TROY – Troy University, which enjoys a rich tradition of service to the U.S. military, is reaching out to individual Trojans in the Armed Forces to show the University’s appreciation for their service.

Through a program led by Janice Hawkins, the University’s first lady, TROY is seeking to identify and thank current students, alumni, faculty or staff members—or members of their immediate families— who are on active military duty. A special link to the University’s website www.troy.edu/ includes a message to the troops from Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., accompanied by a form that Trojans in military service can complete to update their contact information. Trojans serving in combat zones as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom will be sent a special gift from the University.

“Because Troy University and the Department of Defense have enjoyed a special relationship for more than 50 years, it is appropriate for the University  to show our fighting men and women their alma mater does not take their service for granted,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “This issue is important to me personally because of  Dr. Hawkins’ service in the Marines and because of the military service of our older daughter and son-in-law. I hope we are beginning a tradition that will continue for as long as our nation has military personnel in combat.”

Troy University operates teaching sites on approximately 25 military bases outside of Alabama as part of it University College division, which is composed of sites in 17 U.S. states and 14 locations outside of the United States. In addition, Troy University serves active-duty enlisted soldiers through eArmyU, the U.S. Army’s distance-education program. Of the more than 20 institutions participating in eArmyU, TROY has the second largest number of enrollments.

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