TROY News Center

TROY – Five Trojans are among those vying for the title of Miss Alabama 2013, currently under way near Birmingham.

An entering freshman, an alumna and three current students – including two Miss Troy Universitys -- all hail from Troy University in the pageant.

Competing are:

• Jamie Brooks, a Master of Public Administration graduate student from Altoona, who is competing as Miss Shelby County;
• Kandice Cleckler, an entering freshman from Clanton who plans to study physical therapy, who is competing as Miss Chilton County;
• Caitlin Crowe, a senior broadcast journalism major from Tuscaloosa, who is competing as Miss Troy University;
• KeLeigh Edwards, a senior elementary education major from Smiths Station and Miss Troy University 2012, who is competing as Miss West Central Alabama; and
• Amanda Ford, a broadcast journalism graduate from Helena, who is competing as Miss Cahaba Valley.

Miss Alabama 2013 will be crowned on Saturday.

TROY – A Troy University design professor has been awarded the FATE Distinguished Service Award.

The national arts organization Foundations in Art: Theory and Education presented its award to Jerry Johnson for his strong commitment and increasing contribution to the organization, dedication to foundation teaching and administration, his capacity for innovating and a willingness to share knowledge with colleagues.

Termed an “impassioned teacher and leader in the arts,” Johnson has been the voice of FATE as its three-term Vice President for Communications.

“For seven years, Jerry has worked closely with FATE leaders and members to create consistent, relevant communications, delivery methods for which have evolved to keep pace with technology and the needs of FATE members,” said Greg Skaggs, also a TROY art professor and its new communications vice president. “His redesign of FATE communications, including the organization’s website and newsletter, has ensured leaders, members and the general public access to available research and opportunities.”

Johnson introduced the media-rich “FATE Updater” email, which currently has a circulation of 4,200, and brought social media into play for the organization, extending FATE’s community outreach.

Since his third term as a vice president, which began in 2011, Johnson has collaborated with FATE leaders and board members to transition to a new web-content management system called “MemberClicks.” The shift streamlined how educators access information, become FATE members, register for events and receive official communications.

In addition to his role at FATE, he also directs the International Center for Collaboration and Creativity, iC3, headquartered at TROY. He is also an associate with the Center for Design, Technology and Innovation and is currently developing an online graduate program in Arts and Design Management.

TROY – A longtime professor of insurance has been tapped to lead Troy University’s Risk Management Insurance program.

Dr. Ed Duett will take the reins of the program for the upcoming fall semester, said Dr. Judson Edwards, Dean of the Sorrell College of Business.

“Dr. Duett brings to the College an established record of excellence in insurance education and research,” said Dr. Edwards. “I am confident that, under his leadership, the program will continue its strong tradition of producing high quality graduates, ready to succeed in the risk management insurance industry.“

Currently a professor in Eastern Kentucky University’s Insurance Studies Program, Dr. Duett is Chair of Insurance and Professor of Finance Emeritus at Mississippi State University, having retired there in 2010 after 23 years teaching.

He completed his doctoral studies in 1987 at the University of Georgia after completing an MBA and bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State.

Duett has been a visiting professor at universities in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and Mexico, and serves on editorial boards and as a reviewer for multiple journals. He is a member of the American Risk and Insurance Association, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Financial Planning Association, and other professional and academic organizations.

He has published more than 30 journal articles and three books, with articles in journals including Global Finance Journal, Journal of Reinsurance, Journal of Insurance Issues, Quarterly Journal of Business and Economics, Financial Decisions and others. His research interests focus on the integration of capital markets, international risk management, insurance-linked securities and others. He has presented research findings and professional development seminars in more than 30 states and eight countries.

Dr. Duett follows longtime RMI director and eminent scholar Dr. Carol Jordan, who retired in 2012.

Dr. Ed Duett

TROY -- Thirty-one high school students with disabilities will take part in leadership exercises and get lessons in how state government works as a part of the Alabama Governor's Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) at Troy University, June 2-6.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and Troy's Institute of Leadership Development with support from agencies including the Alabama Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Alabama Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and the Alabama Department of Education.

“The forum is a unique opportunity to learn a variety of life skills,” said Dr. Denise Green, Chair of the Department of Human Services, Rehabilitation and Social Work and co-chair of this event. “We focus on relationship building, self-advocacy and continued growth and development for a life-time of positive achievement.”

This year's YLF will feature sessions on career exploration and technology available to assist people with disabilities, as well as "Living on My Own," a panel discussion led by successful Alabamians with disabilities. Other sessions will look at self-advocacy, team building, and life goals.

Students will also tour the state Capitol beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, and attend a mentor luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the RSA Activity Center in Montgomery.

Donovan Beitel, a TROY alumnus and an instructor in the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind’s Business Enterprise Program, will serve as a guest speaker. As a child, he was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a form of juvenile macular degeneration, and lost his central vision by the age of 10.

A closing ceremony and graduation will be held Thursday, June 6, beginning at 12:45 p.m. in the Trojan Student Center on the Troy Campus.

TROY – Troy University will shine the spotlight on drama and dance in July for its Summer Spotlight programs.

Hosted by the College of Communication and Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance, four camps take place during the month, beginning July 8-12 with Spotlight on Dance for ages eight through 12. Julie Mulivihill, a choreographer, professional dancer and teacher currently based in Georgia, will serve as the camp’s guest artist.

July 14-19 is Summer Spotlight’s Creative Drama Camp for ages four – 13. Participants here for this camp will spend a week studying acting, movement, storytelling, stagecrafts, and playwriting. Carson Butterworth, a graduate of Georgia College and State University, will serve as this camp’s guest artist. An actress and teacher, Butterworth holds a master’s degree in art education and an undergraduate degree in theatre.

Rounding out the month is Summer Spotlight’s Performance Intensive and Tech Theatre Intensive July 12-27.  For high school and college students, the intensives provide an all-star experience and focused training in dance, theatre and technical theatre.

Serving as guest artists are:

• Dean McFlicker, the award-winning VP of Primetime Special Projects at NBC, who has worked on hit shows Smash, The Voice, America's Got Talent, and many more.  He's an accomplished choreographer and performer whose work is international.

• Jeremy Rich, who is currently casting the hit musical The Book of Mormon and has served as Global Casting Director for Disney.  He has worked in the stage and film industries for many years, and is currently based in Los Angeles.

• Tommy Newman, a TROY alumnus, is a musical theatre writer and composer and the winner of the Cole Porter ASCAP award among many other honors.  His work is in development in New York City and across the country.

Additionally, Theatre and Dance faculty members Quinton Cockrell, Chris Rich, Mike Schafer and Tori Lee Averett, Spotlight’s director, will also conduct classes at all three Summer Spotlight offerings.

“This is our fifth year with this program and every year it gets bigger and better,” said Averett, a TROY alumna, adjunct faculty member and musical theatre teacher in Georgia.

“Virtually all ages of students from pre-K through college students can benefit from Summer Spotlight,” she said.

For more information, or to register, call the Department of Theatre and Dance at 334-808-6142, email Lee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit the department online at www.troytheatre.org.

Anna Maria Mollica, left, of Alabaster, and Baine Ellis, of Cataula, Ga., rehearse with other members of the cast of the Troy University Department of Theatre and Dance’s Performance and Technical Theatre Intensive, a part of the department’s Summer Spotlight series, last summer. The pair were part of high school and entering freshmen students who participated in the camp, one of four hosted by the Department of Theatre and Dance in July.