TROY News Center

March 1, 2012

State TRIO celebration planned for March 3 at Troy University

TROY—The Troy University TRIO programs and the Alabama Association of Educational Opportunity Program personnel will be playing host to the 2012 State TRIO Day Celebration in Sartain Hall on the TROY campus Saturday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Begun in 1964 as the first national college programs of their kind, the TRIO programs are designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. These programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance and other services that ensure success in college. TRIO programs also provide direct support services for students and relevant training for directors and staff.

"TRIO Day focuses the state's and nation's attention on the needs of deserving young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives, said Mary Griffin, chair of the 2012 TRIO Day Committee. "It also focuses the nation's attention on making the necessary investment if our students are to become contributing citizens of the country. This essential talent pool will be wasted if the investment is not made. Thus, recognizing the impact of TRIO programs in students' lives, Congress passed in 1986 a congressional resolution proclaiming a National TRIO Day."

The TRIO Day Celebration, with this year's theme as "Obtaining the Dream: Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Greatness," will consist of a speech by keynote speaker Lamar Higgins, awards and door prizes, and tours of the TROY campus.

A TROY alumnus from Marbury, Higgins is a member of the Troy University Board of Trustees and a lobbyist for Montgomery firm Fine Geddie.

During registration on the day of the celebration, participants are encouraged to contribute to the TRIO Day of Service by donating teaching supplies for area elementary students.

March 1, 2012

TROY economic development center helps Ozark and Dale County formulate strategy

TROY – Troy University's Center for International Business and Economic Development has helped the City of Ozark and Dale County to fine-tune an approach to job creation and investment in the county.

Under the auspices of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corp., the Center developed a three-year strategy aimed at growth of existing businesses and industries, recruiting new businesses to the area and expanding the aviation and aerospace sectors in the county.

"Both public and private sector leaders in Dale County recognized the need to enhance their economic development efforts, and we're pleased to be able to partner with ODECD to lend our expertise in developing these initiatives for the benefit of Dale County," said Wiley Blankenship, Director of the University's Center of International Business and Economic Development.

The plan developed through the collaborative process that included city and county government leaders, civic leaders and business leaders, outlines eight primary goals to accomplish over a three-year period, ranging from raising the profile of the county in state and beyond to retail and commercial development to increasing cooperation and leadership skills among various members of the Dale County community.

That plan was unveiled today by the development corporation during a special luncheon, which also included the announcement of a campaign to raise funds for economic development purposes in partnership with city and county governments. The development corporation is chaired by John Ferguson.

"Troy University is an important community partner to Ozark and Dale County for Economic Development. ODEC is grateful to Troy University's Center for International Business and Economic Development for their guidance and facilitation of our business plan for our new organization," said Eric Basinger, Executive Director of Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation.

"Wiley Blankenship and his staff have provided a service to us that will provide the foundation for a solid economic development organization," he said.

The Center, established in 2006, specializes in providing research, planning and coordination of economic development issues to cities and counties throughout Alabama, and focuses much of its effort on helping smaller or rural communities pull together a focused approach to economic development both domestic and international in scope.

Housed in the Sorrell College of Business, the Center also encompasses TROY's Small Business Development Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. For more information on the Center, visit the website at cibed.troy.edu.

March 1, 2012

Middle School students take part in Model United Nations at Troy University

TROY -- Nearly 200 middle school students from southeast Alabama schools are tackling global issues and gaining insight into other cultures as they take part in the Southeast Alabama Model United Nations Assembly at Troy University today and Friday.

During the two-day event, which is sponsored by the Wiregrass Writing Project and the Southeast Alabama Regional Inservice Center at Troy University, 31 delegations from Brewton City, Coffee County, Dothan City, Ozark City and Troy City school systems will dress in costumes native to the country they represent and meet together to debate issues and pass resolutions.

"This event provides students with a new awareness of the world and international affairs," said Terry White, program development specialist for the Southeast Alabama Regional Inservice Center at Troy University. "Model United Nations can help students build self confidence and provides them an opportunity to learn by doing."

In addition to committee meetings and general assemblies, during which resolutions developed by delegations are presented and debated, the first day of the event featured a World Hunger Meal, during which students viewed a presentation on the issue of global hunger and had a meal of bread and water.

On Friday, students will be presented with a "world crisis" scenario and be divided into Bloc Nations to develop solutions to the crisis situation. Finally, the UN Security Council will meet to vote on proposed solutions to the world crisis.

The event will conclude with an awards presentation and closing ceremonies beginning at 1:20 p.m. on Friday in the Trojan Center Ballrooms.

Schools participating in this year's assembly are:

• Brewton Middle School
• Zion Chapel School
• Carver Magnet School of Dothan
• Beverlye Magnet School of Dothan
• D.A. Smith Middle School of Ozark
• Charles Henderson Middle School of Troy.