News stories this week...

Alumni Board backs a TSU name change

Students' rally focusing on TSU's identity crisis

TSU Police seek leads in robbery

Math professor takes annual Ingalls Award

CAMPUS POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Awards salute students for spiritual excellence

Bookworms get an 'A' from library's supporter

A little more

Alumni Board backs a TSU name change

Whitney McHugh, Editor

Students bearing Troy State University signs lined the hallway to the Adams Center Conference Room encouraging members of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors to pass a resolution to retain the name of the university.

Their effort failed.

The National Alumni Association Board of Directors passed a resolution that stated: "Now be it resolved that the National Alumni Association Board of Directors strongly recommends to the TSU Board of Trustees that it upgrade the TSU football program to NCAA Division IA, and, be it further resolved that the National Alumni Association supports the TSU Board of Trustees should they choose to change the name of the university."

Brad Dunning, board member and director of human resources at Amoco Corp. in Atlanta, said he was in favor of the name change.

"If we want to be the third university in the state, we must have a better name," he said. "The name change aides our quest to go to Division 1A football, and semester conversion ties in real well because the cost is not so astronomical."

Several board members decided to support the name change after reading a marketing report.

The report, believed be funded by individuals on the board, was released only to the board members, said Faith Ward, director of Alumni Affairs.

Mickey Holmes, board member and manager of the accounting division of the Alabama State Treasury, said the report was the main reason for his decision to support the name change.

The report said that outside a 400 mile radius, Troy State was not well known, said Holmes.

But Holmes said he is not completely sold on the name change.

"Within my heart, I wonder if a good marketing effort and move to Division IA football would not make us known," he said. "I wonder if that would not be thing to do. Maybe we should take the money and effort and make TSU known."

The Board's decision to support the Board of Trustees surprised Tony Harris, president of the Journalism Alumni Association.

"I'm surprised the National Alumni Association Board passed a resolution endorsing a name change for the university especially since the opinions I've heard were (overwhelmingly) opposed to that kind of action," he said.

So far three alumni chapters passed resolutions opposing the name change, Dothan, Emerald Coast and Azalea City chapters.

The Emerald Coast resolution stated "If a name change is adopted by Troy State University, the Emerald Coast Chapter will immediately disband and return its charter."

The Azalea City Chapter's resolution stated the chapter will "cease chartering advancement if this change occurs."

David Johnson, TSUD coordinator for Student and Alumni Activities, said that the Dothan chapter was opposed to the change but would not disband if the change occurred.

"Well the chapter executive committee voiced the opinion that the name should stay the same," he said. "They hope the Board of Trustees will vote to remain the same. They wouldn't create anarchy if the board voted to change the name and would still continue to support TSU."

Dunning said that despite opposition to the name change by alumni, the board was a good representative of the 60,000 alumni.

"The board is a very diverse group," he said. "Some were for and some against. We felt that however the board voted would be how the 60,000 alumni would vote if they had all the facts and reports we did. The majority would vote to make the name change."

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Students' rally focusing on TSU's identity crisis

Carmen Coursey, Staff Writer

Students, faculty and staff wearing TSU paraphenalia will gather on the quad today to show their support for Troy State University's name.

The Student Governmet Association is sponsoring the rally which begins Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

"We're holding this rally in celebration of TSU," said Erin Johnson, SGA President. "It's an effort to show the Board of Trustees how much we love TSU and the name it holds."

Johnson will speak at the rally along with City Councilman Jason Reeves and Dr. Jim Vickrey, chair of the Department of Speech and Theater.

"I'm just going to speak on behalf of the student body," she said. "I'm going to tell them reasons why many students came to this school and why they love the name."

As a member of the TSU Identity Commitee, Vickrey plans to discuss the positive things about the university image in regards to the committee's work.

"This rally is a positive jesture to say there is brand equity in the university's name and any reasons brought forward to change that name should be compelling," said Vickrey. "I do hope those who think the name should be changed will come forward to discuss their reasons."

Vickrey hopes the rally will have a positive impact.

"I don't know that this is directed to the Board of Trustees, but I do hope that in June or a future date they will give consideration of the viewpoints of all constituents of the school," said Vickrey.

Johnson hopes the students voices will make a difference.

"I think we're an influential part of the decision making process ," said Johnson. "It'll definately show the Board of Trustees that the students want to retain the name Troy State University. We love being the Trojans."

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TSU Police seek leads in robbery

Mark Skinner, News Editor

Troy State University Police continue to investigate the robbery of two people in an Alumni Hall dorm room.

The robbery occurred shortly after midnight on May 17, said Michael Sibley, director of Public Affairs.

The robber knocked on the door of the dorm room and entered the room when the door was opened.

The student was bound and gagged with duct tape, Sibley said.

When the student's friend returned from the bathroom, she also was gagged and tied up with duct tape, Sibley said.

The robber then searched the room. He took a credit card and a set of car keys, Sibley said.

Officials are urging students to take extra precautions.

Students should be conscious of their surroundings and to contact University Police if they see anyone suspicious, said Rod Anderson, Assistant chief of the Troy State University Police Department.

Herb Reeves, residence life director, said that he has asked University Police to make regular walk-throughs in Alumni Hall and to increase their presence around the women's dorms.

Students also are being encouraged to be cautious and identify anyone who knocks on their door before opening it.

Also, more than 500 "peepholes" have been ordered for the residence hall rooms, Reeves said.

The peepholes will arrive in eight days to two weeks so installation will probably not be finished by the end of the quarter, Reeves said.

Clements Hall will be the first to get the peepholes, because it will be in used during the summer. But all halls will have the peepholes by fall quarter, Reeves said.

"I don't think anyone really imagined something like this would happen," Reeves said.

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Math professor takes annual Ingalls Award

Mark Skinner, News Editor

In only his second year at TSU, Mike Hudak won the Ingalls Award for teaching excellence at the Honors Convocation May 11.

Hudak began teaching mathematics as a graduate student in 1978 and is now in his twentieth year of teaching.

"I'm very appreciative of the students who took the time to nominate me and the Ingalls committee memberswho took the time to come and sit down in classes, I like to thank them" Hudak said.

"I haven't had a chance to thank them personally."

He said that her cares about his teaching and puts time into it, but he is not super teacher. "There is plenty of room for improvement I will tell you that," Hudak said.

Hudak said he was surprised to win the award but knew that he was a finalist because members of the Ingalls Committee asked to sit in on his classes.

"I was told that I was the winner of the award the afternoon of the convocation, and that I had better show up that night," he said.

Hudak is teaching an overload this quarter so he hasn't had time to celebrate but hopes to after the quarter ends.

Hudak began college at Cornell University studying engineering, but after two years he decided he didn't want to be an engineer.

"I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do in the meantime, so I left school and worked for a while and ended up going back to school in Ohio," Hudak said.

At Ohio University, he focused on mathematics instead of the sciences and went on to earn all of his degrees there.

Hudak is still taking classes but now they are in guitar and voice.

"I think its a good idea to be student as well as a teacher, it helps remind you of the pains of learning," Hudak said.

The Ingalls Award winner is selected for his diligence, effectiveness, cheerfulness and outstanding conduction of his class during the current academic year, said Dr. Eugene Omasta, Ingalls Committee adviser and professor of Physical Science and Chemistry.

Hudak received a plaque, a statue of Socrates and $1,000.

He is thinking about giving half of it to the TSU scholarship fund.

"I think that would be a good way to recirculate it," Hudak said. "I am not much of a money oriented person, or I would not be a teacher." teaching profession."

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CAMPUS POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

May 6: There was a two-vehicle accident in the Long Hall Parking Lot at 10:25 a.m. There were no injuries.

May 12: There was a two-vehicle accident in the Tennis Court Parking Lot at 2:15 p.m. There were no injuries.

May 16: There were reports of fireworks at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon House at 2:35 a.m. and 3:05 a.m.

May 17: Robbery: see page 1.

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Awards salute students for spiritual excellence

Heather Heinike, Features Editor

The winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards for 1998-99 were announced at Troy State University's annual Honors Convocation Monday, May 11.

Kelley Taylor, of Troy; Jason Bryant, of Webb; and Robert Templin of Albany, Ga., were chosen to receive the awards.

The Sullivan awards are presented annually at TSU to one graduating female student, one graduating male student and one non-student.

The awards are granted to individuals who exercise exemplary leadership and possess noticeable spiritual qualities.

"The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards recognize the leaders among us who have developed distinct spiritual qualities that serve our larger community," said Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. "Each of the recipients has been honored for their dedication to high ideals and principles, and we salute them for their efforts."

Jason Bryant, winner of the award and graduate student said he was really shocked and excited to receive the award.

"It was an honor to be nominated," said Bryant. "It's always in the back of your mind how prestigious it is. It is a real honor to represent TSU in that way."

The criteria for selection suggested by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation states that the award is given "only in recognition of fine spiritual qualities, practically applied to daily living, as distinct from high scholarship, athletic achievement, success in business, professional ability, political leadership or more worldly prominence in any calling."

Each recipient received a university citation and a medallion and citation from the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation. The recipients are nominated by TSU students, staff and faculty.

The awards program began in 1981 when the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation approved TSU to grant an award that celebrates "nobility of character."

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Bookworms get an 'A' from library supporter

Mark Skinner, News Editor

Troy State University's ninth annual Book Token Award was presented to Dr. Scott Thornsley at a ceremony in the Library on April 22.

The award recognizes faculty members for their support of the Library and their efforts to encourage students to use the facility , said Henry Stewart, dean of University Libraries.

Thornsley, a assistant professor of Criminal Justice, said that since he came to TSU in Fall of 1996 he required all of his classes to go through the Library's instruction program.

"Students have to go to the library if they want to do well," Thornsley said.

Thornsley said that the ability to successfully use a library is essential to students after graduation.

All of his classes have a writing assignment that requires the use of the library, and students must go to the library to get class notes, readings or look up the answers to questions on his test, he said.

Students find this information by using a variety of resources.

Students can't just use the Internet, he said.

They look up information using the library's reference section, journals and government publications.

Computers are just a way of getting information, Thornsley said.

Thornsley said he has been very satisfied with the Library and its people.

"I've just taken advantage of the Library and have been pleased," he said.

Thornsley said that when he is asked by the Library about what new books or videos were needed the Library got them.

Faculty is nominated for the award by the Library's Collection, Development and Management Committee.

The Committee also votes on the award winners.

The winner receives a plaque and their name is added to the plaque of winners in the Library.

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