TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Freshmen at Troy are learning what it’s like to be a Trojan following an introductory pep rally that’s held every year the day before classes begin.
Culture plays a major part in the identity of a university, and sometimes it may be difficult for new students to align with that identity. Tuesday’s Odyssey Convocation attempted to open the door for those students by highlighting a defining element of Troy’s culture: tradition.
“I think tradition is something that students just grasp ahold of, in today’s time, they love that,” said Associate Dean of Student Services, Dr. Korrie Lynn Williamson. “Talking to students from years ago or thinking in future terms, our students are going to be able to say ‘Oh I was able to do that, that was so fun.’
“Or maybe their children or grandchildren will have the same experience. I think that is just what allows Troy to be different.”
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The event was held by Troy University’s Welcome Week committee. Tailyah Speights is a director on that committee and she says she regrets not taking advantage of more opportunities such as Odyssey.
“I think I really needed that pep talk,” Speights said. “I needed to hear from our chancellor, our SGA president, everyone who did speak.
“I know he spoke about study abroad so that was something I just didn’t know about until well into my second semester.”
In the following semesters, Speights did get more involved and built a love and appreciation for Troy. Now, she hopes to instill that Trojan Pride into new students.
“During the summer, I heard a lot of negative opinions from students like maybe Troy wasn’t their first option,” Speights said. “I feel like this is a great way to show that this is a great school, a school you would want to be at.
“There’s so many things to offer to so many different students and so I just think it gets them more excited like ‘Hey, I really do love this school.’”
This event was just one of many Welcome Week events with a shared goal: helping new students become a part of Troy’s culture. Directly after Odyssey Convocation, students made their way out to Tailgate Terrace for Trojan Night Out where they were further immersed in that culture.
