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Writer's pictureKathryn Clark

GOV. Kay Ivey announces opening of Troy's Ivey Center


Ansley Miller photo Gov. Kay Ivey announces the opening of the Ivey Center.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was at Troy University Wednesday morning to announce the opening of The Ivy Center for the Cultural Approach to History.


Located in John Robert Lewis Hall, the center is named after Gov. Ivey’s uncle, Dr. Oliver Turner Ivey, who was a professor emeritus at Auburn University. The center is made possible by the Caroline Lawson Ivan the World Foundation.


“It was Jefferson who reminded us that education is the key, and educating the masses is the key to preserving this delicate thing called a democracy,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor of Troy. “Recent tests indicate that about 70% of Americans fail a basic civics quiz.


“You think about that when we become ignorant of our past, when we become ignorant of how blessed we are, we stand on the threshold of losing that very blessing.”


“The Ivey Center is about bringing to life, in a very meaningful way, through the cultural approach, learning,” Hawkins said. “[This partnership] is to reach out and work with teachers across the state and with students across the state so they understand the basic elements of our history in civics.


“It's our ignorance that's our biggest enemy, and that's why I'm excited about the Ivey Center.”


The Ivy Center at Troy University will be led by former Troy City Schools Superintendent Dr. Linda Felton-Smith.


“His colleagues and students considered him to be an outstanding teacher, and he worked to promote professionalism in the teaching field,” Felton-Smith said. “Professor Ivey had an interest in the quality of social studies that was taught at the elementary and secondary levels, and because of that interest, he began developing the cultural approach in the early 1950s and he applied it in his university classes looking at history.”


Gov. Ivey spoke to her late uncle’s scholarly nature.


“During his long teaching career at Auburn University, including the time that I was a student on campus, my uncle was a revered and respected professor,” Ivey said. “You had to be a serious student to pass his course. I didn't take it.


“His wisdom did have a personal impact. After I received my education degree, I employed some of his engaging methods of instruction to stimulate my high school civics classes, and it worked.”


The center will serve as a resource for future and current teachers to promote the Cultural Approach to History, a methodology created by Dr. Ivey. The approach transforms history education from simple memorization to an exploration of cultural factors – fostering critical thinking and prompting students to consider the “how” and “why” of history.


“The Ivy center will serve as a resource center to promote the use of the cultural approach to teaching history by teachers of K-12, social studies, sciences and related academic disciplines,” said Dr. Kerry Palmer, senior vice chancellor of academic affairs.


According to Felton-Smith, the focus and mission of the Ivey Center is to make professional learning opportunities meaningful and available so that teachers will be able to enhance their instruction related to social studies, history and related disciplines in K-12 schools, students, they will benefit as they gain a greater appreciation for studying and learning about history.


“Research has shown that many students do not view or value history as an important and engaging subject that we need to know about, and that is what we want to change through the partnership of The Ivy foundation on Troy University,” Felton-Smith said. “The bottom line is the Ivey Center wants to help K-12 teachers inspire students to have a greater appreciation for studying, learning and knowing our historical past for successful participation in our society.”


The Ivey Centers are meant to help future educators sharpen their professional skills, network and contribute to the development of curriculum.


“I welcome the partnership of the Ivey Foundation and Troy University in establishing the Ivey Center, and I look forward to its great success,” Ivey said.


Ansley Miller photos

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