Even the prospect of carrying heavy items in the blistering sun couldn’t keep new Troy University students from smiling as they moved onto campus this weekend.
For some of those starting their academic journeys, it felt more like a homecoming than a voyage into the unknown.
“As soon as I walked on campus, I felt like I was home,” said Olivia Scoper, an incoming freshman from Destin, Florida. “There’s a sense of family here. When we were on the tours, everybody here treated us like they knew us our whole lives, so that was cool.”
Prattville native Bailey Wilson knew where she wanted to attend college as early as her sophomore year in high school.
“I attended TROY on an SGA leadership conference about two years ago, and instantly I fell in love with the campus,” Wilson said. “It’s the perfect size, a home-away-from-home type of campus. They really are leadership-driven, and I’m drawn to that. They also have a top athletic training program, and that’s what I’m here to major in. I fell in love with the campus instantly — everything about it I love.”
For Jamia Jones, TROY’s academic reputation attracted her.
“It’s impressive to see the different varieties of academic programs [TROY] offers,” said Jones, a Phenix City resident who will also serve as a Trojan cheerleader. “I’m looking forward to getting to know more people, and of course the football games.”
Guitarist Matt Downs was looking for a place to practice his craft and pursue his passion, and he found that with TROY’s music industry program.
“I took classical guitar at an art school,” said Downs, who hails from Chattanooga, Tennessee. “I had a teacher who was friends with Dr. [Robert] Gibson, and they talked me into TROY. I’m looking forward to having my own time to manage, to set aside for practice. I brought some extra guitars, because they told me they’re hiring for jazz band. I love their practice rooms.”
Wilson plans to be heavily involved on campus, as she’s already applied to join Freshman Forum.
“I’m looking forward to becoming school-oriented but involved in student life as well,” she said. “I’ll definitely run for SGA at some point.”
Classes begin Wednesday at the Troy Campus.
