Troy University to host ‘Beyond a War’ premiere event to salute veterans and university partners

Troy University proudly invites the public to the U.S. premiere of the documentary “Beyond A War,” a special event showcasing the transformative power of reconciliation and honoring the legacy of our nation’s military veterans. The premiere will take place on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts in Montgomery, Alabama.

Produced by Duy Tan University in Vietnam, the documentary short film “Beyond A War” explores the remarkable story of Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, and Dr. Lê Công Cơ, President of Duy Tan University. Once adversaries during the Vietnam War, Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Lê Công Cơ have transformed their past conflict into a powerful partnership for their universities. “Beyond A War” chronicles their personal experiences of combat and survival, and their extraordinary work in bridging cultures through education and collaboration.

“What excites me about ‘Beyond A War’ is that it shows the transformation of the relationships between two countries that a half century ago were at war,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Today, not only do we recognize each other as countries, but we are working as partners. While we came from different backgrounds and certainly different sides of the war, our goal now is unity and a common focus on students. [Lê Công Cơ] is committed to building a great university and that is exactly what we are committed to doing at TROY.”

The program will kick off at 3:00 p.m. with a performance from POPulus, TROY’s popular music ensemble comprised of students in the Music Industry Program. It will be followed by the highly anticipated film premiere, including a Q&A with the film’s director and Dr. Hawkins moderated by Alabama Public Television anchor Todd Stacy. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from notable guest speakers, including Jack McManus, President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and Capt. Gary Michael Rose (USA – Ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient.

The event is open to the public, with a special request for veterans and their families to attend. All veterans in attendance will be honored with a special gift from TROY.

Visit Troy’s website for more information and to reserve your seat.

Courtesy of Troy University.