DOTHAN – Troy University conferred degrees on 275 students December 14 during commencement exercises at the Dothan Civic Center. 45-year-old Willie Faye Barrow was among the proud graduates, who donned caps and gowns and posed for pictures.

It was a particularly sweet moment for Barrow, who is legally blind. The Ozark woman managed to graduate with honors by painstakingly using a magnifying glass to complete assignments. Her son Justin Stokes, also a Dothan Campus student, looked on from the audience as she received her diploma.

“She has struggled with vision problems,” Stokes said, “but she persevered, and I am very proud of her.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Jack Hawkins, chancellor of Troy University, recognized a special graduate who was unable to pick up his diploma in person. Criminal Justice Major Tony Chamberlin of Ozark finished his final semester via the internet while serving in Iraq. The summa cum laude graduate is expected to return to the Wiregrass in January for the birth of his first child.

While many graduates were saying “good-bye” to classmates, Jennifer Asdel, a native of Enterprise, was connecting with students and professors she has come to know over the Internet. Asdel, who currently lives in Nashville, Tenn., completed her Master of Business Administration completely on line. 

“It’s really exciting to meet my classmates in person,” Asdel said. “I didn’t want to go through school and not graduate.”

Ralph Stacy, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, was the keynote speaker. Stacy, who represents over 120 Chambers of Commerce statewide, urged the graduates to use their education not just in the business world but to better society.

“You have made the commitment to get ahead,” Stacy said. “Ladies and gentlemen, you are ready to make a difference.”

For more information about programs offered on the Dothan Campus, call (334) 983-6556.