TROY – Troy University alumna and Fox News’ New York Entertainment Correspondent Jill Dobson will be the keynote speaker for the University’s Odyssey Convocation for new students on Aug. 12.

The convocation, which will be held in Trojan Arena beginning at 3 p.m., serves as the official welcoming and convocation for new TROY students. A parents’ reception will follow in the Trojan Tower Stadium Club, while students will be treated to refreshments and entertainment in the Trojan Student Center.

“Odyssey provides us the opportunity to illustrate the traditions that make college life enjoyable,” said Buddy Starling, dean of admissions. “We are very fortunate to be able to bring in outstanding alumni like Jill Dobson to share how their TROY experience has helped them to be successful.”

Dobson previously served as Star magazine’s news and style editor-at-large and was the publication’s primary television spokesperson. With Star, she was a frequent guest on programs such as NBC’s “Today Show” and Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.” The 1998 honor graduate of TROY’s Hall School of Journalism previously was a New York correspondent for E! News Live and also has served as a host for the National Lampoon Networks, reported for News 12 Long Island and co-hosted specials on Bravo and WE Networks.

Dobson began her television career as a news reporter for the CBS affiliates in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Mich.

A Michigan native, Dobson was named Miss Michigan USA in 2000 and was a Top Ten Finalist in the Miss USA pageant. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University and is married to Jim Ornstein, a talent agent for the William Morris Agency.

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