Student government celebrates 30 years of Freshman Forum

This year, Troy University’s Student Government Association (SGA) is celebrating Freshman Forum’s 30th anniversary.

Freshman Forum is the branch of SGA designed specifically for freshmen to immerse themselves not only in student government but also in their own university.

“As we plan events for the year, we are really looking forward to letting the new delegation decide how they want to celebrate 30 years of Freshman Forum,” said Freshman Forum Advisor Olivia Barron. “We want them to understand how meaningful it is to be part of an organization with such a strong 30-year legacy, and we are confident they will take ownership of celebrating this milestone.”

Since its inception 30 years ago, Freshman Forum has provided yearly traditions to the student body – traditions like the international tailgate, International Friendsgiving and the Freshman Run on the first gameday – all while consistently growing.

“Freshman Forum has seen rapid growth over the last decade or so, and I believe that has to do with the ability it has to develop leaders,” SGA’s 100th President Chris Hood. “All over campus, in every organization, you see students who served in Freshman Forum, and they will tell you that they wouldn’t be where they are today without it.”

SGA isn’t just celebrating 30 years of Freshman Forum, though. They’re also celebrating its 100th president, as well as Troy University’s 140th birthday.

“With so many anniversaries this year, I have dedicated a committee on my cabinet to help celebrate all these important milestones including Freshman Forum,” Hood said. “With interviews still underway, I’m sure that the rich history that Freshman Forum has will be carried through to our new class.”

According to Freshman Forum Director Jaycie Smith, a sophomore communications major from Scottsboro, Alabama, she’s super excited to celebrate the organization’s milestone.

“Being a part of this organization over the past year has truly been one of the greatest blessings, and I’m so excited to get to be a part of it for such an incredible milestone,” Smith said.

She also said she and her co-director, Josh Thompson, are excited for this year’s upcoming class of freshmen.

“We’ve been working all summer long preparing for the selection process of our delegates to work with this year, and we’re currently holding interviews to do so, which has been very fulfilling,” Smith said. “We’ve met so many incredible candidates that we’re definitely going to have a difficult decision facing us this week.”

Interviews for Freshman Forum applications were held earlier this week between Monday and Wednesday, and new members of Freshman Forum are set to be announced Friday, Aug. 21.