery’s Alumni Chapter proudly support TROY Trojan Athletics’ One TROY campaign. Since its launch, the campaign has caused excitement among TROY’s fan base.

During the 2016-17 athletic year, the “One TROY” phrase

athletics under one singular symbol—the Power T logo— which

embodied the championship spirit of the TROY Athletics

will become the logo fans and the media come to know as Troy

Department as a record five teams participated in postseason

University Athletics.

play. This included the football team winning the Dollar

The TROY Trojans Shield logo that has been previously used

General Bowl, men's basketball winning its first Sun Belt Tournament Championship, women's basketball winning backto-back Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championships, men's golf advancing to its third straight NCAA Regional appearance and women's golf winning its third Sun Belt Conference Championship in the last four years.

“We started the One TROY mantra last year as a way to rally around our efforts as an athletic department, an institution and a community,” Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain said. “It is about us coming together as one, and pulling the rope in the same direction to reach new levels of success!”

will still be allowed; however, it will transition to the secondary preferred mark of Troy University Athletics. With this renewed focus on the Troy University Athletics brand and logo, the Athletics Department will aggressively promote, market and showcase the TROY brand in retail and merchandising efforts.

This effort has been furthered by promoting TROY merchandise during all home sporting events, a new online athletic merchandising website developed by Barnes and Noble and a comprehensive licensing website dedicated to informing fans on where to purchase TROY merchandise and providing information for retailers on how to become licensed with Troy

As TROY Athletics looks to the 2017 athletic and academic

University. The new branding effort is also highlighting new

year, the One TROY slogan will continue to be used as the

merchandise, continuing efforts with partners such as Learfield

motto that binds all Trojan fans together, and it will also take

Licensing, Adidas, Barnes and Noble, Screen Tech, Walmart and

on a brand awareness, licensing and merchandising focus. Just

Hibbett Sports, as well as the launching of One TROY Friday.

as the One TROY slogan brought all Trojans together under the same motto, the One TROY slogan will also brand all of

TROY ATHLETICS, MONTGOMERY BISCUITS CELEBRATE WITH ALUMNI On May 18, the Troy University Alumni Association and TROY Athletics teamed up for Troy University Alumni Night at the Montgomery Biscuits game. While the Biscuits took on the Jackson Generals on the field, TROY Trojans packed the Riverwalk Stadium with a night full of fun. Alumni, friends, faculty and staff flocked to the stadium where they were able to meet and greet with TROY Alumni Association staff members and athletic department staff members, take pictures with everyone’s favorite mascot T-Roy, mingle with the TROY cheerleaders, purchase football season tickets and renew their alumni memberships. Also through this partnership with the Montgomery Biscuits, T-Roy threw out the first pitch of the game to a huge

This May, TROY Trojan fans got a chance to hang out with the Montgomery Biscuit’s Big Mo and TROY’s T-Roy during Troy University Alumni Night. Pictured with Big Mo and T-Roy are Madison Knox and Dereck Taplin.

ovation from the crowd.

Established March 1, 1977 Join us to hear what the next forty years sound like! troypublicradio.org

S T UD E NTS

BRINGING HISTORY

TO LIFE WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS

Theatre student Adira Burton’s portrayal of Rosa Parks gives visitors to TROY's Rosa Parks Museum an intimate look at history.

T ROY T O DAY

When stepping on the stage in the auditorium of TROY’s

of theatre education, and Dr. Felicia Bell, director of the

Rosa Parks Museum, theatre student Adira Burton

museum. “They really served as living history interpreters

transports her audience back in time. Taking a seat at a desk

for museum guests,” Averett said.

and opening an envelope to read a child’s letter in the voice

According to Averett, the student performances serve

of Rosa Parks, the young actress responds with the warmth, thoughtfulness and strength of the mother of the Civil Rights Movement.

as another way to engage museum visitors, particularly children. “Dr. Bell and I talked about finding ways to use theatre and other arts to help tell the human story

Burton, a sophomore from Gautier, Mississippi, was one of

behind the history featured in the Rosa Parks Museum,”

10 students from Troy University’s Department of Theatre

she said. “We shared a lot of ideas on how to actively

and Dance who brought history to life this spring. Each

engage audiences—particularly younger audiences—in

student participating in the spring internship program

conversations about how our history shapes our present.”

researched, developed, wrote and designed pieces around

Claudette Colvin, Jo Ann Robinson and Virginia Durr were

key figures in Civil Rights history, then rehearsed and performed them for groups visiting the museum, located on TROY’s Montgomery Campus.

45

among some of the historical figures brought to life by the students during performances for tour groups visiting the museum. Students who took part in the internship project

The program was nothing new to Burton who has been

include Burton, Jermaine Van Buren, Jay Bowdoin, Veshonte

portraying Mrs. Parks at special events at the museum for

Brown, Kezia Moore, Mallory Wintz, Carlton Hedman,

a little more than a year. The one-woman performance was

Morgan Jordan, Joseph Crawford and Julie Wells. Averett

developed from the books, “Quiet Strength,” and “Dear Mrs.

and faculty member Jesse Graham also performed.

Parks,” which includes letters written by children to the Civil

Donna Beisel, K-12 education coordinator for the museum,

Rights icon.

said the student performances were well received by guests.

“During the performance, I go through the letters that Rosa

“The Museum received nothing but positive feedback

Parks received through the years from children and re-enact

from visitors who were able to view the TROY theatre

her responses – basically re-enacting a piece of history,”

students bringing the history of the Civil Rights Movement

Burton said. “Most people say I look like Rosa Parks. I don’t

to life,” Beisel said. “Visitors were able to get a deeper

really see it, but I’m glad that people enjoy the performance

understanding of what motivated ordinary citizens to take a

and that I can put smiles on their faces.”

stand for their beliefs in order to bring about real change.”

The program grew out of conversations between Tori Lee Averett ('01, '07, '08), assistant professor and coordinator

SSTTUUDDEENNTTSS

T ROY T O DAY

SGA PRESIDENT ASHLI MORRIS

Leadership roles are nothing new for Ashli Morris. However, being in the forefront hasn’t always come naturally for TROY’s new Student Government Association president.

In high school, the junior international politics major and leadership development and military science double minor from Athens, Alabama, was the captain of the junior varsity basketball team her freshman year, captain of the track squad during her senior season, freshman class president, a member of the Student Council Association and part of various other organizations.

However, Morris said she had to push herself into accepting these positions. “At some point, it just kind of shifted to where I was just over being the girl in the corner,” she said. “I tried to make new friends and really push and get myself out there. When teachers would tell me they saw things in me that would make me a good leader and really encourage me to step into leadership roles, that transition really took place.”

Also during her freshman year, she made the decision to join the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), and eventually moved up to the battalion commander for her unit her senior year. “ROTC has really shaped me into a person I didn’t expect myself to be,” Morris said. “Being able to be in a leadership role or do something that would help other students, like tutoring in JROTC, really pushed me into leadership roles.”

Morris was awarded an ROTC scholarship to TROY and decided not to be as overwhelmingly involved in organizations in college as she was in high school. That soon changed. After making her debut in Freshman Forum, she served as Freshman Forum Director alongside Meredith Durden, joined Miss Elite Society, became a Trojan Ambassador, served on the homecoming committee and helped with countless service projects.

Morris, who will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army after graduation, said her main goal as SGA president is to make sure students understand the role SGA plays in student life and their experience at TROY. She is also planning to implement a monthly newsletter to let students know what’s going on.

47

48

TROY TODAY

S TU DENTS

D N P STU DENT MISSTROY R E C E IV ES $1. 1 CROW NED M I L L I ON GRANT Six years ago, Troy University graduate nursing student Kimarie Bugg took a moment of professional setback and turned it into an opportunity for even greater success. As a nurse in Atlanta, Bugg spent more than 20 years doing groundbreaking work supporting breastfeeding education, including starting the first lactation program in Georgia at Grady Hospital. However, in 2011, when the clinic Bugg was working at “right-sized,” she found herself out of work and unsure what the next step would be.

That uncertainty did not last long. “One of the things my pastor said to me was ‘you were released for increase,’ and I

DNP student Kimarie Bugg is the founder of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), an organization dedicated to addressing the breast feeding disparity among people of color.

just took it from there,” Bugg said. She soon founded Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), an organization dedicated to addressing the breastfeeding disparity among people of color nationwide through education programs, advocacy and other efforts. The organization’s pioneering work was recently rewarded with a more than $1 million grant from the W.K.

women who can provide peer-to-peer support for new moms

Kellogg Foundation.

in their community. Recently, Bugg made the decision to add

“This grant will allow us to do a national African-American

a terminal degree to her list of credentials, and she chose

blueprint on breastfeeding and find out what are the

Troy University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice. “It’s been

challenges… and how can foundations, corporations and

wonderful,” she said of the program. “I was scared to death

the government address those concerns and increase

that I would not be able to do it, but everyone has been so

breastfeeding initiation and duration,” Bugg said.

wonderful and welcoming.”

Breastfeeding provides a number of health benefits to both

Dr. Amy Spurlock, DNP program coordinator and chair of

mother and child. Yet, there remains a disparity in the number

Bugg’s DNP project committee, said Bugg’s studies in the DNP

of women of color who choose to breastfeed. “The challenge

program will support the work funded by the Kellogg grant.

and barrier in most places is that physicians don’t even talk to

As a component of the grant, Bugg will implement her TROY

black women about breast feeding,” she said.

DNP synthesis project this year in which she will evaluate

ROSE is working to address those challenges through education and outreach not only to healthcare professionals, but by creating a network of “community transformers,”

the effect of a social media campaign on the intent to initiate breastfeeding among African-American pregnant women.

T ROY T O DAY

PAY IN G IT F OR WAR D

49

Student creates scholarship for peers S T UD E N T S

It is ordinary for a university to award scholarships to its

TROY,” he said. “This scholarship is designed to help students

students; however, it is extraordinary for a student to fund a

who need additional funds beyond what the Millennium

scholarship for a fellow student.

Scholarship offers.”

In his sophomore year, Troy University junior Cole

Debardelaben said he plans to renew the $1,000 scholarship

Debardelaben, a computer science major from Deatsville,

for the remainder of his time in college with help from his

Alabama, worked with the Office of Development and the

father; however, he aims to increase the amount as he is able

Troy University Foundation to create the Robert N. “Cole” Debardelaben Current Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is available to incoming freshmen who received the Millennium Scholarship to help with other expenses.

Debardelaben, who earned several scholarships, said college would have been difficult to pay for without that

“No matter how small a contribution is, it makes something big when combined with others’ contributions.”

- Cole Debardelaben

assistance. “If I didn’t have scholarship

to gain the funds on his own. “This will be a permanent scholarship,” he said.

“I intend to increase the funding after college as my resources increase.”

This is the first time in school history that a current student has funded a scholarship. “No matter how small a contribution is, it makes something big when combined with others’ contributions,” Debardelaben said. “My

money, I wouldn’t be able to attend college without having to

motivation behind starting my scholarship is the feeling that if

have a job and a hectic schedule,” he said. “I am attempting to

I have been given something I shouldn’t wait until a later date. I

reach out to other students who have proven their academic

should give as I receive.”

successes so that they may look more closely at attending

P ER S P ECT IV E P E R S PE CT I V E S

RANDOM ACTS

OF KINDNESS WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL ORLOFSKY PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARK MOSELEY

As I grow older, I ref lect on my life’s “great expectations.” I’m coming to the conclusion, based on the ontological insights of the philosopher Mick Jagger, that “you can’t always get what you want…but if you try sometimes, you just might find—you get what you need.”

I never amounted to much as a football player… wasn’t much of a Casanova… haven’t been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize yet as a writer. But it’s dawning on me that something I can provide is something that people, especially young people, need: encouragement. It may be my life’s raison d’etre. We never know when someone, perhaps a complete stranger, needs to hear a good word.

Living is continuing to reinforce in me that lesson, but I also encounter the message in the literature I teach. For example, in “The Odyssey” when Odysseus, after twenty years, finally returns to his home, Ithaca, the goddess Athena disguises him as a beggar. He first visits the hut of the pig tender, Eumaios, who grew up with Odysseus from childhood. The unsuspecting pig tender warmly welcomes the wayfarer. The reason as Eumaios explains is that “all strangers and beggars come from Zeus.” Who was he to refuse help to someone in need? In ancient Greek belief, that stranger might be a god checking up on us.

I’ve been thinking about random acts of kindness done unto me over the years—particularly an action in which someone went out of his way to help.

When I was no more than 3 years old, I wandered away from a birthday party on the other side of our coalmining town. Somehow, I got home. Someone must have recognized me and dropped me off on my mother’s doorstep. I was too young to have walked home alone and too immature to explain what happened, and my parents were never able to find out who came to the aid of that lost little boy.

When I was seven, I transferred to a new school. Standing by myself in the playground, two boys approached. The older boy was eating a soft pretzel and gave me a piece . . . he went on to say that if anyone picked on me I was to let him know and that he and his brother would stand up for me. I would learn that he was the toughest kid in the schoolyard. He had to be tough—his name was Francis. He died young after rough years as a traveling rock guitarist, but I still keep in touch with his brother, James, and whenever I’m in the St. Casimir’s cemetery back home I stop by his grave.

During the winter of that same second-grade year, at the end of the school day our teacher, Sister Cecelia, lined us up at the front of the classroom where we raised our chins.

Sister made sure to tuck our scarves into our jackets, and buttoned and zipped our coats before releasing us into the Pennsylvania cold and ice.

52

TROY TODAY

of my old, blue Ford just wouldn’t crank. A passing motorist On a gray November day in fourth grade, it began to snow. The first of the season. We were in the midst of a lesson, but my classmates and I couldn’t concentrate and stole glances toward the windows. The snowfall was so beautiful—big, fat, slowfalling flakes. Sister drew back our attention to the board. It was no use. Our gaze strayed to the windows. “All right,” she said, “I’ll make a deal with you. You’ve got five minutes.” She turned off the lights, and in the silent gray classroom, we watched the

asked if I needed help. Ray did some tests with nothing more than a screwdriver and said that my alternator was shot. He removed it with a few wrenches he had, and then he drove me to the parts store where I bought an alternator. Back at Elm and Brundidge, and under the light of a flashlight, we installed the new component. I turned the key, the Ford sprang to life, and I shook Ray’s hand. I said, ‘Can I pay you for your trouble?’ “No charge,” he said.

lovely falling snow.

Of the many passages I like in “The Odyssey,” one is, “The son I don’t remember any acts of kindness in high school, unless one allows Mary Coulson’s letting me kiss her in the back seat of her girlfriend’s Chevy.

is rare who measures with his father, and one in a thousand is a better man…” I will always feel that way about my father. He lived a long life, and when I called or visited him in the nursing home, he made a point of asking about my wife and children.

One day, unsolicited, he said, ‘You know, you’re a better father

When I was 19 and backpacking through Spain, late one night

than I was.’ It broke my heart to hear him say that, but to this

I found myself in Barcelona. Rather than looking for a youth

day, it is the greatest compliment I have ever received.

hostel, I made a pillow of my pack and stretched out on a bench along Las Ramblas. At daybreak, I cracked open an eyelid and saw an elderly woman eating breakfast on the next bench. I

These are only a sampling of the many acts of kindness that I

dozed off again, but when I awoke later I found a hard-boiled

have received, and assuredly, there are many others for which

egg beside me, with a little salt.

there is not space here. However, I take pause and wonder if more good hasn’t been shown to me than I have shown others.

I tell my graduating seniors that it’s not easy starting out.

It wasn’t for me. One of my first jobs after graduating from college was working as a short-order cook in an all-night waffle and egg diner. One Thanksgiving Day, I pulled a double shift so the married workers could spend the holiday with their

We have all done acts of kindness, but the examples cited above contained more virtue than simply opening a door for someone or letting the other driver go first at the stop sign.

These actions cost—in either time, money or effort—without concern for reciprocity.

families. I was single and unattached at the time, and I didn’t

In “Ethics,” Aristotle posits that man’s highest good is the

have any plans for the day so it was no inconvenience. In the

pursuit of virtue. He sets out a line of argument starting with

afternoon, one of the cooks, June, brought me a Thanksgiving

the question “what is the object of life?” All right-minded people

plate from her home table with all the fixins’. A little later, one

seek the good, and that good brings happiness. True happiness

of the waitresses brought a plate; still later, another waitress

then involves the “virtuous activity of the soul” that comes from

brought more food. I ate Thanksgiving for three days.

a habit of practicing moral virtue. He concludes by stating that “complete virtue” is justice. But it takes work to get there.

Parker the dog would follow us home when I pushed my daughter through the neighborhood in a stroller. In the back after our walk, I let Anna toddle around exploring the yard.

Without fail, Parker would allow Anna to stray just a certain distance from the back steps before he moseyed over to her and herded her back to me.

Here in Troy after teaching a late class, I was broke down in my truck at the intersection of Elm and Brundidge. The engine

He writes: “. . . it implies a relation to somebody else—justice is the only virtue that is regarded as someone else’s good, because it secures advantage for another… the best [person] is not the one who exercises his virtue towards himself but the one who exercises it toward another; because it is a difficult task. Justice in this sense, then, is not a part of virtue but the whole of it.”

Separated by over two thousand years in time, but close in spirit, the political philosopher Aristotle and the moral philosopher Martin Luther King, Jr., come to the same

T ROY T O DAY

53

Orlofsky’s old Ford pickup truck now rests in his yard and serves as a reminder of his friend Ray’s kindness. The two men met when Orlofsky was stranded one night near downtown Troy.

conclusion about justice. King said famously that the arc of the

Perhaps after generations of random acts of kindness, we will

moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

reach a state of collective being which Wordsworth describes

Yet, it is not quick and easy to get there. Even King himself had

as “…that best portion of a good man’s life, / His little, nameless,

to take the long view and admit that he, personally, would not

unremembered acts / Of kindness and love.”

get to the Promised Land.

Michael Orlofsky is a professor and director of the Creative

As Chris Weigant observes in The Huffington Post, “that

Writing Program at Troy University.

arc doesn’t bend on its own. It takes effort. It takes action. It takes time and it takes energy… It takes a firm commitment by multitudes… The arc doesn’t passively bend on its own. It must be bent. We all must bend it together.”

ART IN CONCERT FEATURING TANK AND THE BANGAS

Friday, October 20, Tickets may be purchased in advance at mmfa.org.

VIP ticket packages cost $100 and include two tickets. General admission tickets are $15 per person.

Gates Open at 5:30 P.M., Music Starts at 7 P.M. Art in Concert will be held rain or shine on the grounds of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

Sponsored by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Emerge Montgomery, Dan Harris, County Commissioner District 1, Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Capital Container, Live & Listen, Jack Ingram Motors, Shoppes at Eastchase and National Land Realty

Photo Courtesy of Gus Bennett Jr.

Tuesdays with Kelly Brown Bag Lunch Events Noon - 1 p.m.

Monthly on the 3 rd Tuesday

Sept. 18 Vintage Clothing by Goodwill Industries Oct. 17 Alabama Archives Speakers Nov. 21 TBA Jan. 26 Edgar Weldon 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092

thekelly.org

FINDING DIRECTION

T ROY T O DAY

55

A LUM NI

Dothan attorney Aaron Gartlan credits TROY's Student Support Services for his success.

Two decades ago, Aaron Gartlan ('96) was a student looking

through with the commitment to go to law school. Just that

for help at Troy University’s Dothan Campus. He felt lost

support system and guidance helped so much.”

and aimless as an undergraduate, so he sought tutoring and

The program instilled a belief in himself that carries through for

academic counseling. What he found, though, was something more lasting: support.

Gartlan to this day. “Being around someone like Dr. Pettway that truly values people and can identify potential in people

“I had been feeling I was lost in the shuffle of failures, mistakes

(was vital),” he said. “She saw the value and potential and

and dead-end jobs,” Gartlan told a group of TROY students

encouraged me to work toward achieving that potential.”

during his keynote speech at the spring 2017 Student Support

TROY's Student Support Services, a federally funded initiative

Services awards recognition luncheon. “I went into the office of Student Support Services here expecting to receive some tutoring and guidance, maybe even some career counseling.

I wound up getting so much more than I bargained for.”

established to increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students, is available to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens who meet at least one or more of the following criteria: a) first generation student; b) income within federal

Today, Gartlan is a successful Dothan attorney with his own

guidelines; and/or c) have a documented disability. The lessons

firm, the Hogg and Gartlan Law Firm, and a website where

he learned through Student Support Services continue to guide

he writes about personal injury issues. He credits much

Gartlan through his career. “It’s a constant reminder to me to

of his success to the decision he made that fateful day to

continue to learn, build and grow and go out and apply it in the

walk into the office of Student Support Services Director

community,” he said.

Dr. Debora Pettway. “The biggest benefit, the thing I didn’t count on getting, was the encouragement; the encouragement to continue the undergraduate program and then follow

A LU M N I

56

PAVING THE

TROY TODAY

WAY

Alumni create endowment scholarships

Thanks to the continued efforts of TROY alumni, future generations of students will find new and improved scholarship resources.

Troy University alumni chapters have always been dedicated

raise money for scholarships,” Ward said. “Our chapters raised

to paving the way for new generations of Trojans by raising

more than $100,000 in scholarships in 2016, marking the

money for scholarships. However, following the lead of

largest one-year total ever raised by our chapters.”

the Alumni Association Board of Directors, chapters are

The Archer, Clipson, Elba and Alumni Band chapters have

now working to ensure those opportunities last forever by establishing endowed scholarships.

endowed scholarships and the Emerald Coast, Conecuh, Pensacola and Wiregrass chapters are in the process of raising

In keeping with the University’s strategic objective to establish

money for endowments.

more endowed scholarships, the Alumni Board of Directors

“With the death of our beloved board member Eric Mizell,

voted last summer to implement a five-year personal pledge to endow future alumni scholarships.

we worked with T-Club President Julius Pittman to endow a scholarship in Eric’s memory, and we have added dollars

Alumni Director Faith Ward said 2016 marked a record year

to the already endowed Archer scholarship as many in that

for scholarship funds raised by chapters, and the trend toward

group made donations in memory of Paul Word this past

endowed scholarships at the chapter level continues to grow.

year,” Ward said. “We are also working with the family of

“We worked diligently with our chapters, encouraging them to

another former board member, Bobby Ross Phillips, to endow

T ROY T O DAY

57

Current student members of the TROY’s Student Alumni Association and Trojan Tailgaters Chapter are joining in the creation of endowment scholarships.

a scholarship in his and his wife’s memory. We worked with the Southwest Georgia Alumni Chapter to make this happen. These scholarship dollars make tangible differences in helping us realize our commitment to students.”

A LASTING LEGACY

In addition, the work of the Student Alumni Association and

Alumni and friends of Troy University who are considering

the Trojans Tailgaters chapter enabled the endowment of the

giving to the University can create a lasting legacy for future

Student Alumni Scholarship in 2016, and efforts are under way

generations through endowed scholarships.

to endow a second scholarship.

An endowed scholarship can be established through a

Endowing additional scholarships is a priority for Alumni

contribution of $25,000 or more and be named in honor or

Association President Bill Hopper. “Together, we can

in memory of a loved one or a friend. Scholarship awards

change the lives of students,” he said. "By creating new

are made through the income generated by the investment

scholarship opportunities, we are preparing TROY students

of the gift, and thus, your gift will benefit generation

for future success.”

after generation of future Trojans. To create an endowed

In 2016, the Troy University Alumni Association awarded 28

scholarship fund, contributions can be made all at once or

alumni scholarships, which provided recipients half tuition for

over time. When the total reaches $25,000, the scholarship

fall and spring semesters for four years. In addition to tuition

can then be endowed and awards will begin. In addition,

scholarships, the Alumni Association is active in providing book

future gifts may be made to the endowed fund, further

scholarships that are given away at athletic events, as well as on

increasing its value and benefit to TROY students.

Student Appreciation Day and to the winner of the annual Miss

Donors who endow scholarships are kept informed about

Venus Pageant.

awards made from their endowment and are annually invited

Alumni interested in donating to or endowing scholarships may

to take part in a scholarship brunch on the Troy Campus. This

contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 334-670-3318 or the

event gives scholarship donors the opportunity to meet the

Office of Development at 334-670-3608.

recipients and see the difference their gift is making in the lives of those deserving students.

The staff of Troy University’s Office of Development will help to guide you through the process, ensuring that your wishes for your gift are met. For additional information, contact the Office of Development at 334-670-3608.

A LU MN I

SAA: BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

J OH N S O N R EC EI VES DI ST ING UISHE D L E A D E R SHIP AWAR D July 28 marked a special day for Troy

My name is Sam Moody, and I am

University alumnus Bill Johnson. Not

honored to serve as the Student

only did the four-term U.S. Congressman

Alumni Association president

from Ohio have the opportunity to

for the 2017-18 school year. A

address his alma mater's newest group

TROY degree is worth more now

of graduates, but he was also honored

than ever, and we want to see

with the University’s 16th Distinguished

our students capitalize on that by

Leadership Award.

helping them build relationships

Johnson is a 1979 summa cum laude

with YOU, our alumni family, that

graduate of TROY. The award honors the

can help them succeed in their

achievements of TROY alumni and friends

future endeavors. I recognize how

who have distinguished themselves

strong the Trojan family is, and we

through exemplary work, philanthropy,

want to strengthen that network

leadership and service to their profession,

even more.

community and alma mater.

My executive council and I have worked hard to provide fun and exciting ways of engaging our

activities we have coming up. Be

B OOT HE DEVOT ED L I FE TO FAMILY, E D UCAT IO N

looking for information from your

TROY alumna Geraldine Grimes Boothe of Opp, Alabama, who taught in the

local alumni chapter presidents in

classrooms of rural Covington County for almost 45 years, inspiring countless

the coming months about activities

students and serving as a role model for her peers, passed away April 18, 2017. Mrs.

we have planned to help our

Boothe was the mother of TROY alumnus and District 89 State Rep. Alan Boothe.

students and alumni build mutually

Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., said Mrs. Boothe’s life and career reflected well upon

beneficial relationships.

her alma mater and it also underscored the historic mission of Troy University.

We hope you will take part in

“Although TROY is now a comprehensive

the events to come. You can stay

university, our roots are in teacher

informed by joining your local

education,” Hawkins said. “For decades,

alumni chapter and by following

our main mission was to train men and

us on social media platforms. We

women to return to the cities and towns of

look forward to what’s in store

Alabama to lead and inspire their students.

for the 2017-18 year, and we look

Few did it better than Geraldine Boothe.

forward to connecting with you.

She was a remarkable lady, and in many

Go Trojans!

ways her story is our story at TROY.”

students with our alumni, and we hope that you will take part in the

In 1957, Mrs. Boothe embarked on a teaching career that spanned 44 years and nine months, including 41 years at Fleeta School. Mrs. Boothe retired from Samuel Moody

the classroom in 1991 but remained active in the community. She was a member of the Mizell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the

Connect with TROY! troy.edu/social

Three Arts Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Opp Cultural Arts Center. In 2016, she was inducted in the Opp Hall of Fame.

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A LU A LU M NMI N I

T ROY T O DAY

A WI LD

CA LLIN G

A group of TROY alumni have formed an organization that is taking aim at the world’s second-largest criminal activity— the illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife Aviation Group, founded by Bryan Wallace (’87) and John Schaper (’86), aims to become the leading provider

of aerial conservation services, defending endangered wildlife and the park rangers who monitor them in both protected and remote places.

While working on a non-related assignment in Africa, Wallace said he and Schaper thought some aspects of that project and the team they had already built would be useful in anti-poaching efforts. Schaper’s brother and fellow TROY graduate, Steve, knew the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) through his job as the regional security officer at the Embassy in Nairobi, and he provided introductions. “Animals are being slaughtered, that’s the appropriate word, and people are losing their lives trying to defend them,” he said. “There is a war going on, and the good guys are losing. The numbers are quite staggering.”

The illegal wildlife trade is a $19 billion a year industry that, on average, claims the lives of 100 park rangers per year, one elephant every 15 minutes and three rhinos each day. “Using a uniquely designed small, manned aircraft—one used by NASA and Boeing Phantom Works—we will be able to provide aerial surveillance to rangers and other park officials at any time of the day or evening,” Wallace said. “It is game-changing technology for the rangers and the animals and habitat they protect.”

The group’s initial partnership is with the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) in southern Kenya. The MWCT employs 118 rangers that patrol over 280,000 acres of land. Along with Wallace and John Schaper, there are five additional TROY alumni who have roles within the group: Steve Schaper (’88), security, Ward Sullivan (’96), adviser, fundraising and governmental affairs, Ted Sullivan (’90), senior executive at SAP, Ray Winborne (’90), chief financial officer of GoDaddy, and Tom DiCesere (’94). The group is also working on some efforts to honor the memory of DiCesere’s brother Frank ('86, '89), another TROY graduate who was a roommate of both Wallace and Schaper.

Another alumnus, Micah Grimes, of NBC News, has also reached out about helping to garner media attention, and several other alumni have made financial contributions to the effort.

“We are always indebted to those great Trojans,” Wallace said. “We do have a couple of outsiders involved, but it is turning into a TROY affair.”

60

TROY TODAY

CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

ALUM NOTES ’70

Trojan Family, Having recently assumed the privilege of being your alumni president, I’m excited to serve our incredible alumni association, and I look forward to what the future holds for Troy University and you—our alumni and friends.

As you read through these pages of TROY Today, you’re seeing stories and updates from alumni around the globe.

We want to see YOUR achievements in the issues to come! Make sure to send us your information and submit your milestones for publication so we can celebrate with you.

This year as we strive to endow a new alumni scholarship—our second in as many years—we want to encourage you to get involved and give. Together we can change the lives of students who will one day pay it forward to a new generation of TROY Trojans. And if giving isn’t a possibility for you in this season of life, we ask that you let us know of any partners that we can reach out to. This will help us make scholarships even stronger. Join me in giving back to an alma mater that has given us all so much!

I’m excited about what we can do together.

Bill Hopper ('72,'77)

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Stewart (’73) is a distance swimmer, swimming 750 non-stop yards a day, three days a week. In 2015, the 78-year-old swam 108,000 total yards.

He credits his wellness habits to his years in the Air Force and life-long participation in various sports. Stewart has taught at UCLA, the University of Alaska and Troy University. He is married to Susannah Stewart and the couple has three children.

Kim M. Johns ('79) has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Northwest Florida.

Johns has been with First National for five years, and serves as chief operating officer and chief credit officer. He has been in banking for 30 years.

James “Radar” Brantley ('79) was recently inducted into Georgia's Coweta County Sports Hall of Fame.

Brantley spent 35 years as an athletic trainer at Newnan High School. In 2011, he was honored for working 350 straight football games on the Newnan sidelines, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

’80 Terri Walker ('83) has been named director of career counseling at the Mercer University School of Medicine.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dean Failor ('83, '95) was recently inducted to the Ohio Hall of Fame in Monroeville, Ohio. Failor’s 20-year military career included flying combat missions over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Following his retirement from the military, Failor

worked as a civilian contractor F-16 flight simulator instructor at Moody Air Force Base and later began a 14year career as senior Air Force ROTC instructor at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia.

Cynthia K. Inniss ('85), a Christianthemed writer, has published her sixth book, “Dancing with the Red Thread.”

A native of Rome, Georgia, Inniss is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a former civil servant.

Michael T. Lee ('88), regional president of Ameris Bank in Valdosta, Georgia, has been elected to serve a twoyear term on the Georgia Bankers Association’s Board of Directors. Lee began his banking career in 1991 and joined Ameris in 2011. Lee actively serves in his community and is a past chairman of the Greater Valdosta United Way and Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Scherzinger ('88) recently joined Advantage Realty in Andalusia.

She previously managed apartment property, owned Floorz Plus and served as a decorator at Harold’s Furniture.

’90 Reginald Eggleston ('91) will lead reform of Montgomery Public Schools as the school system’s chief executive officer. He formerly served as assistant superintendent for Mobile County Public Schools and has worked in education for 24 years.

Michael E. Thomas ('91) was recently honored as the Georgia Music Education Association’s 2017 Music Educator of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding merit in teaching and administration by music educators whose service to students, the community and the profession is exemplary. Thomas is band director at Valdosta High. He is a member of the Southeastern United States Honor Band and Clinic Board of Directors.

Frank Etheridge ('92) recently began work as administrator for Long County, Georgia. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Etheridge’s previous experience

includes county manager in Randolph and Marion counties, city manager in LaFayette, city administrator in Pembroke, planning manager in Jackson County, building and planning director in Habersham County and county administrator in Twiggs County.

Shelton Goode ('93) has been named executive director of diversity and

inclusion by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

Goode previously served as director of diversity and inclusion at Oshkosh Corp. and holds more than 20 years of experience in the field. He has received national recognition for his work, including the 2012 Trailblazer award by the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources and the 2013 Lifetime Achievement award by the Technology Association of Georgia.

In 2016, he was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin” by Madison 365.

Brig. Gen. Tracey Beck Siems ('93) was honored by Ohio's Circleville High School Alumni Association at its 8th annual Achievement Hall of Fame Ceremony. Gen. Siems left active military service in 1996, but she served a stint in the Illinois Air National Guard from 1996 to 2003.

In 2003, she joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve where she continues to serve to this day. Gen. Siems has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air

Force Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit award, the Air Force Organizational Excellence award, the National Defense Service Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Frank Straughn, Jr. ('93) has retired from his position as business office manager for Eufaula and Clayton offices of Alabama Power Co. after 52 years of service.

Jeff Adams ('97) and Chris Mundy recently opened Columbiana Tractor, LLC. After graduating from the Montgomery Campus, Adams gained extensive experience as an automobile dealership owner. Columbiana Tractor brings LS Tractor, implements and a selection of used tractors to Shelby County and the surrounding community.

Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III ('97), a 34-year Marine veteran, was recently nominated for the position of military deputy for readiness to the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, who serves Defense Secretary James Mattis. The position would include promotion to the rank of lieutenant general. Gen. Clardy currently serves as deputy director for force management, application and support.

’00 Kecia Culp ('00) has been named director of human resources at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan. Culp has 18 years of human resources experience, including her most recent position as benefits manager at SAMC. She is certified as a professional in human resources (PHR) and a Society for Human Resource Management-certified professional (SHRM-CP).

Col. John L. Dorrian ('00), who recently retired after 25 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, has joined The Citadel as the new vice president for communications and marketing.

Dorrian most recently served as

T ROY T O DAY

61

spokesperson for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, which is a military effort to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria by a coalition of more than 50 countries.

In that role, Dorrian was principal military spokesperson as well as adviser to the task force commander and senior staff with regard to public affairs and communication matters.

While deployed in this role, he conducted more than 400 national and international news media engagements.

Bryant Johnson ('00), head basketball coach at Montgomery’s Robert E. Lee High School, was recently named AllMetro Area Coach of the Year. Johnson led the Generals to a 28-4 season, falling one win shy of a school record.

He has a 221-124 record in 12 seasons as Lee’s head coach and is 245-165 overall in his 15-year coaching career.

Denise McCray ('02, '05) has been named as the new principal of Schofield Middle School in Aiken County, South Carolina. McCray previously served as academic dean at Dorothy Height Elementary in Columbus, Georgia. Her career in education began in 1991 as a teacher at Western Heights Elementary School in Eufaula. She has also taught at Phenix City Intermediate School, Chukker Creek Elementary and served as assistant principal at Lake Murray Elementary School.

FR A NKS N A M E D E XEC U T I VE DI R ECTO R OF NAT I O N AL PR I N C IPALS ASSO CIAT IO N Dr. Earl Franks’ ('86, '89, '99) passion for education dates back

South Marching Band,

to his seventh-grade year in school. Now, the TROY alumnus

Kappa Kappa Psi Band

has seen that passion take him to one of the top education

Fraternity and other musical

positions in the country. Franks was recently named executive

organizations, that are

director of the National Association of Elementary School

enduring,” he said. “Many

Principals, the nation’s largest association of elementary and

practical skills, especially

middle school principals.

from Dr. John M. Long,

Franks, who received Bachelor of Music Education, Master

related to teaching music

of Science in Education and Educational Specialist degrees from TROY, has served as executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) for the last nine years. “This position will allow me the opportunity to take my experiences, over a 31-year educational career as a teacher, principal and state association executive director, to the national and international level,” he said. “I will be able to expand the reach of my passion for education and school leader improvement.”

TROY is near and dear to Franks’ heart. “I made lifelong

education and dealing with people, have helped me achieve success personally and professionally.” Franks’ wife, Carol, is a retired John M. Long School of Music associate professor, and her support has been essential. “Carol sees this as a wonderful opportunity for me to expand my scope of influence and help improve educational opportunities for all students, not just those in Alabama.”

friendships, especially as a member of the Sound of the Brandi Evans ('03, '09) was recently named to the Alabama Department of Education Superintendent’s Teacher Cabinet. Evans teaches fourth grade Alabama history and sixth grade English at WS Harlan Elementary School in Lockhart, Alabama.

Mia Pace ('04) of Julian Mitchell Math and Science Elementary has been named 2017 Teacher of the Year by the Charleston County School District in South Carolina. Pace is a computer lab instructor and has been with the school district for five years.

Peige Josey ('05) has been named dean of administrative services and director of the Greenville Campus of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Josey worked in the college’s human resources office for 14 years, including 10 years as director. She most recently served three years as interim director of human resources with the Alabama Community College System.

Felicia Thompson ('06, '11) has been named the new principal at Allen Elementary School by the Muscogee

County School Board in Georgia.

Thompson has been an educator for 15 years—14 of which have been in the Muscogee County school system.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew S. Cantore ('07) recently earned a

first prize Gen. George C. Kennedy Writing award at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies as a distinguished graduate from the

college. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from TROY. His next assignment will be as airpower strategist, checkmate division, directorate of air, space and cyber operations, headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Elizabeth Williford Stough ('07, '08) has joined the staff of South Alabama Electric Cooperative as manager of finance and accounting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from TROY. Stough, who once served as a manager at Jackson Thornton & Co., is a certified public accountant and a member of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She and her husband, Trent, have a son, Logan.

Russell Klinner ('09) has been named executive director-elect of Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega.

T ROY T O DAY

’10 Becky Sawyer ('12) has been promoted to senior vice president of human resources for Sentara Healthcare. She previously served as vice president of human resources for Sentara hospitals Sawyer is a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from TROY. Taqua Thrasher ('12) was recently named the deputy director of management information services for Rockdale County, Georgia.

Originally from Athens, Georgia, Thrasher received his Master of Public Administration from TROY and currently resides in Hampton with his wife and two children.

Adam Gilreath ('14) graduated third in his class from the University of Oxford, receiving a master’s degree in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in anthropology at Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland, where his research investigates the role of perceived threat in intergroup conflicts.

Sara Kate Freeman ('14) is now the director of the White Plains High School Blue Brigade Marching Band.

Tyler Kelley ('14) has been named head football coach of Verbena High School.

He previously served as an assistant coach at Billingsley High School.

Ashlee Robinson ('14, '17) was recently named band director at Chilton County High School.

Destinie Smith ('14, '16) has been named head women’s basketball coach at Snead State Community College.

She spent last year working in the Muscogee County School District in Georgia and previously served as an assistant coach at Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

Kizzi Trawick Walker ('14) has been named head coach of the Baldwin High School girls’ basketball program in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Jake Tucker ('15), a former Troy University golfer, recently notched his first win as a professional, taking the Wiregrass Construction/Visit Dothan Pro-Am on the Emerald Coast Golf Tour by one stroke.

Princess Cockerham ('16) recently won the Titans of Talent Karaoke competition, receiving a cash prize and

IN REMEMBRANCE Troy University Alumni Joseph Armistead ('69) Nathaniel Wayne Barba ('15) Avon K. Bosarge ('80) William Boone ('64) Geraldine Boothe ('57) Mariam W. Broom ('77) Claude J. Clausen ('92) Ruby S. Collins ('52) Bobby H. Davis ('57) Marjorie J. Dubina ('70) Latonga T. Fennie ('88) Timothy Galloway ('84, '95) Howard Pat Garner ('60) Burton R. Green ('64) Christine T. Griffin ('90) James Houston Harrison ('55) Vera L. Johnson ('77) Joseph C. Jones ('81) Benjamin Lee Knight ('13) Annie Louise Parish ('61) John Wayne Ragland ('67) Lena J. Sexton ('79, '81) Ulma L. Stabler ('56) William R. Stone ('65)

63

the opportunity to record a live studio album. She holds a master’s degree in special education from TROY and works as a teacher.

Jessica Parker ('16) was recently named merchants and marketing director for the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority.

Hayden Wilson ('16) has been named head volleyball coach at Pike Liberal Arts School.

Jordyn Elston ('17) has joined the staff of WSFA 12 News as a general assignment reporter. Elston, a summa cum laude graduate, received the Southeastern Journalism Conference’s Best Hard News Reporter award in 2017 and Best Television Anchor award in 2016 as a student with TROY TrojanVision News.

Melisan Sullivan ('17) has been named the new Red Level High band director.

Leslie W. Thompson ('86) Benjamin B. Martin ('81) William B. McDaniel ('71, '89) Wade Douglas McLendon, Sr. ('67) Joseph A. Verrett ('81) James H. Whatley ('66)

IN REMEMBRANCE Troy University Friends Dr. Bernard Avant

Weddings and Engagements Mary Kathleen Benton ('16) to Tyler Drake Stump ('16) Kathleen Jule Henson ('12) to Cody Dale Daughtry ('12) Anna Lane Johnson ('10) to Joseph Michael Caldwell ('00, '15) Abbey Fallin McKeller ('09) to Edwin Hays Wright, Jr. Haley Elizabeth McNeal (‘15) to Clayborne Carter Herring Lacey Nicole Phillips ('11) to Benjamin Perry Maxwell ('12) Ashley Robertson ('12) to Nick Fox Sophia Day Young to Michael Brent Kiser ('08, '14)

64

TROY TODAY

A L U MN I

ALUMNI OF

THE YEAR

Brigadier General Richard “Rick” Boutwell is a 1991 cum laude graduate of Troy University and entered the Air Force that same year. He earned his wings at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, in 1993. Gen. Boutwell is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours , including 149 hours in combat, serving in Operations Uphold Democracy, Southern Watch, Northern Watch and Provide Comfort. He also has served as a demonstration pilot for the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the “Thunderbirds.”

Gen. Boutwell currently serves as the director of regional affairs for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C. A native of Greenville, Alabama, he is married to the former Leslie Ann Fuller, a 1990 TROY graduate who was crowned Miss TROY in 1990. They are members of the Troy University Alumni Association and have two daughters, Brooke and Hailey.

Donna Salyers Brockmann, a 1979 graduate of Troy University, retired in 2009 after a 30-year teaching career in Georgia's DeKalb County School System. In 2009, she was named State Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Association of Gifted Children.

In 2011, Brockmann spearheaded the Doc Anderson Reunion, and in 2013, she organized the All Years Track and Field/Cross Country reunion. She became a mentor with the Troy University Alumni Association mentoring program in 2015 and continues to mentor TROY students as a part of the program.

Brockmann is a lifetime member of the University’s Alumni Association and a member of the Pike County Chapter’s Board of Directors. She is a Trojan Warrior and serves as the president of the Humane Society of Pike County. A formal race official for the U.S. Cycling Federation in the 1990s, Brockmann continues to volunteer to assist with running, cycling and biathlon races.

T ROY T O DAY

65

Paul Elliott, a 1995 graduate of Troy University, is a senior risk consultant for S.S. Nesbitt, working in the insurance industry for the past 25 years.

Elliott is the immediate past president of the Birmingham Alumni Chapter where he served in the position for three years. During his service to the chapter, he established the Al Lucas Endowed Scholarship and raised additional funds for 15 area scholarships for incoming 2017 freshmen. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and an active member of the Birmingham chapter of Sigma Chi. Elliott serves as the current president of the Shades Valley Rotary Club and volunteers for the ARC of Jefferson County, helping those with mental and physical disabilities. His wife, Tara ('95), is also a TROY graduate and works as a recruiter for TROY in the Birmingham area. They have two children, John and Grace.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral W. Clyde Marsh earned a Master of Science degree from Troy University in 1989. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and attended the National Defense University Flag and General Officer Course. He completed the Black Sea Regional Security Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Executive Business Course at the University of North Carolina. Some of his personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Department of Navy’s Nathaniel Stinson Leadership and Equal Opportunity Award.

Marsh serves as state commissioner and director of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, a post he has served since October 2005. As commissioner, Marsh manages the agency ‘s operations and mission and oversees 112 state employees in 67 counties, as well as more than 900 contract health service providers.

To learn more about annual recognition of outstanding alumni and to make a nomination, contact Alumni Affairs at 334-670-3318.

TROY UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE ALUMNI AFFAIRS OFFICE TROY, AL 36082

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID BOCA RATON, FL PERMIT NO. 813

THE TROJAN WARRIOR SPIRIT LIVES HERE

Join us for Homecoming on October 28 to help cheer on the Trojans to victory. Enjoy tailgating with fellow alumni members by joining TROY’s Alumni Association TODAY! Starting in 2018, the cost of annual memberships and lifetime individual and joint memberships will increase, so join this year and begin paying off your membership in installments.

You'll save money in the long run!

GO TROJANS!

troy.edu/alumni or call 334-670-3318.

National Alumni

Association