TROY News Center

January 17, 2012

Former Czech Republic ambassador to be in residence at TROY

TROY – Ambassador Jenonne Walker, the United State's ambassador to the Czech Republic from 1995-1998, will serve as Troy University's Ambassador-in-Residence for 2012.

Ambassador Walker will visit the Troy, Montgomery and Dothan campuses Jan. 23 – 27, and will lecture to undergraduate and graduate political science students. She will make an open-to-the-public presentation at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 in the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor on the Troy Campus. Her presentation is entitled, "U.S. Ambassadors in a Changing World."

"The Ambassador-in-Residence program is one of Troy University's many initiatives to create a greater awareness among students about international issues and the US role in the world," said Dr. Charles Krupnick, chair of the Department of Political Science.

"Ambassador Walker has been involved in the creation and execution of US foreign policy throughout her career and will be able to inform Troy students about how the U.S. Government deals with international issues, and, possibly, inspire them toward service in foreign affairs," he said.

She currently is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on various boards of directors, including the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the American Friends of the Czech Republic.

In addition to her service as a U.S. Ambassador, she has also served as a European analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, as a member of the State Department's Policy Planning Staff, Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Sweden, and in various positions that shaped US arms control negotiations. She was awarded the Distinguished Civil Service Award by President Ronald Reagan for her work on arms control issues.

Immediately prior to her ambassadorial appointment, she was Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton and Senior Director for Europe, the president's key advisor on U.S. relations with Europe, on the National Security Council staff. After retiring from government, she spent two years as Vice President for Europe of the World Monuments Fund, identifying historically and culturally important sites in need of conservation and forging partnerships for their restoration with European governments, foundations and corporations.

January 17, 2012

Pastor of Atlanta's famed Ebenezer church to keynote leadership conference lunch at TROY

TROY—The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, will deliver keynote remarks Saturday, Feb. 4, to close the 11th annual Leadership Conference Celebrating African-American History Month at Troy University.

He will speak at the closing luncheon, scheduled to begin at noon in the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the Troy Campus.

Since 2005 Dr. Warnock has served as pastor of the historic church Ebenezer Baptist Church, known worldwide as the spiritual home of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He has also served at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church of Birmingham, where he was youth pastor; Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, where was associate pastor; and Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, where he was senior pastor.

Dr. Warnock holds a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College and three graduate degrees, including a Ph.D., from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is a graduate of the Leadership Program sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Committee and a graduate of the Summer Leadership Institute of Harvard University.

Dr. Warnock has been active in defending voting rights and has drawn praise for innovative urban ministries such as "Cutting Thru Crisis," a barbershop ministry, as well as a series of Bible studies held in a local car wash. He has also been active in the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. Dr. Warnock has been listed by Ebony Magazine as one of "Thirty Leaders of the Future," and as one of "Twenty to Watch," by the African American Pulpit Journal.

This conference, which is scheduled for Feb. 3-4 and is sponsored by Troy University and the City of Troy, provides information to enhance the quality of leadership and civic participation of community leaders, area residents and university students. Major sponsors of the conference since its inception have been the ministry of Reverend S. D. James and Wal-Mart. Pike County Commissioner Homer Wright is serving as chair of this year's conference. Tonya Terry, anchor of WSFA-TV's "Today in Alabama" and "WSFA 12 News at Noon," will serve as emcee for the event.

To register for the conference, please visit http://troy.troy.edu/leadershipconference/or contact Barbara Patterson at 334-670-3204. The cost to attend the conference is $30.

January 17, 2012

Chinese New Year Celebration set for Jan. 20 at the Troy Campus

TROY—The Troy University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) will celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Troy Campus.

The event will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. inside the Trojan Center ballrooms. Sponsored by the Confucius Institute and the University's Office of International Programs, the popular annual event encourages cultural exchange between students from different countries.

"This celebration not only provides an opportunity for all the Chinese students to gather together … but it also provides a chance for American students to better understand Chinese culture," said Wei Li, president of the CSSA, "We hope this celebration also sends our best wishes to TROY's 125th birthday from all the Chinese students."

The event will include traditional Chinese dancing, singing and instrument demonstrations, with modern dancing and singing as well. Various authentic Chinese foods will also be served.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for students and $17 for faculty, staff and members of the public, and can be purchased inside Pace Hall, room 116. Reservation for tickets can also be made by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information, please contact Wei Li at 334-434-0467 or Xuejiao Sun at 334-434-2464.

   

January 13, 2012

Troy University plans second 'Care for the Community' day of service on Jan. 21

TROY -- Troy University students, faculty and staff will tackle several service projects in and around the city of Troy on Jan. 21 as a part of the University's second "Care for the Community Day of Service."

This event, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is a part of the nationwide service activities surrounding the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., according to Jonathan T. Cellon, coordinator of student learning initiatives with the University's First-Year Studies program.

"We have several hands-on projects in Troy and the surrounding area that students, faculty and staff can participate in," Cellon said. "Participants will meet at the Trojan Center Theatre and then disperse to the various projects for which they sign up."

Students will have the opportunity to work on projects benefitting Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Boys and Girls Clubs; Noble Manor Assisted Living facility; the Pike Pioneer Museum; Habitat for Humanity; and Centennial Park beautification.

Last year, more than 200 TROY students took part in the University's inaugural Day of Service in September in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The students combined to log nearly 800 hours of community service time at eight different sites in Troy and the surrounding areas.

In addition, the University's Office of Student Learning Initiatives will host a Volunteer Fair for TROY students on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the Troy Campus. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will feature booths and displays from community service agencies.

"The Volunteer Fair is a premier opportunity for our students to connect to volunteer needs in Troy and the surrounding area," Cellon said.

For additional information concerning the Day of Service or the Volunteer Fair, contact Cellon at 334-808-6349 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

January 13, 2012

Troy University taps former police chief as Dothan Campus safety coordinator

DOTHAN—Troy University has named former Cottonwood police chief James L. Smith as the new Coordinator for Public Safety at the Dothan Campus.

Smith, who has more than 25 years experience in law enforcement, will oversee all aspects of safety and security for the campus. He took over the position Jan. 1.

Bob Willis, dean of student services, said Smith's years of law enforcement experience will be an asset to the University.

"We are excited to have someone of Jim's caliber join us at the University," Willis said. "He is an excellent trainer and has vast experience in the areas of safety, security and emergency medicine. He will move us forward in our effort to enhance our emergency preparedness for the campus."

Smith served as the chief of the Cottonwood Police Department starting in 2004. Prior to that, he was a captain in the Dothan Police Department where he served as executive assistant to the police chief and as 911 Coordinator for the Dothan/Houston County communications district.

A TROY alumnus, Smith is also an adjunct instructor in the University's undergraduate criminal justice program. He is the author or co-author of numerous articles in law enforcement journals and three textbooks, most recently the book "Tactical Medicine Essentials," published in 2010.

He holds a master's degree in safety from the University of Southern California, a bachelor's degree in biology from Troy University and an associate degree in emergency medical technology from Wallace Community College.

"I am excited to have an opportunity to serve the students, faculty and staff at Troy University," Smith said. "Having taught for several years as an adjunct faculty member, I am familiar with the Dothan Campus and its needs. In concert with Chief (John) McCall of the University Police Department and Dean Willis, I am in the process of implementing several programs to improve the delivery of public safety services on the Dothan Campus."