Colleagues gathering Jan. 13 to say farewell to Dr. Susan Aldridge praised her hard work and dedication to growing Troy University’s University College around the world.

The farewell banquet, held at the Troy Country Club, featured tributes from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., chancellor; Dr. Ed Roach, executive vice chancellor and provost; and several members of the University College leadership team. Dr. Aldridge, vice chancellor of University College at Troy University since 2001,  will leave TROY Feb. 1 to take the position of President of the University of Maryland University College.

Chancellor Hawkins praised Dr. Aldridge for growing the worldwide enrollment of University College to more than 15,000, to developing the distance learning center into  eCampus and to launching new sites abroad in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Germany and Malaysia.

“Susan Aldridge has proven that grace, charm, integrity and hard work are still important,” Dr. Hawkins said.

Dr. Roach also commended Dr. Aldridge for her devotion to growing TROY worldwide and said he told Maryland officials to expect more of the same.

“I told a member of the search committee at the University of Maryland, ‘If you are looking to maintain the status quo, then this conversation is over,’” Dr. Roach said.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Aldridge thanked the members of her University College staff and administration for their support.

“The successes we have achieved are truly the result of hard work and dedication,” Dr. Aldridge said. “It has been an exhausting, exhilarating, challenging, amazing pace.”

Dr. Aldridge predicted a bright future for University College and said she would seek ways for TROY and the University of Maryland to forge partnerships.

Dr. Aldridge also urged support for Dr. Dave White, who will serve as interim vice chancellor of University College. “I know you will give him the same hard work and dedication you gave me,” she said.