This year was another of growth and forward progress for Troy University. Major capital projects were launched, including a new Health and Human Services facility and the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences. Faculty continue to be recognized as leaders in research and innovation. Students are making an impact around the world by studying abroad. Innovative new programs such as the MBA in Music Industry launched. TROY clearly has “momentum,” moving toward a bright future.
Troy University’s Annual Report for 2022 is appropriately themed “Momentum” in light of the strides made over the past year, thanks to the leadership of our Board of Trustees and the hard work of our faculty and staff. We are building momentum toward a transformation of our University built on our rich tradition of service.
The most tangible signs of momentum are the construction underway on two new buildings on the Troy Campus. The Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences will be the home of our plastics and polymer science research center and is being constructed where McCartha Hall once stood. The new home for the College of Health and Human Services will be named in honor of alumnus Billy Jones of Monroeville, a successful businessman in the health care industry. Jones Hall is being constructed at the site formerly occupied by Gardner and Hamil residence halls.
Riddle-Pace Field, the home of Trojan Baseball, has undergone a significant facelift in the past year. When completed, this “Gem of the Sun Belt” will give our program the most beautiful and fan-friendly facility in our league. Our new facility matches our lofty goal to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.
This past year also saw a major push to restore the University Arboretum, which includes more than 7 miles of nature trails, a pond, an outdoor classroom site and a classroom building. The Arboretum has long been an integral component of our biology instruction, as students can receive hands-on experience.
Service to the region and state has long been a hallmark of Troy University. This past year saw the University receive a $3-million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop and administer a certificate program to train community health workers. The goal is to improve health care in rural and underserved areas. In a similar vein, we have begun a nighttime associate degree of nursing program on our Montgomery Campus to alleviate Alabama’s nursing shortage.
TROY’s status as Alabama’s International University is rebounding after the pandemic, as we are reporting record enrollment growth at our Vietnam sites, where we now teach more than 1,000 students. In addition, we are once more offering a full menu of opportunities to study abroad at sites such as Italy, Ecuador, Switzerland, France, London, the Galapagos, Greece, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Peru. We provide a $1,250 scholarship for students to defray the cost of foreign travel; and students may apply for this aid annually, which means Trojans can receive $5,000 in assistance during their academic career.
In athletics, the past year saw a major turnaround for our football program under first-year Head Coach Jon Sumrall. The Trojans, winners of five games in the 2021 season, won 12 games in 2022, including a Sun Belt Conference Championship Game victory over Coastal Carolina and a Cure Bowl win over the University of Texas-San Antonio in a battle of Top 25 teams. The Trojans finished the season ranked 19th, its highest-ever ranking in the Football Bowl Subdivision era.
In closing, this report provides a detailed review of another outstanding year at Troy University. I hope you will read this report carefully and consider how you can help our great University continue building our momentum.
Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. Chancellor
Jones Hall groundbreaking (from left) TROY Trustee Gibson Vance, Dr. Ken Deavers, Dr. John Garner, Billy Jones, Frances Jones, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, Dr. Jim Bookout, Dr. Lance Tatum, Sohail Agboatwala and Greg O’Neal
Major changes have been made on the Troy Campus over the past year to make way for new beginnings and brighter futures for students and staff alike. The demolition of McCartha, Gardner and Hamil halls in 2021 paved the way for the in-progress additions of a new, state-of-the-art research facility and a new home for the College of Health and Human Services.
Officials broke ground Nov. 18 and 19 for two new buildings on the Troy Campus — the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences and a new home for the College of Health and Human Services
Present at the events were Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor; Gibson Vance, President Pro Tempore of the Troy University Board of Trustees; Stephanie Baker, Director of Market Development for KW Plastics and a member of the Troy City Council; Dr. Steven Taylor, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. John Garner, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services; and many other TROY officials, faculty, staff and guests.
The center is located at the site of the former McCartha Hall. Funded in part by a $3.2-million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it will serve as an integrated, multi-disciplinary research facility and enable the University to build partnerships with the region’s polymer and plastics industry to increase their competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The center will also prepare the next generation of the workforce for the industry as students trained there will be engaged in real-life/real-time industry projects. The building is estimated to be completed in 18-24 months.
CMMS building groundbreakingDuring the groundbreaking ceremony for the College of Health and Human Services building, at the former site of Gardner and Hamil halls, the name was revealed to be Jones Hall in honor of Billy Jones, a TROY alum and founder and CEO of Crowne Health. Jones and his wife, Frances, were on hand for the reveal.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Jones said. “The good Lord has been good to me, and I’ve been successful enough to be able to give back in this way. I am so honored that they are naming the building after me. There is a shortage of nurses in the industry, not only in Alabama but all over the nation. This is something that I believe will help in reducing that shortage.”
The possibilities for growth for students and faculty alike are endless with state-of-the-art hospital simulation labs for hands-on training, exercise science labs and open spaces to encourage growth and collaboration.
The 60,000-square-foot, three-story building designed by Seay, Seay & Litchfield includes a 150-seat auditorium and laboratories for teaching and research, expanding educational opportunities and experiences for the students in the School of Nursing and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
It is set for completion in 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the college.
A team of professors and community volunteers is restoring the Arboretum to its former glory.
Dr. Alvin Diamond (’84), Biology Professor and Arboretum Director; Jonathan Miller (’06, ’09), Lecturer and Aquatic Biologist; Dr. Siegfried Harden, Associate Professor and Chair of the Biology Department; and longtime volunteer Clark Harris have worked together to secure multiple grants that have aided in their efforts. Grants include $3,000 from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council, $5,000 from the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority and $25,000 from Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s (HMMA) Charitable Giving Program.
The Arboretum was also the focus of a Gold Award project for Montgomery Girl Scout Ambassador Mia Johnston, a
senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet School. Johnston completed approximately 90 hours of community service work and in the process provided new signage for each trailhead, built two bridges, a set of stairs and a ramp, and helped finish outlining a trail.
The Arboretum encompasses 75 acres and features 7.5 miles of nature trails, more than 500 identified plant species, a pond, an outdoor classroom and an indoor classroom. Classes are currently being held in the newly renovated outdoor classroom, and an area has been cleared for a garden for bees, butterflies and other important pollinators. Future upgrades will feature informational kiosks and two self-guided, half-mile trails.
Long known as Alabama’s International University, Troy University’s commitment to graduating students who are globally aware and competitive was on full display in 2022. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recognized TROY for its continued commitment to providing students with a global education during International Education Week in November. In a proclamation, Gov. Ivey commended TROY for “creating a global village to forge mutual understanding and appreciation.” “Troy University has enabled all students to benefit from exposure to classmates from different nations and cultures, with the goal of preparing them to excel in the international marketplace that awaits them after graduation,” Gov. Ivey’s proclamation read.
In addition to enrolling international students on the Troy Campus, the University also operates teaching sites in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, where in 2008 TROY became the first U.S. university to award the baccalaureate degree.
In October, a delegation of senior Troy University leadership led by Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, visited Vietnam on a trip that featured four commencement ceremonies and one new class intake ceremony.
At Vietnam National University – University of Economics and Business, 196 new students began their journey toward earning their TROY degrees in business.
The delegation also conducted commencement ceremonies at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University – University of Economics and Business, Saigon Technical University and Duy Tan University. Degrees in business, computer science, and hospitality, sport and tourism management were awarded.
In 2022, TROY students took to the skies and traveled to 16 different countries after the resurgence of opportunities to study abroad, thanks in large part to the Chancellor’s Award for Global Competitiveness.
The Chancellor’s Award aims to foster international awareness and better assimilation of Troy University students in the worldwide workplace while providing the financial assistance to make that goal a reality. Made possible through proceeds from TROY license plate sales, the scholarship offers TROY students $1,250 per year to help with the costs of trips abroad.
A study-abroad opportunity in 2022, led by Anthropology/ Archaeology Professor Dr. Stephen Carmody, unearthed several key discoveries in Italian history.
Through a partnership with Italy’s University of Pisa, Dr. Carmody and six TROY students participated in a three-week dig in Vada Volterra, a harbor town off the coast of Tuscany.
Having already identified a “huge amphitheater, gigantic temples and mosaic tile floors,” the team began working in an area that had previously been excavated. Initially thought not to reveal anything of significance, they later found a type of floor that was not uncommon for the area but “very early” for its time.
TROY Dance students and faculty once again had the opportunity to visit the artistic community of Pietrasanta, Italy, for a two-week, study-abroad trip as part of the Summer Arts Academy.
The trip coincides with the annual Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta Festival, a unique international festival that combines dance and music with visual arts. Students learned from world-renowned performers and were able to showcase their own skills.
“Any study-abroad experience is always wonderful, but this one in particular is a very hands-on and immersive experience,” said Tori Averett, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
The summer home of the College of Communication and Fine Arts in Pietrasanta was established by First Lady Janice Hawkins in collaboration with former Montgomery, Alabama, Mayor Todd Strange.
A group of doctoral students traveled to London in the spring to get first-hand leadership experience on the global stage.
The students, part of the first three cohorts of TROY’s online Global Leadership Ph.D. program, attended the Student Global Leadership Conference, held by the London-based Foundation for International Education.
The students had the opportunity to interact with leaders of large and small businesses, not-for-profit leaders and academics, including senior managers at Lloyd’s of London, and had discussions with faculty from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
After a two-year hiatus, the Sorrell College of Business’ Sorrell Society of Global Scholars returned to Ecuador during spring break to concentrate on global business practices and service learning.
The Global Scholars program is an honors program within the college designed to promote global citizenship and nurture some of the college’s exceptional students through travel, networking events and a challenging curriculum. Fifteen students made the 10-day trip, which
included a five-day stay in Salinas de Guaranda, a tiny village nestled in the Andes Mountains. Teams of students rotated through factories that manufacture a variety of products for import and export and worked side-by-side with factory workers.
Another aspect of the trip was a service-learning component that teamed the scholars with the town’s senior center, which received $10,000 from the group’s pre-trip fundraising efforts.
The past year was marked by highlights and milestones for academics at Troy University. Not only did two academic divisions celebrate 50-year anniversaries (the Sorrell College of Business and the Hall School of Journalism and Communication), but the University also launched new academic programs and made strides toward its transformation into a leading center for scientific research.
The College of Health and Human Services received a $3-million grant in October from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund a new certificate program to train community health workers.
The three-year grant will be administered through the University’s School of Nursing and School of Social Work and Human Services and will train and place community health workers in underserved areas within the state to help educate and direct residents to available services.
TROY professors continually make advancements in their respective fields, most recently with Dr. Raj Vinnakota’s acceptance of a $161,597 grant from the National Science Foundation to further research building a device that would allow for faster data recording and processing at the photon level. Faster speeds would allow for improvements in optical computing and optical information processing across multiple applications.
In addition to the possibility of making groundbreaking technological developments, his research has a strong educational and outreach component, including inspiring and guiding K-12 students to pursue a career path in science and technology, improving undergraduate participation in research, and providing training and mentoring for a diverse group of students. The grant also has the opportunity to boost TROY’s Electronics Engineering Technology program
Community health workers are trusted members of their communities who empower their peers through education, helping connect residents with available health care resources.
The free, online training program, which will consist of 10 modules that must be completed along with a 60-hour field experience component, will span about 12 weeks and be delivered through the University’s Department of Continuing Education and Outreach. The first training session began in February 2023.
TROY’s Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences and the National Hemp Growers Cooperative joined forces in 2022 to further research and development of biodegradable plastics by using hemp fibers. In addition to this work, the goal of the partnership is to foster academic exchanges with other regional universities and facilitate partnerships with regional industries.
Troy University’s new forensic science program had the opportunity to aid local law enforcement in April 2022 when the department was called on to assist the Pike County Sheriff’s Department in the search for the remains of a 2012 murder victim believed to be buried in southern Pike County. The first course for the program was approved just six days after their visit to the site.
Troy University and the American Village Citizenship Trust are teaming up to help Alabama youth increase their knowledge and understanding of U.S. history, the function of government and the role of the citizen in the governmental process.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two institutions in June, creating a Young Leaders program designed to educate students regarding the founding and history of the United States; the structure of federal, state and local government; and the elements of good citizenship and statesmanship. The program will target high school juniors and seniors and be administered by TROY’s Institute for Civic and Global Leadership.
A Civics Education Micro-Credential will be developed for teachers who teach middle or high school civics,
American national government, U.S. history and/or those responsible for preparing students to take the civics examination for high school graduation.
As a part of the agreement, American Village and TROY will develop and market a test and supporting curriculum to assist Alabama public schools in satisfying state-level civics and government requirements for high school graduation. In addition, online and hybrid curriculum delivery options will be facilitated through ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide).
The agreement also calls for the creation of supplemental U.S. history curriculum materials, also supported through ACCESS, and will create an American Village-Troy University Partnership Advisory Board.
The Sorrell College of Business named its School of Accountancy in honor of William Carr, founder and former managing partner of the accounting firm of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. Carr was honored in September during the school’s Accountancy Day festivities on the Troy Campus, when the school’s name was officially changed by Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor.
Since its founding in 1997, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, under the leadership of Carr, has become one of the fastest-growing accounting and advisory firms in the nation, experiencing consistent year-over-year growth. The firm rose to become the 19th nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm in 2018 by Accounting Today.
Dr. Priya Menon (’05), Professor of English, was selected to serve as a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador.
Dr. Fred Figliano, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for the College of Education, was selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ 2022 Emerging Leaders Program.
Dr. Shirley J. Farrell, Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education, was recognized by the Environmental Education Association of Alabama for her years of dedicated service to the organization with the “Soaring High Award.”
Dr. Shelley Reed (’07), Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Interpreter Training on
the Phenix City Campus, was honored for her outstanding contributions to the field of mental health awareness and counseling by the Sisters in Scholarship, Technology, Economics, Refinement and Services, Inc., in collaboration with the Gamma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority during the 15th annual Rosa Parks Women of Courage event.
Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett (’93, ’94), an Assistant Professor of Instructional Leadership and Administration on the Phenix City Campus and co-founder of the SHORT the Squirrel Literacy Initiative, was named to the “2022 Class of Women Who Shape the State of Alabama” by This is Alabama.
William Carr Dr. Shirley J. Farrell Dr. Shelley Reed Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett Dr. Fred FiglianoTroy University expanded its Associate in Nursing (ASN) degree program on its Montgomery Campus to include nighttime classes in an effort to more effectively meet the demand for nurses in the River Region and provide greater opportunities for students.
The first nighttime ASN classes were offered in the fall with a second cohort beginning spring 2023.
Dr. John Garner, Dean of TROY’s College of Health and Human Services, said the change represents an expansion of the existing offerings on the University’s Montgomery Campus. “We believe the night classes will help us reach
working students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, providing greater access to the program,” said Dr. Garner.
Dr. Garner said TROY’s reputation for putting quality, career-ready nurses in the workforce positions the University to help address a major shortage in the health care industry within the state.
Given that the ASN program is designed to be completed in five full-time semesters, the impact the expansion of the program will have on the workforce will be seen sooner rather than later.
Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business teamed with the John M. Long School of Music in the College of Communication and Fine Arts to offer a groundbreaking program for students and working professionals in the music and entertainment industries.
TROY is the only university to offer the Music Industry MBA accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The first cohort and classes began in August 2022. Offered in the University’s new Flex format, students will have the option to attend classes in person, live online or recorded online — or a combination of all methods.
On the business side, students will take classes in economics, finance, management, marketing and quantitative methods.
In addition, for teachers of music industry, the MBA will be considered a terminal degree, meaning no higher degree is offered.
TROY’s music industry program has stayed on the leading edge of the business as well. A new mix room was added that allows students to train in a “production facility of the future,” allowing production of songs and compositions by artists networked from various remote locations.
Renowned author Michelle Richmond, a Mobile, Alabama, native whose recent novel, “The Wonder Test,” has been hailed as a “gripping thriller” and witty satire of “highstakes education,” received Troy University’s Hall-Waters Prize in April.
Richmond discussed the evolution of her career from her debut short-story collection, “The Girl in the Fall-Away Dress” (2001) through such bestsellers as “The Year of Fog” (2007) and “The Marriage Pact” (2017), in the Lamar P. Higgins Ballroom in the Trojan Center on the Troy Campus.
The award is endowed by the late Dr. Wade Hall (’53), an author, former member of the faculty at the University of Florida and Professor Emeritus of English at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Hall, a native of Bullock County, endowed the prize as a memorial to his parents, Wade Hall Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Waters Hall. The award is presented regularly to a person who has made significant contributions to Southern heritage and culture in history, literature or the arts.
John M. Long School of Music faculty members (from left) Kenny Beck (’12, ’15), Eric Ward (’08) and Robert W. Smith (’79) demo the new mix room with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Award winner Chris Vrenna (seated), a college educator and TROY MBA-Music Industry student.
The Sorrell College of Business (SCOB) and the Hall School of Journalism and Communication (HSJC) both marked 50th anniversaries in 2022 with events and celebrations throughout the year.
The College of Business celebrated its 50th with a series of panels and a celebration disco party in March. TROY began offering business education courses in the early 1930s. As additional courses were added through the years, it eventually led to the offering of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1961 and the creation of a Department of Business. The SCOB, as structured today, was founded in 1971 with Dr. Cliff Eubanks serving as the founding Dean — which at that time was called the College of Business and Commerce. In 1981, the college was named in honor of businessman Jeff Sorrell and his wife, Anise.
The Sorrell College earned AACSB accreditation in November 2018 and specialized accounting accreditation in January 2019. The School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management moved into the Sorrell College in August 2020, which gave the Sorrell College its first doctoral degree, the Ph.D. in Sport Management.
The Hall School of Journalism and Communication kicked off the beginning of a year-long celebration with the unveiling of a new slogan, “Shaping ethical and
trustworthy communicators.” The Troy State University Department of English began offering journalism as a minor in 1970. On Dec. 16, 1971, the Hall School of Journalism was created in a partnership between TSU President Ralph Adams and Gov. George Wallace. Distinguished author and editor John R. Chamberlain was the school’s founding Dean.
In the early 1970s, the Academic Council approved a journalism major and minor, as well as a journalism education minor. Introduction to Radio and Television was the first broadcast course offered, and TSU-TV began producing a 15-minute, student-produced news segment in 1975. The same year, Sigma Delta Chi, Society of Professional Journalists was established.
The broadcasts grew in the ’80s with more than 12 classes being offered in broadcast journalism. “Nooncast” and “TSU Nightly News” were also being produced in the TSUTV studios. The Speech Department combined with the Hall School of Journalism in 2008 to form the Hall School of Journalism and Communication. Five years later in 2013, the Master of Science in Strategic Communication, an online professional degree, was formed, and the print journalism major was changed to multimedia journalism to reflect industry changes.
A panel of Sorrell College of Business Deans take questions as part of 50th anniversary celebrations. (from left) Dr. Earl Ingram and Dr. Judson Edwards (’96)
Over the past 10 years, more than $4.2 million has been generated to fund scholarships through vehicle, motorcycle and vessel tag sales.
During the fiscal year, Troy University continued to encounter many of the operational challenges that carried over from the onset of the pandemic but has successfully adapted its operations to the circumstances and our efforts supported by the students, faculty and staff to overcome in this environment. A volatile economic horizon projected to last several years will put downward pressure on net tuition as inflation pressures continue to increase and labor shortages continue to prevail. The University has encountered additional financial challenges due to the decreasing number of high school graduates entering college. Nationally, college enrollment declined for a third straight year since the pandemic. However, I am pleased to report that the University’s financial position remains strong with an increase in net position for the last four years. This is a remarkable achievement considering this year was the fourth consecutive year of no increase in tuition. The University continues to strive to provide a high-quality education at an affordable price. A crucial element affecting the University’s future continues to be our funding relationship with the State of Alabama as supplemented by tuition revenue. The University’s strong financial position will provide some protection against future funding reductions or adverse economic conditions.
The University committed federal, state and institutional resources to enhance the safety of our campus and facilities by providing additional technology and by providing necessary financial support to students and programs especially impacted by the pandemic. Simultaneously, the University continued to make strategic investments in its people and physical capital that have been critical to advance the University’s goals of increased enrollment and retention. The University and many of its colleges and programs rank among the best in the nation — an external validation of our commitment to quality and the work of our faculty and students.
One of the critical factors in continuing the quality of the University’s academic programs is the development and renewal of capital assets. The University continues to implement its long-range plan to modernize its complement of older facilities, along with balanced investment in new construction. This strategy addresses the University’s growth needs and the continuing effects of technology related to teaching, recruiting and service to students.
Capital asset additions primarily represent replacement, renovation and new construction of academic, administrative and athletic facilities, as well as significant investments in equipment, including information technology. Capital asset additions continue to increase with plans to build two new academic buildings and renovate an athletic facility. The total cost of those additions is more than $64 million. Other facilities planned, phased in infrastructure improvements include four dormitories totaling $15 million. These capital asset additions were primarily funded with reserves for renewal and replacement, debt proceeds and capital grants and contracts.
Good stewardship of our resources continues to be a primary focus. For the past three years, actual operational revenue has exceeded operating expenses providing growth to our reserves. In addition, the University completed the sale of its Phenix City old campus buildings that generated $3 million and eliminated the debt on the current river-front building. Undeveloped land contiguous to the Dothan Campus was sold for $2.4 million, which will facilitate growth in the community through the development of new homes in the area.
The following report summarizes the financial activities at Troy University, including our component entities and direct support organizations. These impressive results were achieved during unprecedented challenges and result from the extraordinary commitment and dedication of the strong leadership of our Board of Trustees, Chancellor Hawkins, our administration and the entire University community. I am pleased to present this annual financial report for Troy University for the year ended Sept. 30, 2022.
James M. Bookout, Ed.D., CPA, CITP Senior Vice Chancellor, Financial Affairs and Online EducationTROY continues to maintain and protect its strong financial position. This financial health, as reflected in total asset growth, is a result of prudent utilization of financial resources, including careful cost controls, conservative utilization of debt and adherence to a long-range capital plan for the maintenance and replacement of campus facilities.
One of TROY’s strengths is the diverse stream of revenue that supplements tuition and fee revenue, including private support from foundations and corporations, along with sponsored programs, state appropriations, investment income and auxiliary services. TROY’s tuition rates remain competitive with peer institutions, demonstrating a commitment to provide high-quality higher education at an affordable price.
In addition to revenue diversification, Troy University makes cost containment an ongoing priority. This is necessary as the University continues to face significant financial pressures, particularly in the areas of compensation, employee benefits, energy, technology and ongoing maintenance of facilities and infrastructure. Troy University is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff. Scholarships also continue to be a significant commitment for the University as it focuses efforts on the recruitment and retention of students.
TROY was recognized as a national model for providing quality, affordable education in a report from Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust.
The case study, published in December 2021, is part of a project focusing on affordability strategies employed by the governing boards of five public universities. The study examined the leadership of Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees and the decisions that have made TROY an adaptive and affordable institution focused on meeting the needs of students and the community.
“Ongoing efforts to ‘rightsize’ the university have resulted in significant cost savings, enabling university leadership to provide students with an affordable, flexible and quality education,” the report states.
“We picked Troy University because it delivers a tremendous amount of value for the public,” said Dr. James Toscano, President of Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust. “TROY stands out nationally as a highly adaptive university willing to wrestle with some of the most difficult business and operational issues facing higher education today. Thanks to grounded university leadership, this adaptiveness is in its DNA. TROY leaves a roadmap that other institutions would be wise to follow if they want to stay current and successfully navigate these turbulent times.”
TROY started the year with a revamp of the transfer scholarship program, offering thousands in new scholarship opportunities to students looking to transfer to Troy University from other colleges or universities.
Previously, TROY offered a pair of scholarships to transfer students — $2,000 a year for two years to on-campus students and $1,500 a year for two years to online students, with both scholarships requiring a 3.0 GPA. Now, TROY will offer a range of scholarships for both online and in-class transfer students at varying GPA levels, giving access to a broader range of students and rewarding high-achieving transfers with larger
scholarships — including $4,000 a year for two years for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
“At Troy University, we value our transfer students and want to make their transition from other colleges to TROY as smooth as possible,” said Korrie Lynn Williamson (’15, ’18), Assistant Director of Enrollment Services. “After working with transfer students from across the state, I quickly noticed the need to reward them for outstanding academic achievement.”
There is also a $5,000 per-year scholarship available to members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Troy University was recognized by Travel Inspired Living as Alabama’s Most Beautiful Campus.
Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett (’93, ’94) is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Leadership and Administration at TROY and co-founder of the SHORT the Squirrel Literacy Initiative. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from TROY’s College of Education. Dr. Bennett is an active member of the Eufaula Heritage Association, a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the TROY Alumni Association, and has served as an Advisor and Alumnae Chapter President for Alpha Gamma Delta social organization. Dr. Bennett and her husband, Jason (’91), have two daughters, Bailey (’22) and Betsy, a current TROY student.
Britton Bonner (’96) is a partner and Business and Government Practice Group Leader with the law firm of Adams and Reese, LLP. He earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane University in 2000. Bonner is a graduate of Leadership Alabama and Leadership Baldwin County and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Coastal Alabama Partnership, and most recently as ViceChairman for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a lifetime member of the TROY Alumni Association. Bonner played fullback on the Trojans Football team from 1992-1994. He and his wife, Ashley, have three children.
Gerry Brooks (’88) is a veteran educator in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist and 12 years as an administrator. His book, “Go See the Principal,” outlines strategies for taking responsibility for personal climate and culture in the workplace. Brooks is widely known for his humorous social media videos focusing on real-world educational experiences. He currently has a following of more than 1.2 million people across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. A lifetime member of the TROY Alumni Association, Brooks and his wife, Kelly, have three adult children.
Jeffrey Kervin (’85) has been a Director of Troy Bank & Trust and Henderson Bancshares, Inc., since April 2002. He was named President and CEO of Troy Bank & Trust and Henderson Bancshares, Inc., in 2010. Kervin is a board member of the Alabama Bankers Association, the Johnson Center for the Arts, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, the Pike County Economic Development Board, the Troy University Foundation Board and the Sorrell College of Business Alumni Advisory Board. He is a member of the Pike County Alumni Chapter. Kervin and his wife, Janet (’81, ’83), have one son, Joel (’19, ’20).
Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett
Britton Bonner
Gerry Brooks
Members of TROY’s Alumni Association are the torchbearers of the Trojan Spirit and leaders in encouraging loyalty, involvement and investment in advancing the University. The Alumni Association’s Board of Directors exists to promote mutually beneficial relations between Troy University and its alumni.
Roni Holley (’77), President
Rosemary Elebash (’76), Vice President
Jack Weaver (’85), Treasurer
Bill Hopper (’72, ’78), Immediate Past President
Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87), Executive Director
Ashley D. Aaron (’93)
Bob Boothe (’63, ’78)
Terry L. Butts (’79)
Richard Dowling (’73)
Carolyn Gibson (’87)
Scott Hartley (’81)
Julius Pittman (’91)
Steve Sanders (’88)
Jody Singleton (’91)
Lloyd Taylor (’68)
Freddie Thomas (’88)
Mitt Walker (’97)
Jerry Williams (’69, ’77)
(front row, from left) Faith West Byrd, Rosemary Elebash, Bill Hopper, Jerry Williams, Carolyn Gibson (back row, from left) Freddie Thomas, Scott Hartley, Mitt Walker, Jody Singleton, Lloyd Taylor, Steve Sanders, Jack Weaver
Mrs. Claudene Nichols (’69) Mr. Lewis Rushing (’65)
Dr. James R. Andrews Emeritus
Dr. Jim Bookout Treasurer
Mrs. Karen Carter (’73) Mr. Jeffrey Coleman (’95) Chair
Dr. Roy Drinkard
Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. President
Mrs. Roni Holley (’77) Mr. Horace Horn (’68)
Mr. Larry Hughes (’72) Vice Chair
Dr. Earl Johnson (’70)
Dr. Manley Johnson (’73) Mr. Billy Jones Mr. Jeffrey Kervin (’85)
Mr. Greg Knedler Vice President
Mr. David Mallach (’71) Dr. Harrel McKinney (’62) Mr. Doug Mims (’90, ’01) Mr. Randall Moore (’78)
Brig. Gen. Richard Boutwell (’91) Executive Vice President
The Troy University 2022 Board of Trustees includes:
Her Excellency, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama — President, ex-officio
Area 1 – Forrest S. Latta
Area 2 – Earl V. Johnson
Area 2 – John D. Harrison
Area 3 – Allen E. Owen, III
Area 4 – Cam Ward
Area 4 – C. Gibson Vance –President Pro Tempore
Area 5 – Gerald O. Dial
Area 6 – Karen E. Carter
Area 7 – Roy H. Drinkard
At large – Edward F. Crowell –Vice President Pro Tempore
At large – C. Charles Nailen
Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. – Secretary
Ava Carnazza – Student Member – SGA President
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
C. Gibson Vance, Edward F. Crowell, John D. Harrison, Earl V. Johnson
Jack Hawkins, Jr.
Ava Carnazza
C. Gibson Vance (’87)
Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama
Edward F. Crowell (’01) Forrest S. Latta (’80)
Karen E. Carter (’73)
Gerald O. Dial
Roy H. Drinkard
C. Charles Nailen
John D. Harrison (’67)
Earl V. Johnson (’95)
Troy University’s dynamic nature draws new faces into the Trojan Nation and creates opportunities for service for many who are long-time Trojans. This year certainly was no exception with several key leadership positions drawing new people.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard H. Boutwell (’91) was named the University’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement. His new role includes responsibility for governmental relations, development/alumni affairs, public affairs and strategic oversight of the University’s relationship with all branches of the military services. A native of Greenville, Alabama, Gen. Boutwell succeeds Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan (USAF, ret.) (’89) in the position. Retired TROY administrator
Dr. John Schmidt had served in the role on an interim basis. Gen. Boutwell retired in 2021 after nearly 30 years in the Air Force, most recently serving as Deputy Commanding General of the Fifteenth Air Force, where he led the largest Department of Defense’s numbered air forces, comprising more than 47,000 employees and $600 billion in the USAF’s most advanced weapons systems. His wife, Leslie (’90), and youngest daughter, Hailey (’22), are also TROY graduates.
Among the new faces to Troy University was Greg Knedler, who took on the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development’s role in February. With more than 20 years of experience in development and higher education advancement, he came to Troy University from the United States Air Force Academy Foundation. He previously held positions at Georgia State University and Auburn University.
In April, Dr. Michael Thrasher was named Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Larry Blocher. Dr. Thrasher joined the University from Florida State University, where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Dean of the College of Music. He has also held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Texas at Tyler, North Dakota State University, North Central Texas College and in public school music education.
Dr. Clifford Humphrey was named Director of the Institute for Leadership Development in May, assuming the position left vacant by Dr. John Kline’s retirement. A native of Warm Springs, Georgia, Dr. Humphrey most recently helped launch Thales College in North Carolina, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Catholic University of America.
On Aug. 1, Trojans welcomed a new Registrar to the fold with the addition of Veda Taylor in the role left vacant by 32-year veteran Registrar Vickie Miles. Taylor has 20 years of experience in several areas of higher education administration, including admissions, financial aid and graduate school administration. She joined the TROY Family from the University of Mississippi, where she served as Registrar for the UM School of Law. She has previously served as Registrar at Southwest Tennessee Community College and was Coordinator of External Activities and Global Admissions at the University of Memphis, where she was also Assistant Registrar for Student Records.
Dr. Michael Thrasher Dr. Clifford Humphrey Veda Taylor Greg Knedler Brig. Gen. Richard BoutwellThe year also saw several familiar Trojans step into new leadership roles at TROY.
Dr. Robbyn Taylor (’01, ’13) was appointed Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication following the retirement of Dr. Jeff Spurlock. Dr. Taylor earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism and strategic communication from TROY before completing a Ph.D. at Regent University. Before joining the Hall School faculty, she was a photojournalist at WSFA in Montgomery; a reporter at WNCF in Montgomery; a reporter, mobile journalist, columnist and editor for Freedom Communications in Northwest Florida; an international spokesperson and media coordinator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Washington, D.C.; and managing editor of The Messenger, Troy, Alabama’s, local newspaper.
Joining Dr. Taylor in moving into a new role was her husband, Aaron Taylor (’00, ’13), who was named television manager in September, following the retirement of longtime manager Kyle Bozeman (’82), who held the job for a quarter century. Aaron Taylor, once a student of Bozeman’s while attending Auburn University, graduated from TROY in 2000 and worked at CBS affiliate WAKA in Montgomery, Alabama, before returning to the University in 2002 as television production coordinator. He holds the Master of Strategic Communications from TROY.
Veteran TROY administrator Alicia Bookout was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Aid in the summer. She moved into the role from her position as Senior Director for Enrollment Services, Out-ofState Operations and Military & Veterans Affairs. Bookout previously held positions in advancement and athletics and has overseen recruitment and enrollment efforts of 11 recruiting and teaching support centers through the Southeast and Pacific regions. She participated in the Chancellor’s Fellows program in 2016.
William Filmore
The end of the year saw the return of a Trojan alumnus to campus when William Filmore (’11, ’18) was named Director of Governmental Relations. Filmore has both an undergraduate business degree and a MBA from the Sorrell College of Business and was President of TROY’s Student Government Association. He joins the University’s staff from his director of legislative affairs position for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. He previously served on the governor’s staff as local government liaison. Prior to joining the governor’s office, he was governmental relations coordinator for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, after having worked several years as the associate director of advancement for Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity. Filmore has served as executive director of the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum for a decade and is active in youth programs at Montgomery’s First Baptist Church and Alabama Boys State. His wife, Liz (’11, ’13), is Gov. Ivey’s Chief of Staff.
Throughout the year, TROY’s emphasis on leadership extended to the wider community around the University with programs that reach far beyond campus borders. The largest and most visible of these efforts was the Military Appreciation game which featured a matchup between the Trojans and the Black Knights of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. More than 32 buses transported active-duty soldiers from nearby installations to attend the game. The Trojans stunned Army with a 10-9 victory and moved to a sevengame winning streak.
Trojans also supported members of the military off the field during the year. TROY’s Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity chapter raised more than $125,000 to support Bonifay,
Florida-based Jeep Sullivan’s Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures. The Christian-based mission provides hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities to veterans who have been wounded physically and emotionally in battle. Walk Hard is one of the largest Greek philanthropic efforts in the country and has become a national model for the fraternity. Through the fundraiser, Trojans are leading Greek Life as servant-leaders.
TROY has a national platform for academics that hit home as well. Nearly 30,000 people took advantage of two free online classes over the summer. The courses aimed to build leadership skills for those looking to move their careers forward and taught principles to protect and grow wealth.
In local efforts, TROY’s Office of Civil Engagement teamed with the Pike County Boys & Girls Club to plant seeds for a community garden and learn about nutrition in “The Summer Garden Project,” backed by Hunger Free America and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers.
The University also took a step toward developing the future leaders of Alabama by playing host to both Alabama Girls State and Alabama Boys State during the summer. The 80th session of Girls State, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, featured addresses from 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, herself a former Girls State Lieutenant Governor. Some 350 young women attended.
More than 500 young men, who were rising high school seniors, attended Alabama Boys State. The delegates heard from Col. Mark Valentine, Anthony Daniels, Congressman Jo Bonner, the Rev. Garrett Harper, State Finance Director Bill Pool, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey and Attorney and University Trustee Forrest S. Latta (’80), among others.
Other youth leadership opportunities supported by the University this year included HOBY, the Youth Leadership Forum, the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum and many more.
“The Summer Garden Project” aimed to teach students the basics of gardening, nutrition and responsibility.
Girls State delegates had the opportunity to listen to Gov. Kay Ivey (center), a Girls State alum, speak on citizenship and the lasting impact of the program.
For the fifth straight year, TROY’s annual Giving Day surpassed its goal of $225,000. In just 24 hours, through 406 gifts, Trojans raised $343,348 that were designated for a variety of areas of interest, including scholarships, academic departments, student activities and athletics. “The generosity of the TROY Family on our fifth annual Giving Day will help our students reach their educational goals and move Troy University forward,” said Greg Knedler, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development.
When it came time for Jayne Berry to look for colleges, she and her family knew they were looking for somewhere special. Diagnosed with a learning disability in the 7th grade, Jayne was looking for a school that was the right size and with the right support system to help her succeed.
After considering several options, a recommendation from family friends in Dothan, Alabama, led Jayne and her parents, Bryan and Liz, to a university that met all their criteria. Eight hours from their home in Tampa, Florida, Jayne found a home away from home at Troy University.
Hoping to help future students take advantage of the community feel and support systems at TROY, the Berry family established the Berry Family Endowed Scholarship
Fund through a charitable remainder trust to provide scholarships for students with adaptive needs.
“With this gift that we will give to the University, in time, hopefully, it will help others, and down the road, they will pay it forward to the next group,” Bryan said.
Bryan worked 40 years as a Mechanical Contractor in the Tampa area, rising through the ranks right out of high school to eventually become President and co-owner of the business. The company recently sold, and the Berry family was looking for a way to invest those proceeds to meet their goals of securing income now for their retirement, while looking for a way to provide a major gift to impact TROY students with adaptive needs in the future. A
charitable remainder trust was the right option.The Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum endowed a scholarship honoring the legacy of leadership provided by longtime Leadership Professor Dr. John Kline in 2022.
The $25,000 leadership scholarship will benefit students pursuing a minor in leadership studies at TROY.
Dr. Kline, who retired in July 2021 as Director of TROY’s Institute for Leadership Development, built a crosscurriculum program centered on servant-leadership, a topic on which he wrote a book. Through his efforts, Troy University has been home to the Lions Club Leadership Forum for more than a decade.
A $100,000 gift from XS Brokers, a national wholesale and binding intermediary specializing in property and casualty personal and commercial lines products headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, is helping make a difference in TROY’s Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) program. The company made the gift, in part, due to the example set by TROY graduates who work for
“We have had several graduates join our wholesale organization over the last year, and we are very impressed with not only their quality of education but their work ethic and strong values,” said CEO Adam Devine. The funds will provide assistance to RMI students through individual scholarships, financial assistance with state licensing exams, student travel and other needs.
the company.Three Troy University alumni chapters endowed scholarships in 2022 — the Trojan Tailgaters Chapter, the Pensacola Chapter and the T-Club Chapter.
Proceeds from the Trojan Tailgaters annual Scholarship Ball, held each year at Homecoming, helped make the endowment possible, said Freddie Thomas, the chapter’s President.
The Pensacola Chapter, along with the family of one of its long-time members, worked together to endow the Pensacola Chapter Lon Wise Scholarship. Wise, a decorated World War II veteran, played football at TROY in the late 1930s and was a lifelong educator. He passed away in 2013.
The T-Club Chapter endowed the Eric Mizell Memorial Scholarship, supported largely through a golf tournament hosted by the Lettermen T-Club Chapter, which Mizell helped establish. Mizell, a 1993 graduate who played football at TROY, passed away in 2016. He was a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and led the Letterwinners T-Club Chapter.
The chapters join a growing list of those that have endowed scholarships, including the Archer, Alumni Band, Clipson, Conecuh, Elba and Emerald Coast chapters.
Troy University was recognized among the best regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings. TROY ranked 44th among all regional universities in the South and 17th among public regional universities in the South.
The rankings, which were released in September, take into account a number of factors of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, graduation rate performance, undergraduate academic reputation, student-faculty ratio, faculty resources and graduate indebtedness, among others.
TROY’s undergraduate nursing programs also were recognized among the publication’s Best College rankings — nursing programs.
Troy University’s online degree programs in psychology, business and criminal justice are among the nation’s best, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s “2022 Best Online Programs” rankings.
TROY’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology was ranked 12th in the nation, while online master’s programs in business and criminal justice were ranked high nationally for their service to veterans and military-affiliated students.
The online master’s program in criminal justice ranked 31st overall and 16th in the “Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice for Veterans.” The master’s program in non-MBA business programs ranked 34th best of such programs for veterans. TROY’s service to veterans was also recognized in the categories of “Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Veterans,” and “Online Master of Business Administration Programs for Veterans.”
Those programs were among several of the University’s online offerings that received recognition in the annual rankings that are based on indicators such as student services and technology, faculty credentials and student engagement. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners. These rankings assessed
1,733 and ranked 1,651 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, the most in the rankings’ 10-year history.
TROY was also recognized among the nation’s best in the “Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs,” “Online Bachelor’s in Business,” “Online Master of Business Administration Programs,” “Online Master’s in Business Non-MBA,” “Online Master’s in Education” and “Online Master’s in Nursing” categories.
In March, TROY was named one of the “Top 100 Online Colleges” nationally in 2022 by Abound, a college guidance system for degree-seeking adults.
Recognized among the leaders in online education, Troy University was one of only two universities in Alabama to receive the recognition.
Universities recognized by Abound are determined by the institutions’ success in four areas — accessibility, affordability, acceleration to degree completion and advancement of students’ long-term success. Factors considered included the number and diversity of online degree options, the university’s record of providing online learning options, affordability and availability of financial aid options, service and support of military students, academic and career counseling services, retention rates, graduation rates, percentages of full-time faculty and career services offered. Abound recognitions only include accredited institutions.
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was ranked among the nation’s best by Fortune Education in August.
TROY’s program came in at 36th in the “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs” 2022 rankings, which examined three components — selectivity, success, including examination of retention and graduation rates, and demand.
The MSN program is designed to provide graduates of baccalaureate programs in nursing the opportunity to develop the advanced knowledge and clinical skills required for leadership positions in nursing. The program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in health care informatics, nurse leadership and family practice.
Troy University was the only four-year, public university in Alabama to be named to the 2022 Military Times “Best for Vets” rankings.
Now in its 11th year, the Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — the most comprehensive schoolby-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies such as the Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 300 colleges took part in this year’s survey. Metrics such as completion, retention, persistence and GPA, along with military-specific resources provided and financial assistance offered were considered in the rankings. Admissions and registration policies also were factored into the scoring.
Troy University’s Rosa Parks Museum has been named one of the top museums in the state of Alabama by Stacker, an online newsroom distributing data-driven journalism to the world’s news organizations. Utilizing Tripadvisor and independent research, Stacker ranked the museum as the sixth best in the state. Located on the University’s Montgomery Campus on the spot of Parks’ historic 1955 arrest, the museum opened Dec. 1, 2000, with the mission of interpreting the story and lasting legacy of Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott for future generations.
Troy University ranked 13th in the Southeast among “Best for Vets: Colleges” and 41st in the nation among public colleges and universities.
Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, was named as a finalist for the 2022 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America.
Created in June 2012, the award honors an individual and/ or a group with a military background and/or involvement that has an impact within the realm of college football.
CARLTON MARTIAL
TROY Head Coach Jon Sumrall knew exactly what it was going to take to build a winning team at TROY because he had been part of a successful program at TROY as an Assistant Coach when the Trojans won double-digit games in 2016 and 2017.
What maybe he didn’t know was how quickly he would be able to not only turn around a program that had won just five games in each of the previous three seasons but return the Trojans to a championship-level program. In his first season leading the Trojans, Sumrall’s 2022 squad not only returned to the top of the Sun Belt Conference but did so in emphatic fashion.
TROY went 12-2 en route to the program’s seventh Sun Belt Conference championship and a win over No. 22 UTSA in the Cure Bowl — TROY’s fifth straight bowl win.
The Trojans’ record-breaking season propelled the program into the College Football Playoff Top 25 for the first time in school history following TROY’s blowout of Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship Game, which was held in TROY’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Following the win over UTSA, TROY finished the season ranked in the final Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time in program history.
Owner of the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 11 games, TROY finished the season ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Trojans posted the most wins of any program in the state of Alabama.
“This was a special season for our program, and it starts and ends with our players,” Sumrall said. “They believed in our vision for what we wanted this program to be, and each of them bought in on a personal level and committed themselves to excellence. The 2022 TROY Football team will be remembered as one of the best teams in this program’s long and proud history for what our players and our staff accomplished together as a team. I could not be more proud of these young men and this team.”
Armed with one of the best defenses in the country, TROY held all 14 of its opponents below their season average in scoring, including three of the top 25 scoring teams in the country — UTSA, Western Kentucky and App State. The Trojans limited UTSA to just 10 offensive points in the Cure Bowl, with three of those 10 points coming on a 4-play, 7-yard drive following a turnover. The Roadrunners entered averaging 38.7 points per game.
The Trojans held eight of its 14 opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter and allowed an average of just 3.64 points in the final 15 minutes of the game.
TROY ranked eighth nationally in turnovers gained, 14th in sacks, eighth in scoring defense, 19th in total defense and 24th in rushing defense. Individually, Carlton Martial, Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, earned
All-America honors for the fourth season after finishing third nationally, averaging 11.2 tackles per game and as the all-time leader in career tackles at the FBS level.
Offensively, Kimani Vidal became the 11th 1,000-yard rusher in program history while quarterback Gunnar Watson continued to move up the all-time leaderboard in program history. Starting center Jake Andrews was invited to the NFL Combine and played in the Senior Bowl alongside Martial, while left tackle Austin Stidham was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy.
The Sun Belt Championship was TROY’s seventh since 2006, ranking as the sixth most in the country, behind Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Boise State. TROY’s 12 wins tied a program record for the most in a season and rank as the most by a Trojan team at the FBS level.
Off the field, it was just as successful of a season as record crowds packed The Vet all year long, including the stadium’s first sellout when TROY hosted Army on Veterans Day weekend. TROY’s seven home games posted an average of 25,661 fans in attendance, a singleseason record by more than 1,000 fans per game.
(front row, from left) TROY Trustee Gerald Dial and his wife, Faye, TROY First Lady Janice Hawkins, Carlton Martial, TROY Trustee Edward Crowell and Head Coach Jon Sumrall (back row, from left) Mike Rivers, Demontrez Brown, Kyle Coale, TJ Harris, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, TROY Trustee Cam Ward
Troy University Chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., and Director of Athletics Brent Jones announced an initiative to provide TROY’s 400-plus student-athletes each an opportunity to study abroad over the course of their collegiate careers.
“Study abroad is a vital part of the TROY experience, and every student should have this opportunity,” Dr. Hawkins said. “It has been a remarkable experience to see our students go abroad, many of whom have traveled so little, and come back not only appreciating the world around them but, more importantly, appreciating this great country.”
Backed by an initiative from Dr. Hawkins, the trips will allow student-athletes to expand their knowledge by visiting unique cultures and participating in educational experiences, community service projects, and competitions or clinics with local athletes and youth.
“This is an incredible initiative that continues to build upon our standard of providing the best student-athlete experience possible at Troy University,” Jones said. “I am so appreciative of the support and vision from Chancellor Hawkins to make this program become a reality. The study-abroad initiative will provide our student-athletes an opportunity to travel outside of our borders, often for the first time in their lives, and enrich their life experience by immersing themselves in other cultures through community service, education, sport and some fun as well.”
Funding for the trips will come from the Athletics Department and the Chancellor’s Award for Global Competitiveness, which is available to all of TROY’s student population thanks to TROY license plate sales.
The initiative has already begun to see returns as Head Coach Scott Cross took his Men’s Basketball team on a week-long trip to Costa Rica in August. It was the first time that 12 of the 14 student-athletes on the trip had been outside the United States. While in San Jose, the Trojans competed against the El Salvador National Team twice and the Costa Rica All-Stars in addition to gaining valuable team-bonding time, assisting youth in the area with clinics and exploring the vast cultural offerings in the country. Additionally, in the fall, TROY Men’s Golf traveled to the Bahamas and competed in the Bahamas NCAA Invitational.
Student-athletes that compete on teams that do not have an opportunity for international competition will be granted efforts for individual or group travel within their sports with a focus on camps and clinics, learning opportunities and community service.
Troy University is home to international students from 60 countries worldwide and is proud to carry the title of Alabama’s International University. This new TROY Athletics initiative centers on providing student-athletes with experiences across the globe, primarily focusing on South America and Latin America.
(left, top to bottom) Christian Turner, Zay Williams, Aamer Muhammad, (right, top to bottom) Nelson Phillips, Associate Head Coach Kenneth Mangrum, Darius McNeill
TROY Athletics Director Brent Jones has shown that he has a keen eye when it comes to hiring head coaches following the early success from Football Head Coach Jon Sumrall, Baseball Head Coach Skylar Meade and Men’s Golf Head Coach Forrest Schultz. Jones dipped into the well again with the hiring of Eric Newell to lead the Softball program and Stuart Gore to direct the Soccer program.
Newell led Auburn University at Montgomery to backto-back No. 3 national rankings the past two seasons as the Warhawks were among the final six teams remaining in the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball World Series after AUM won both its Regional and Super Regional matchups.
“Coach Newell is a national-championship-winning coach who has had tremendous success everywhere he has been,” Jones said. “He is a relentless recruiter who knows our recruiting area extremely well while also having regional and national connections and demonstrating a proven track record in player
development. The future is incredibly bright with Eric Newell leading our proud softball program.”
In 16 seasons as a head coach, Newell’s teams have dominated on the field, posting a combined .727 winning percentage between his eight years at Williams Baptist (254-121) and eight seasons at AUM (302-88). Newellcoached teams have won eight conference titles and appeared in six NCAA or NAIA postseason tournaments with four World Series appearances.
Newell’s aggressive style of play led AUM to ranking in the top 14 nationally in scoring his final four seasons with the program. Additionally, the Warhawks stole more than 100 bases in each of his final four full seasons, including 179 in 2019, the third-most in the country. AUM’s 2.82 stolen bases per game in 2018 were the fifth-most nationally.
AUM’s dominance also translated to the circle, where Warhawk pitchers combined for a 1.97 ERA with 66 complete games and 54 shutouts from 2019 to 2022.
Gore comes to TROY with seven years of collegiate head coaching experience, having won 81.3% of his games and five conference championships. He most recently had a highly successful two-year stint as the head coach at Northwestern State, where he led the Demons to 25 wins, an NCAA Tournament appearance, two Southland Conference Player of the Year honorees and a No. 61 final RPI ranking in 2022.
“Coach Gore is a national-champion coach who has won at every level he has coached,” Jones said. “He is an extremely talented recruiter with a deep love for the sport of women’s soccer. His teams play with passion and toughness on the pitch and have succeeded in the classroom and the community.”
Under Gore’s leadership, Northwestern State led the country in corners in 2022 and ranked in the top 25% nationally in all attacking and defending categories. The Demons finished the 2022 season with a 12-4-3 overall record. Additionally, Gore added Gracie Armstrong to the
program as a graduate transfer, and she would go on to earn Southland Conference Player of the Year honors after scoring 26 points with nine goals and eight assists.
Gore built the Northwestern Ohio program from the ground up, leading the Racers to an NAIA National Championship, four straight NAIA Final Four appearances, a 100-15-5 overall record, a national player of the year and 23 All-Americans.
He had immediate success in the program’s inaugural season, leading Northwestern Ohio to a 15-5-1 record, springboarding the program to four straight 20-win seasons before he moved on to James Madison.
It took just three seasons for Gore to lead the Racers to the NAIA National Championship Game and 16 shutouts (most in the country), and then in Gore’s fourth season, he brought a National Championship to the program. The 2016 squad led the country with 20 shutouts, boasting the National Player of the Year and five All-Americans.
Junior pitcher Leanna JohnsonRenovations are underway to transform TROY’s RiddlePace Field into one of the crown jewels of collegiate baseball. The facility is receiving a new scoreboard, all new chairback seating, renovated press area, new premium RBI Club down the first base line and coaches offices down the third base line.
Demolition began shortly after the last game of the season with construction following shortly after.
The renovations to Riddle-Pace were announced on the day Skylar Meade was hired as head coach and he says the new additions will add to the overall experience of being a Trojan Baseball fan. Meade says that knowing a new stadium was in the works helped bring him to TROY as he has seen the benefits that a new facility can have on a collegiate baseball program.
“It’s something we knew coming in,” says Meade. “This was already an incredibly appealing job at the time looking back a little less than a year ago, but this took it to another stratosphere because we’re trying to do things here that have never been done and sometimes you have to really invest in order to do that and you see that around the country with different programs. What’s happened is they’ve invested. You look at Coastal’s new stadium. When Louisville did it. Those programs ended up going to Omaha, one winning a national championship, once they invested in their stadium; and we hope that the same future holds true for us.”
In an article released by AL.com, based on a survey the digital news site conducted with Alabama’s high school football coaches, TROY came out on top as the best recruiter in the state. In fact, TROY was mentioned almost twice as many times as the next closest school, UAB, and 13 more times than Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama and 18 more times than Bryan Harsin’s staff at Auburn. “For me, everything we do in recruiting and in relationships starts here at home,” said Head Coach Jon Sumrall.
Jeff Coleman, Chair of the Troy University Foundation
(left) is pictured with TROY left tackle Austin Stidham and Football Head Coach Jon Sumrall at the National Football Foundation awards dinner in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stidham was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, presented annually by the National Football Foundation to the country’s top student-athlete, an award that has been dubbed the “Academic Heisman.”
TROY Women’s Basketball and Volleyball and the postseason are terms that are becoming synonymous with each other in recent history under the direction of Head Coaches Chanda Rigby and Josh Lauer, respectively. Now you can add the TROY Men’s Basketball program into the mix, which made its return to the postseason last year under Head Coach Scott Cross.
Women’s Basketball won the Sun Belt regular season title, its fifth Sun Belt championship in the last seven years, and earned the right to host Alabama in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in Trojan Arena.
Rigby’s Trojans posted a 24-9 record during the 2021-22 season, finishing just one win shy of tying the program record. TROY’s impressive season included a win over Mississippi State, 73-66, on the Bulldogs’ home court. The Trojans also boasted an 11-game win streak, spanning from Jan. 15 with a win over ULM to TROY’s Sun Belt Tournament Semifinals win over Little Rock.
The WNIT bid marked TROY’s fourth straight postseason appearance (not counting the 2019-20 season when COVID-19 canceled play) with two NCAA Tournament bids and two WNIT trips, both of which were hosted in Trojan Arena.
The Men’s Basketball Trojans finished the 2021-22 season 20-12 under Cross and advanced to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament before accepting a bid to the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI). The CBI appearance was the second in program history for the Trojans and the first postseason berth since TROY’s 2017 March Madness run.
TROY had its best season (based on win percentage) since 2003-04, completed its first 20-win season in Cross’ tenure and finished fourth in the Sun Belt.
The Volleyball team made its third straight appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship Tournament and played host to the opening two rounds for the second consecutive year.
Lauer’s club finished the season 18-13 and 11-5 in Sun Belt play. The 11 wins in conference play were the most wins in program history and Lauer became the first coach in program history to lead the Trojans to four consecutive winning seasons while matching a program-high ninegame win streak.
The Trojans earned the No. 2 seed out of the Sun Belt West and advanced to the SBC Tournament semifinals after finishing with the third-best record overall in the league.
2022 TROY Women’s Basketball team proudly displays five Sun Belt championship trophies the program has earned over the past seven years.
