TROY News Center

January 30, 2012

Authors offer three different perspectives on Alabama segregation

MONTGOMERY—Troy University's Rosa Parks Museum and the University of Alabama Press will offer a panel discussion on segregation in Deep South Alabama, and how we think, feel, and act toward those who are not the same color as us.

Entitled "Otherness in Black & White," the panel will include UA Press authors Dr. Wayne Flynt, Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson, and Lila Quintero Weaver. The program will be held inside the Rosa Parks Museum auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. After a brief talk, the authors will be available for a book signing.

Books can be purchased at the Rosa Parks Museum Gift Shop. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Wayne Flynt is Distinguished University Professor of History at Auburn University and author or coauthor of 11 books, including Alabama Baptists: Southern Baptists in the Heart of Dixie, Poor But Proud: Alabama's Poor Whites, Alabama: The History of a Deep South State, and Taking Christianity to China: Alabama Missionaries in the Middle Kingdom, 1850-1950. He is also the author of his newly published historic memoir Keeping the Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. Flynt has been recognized by numerous awards and honors, including the Lillian Smith Award for nonfiction, the Clarence Cason Nonfiction Award, the James F. Sulzby Jr. Book Award (twice), and the Alabama Library Association Award for nonfiction (twice).

Richie Jean Jackson, author of The House by the Side of the Road: The Selma Civil Rights Movement. This book is a firsthand account of the behind-the-scenes activity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his lieutenants while they spent time in Selma, as well as a memoir of Mrs. Jackson's life growing up in rural Alabama. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Mrs. Jackson earned her BS in Secondary Education from Alabama State College and her Masters of Education from the University of Montevallo. Retired from the teaching profession, Mrs. Jackson lives in Selma.

Lila Quintero Weaver received her BA from New College at The University of Alabama. Weaver's family emigrated from Argentina to Marion, Alabama, in 1961 and was firsthand witnesses to key moments in the civil rights movement. Weaver and her husband, Paul, live in Northport, Alabama. Darkroom is her first book.

The Rosa Parks Museum is located at 252 Montgomery Street in Montgomery, Alabama, on the campus of Troy University. The Museum is a major landmark in the revitalization of downtown Montgomery constructed on the site of the old Empire Theatre where Mrs. Parks made her courageous and historic stand in 1955. The interpretive museum occupies the first floor and 7,000 square feet of a three-story, 55,000-square-foot building that also contains the TROY Montgomery Campus library.

The University of Alabama Press, celebrating more than 65 years of fine publishing, is one of the largest and fastest-growing publishers in the South. It publishes between 70 and 75 books a year in archaeology, military history, Judaic studies, literary criticism, communication, sports, Civil Rights, religion, southern history, and regional topics.

January 30, 2012

University names Merritt to First-Year Studies post

TROY – Troy University officials have named retired Air Force officer Associate Dean of First-Year Studies.

Ivan Merritt, an assistant professor in the Institute for Leadership Development and former commander of the University's Air Force ROTC, has already assumed his new role and brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership, supervisory management and administration to the University. He is a recognized expert in teaching, training, mentoring, motivating and leading people to meet their goals.

"We are extremely pleased to have someone of Mr. Merritt's experience and leadership join our Student Success Team," said Dr. Hal Fulmer, Associate Provost and Dean of First-Year Studies. "His background as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, his role as chair of the Air Force ROTC department here at TROY, and his work as a member of the University's Leadership Institute make Mr. Merritt ideally suited to help our students, especially those who are early on in their Trojan experience. In this new role, he will make significant contributions to our University's efforts at developing and empowering our students."

Prior to joining the University faculty in 2010 as an instructor in Leadership Studies, Merritt served 27 years in the Air Force, including 12 years of teaching physical education and coaching intercollegiate gymnastics at the United States Air Force Academy. In addition to serving as professor of Aerospace Studies and commanding TROY's AFROTC detachment, he was protocol officer at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and was posted in the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. He has also instructed international studies, national security and cultural studies at Air Command and Staff College.

Merritt completed his undergraduate work at Michigan State University, and earned master's degrees from both the University of North Carolina and Air University.

January 27, 2012

Still time to register for leadership conference

TROY—Registration is still open for the 11th annual Leadership Conference Celebrating African-American History Month Feb. 3-4 at Troy University.

The conference, which 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 and WSFA-TV anchor Tonya Terry will serve as the emcee.

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.

The conference opening session is scheduled to begin Friday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Trojan Center Theatre on the Troy Campus. Featured speaker will be Randal Pinkett, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of BCT Partners, a management, technology and consulting firm. A self-described "serial entrepreneur" who began his first business venture while in college, Dr. Pinkett is the author of "Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneur's Guide to Launching a Multimillion-Dollar Business." Dr. Pinkett gained national recognition on the popular reality TV show "The Apprentice."

The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, will deliver keynote remarks Saturday, Feb. 4, to close the Conference. 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.

The Saturday events will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration at the Trojan Center lobby. The morning will feature several plenary sessions on diverse topics such as technology, social skill improvement and compassionate leadership.

January 27, 2012

University vocal jazz group performing at The Emporium

TROY – Troy University's vocal jazz ensemble "frequency" will offer a free concert for the public in downtown Troy at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Seating is limited, and early arrival is encouraged, said Dr. Diane Orlofsky, professor of music and director of choirs in the College of Communication and Fine Arts' John M. Long School of Music.

Also performing with frequency will be guest soloist Sheila Jackson. Charles Henderson High School advanced placement art students will be exhibiting their work in The Emporium as well.

Members of frequency are: Maggie Averett Downs of Enterprise; Meagan King of Ariton; Jessie Kisor, of Centre; Daniel Murphy of Fairhope; Madison Cain of Hartselle; Noel Davis of Eufaula; Melanie Sims of Troy; Xavier Roberson of Birmingham; Eric Mancil of Enterprise; Aaron Wine of Wetumpka; Stephanie Washburn of New Site; and Dillon Worley of Andalusia.

Members of the University jazz combo performing are: Brandon Plymel of Moultrie, Ga.; Laroy Bodiford of Luverne; Julian Thornton of Cairo, Ga.; Michael Dupre of Montgomery; Carrius Moore of Marianna, Fla.; Chris Helms of Smiths Station; Garrett Brown of Panama City, Fla.; and Mike Tyner of Troy.

"Come and celebrate vocal and instrumental combo jazz and experience music from the young jazz talent in Troy," Dr. Orlofsky said.

The Emporium is located at 116 West Walnut Street, just off the historic Square in downtown Troy.

January 27, 2012

Troy University to host screenings of documentary 'My Anniston'

DOTHAN—Troy University will host two screenings of the documentary "My Anniston" followed by discussion with director Stan Arthur and the film's subject, civil rights movement veteran Edward Wood.

The screenings will be held at the Dothan Campus on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. inside the Sony Hall auditorium and at the Troy Campus on Monday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. inside the Civic Room, located on the second floor of the Trojan Dining hall.

Discussion sessions with Arthur and Wood will follow each screening. Admission is free and open to the public.

"My Anniston" recounts the life story of 84-year-old Woods, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the civil rights movement, and a witness to the 1961 burning of a Freedom Riders bus in Anniston, Ala. The film was a featured selection of the 2011 Alabama International Film Festival.

The screenings are sponsored by funding from Troy University and a grant from the Alabama Humanities Foundation, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, contact Christopher Shaffer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .