TROY News Center

DOTHAN—Whether its gluing marshmallow teeth into a model mouth or making straw paper rockets, Troy University education majors are working hands on this summer helping local children learn more about science, math and technology.

The Summer Spectacular learning enrichment program held each year by the College of Education at the Dothan Campus gives junior and senior education majors classroom management experience while providing a fun educational environment for children.

Open to children ages 4 to 12, the four-week camp is under way this month at Kelly Springs Elementary School in Dothan, with about 80 children taking part. The camp’s last day is June 27.

Julie Sanders, a senior early childhood education major from Goshen, has been working in the “Human Body Classroom,” leading children through crafts and activities designed to teach about human anatomy and physiology.

“We put together our own lesson plans each day, which has been great experience,” Sanders said.

Daryl Williams, a senior elementary education major from Marianna, Fla., said Summer Spectacular keeps the student teachers on their toes as students of varying ages and ability levels are grouped together into class each day.

“You don’t really know what to expect until you get into the classroom each day,” Williams said. “It’s always a challenge, but we are learning a lot.”

The theme for this summer’s program is “Kids as NASA Scientists,” and each classroom is focusing on a different aspect of math, science or technology, from robotics to environmental science.

Dr. Cynthia Hicks, assistant professor of reading education and one of the coordinators for Summer Spectacular, said the curriculum is project based and designed to be interactive and hands-on.

“The lessons are designed to introduce a topic and encourage exploration and investigation,” Dr. Hicks said.

The Dothan Campus has been holding Summer Spectacular for more than 15 years as a way for education majors taking classes during the summer to get classroom hours even while schools are out. This year, 38 TROY student teachers are participating.

The program’s closing ceremony will be on Thursday, June 27, at 10 a.m. inside the Kelly Springs cafeteria.

Troy University education major Iris Helms leads a group of students through an experiment illustrating the water cycle at the Summer Spectacular learning program under way this month in Dothan. Organized by the College of Education at the Dothan Campus, the four-week program provides a fun learning environment for local children while giving TROY student teachers classroom management experience. (TROY photo/Matt Clower)

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—For the fifth year, a group from Troy University will spend part of the summer in Israel working with a team of scholars and students excavating the ancient seaport city of Ashkelon.

Five TROY students, under the direction of anthropology professor Dr. Bill Grantham, will spend June 9 through July 20 working and learning alongside top scholars in the fields of Near Eastern and biblical archaeology. The expedition is part of TROY’s ongoing partnership with Harvard University, Wheaton College, Boston College and the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon.

Located on a 150-acre site alongside the Mediterranean in southern Israel, the Ashkelon area is home to at least 20 ancient cities dating from at 3500 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Canaanite, Philistine, Babylonian, Persian, Phoencian and Israeli civilizations are reflected in the strata of the excavation.

Students participating in the expedition will gain hands-on experience in various archaeological techniques and will participate in training workshops. The team will also take field trips to other archeological sites including Jerusalem, King Herod’s fortress at Masada and the Dead Sea.

Students making the trip include:

• Joel Jackson, a senior anthropology major from Millbrook, Ala.

• Steven Sharpe, a junior anthropology major from Troy, Ala.

• Ben Conner, a senior anthropology major from Prattville, Ala.

• Kassandra Williams, a senior anthropology major from Ozark, Ala.

• Hanna Raughton, a junior criminal justice and geomatics major from Fort Payne, Ala.

Each candidate has extensive field experience or training and exhibits a strong work ethic and willingness to learn, said Dr. Grantham, who also serves as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

‘TROY students are unique among their peers in that they bring with them a specialized skill that is rare among undergraduates,” Dr. Grantham said. “Participation in the excavations at Ashkelon provides TROY students with opportunities to refine their specializations and apply the skills they have learned in the anthropology program at TROY.”

For the fifth year, a group from Troy University will spend part of the summer in Israel working with a team of scholars and students excavating the ancient seaport city of Ashkelon. Making the trip are (from left to right) Joel Jackson, a senior anthropology major from Millbrook; Steven Sharpe, a junior anthropology major from Troy; Ben Conner, a senior anthropology major from Prattville; Hanna Raughton, a junior criminal justice and geomatics major from Fort Payne and Kassandra Williams, a senior anthropology major from Ozark. 

DOTHAN—Troy University has appointed ten students to serve as the Dothan Campus Ambassadors for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Dothan Campus Ambassadors work to represent and promote TROY in the community, during campus functions and throughout the University’s service area. They serve and assist the office of student development in student recruitment, orientation and registration.

The 2013-2014 Dothan Campus Ambassadors are:

• Phillip Bennett, a senior math education major from Dothan
• Jennifer Coleman, a senior criminal justice major from Cottonwood
• Kellie Detter, an English graduate student from Dothan
• Kristie DeWolfe, a junior biology major from Newville
• Ragan Garrett, a senior criminal justice major from Dothan
• Becky Johnson, a history education graduate student from Dothan
• Sarah Marsh, a senior applied computer science major from Dothan
• Emily Norton, a senior pre-professional biology major from Dothan
• Phillip Pinyan, a senior English major from Dothan
• Melissa Ward, a junior English major from Dothan 

 

New ambassadors are chosen from a pool of applicants each spring.

Troy University recently appointed ten students to serve as the Dothan Campus Ambassadors for the 2013-2014 academic year. From left to right, the new ambassadors are (front row) Kellie Detter, an English graduate student from Dothan; Becky Johnson, a history education graduate student from Dothan; Melissa Ward, a junior English major from Dothan; Jennifer Coleman, a senior criminal justice major from Cottonwood; (back row) Sarah Marsh, a senior applied computer science major from Dothan; Phillip Bennett, a senior math education major from Dothan; Phillip Pinyan, a senior English major from Dothan; Ragan Garrett, a senior criminal justice major from Dothan and Emily Norton a senior pre-professional biology major from Dothan. Not pictured is Kristie DeWolfe, a junior biology major from Newville. New ambassadors are chosen from a pool of applicants each spring. (TROY photo)

TROY – Nearly 1,000 athletes with intellectual and functional disabilities and about 350 of their coaches and chaperons will compete May 17-19 in the Special Olympics Alabama State Games at Troy University.

This year’s event marks the seventh year Special Olympians have competed at TROY.

Competitions will include 11 sports conducted both on the Troy Campus and at venues in the city of Troy and Montgomery, beginning with the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. May 17 in Trojan Arena. The ceremony will include a parade of athletes and entertainment.

The opening ceremonies are preceded by the Special Olympics Torch Run by law enforcement officers state wide. In Troy, the run will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the City of Troy Police Department. The route will take runners south on South Brundidge Street and onto University Avenue, arriving at Sartain Hall about 2:15 p.m.

Sporting events begin on May 18 at 9 a.m. at various venues. Sport events include swimming, gymnastics, equestrian, bowling, track and field, softball, bocce, power lifting, cycling, flag football and golf. A Victory Dance will be held Saturday night.

Closing ceremonies will be conducted May 19 and will include a memorial service for those athletes who have died in the past year.

“The athletes are very excited to be returning to TROY,” said Dean of Students Herb Reeves. “Not only would we extend an invitation for students and community members to participate in the special ceremonies, but volunteers are very important in order to make this event a success,” he said.

To volunteer, contact Reeves at 334-670-3202 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

“We invite you to visit, cheer or volunteer to assist the athletes in having the best time ever.  Your interest and help is greatly appreciated,” he said.