History of the University

Troy State University Dothan traces its origin to the Troy State Normal School, established February 26, 1887, in Troy, Alabama, by an act of the Alabama Legislature. At that time, Troy State Normal School occupied two buildings in downtown Troy. In 1929, the Alabama Legislature changed the name to Troy State Teachers College and, in 1957, to Troy State College.  

In the 1950s, in response to the need of the military at Fort Rucker, Troy State College began offering courses at the post, and, in 1961, a resident center was established at Fort Rucker. In 1966, the branch was approved as a degree completion site. With the change of the parent institution’s name in 1967 to Troy State University, this branch was named Troy State University at Fort Rucker and was approved to offer degree completion studies at both the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels in 1970.  

By the mid 1970s, Troy State University at Fort Rucker had outgrown the facilities available at Fort Rucker. Wallace State Community College in Dothan offered the use of its classrooms, and in 1974 Troy State University began offering courses in Dothan. In 1975, space was leased in the upper three floors of the Houston Hotel, and the name of the institution was changed to Troy State University at Dothan/Ft. Rucker. With the purchase of the hotel, the name of which was changed to Houston Hall, and surrounding property in downtown Dothan in 1977, the University established a campus to serve the needs of the citizens in the Wiregrass region and continued to offer degree completion studies for the military at Fort Rucker. Beginning Summer Quarter 1986, Troy State University at Dothan became the official name of the University. In 1996 the Troy State University Board of Trustees changed the name of the University to Troy State University Dothan.  

In September 1986, the Board of Trustees gave approval to pursue the purchase of property for relocation of the campus. In 1986, the University purchased land in Houston County for its campus relocation. On October 5, 1988, an official ground breaking ceremony was held and construction began. At the end of Spring Quarter 1990, the University moved to its new campus and present location on U.S. Highway 231 North.    

Mission Statement

Troy State University Dothan, with a location at Fort Rucker and a Continuing Education Center in Adams Hall, is a separately-accredited university within The Troy State University System. It is a state-assisted institution of higher education operated under the direction of a Board of Trustees composed of the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, and nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Alabama Senate. It is a co-educational institution offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist degrees, and life-long learning opportunities.  

Troy State University Dothan is located in the Wiregrass region, which encompasses southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida. It is a commuter university of predominantly non-traditional, adult students with approximately 95 percent of its student body residing within a fifty-mile radius of Dothan.  

Troy State University Dothan is dedicated to the pre-professional and professional preparation of students in a variety of fields in the arts and sciences, business, education, and applied sciences. The academic programs at the Dothan campus are designed for undergraduate students and for graduate students at the master’s and sixth-year levels. The primary emphasis at the undergraduate level is upon upper division programs with a limited lower division to meet the needs of transfer students. The Dothan campus offers graduate programs in education, counseling and psychology, arts and sciences, and business. Through its Continuing Education program, TSUD provides lifelong learning opportunities for individuals, businesses, and special groups through credit and non-credit programs. Located on a military base, the Fort Rucker location offers a variety of undergraduate programs and a limited number of graduate programs to students in the military as well as to civilians. The facilities at Fort Rucker are provided and maintained by the military.  

Troy State University Dothan also has a companion dedication to make its programs, facilities, research, and resources available to the rapidly growing Wiregrass region. The University is involved in cooperative programs with other Alabama universities and various consortial arrangements.  

Troy State University Dothan endeavors to develop in each student an appreciation of the arts, humanities, and sciences; the desire and ability to reason critically and creatively; an appreciation and respect for the dignity and worth of the individual; the skills necessary to participate effectively in a democratic society; and the skills for continuing to acquire new knowledge. Superior teaching, ongoing professional development, scholarship, applied research, program development, student services, and public service, continuing education, and technology are emphasized by the University.  

Troy State University Dothan (TSUD) is a separately accredited university within The Troy State University System providing opportunities for affordable, accessible education primarily to residents of southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida.  

The university’s emphasis on academics is complemented by dedication to public service, applied research, and lifelong learning.  TSUD is committed, through traditional and non-traditional means, to enhancing the critical thinking and personal growth essential for informed, productive citizens.

• To advance academic programs of high quality and other services to a predominantly non-traditional clientele through the most accessible formats.  

• To maintain a capable, highly qualified faculty dedicated to superior teaching and to professional growth. 

• To develop in students an awareness of the arts, humanities, and sciences; an ability to reason critically and creatively; an appreciation of the dignity and worth of the individual; and an ability to apply skills necessary to function as informed, productive citizens.  

• To offer an affordable education through increased state funding, reasonable tuition and fees, and comprehensive financial aid programs.  

• To enhance educational services through student support services and through cooperative agreements with other educational institutions, agencies, and businesses.  

• To foster economic and social development by providing services and lifelong learning opportunities that meet the varied needs of individuals, businesses, industries, community groups, and governmental agencies through credit and non-credit offerings.  

• To increase the effectiveness of the institution through applied research and continuous planning and evaluation.  

Governance  

Troy State University Dothan is a four-year, state-assisted university operated under the control of the Board of Trustees. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and is directly responsible to the Chancellor of The Troy State University System.

Facilities

The Campus at Dothan

Located in the southeastern section of Alabama, Dothan has an approximate population of 56,000. Troy State University Dothan is situated on 250 beautiful acres off U.S. Highway 231 North, approximately 3.5 miles from the Ross Clark Circle. Two modern buildings designed in the Williamsburg style of architecture were first occupied in 1990. Malone Hall, named for Wallace D. Malone, Jr., then president pro tempore of The Troy State University Board of Trustees, houses the administration, College of Business Administration, science labs, and classrooms. Adams Hall, named for Dr. Ralph W. Adams, Chancellor Emeritus of The Troy State University System, houses the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Continuing Education Center, deli, and bookstore.

The 53,000-square-foot Library/Technology Building, designed in the traditional and stately Williamsburg architecture, opened in January, 2002.  It houses state-of-the-art computer labs, interactive classrooms, a television studio, a 213-seat lecture hall, President's Office and a new library.

The Fort Rucker Location

The Fort Rucker location is approximately twenty miles northwest of Dothan. The military provides space for TSUD administrative offices and computer lab and classroom facilities in several modern instructional buildings in the education complex. TSUD operates a computer lab on post, and cooperative agreements provide additional library support through the Ft. Rucker Learning Center.  

Information is available through the TSUD Ft. Rucker Office. Telephone: (334) 598-2443.