TALK OF TROY
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On Wednesday, Troy students gathered to discuss the current event topic: North Korea and Nuclear Proliferation. Talk of Troy is hosted once a month by The Office of Civic Engagement. The Coordinator to Civic Engagement, started by explaining nuclear proliferation. Next, a timeline of the North Korean conflict dated from 2016 to the present was passed out to each student.
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The students in attendance were divided into two groups to discuss different ways that the United States can deal with North Korea. Students were given 12 minutes to consider both diplomatic and military solutions with their group members.
The two groups presented similar options for both dealing with North Korea diplomatically and with military, but the mood in the room changed when one student stood up to speak.
A student from Nepal presented a very different argument that seemed to invoke thought throughout the whole room. He argued that the United States should do everything possible to avoid war with North Korea and went on to remind everyone of the devastation of war. He explained how people do not understand the consequences of military action until it directly affects them, and told about how he had to live firsthand through a civil war in Nepal.
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After both groups presented their opinions of how to deal with North Korea, the event began to wind down. Students were reminded of consequences for each type of action that can be taken to deal with North Koreas threats.
To conclude, students were challenged to pay closer attention to certain current events and consider what actions should be taken by the United States
Kappa Delta Fall Shamrock
Nationally, Kappa Delta sorority has had a longtime commitment to making a difference. In 1981, Kappa Delta began supporting Prevent Child Abuse America. A Kappa Delta sister, Donna Stone, founded PCAA, which makes the cause more relevant to the sorority nationally.
Since 1984, Kappa Delta chapters across the country have hosted Shamrock events to raise money and awareness for the prevention of child abuse both locally and nationally. Shamrock events are unique to each chapter across the country but are used to represent events and weeks dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Kappa Delta’s philanthropy.
Each chapter of Kappa Delta donates to efforts at both the national and local level. 80 percent of the money raised by Kappa Delta at Troy University stays local in Pike County and is donated to the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center. The other 20 percent raised supports Prevent Child Abuse America, a national program.
The Delta Delta chapter of Kappa Delta at Troy University hosts both a Fall and Spring Shamrock. The focus of Fall Shamrock is to raise awareness to help prevent child abuse.
The Delta Delta chapter’s Fall Shamrock was held this past week, and sisters focused on telling people on campus and in the community about their philanthropy and the importance of helping children who often can not help themselves.
At Troy University, Shamrock week included many events: Chalk The Campus where sisters went around campus writing child abuse facts in chalk on the sidewalks, selling pinwheels at a table in the Trojan Center, handing out information on the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center, and handing out suckers that say “Child Abuse SUCKS.”
Since Fall Shamrock is also an opportunity for Kappa Delta to raise money for their Philanthropy, they hosted two Spirit Nights. October 3 at Zaxby’s and October 5 at Panda Express. To end their week on a fun note, they sold Popsicle’s to “POP child abuse” on campus on Friday.
The Trojan Spirit was alive and well on campus throughout the past week. The Battle for the Belt is a much-anticipated rivalry between the Troy Trojans and the South Alabama Jaguars. The Student Government Association and the Student Alumni Association host many events to fire students up throughout the week leading up to the Battle for the Belt. The week leading up to the big game is better known around Troy as "rivalry week"
Rivalry week has grown in popularity over the past few years. Events that have become the most popular among troy students include "trash talking" the University of South Alabama, the "Car Bash" that allows students to take a hit at a car painted in South Alabama colors to represent "beating or bashing south".
Troy students seem to participate very well throughout football season in pep rally's for home games. This week, students showed extra enthusiasm at the rivalry week pep rally held at the Trojan arena on Tuesday night. The pep rally was the night before the big game, and was an opportunity for players to see the support they had from the student body.
The Sound of the South and its auxiliary along with the Troy cheerleaders did a great job of leading the crowd to cheer for the Trojans. Student organizations brought signs, shakers, and noisemakers to battle it out for the Spirit Stick award.
Students had the opportunity to hear from Brandon Silvers and Jordan Chunn, two prominent members of the football team. Head Football Coach Neal Brown was greeted by fans chanting “We want Neal!” His speech enticed all who were in attendance to listen closely, and every time he paused the crowd would erupt in cheering. Brown thanked everyone for his or her support at the game in Baton Rouge against Louisiana State University, but had one very clear message. He asked students to focus their attention to cheering on the Trojans at this week’s game with that same enthusiasm they had the week before.
RIVALRY WEEK PEP RALLY
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FINAL PROJECT: ISCO
Troy University is home to many students from around the world. Known as Alabama’s international university, Troy currently has students studying here from 76 countries. Troy University’s International Students Cultural Organization, better known as ISCO, is an organization on campus dedicated to bringing international students and American students together in an educational and social atmosphere to learn about other cultures.
Typically, the organization meets biweekly on Thursday nights at Hal Hall on Troy’s main campus. Sylvia Li, Director of Special International Initiatives, says, “The idea behind ISCO is to be an umbrella organization for all of the international students.”
Although the name of ISCO indicates that it is specifically for international students alone, Li says “American students can participate in this organization as well. It is for American students and international students to interact and communicate with each other.”
Li says ISCO offers a fun and inviting environment for students, “A lot of people like to come here to meet friends. Not everybody comes from a place where there are a lot of students together.”
ISCO’s biweekly meetings take turns focusing on different countries. Students can take pride in their home when they present their country to their peers. Here is a video of Tunisia Night:
I went live on Facebook to talk with different people in attendance at the ISCO meeting. I first spoke with Anh Nguyen off camera, and she says, “For me, the best part is the ISCO Festival. We put so much work into it as an organization, and it’s amazing to see all of the talents from around the world come together to present in one show.” Check out what others had to say, here:
Tea for Troy is a branch of ISCO and allows students a separate meeting time to gather and have fellowship. Different cultures have their own unique kinds of tea, the same concept is used at Tea For Troy and ISCO. Different cultures are coming together for fellowship and learning. Sylvia Li says, “We have our differences, but everyone can find common values when we come together at these meetings.”
Food and drinks tend to bring people together, and on Thursday night, people had the opportunity to try authentic Tunisian dishes.
Many people are aware of the fact that Troy University is culturally diverse, however, they might not know the specifics. I conducted a poll on Facebook and Twitter to find out how many people knew the number of countries that are represented at Troy and here are the results:
In conclusion, I asked people on Facebook a few questions regarding Troys International Community. The feedback I received was very positive, here it is:
Troy University's cultural diversity is undeniable, and we have campus organizations to not only accommodate but strengthen our cultural diversity. Through ISCO, people can get a glimpse of all parts of the world by just attending meetings in Hal Hall.
To look for more information regarding ISCO, check out their Facebook Page.