Even though they aren’t going very far, incoming Troy University freshmen from Pike County are invited to a summer send-off party with their parents on July 23.

This is the first time Troy University and the Troy University Alumni Association are partnering for the event that will introduce students to key faces at the university.

“Our goal in this is for the present Troy family to welcome students and their family into the Troy family,” said Tara Morelock, coordinator of Special Events and Special Projects at the university.

The local event will be part of the Pike County Alumni Association’s annual meeting and will be free for students and their parents to attend.

A video featuring Troy Chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins, along with Coach Larry Blakeney and the Troy football team will be shown to relay special messages to the incoming students.

Then, as part of the Alumni Association Meeting, students and their parents will be able to hear from University Athletic Director John Hartwell, along with other athletics staff members who took part in Trojan Tour 2013.

“Even though these students aren’t going as far as some new Troy students, we think it will be fun for parents to take part in a celebration sending their children off to Troy University,” said Faith Ward, director of Alumni Affairs. “I think everyone will be completely entertained and we will have good food.”

A spaghetti dinner will be provided and the event is free to incoming freshmen and their parents.

At the event, parents will receive information about joining a parent-alumni association so they can stay on top of all the Troy happenings while their children are in school. Students will also learn about a student-alumni association they can join that will count as credit toward the two organizations they are asked to take part in as a Trojan.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday night at 5:30 at the Stadium Club (the fourth floor of the Stadium Tower). Reservations for the event can be made online at troy.edu/troy.

Summer send-off parties will also be held this month in Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Prattville, Birmingham and Mobile.