A few weeks ago, I received a message from a young man named Duc Dang, who was
an honor graduate in our first commencement class in Vietnam in 2008. Duc is a successful junior executive with Samsung and he appreciates the doors that have been opened by his Troy University degree.

      The closing lines of Duc Dang’s message made my day. He said,
                                    
      It is indeed a great time to be a Trojan. Despite the challenges presented by the downturn in the national economy, Troy University is making progress in areas ranging from academics to campus improvements to athletics.

      We received evidence of our progress just a few weeks ago when Forbes Magazine named Troy University the top public university in Alabama in its 2009 college and university survey. This was one of the more significant institutional awards we have received over the last 20 years. In addition, we were also named one of 141 “Best in the Southeast” universities by the Princeton Review. This marked the fifth straight year Troy University has received this honor.

      Other good news came in the form of specialized academic accreditation for our entire College of Education, our Associate Degree Program in Nursing, our School of Music and our Public Administration degree program. While education, nursing and music have held specialized accreditation for many years, the formal reaffirmation of this status for these programs is a welcome “seal of approval.”

      Our public administration program is the second largest in the nation, serving students across 10 states and three nations. The initial accreditation of this program by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration shows that this program offers quality as well as quantity.

      Our ability to serve students took a major step forward recently with the action by the Board of Trustees approving the construction of a new dining facility and a new fraternity village. The dining facility will serve 1,000 students at a time, compared to the 400 we can currently serve at our current facility. The new 40,000 square-foot dining hall will feature options such as food court-style dining as well as traditional cafeteria dining.

      We were able to secure the bonds to construct these new facilities in large part because of sound financial management of our trustees and leadership team. We have achieved an A1 rating by Moody’s Investor Services, which means that we have maintained our financial position amid the current credit crisis. The new fraternity village will be located on Pell Avenue on the site of existing fraternity row. Demolition of the outdated fraternity houses has already taken place. The fraternities will lease the new housing from the University, which means that the housing will pay for itself over time. Both capital projects will enhance our ability to provide the best possible service to students.

      Another capital project that will serve students well is the renovation and expansion of Bibb Graves Hall, our oldest building and home of the Sorrell College of Business. The Palladium that crowns it is our most enduring symbol, known to Trojans all over the world. It is the centerpiece of the original campus plan that the Olmsted Brothers designed for Troy University back in the 1920s.

      The renovation project will include a 40,000 square-foot expansion and will upgrade each classroom with modern technology. This project would not have been possible without the leadership of Gov. Bob Riley, who designated $8 million for the expansion. This support from Gov. Riley speaks volumes about the importance of our College of Business and its involvement in economic development activities across our state, nation, and world.

      The major project in our immediate capital improvement plan is the construction of a new
arena-convocation center for the Troy Campus. This 135,000 square-foot facility will be the home of our basketball and volleyball programs, but it will also serve as a venue for commencement and major cultural and entertainment events on campus. It will be completed in time for the 2011 basketball season and spring commencement in May 2012.

      There is an old story that says the difference between involvement and commitment is best illustrated by a ham-and-egg breakfast. The chicken was involved, but the hog was committed. I am proud that our University has launched several initiatives that allow our students to demonstrate their commitment to others.

      In 2006, my wife Janice, along with the Student Government Association and the Office of Alumni Services, began an initiative we call “Troy for Troops.” This is an effort to identify and thank current students, alumni, faculty or staff members—or members of their immediate families— who are on active military duty. The ongoing project has included the shipment of care packages and “TROY for Troops” T-shirts to members of the armed services serving in combat zones.

      The latest project of “Troy for Troops” is the sale of a commemorative coin that was developed by Brian Embry, a former SGA senator and Iraqi war veteran. Profits from the sale of the coins will be used to buy and ship coins to service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troy University has a long history of respect for and service to our military, and I am pleased that our students are continuing the tradition.

      An initiative which has potential to become a lasting Trojan tradition is the formation of a Student Alumni Association. Our goal is to better engage our younger alumni beginning even before they graduate. Each student is offered a free, one-year Alumni Association membership upon graduation. I have told our faculty and staff that while we are just passing through, a great University is forever. We are committed to engaging our students and alumni for life. Encourage your student to get involved in this effort. It will add value to their degree from Troy University.

      Another way to add value to a Troy University degree is by supporting financial aid for deserving students from our four Alabama campuses through the Trojan Pride Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by the sale of Troy University automobile license plates. The gift of $50 is tax-deductible, and $48 goes to scholarships. If you buy the tag for your student’s vehicle, we also waive the campus parking fee. Join the almost 5,000 Alabama residents who have shown their support for our students through the purchase of a TROY license plate.

      As we approach the end of 2009, we at Troy University are beginning the formation of our 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. This is one of our most important duties, because it allows the administration, faculty, and staff to translate our commitment to excellent student service and high-quality academic offerings into several action steps. We are in the beginning stages of developing this plan, which will be built upon several bold goals. Let me a share with you a few items of interest that may be included in our next plan:

• An honors college for our best and brightest students. This is a “must” if we are to continue to attract high-caliber students. President Kennedy said, “A rising tide floats all boats.” Attracting the best students possible will raise the bar for all.
• Increase standards for admission. Two years ago our Board of Trustees raised the standards for admission. We have seen the results, as our current student body has never been stronger.
• Expand and improve study-abroad opportunities for our students. Last year's destinations included Russia, England, Spain, Sweden, Italy, China, and Costa Rica, but we must make this valuable opportunity available and affordable. By studying abroad, our students will become more competitive in a tight job market that is increasingly global in nature.

      Intercollegiate athletics are an important part of the TROY experience, and I am pleased to report that this has been a good fall for Trojan sports. Our Trojan football squad finished with a 9-3 regular season record and our fourth straight Sun Belt Conference championship. This means our Trojans will compete in our fourth bowl game in six years. We want you and your family to support the Trojans this bowl season, so call the Trojan Ticket Office at 888-878-WINS to order your tickets today.

      In addition, our soccer and volleyball teams had their best seasons in several years and our men's tennis team finished off the fall portion of its schedule by winning seven of nine matches over Auburn University, then ranked 21st in the nation.

      Looking ahead to winter sports, our men's and women's basketball teams are coming off their best seasons ever in the Sun Belt and our men's team is predicted to finish among the league leaders again in the 2009-2010 season.

      I began this letter talking about Duc Dang. In 2008, Duc gave the students' address at our first commencement in Vietnam. He said, "Troy has given me the knowledge and expertise necessary for participating in the competitive global economy. Now that I am graduating and well-prepared, I am confident that, no matter which path I choose in life, whether to continue studying or to work, I will be able to realize my dreams."

      It is our goal to prepare each of our students—from Troy to Vietnam—to realize their dreams. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and guide your students.

      Sincerely,

      Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D.