Troy University will welcome new students on Sunday with the Odyssey Convocation inside Trojan Arena on the Troy Campus.
The convocation will serve as the culminating event for Move-In Weekend, which begins on Saturday, and will start with a reception in the rotunda of Trojan Arena beginning at 1:30 p.m. followed by the event at 2:45 p.m. Fall semester classes on the Troy Campus will begin Wednesday, August 11.
“The Odyssey Convocation is a significant event in the life of Troy University because it signals the beginning of a student’s journey with the University,” said Herb Reeves, Dean of Student Services. “It is symbolic that their TROY journey will begin and end in Trojan Arena – first with the convocation serving as the starting point and then, with commencement celebrating the completion of their course of study. Odyssey represents a new chapter in the lives of our students and also enables them to become familiar with the traditions of TROY.”
The event will include a keynote address by Troy University alumna Josie Russell Young. The 2017 human services graduate helped residents of Wetumpka, Alabama bring their community to life in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover.”
Young, who works with her father’s company Russell Construction, served alongside HGTV’s Ben and Erin Napier as the show’s general contractor. Russell Construction worked with the Napiers to renovate the city of Wetumpka, including projects such as Jerry’s Barber Shop, the boutique Tapp 18, the Wetumpka Farmer’s Market and residences throughout the community.
“We designed and built all of the renovations in Wetumpka cohesively with Ben and Erin,” Young said of the experience. “We physically performed all of the work and did all of the planning and design on the front end. I was on site every day leading that charge for the show.”
The new student convocation will also include a welcome and introductions from Dr. Hal Fulmer, Dean of Undergraduate and First-Year Studies; greetings from Dr. Lance Tatum, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; remarks from TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.; and the traditional lighting of the Odyssey flame featuring academic deans and students from each of TROY’s five colleges. The Sound of the South Marching Band will perform the Troy University Alma Mater and head football Coach Chip Lindsey will lead the group in the singing of the TROY Fight Song, accompanied by the band.
