TROY News Center

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

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 -- 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.

COLUMBUS, Ga.—The president of Columbus Technical College, J. Robert Jones, told Troy University graduates Friday night that life is not easy, or fair, but education can help them overcome challenges.

Jones delivered the keynote address during a joint commencement ceremony for the Phenix City Campus and the Columbus/Fort Benning Site on Friday, May 24, at the Columbus Civic Center. Some 314 students earned degrees this spring in Phenix City and Columbus/Fort Benning.

"When you were born, no one promised you an easy life," Jones said.

Life will throw you curves and obstacles, but the key is to learn from mistakes and pick yourself up from failures, Jones said.

"No matter what you do in life, there are consequences to your actions," Jones said. "You can't undo your mistakes, but you can learn from them."

There is no formula for easy success, but Jones challenged graduates to rely on their education and skills to overcome challenges.

"Life works great in theory, but you have to know how to think for yourself when the theory fails and the formula changes," he said.

As newly minted leaders, Jones challenged graduates to ask questions and innovate.

"Challenge the status quo," he said. "If you don't do that, we will never move forward."

Jones has been president of Columbus Technical College since 1999. His tenure has seen a threefold growth in enrollment, an expanded campus and a host of new degrees and programs in high growth areas.

J. Robert Jones, the president of Columbus Technical College, addresses Troy University graduates during a joint commencement ceremony for the Phenix City Campus and the Columbus/Fort Benning Site on Friday, May 24, at the Columbus Civic Center. (TROY photo/Kevin Glackmeyer)

TROY – Troy University’s Small Business Development Center and the Alabama Procurement Technical Assistance Center will offer a free seminar to small businesses wanting to do business with the federal government.

“Working with a Small Business Specialist” will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 4 at the Soldier Service Center, Room 282, Building 5700 at Fort Rucker. The center is located on Novosel Street. The seminar presenter is Fort Rucker’s small business specialist Michael Faire.

Each federal agency has a small business program and many have a small business specialist who serves as a liaison between the agency and the small businesses that want to sell to them, said Judy Callin, a senior consultant with the TROY SBDC.

“Selling to the federal government can be a complicated and frustrating process, but working with a specialist can help simplify it. This program is designed to help area small businesses learn to navigate that system,” she said.

Registration for the event is online at http://bit.ly/12W8ExU, or contact Callin at 334-674-2425.