Graduation is a milestone for every Troy University student, but for Sara Shoffner, it will be truly history making.

When Shoffner crosses the stage in Trojan Arena on Friday, she will become the first student to earn a doctor of philosophy degree at TROY.

“It’s just really a great honor for me to be the first to graduate,” Hoffner said. “Throughout my time in the program, doing the coursework was great. The faculty we have and the support was excellent.”

Shoffner is the first student to complete the Ph.D. in Sport Management, which TROY was approved to offer in 2014. It is TROY’s first doctor of philosophy degree program, but is the University’s second doctoral-level degree, following the launch of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

“It’s kind sinking in what that means to me,” Shoffner said. “I’ll be so honored and so proud to represent TROY and walk across that stage.”

Shoffner is currently an assistant professor of sport management at Huntingdon College, and plans to continue pursuing her passion for teaching.

“I feel like this is my purpose and my calling,” she said.

Check out the full interview with TROY’s history making sport management grad: