TROY News Center

August 4, 2011

Welcome Weekend kicks off fall semester at Troy University

TROY- Troy University's "Welcome Weekend 2011," scheduled for the Troy Campus on Aug. 13-14, will include the official move-in day for on-campus residents and the seventh annual Odyssey Convocation for New Students.

Students will be able to move into the University's residence halls beginning on Saturday, Aug. 13, and a number of TROY faculty and staff, as well as members of the community will be on hand to assist with hospitality and moving between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fall semester classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 17, on the Troy Campus.

"Welcome Weekend is a great way for the Troy University community to help our students become acquainted with our campus and community," said Charlesetta T. Jones, coordinator of the event.

For more information about Welcome Weekend, contact the Troy University Housing Office at 334-670-3346.

Troy University alumnus Carl Cole will serve as the keynote speaker for the Odyssey Convocation for new students on Sunday, Aug.14, which will also feature an address by TROY Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr. The convocation, designed to introduce new students to the University's customs, traditions, people and places, will begin at 3 p.m. in Trojan Arena.

"The Odyssey Convocation is mile marker zero of the University journey for our entering students," said Dr. Hal Fulmer, associate provost of undergraduate studies and dean of first year studies. "It's an opportunity to bring the members of the Class of 2011 together and formally signal the beginning of their new experiences as Troy University Trojans."

Cole currently serves as a partner in the law firm of EysterKey in Decatur and is registered as a mediator by the State of Alabama. He graduated from TROY with a degree in political science in 1997. He was named the University's Political Science Student of the Year in 1995 and was a member of numerous honor societies during his time at TROY. Cole received a juris doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of law in 2000.

Cole is a member of Rotary International and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. He is past president of Troy University's Young Alumni Council. In 2004, Cole was the Democratic Party nominee for the District 4 seat in the United States House of Representatives.

August 4, 2011

Troy University Society for Human Resources Management earns national award
 

MONTGOMERY—The national Society for Human Resources Management has recognized Troy University's SHRM chapter at the Montgomery Campus as one of the top student chapters in the nation.

The Montgomery Campus SHRM chapter has received the organization's Superior Merit Award for its outstanding service and advancement of the human resources profession.

The recognition puts TROY's Montgomery SHRM among only 109 student chapters nationwide to receive the Superior Merit distinction. SHRM has about 450 student chapters nationally with about 15,000 members.

"This is a notable achievement," said the club's faculty advisor, Dr. David Hoover. "I want to thank the students on our executive committee for all their hard work and dedication. With another good class of officers on board, we look forward to another strong year ahead."

SHRM student chapters provide students studying human resources and related fields the opportunity to network and learn more about the world of business.

 

 

   

August 1, 2011

Veteran economic developer tapped to lead TROY's Center for International Business and Economic Development
 

TROY – Veteran economic developer Wiley Blankenship has been named director of the Center for International Business and Economic Development at Troy University.

Blankenship has been president/CEO of the Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority since 2005. The Authority is a partnership between Clarke, Choctaw, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties.

"Mr. Blankenship possesses a unique blend of local and international economic development experience that is ideal to fulfill the mission of our center," said Dr. Judson Edwards, Dean of the Sorrell College of Business and the Center's former director.

"Under his leadership, I have no doubt we will expand our educational and technical assistance activities, thus providing a positive impact for many Alabama communities," he said.

Blankenship earned degrees from Auburn University and the University of Georgia's Institute of Organizational Management, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his work with the Authority, Blankenship was a service partner with Funding Solutions, an Austin, Texas-based community and economic development firm and consulted with a number of Alabama development organizations.

From 1995 until 2000, he was vice-president of Business Development and Workforce Development for the Decatur-Morgan County (Ala.) Chamber of Commerce.

Since 2001, Blankenship has served as a guest lecturer at Auburn University for the Economic Development Institute, where he taught courses on developing and implementing rural retail development programs and community development programs. He has also served on the board of directors of the Business Council of Alabama, the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council-Region 9 and the Alabama Technology Network.