TROY Today 2022 Edition

A YEAR FULL OF MILESTONES

TROY celebrated many milestone anniversaries from the founding of the University in 1887, to schools and colleges, student organizations, alumni chapters and more.

desk of the Chancellor

This edition of TROY Today marks our 135th anniversary of service to our state, nation and world, and the stories within these pages reflect the culture that has made our University a place apart in Alabama higher education.

In this issue, we celebrate the 50th year of service for both the Sorrell College of Business and the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, as well as two major milestones for key components of our music industry program. Alumni success is the common theme to all three stories. Since we were founded in 1887 to train teachers, a hallmark of a TROY education is to graduate students who can make an immediate impact on their chosen professions.

Alumni success takes many forms, and we spotlight alumni who are doing great things in a variety of areas. For example:

• Gibson Vance, class of 1987, President Pro Tempore of our Board of Trustees, is the incoming President of the Alabama Bar Association;

• Chris Hardy, class of 2002, has been inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame;

• Baylen Parker, class of 2021, was named a National Finalist in the Society of Professional Journalists 2021 Mark of Excellence Award “Radio Feature” category.

Stewardship is a key aspect of TROY’s culture, and our cost-savings efforts have been noticed by the Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust, a national organization committed to holding down the cost of higher education to the consumer. The case study praised TROY for holding the line on tuition and discouraging students from taking out loans to fund their education unless it is absolutely necessary. Other institutions profiled in the case study included the State University System of Florida, the University of Illinois System, the Texas A&M University System and West Hills Community College District in California.

Patriotism is another key aspect of TROY culture, and this issue reports on a significant partnership we have signed with the American Village Citizenship Trust near Montevallo to promote the values upon which our great nation was founded. Almost three years ago, Dr. Tom Walker, the founder of the American Village, approached TROY about a partnership to enhance the teaching of civics education across the state. I am proud that we have formalized this agreement because well-informed citizens make for stronger government.

In closing, I encourage all Trojan alumni to stay connected to their alma mater by letting us know what is going on in your lives, from your careers to your families. We want to hear from you!

Executive Editor

Samantha Johnson Editor

Rob Drinkard (’09)

Art Directors

Madelyn Flanagan (’19)

Mark Moseley (’97, ’99)

Copy Editors

Andy Ellis

Kristin Frazier

Contributors

Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87)

Matt Clower (’04)

Tom Davis (’81)

Andy Ellis

Madelyn Flanagan (’19)

Kristin Frazier

Kyle George

Anna Gooden (’06)

Carrie Jaxon

Abby Jones

Marion Givhan

Brent Jones

Laken Lee

Clif Lusk

Jane Martin (’97, ’99)

Ashlyn Montee

Katie Moore (’18)

Maci Olive

Adam Prendergast

Jonathan Sellers (’07, ’11)

Savanah Weed (’17)

Meredith Welch (’19)

Photographers

Joey Meredith (’16)

Mark Moseley (’97, ’99)

Chancellor

Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D.

Interim Senior Vice Chancellor, Advancement & Economic Development

Dr. John Schmidt

Chief Marketing Officer

Samantha Johnson

Associate Vice Chancellor of Development

Greg Knedler

TROY Today Magazine welcomes comments, ideas and suggestions from readers. Editors reserve the rights to determine if letters to the editor will be published and to edit submissions for content and length. Copyright 2022 by Troy University, all rights reserved. Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Troy University.

TROY Today Magazine is published for alumni members, donors, students, parents and friends of Troy University.

For more information, contact the Office of Marketing and Communication at: 256 Adams Administration Building Troy, AL 36082

Phone: 334-670-5830

Email: marketing@troy.edu

Find us on: troy.edu/social and at www.troy.today Advertising: Contact Marketing at 334-670-5830 or see the media guide at troy.edu/advertising.

Senior Director, University Relations

Matt Clower (’04)

Director, Advertising

Rob Drinkard (’09)

Director, Alumni Affairs

Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87)

President, Troy University Alumni Association

Roni Holley (’77)

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Youth Business Summit

Accolades

Parks Museum

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in Music Industry

Free courses success

Bank summer camp

American Village

night option

Honoring Sen. Holley

& STAFF

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Faculty recognitions

Italian excavation

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Fred Davis

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Milestones

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YOUTH BUSINESS SUMMIT ENERGIZES STUDENTS

Twelve local schools participated in the event, which has been held annually since 2017.

More than 200 high school juniors and seniors from the Wiregrass participated in the Troy University Youth Business Summit held in May on the Dothan Campus. At the end of the event, six students came away with scholarships to TROY.

Students attended half a day of workshops on different aspects of business taught by area professionals and TROY faculty. In addition to the workshops, students also had the opportunity to compete in several contests, including a “Shark Tank”-style business plan competition, a social media contest aimed at creating the best social media plan for Todd Farms and a financial investment competition.

“This project has been very worthwhile over the years,” said Dr. Skip Ames, a judge in the business competition and a lecturer in the Sorrell College of Business on the Dothan Campus. “What really energizes us as faculty is the fact that these students want to be involved in business and they want to succeed. No matter who wins, the point is these students had an idea and were motivated enough to try.”

The Youth Business Summit was created in part to expose high school students to the many facets of business they can explore in their academic and professional careers. The event also introduces them to all the resources TROY has to offer.

“Thirty percent of students who attend the Youth Business Summit go on to become Trojans,” said Dr. Dewey Todd, Assistant Dean of the Sorrell College of Business. “This is an

excellent way to familiarize young, business-minded students with the Sorrell College of Business and Troy University and also introduce our services, such as admissions, records, student services/TRIO and financial aid. Additionally, we’re also informing them of opportunities many of them don’t know exist, like the Small Business Development Center and the IDEA Bank as well as local organizations, the Chamber of Commerce and our many sponsors. We’re proud to see so many local high schools represented here year after year.”

TOP TROY CHAMPION

The highest award given, representing exemplary achievements in all competitive categories

Ridgecrest Christian School

BUSINESS PLAN & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS

Each team member awarded a $500 TROY scholarship Ridgecrest Christian School

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT COMPETITION

Geneva County High School

TROY RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

For the 18th year, Troy University was recognized by The Princeton Review in its list of best colleges and universities in the Southeast.

Troy University was also recognized nationally this spring as one of the “Top 100 Online Colleges” and as a part of the “Best Colleges for Adults” listing by Abound, a college guidance system designed to aid degree-seeking adults. “Troy University was a pioneer in online education and we have been unwavering in our commitment to those who study with us at a distance,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “External recognitions such as these are a testament to our continued efforts to set high standards for academic excellence and student service through our online programs.” Fortune recognized a pair of online graduate programs — the Master of Science in Nursing and the Master of Business Administration — as being among their nation’s best rankings. U.S. News & World Report recognized TROY among its “Best Regional Universities South” and “Best Colleges for Veterans Among Regional Universities-South.” TROY ranked 17th in the publication’s “Top Public Schools Among Regional Universities-South” list.

TROY’S ROSA PARKS MUSEUM ENGAGES VISITORS THROUGH MOBILE APP, NEW SCULPTURE

TROY’s Rosa Parks Museum is working to create a mobile app that will engage its visitors, especially young children.

The museum is teaming up with QuantumERA, LLC, an immersive solutions company, to create the “Rosa Parks and the Women who Made the Movement” mobile application, which will feature a virtual Rosa Parks and other unsung figures of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Visitors will meet the virtual Mrs. Parks and other foot soldiers of the movement on the second floor of the Children’s Wing, which will inspire them to learn more about Mrs. Parks’ life and activism as well as the individuals and strategies that made the boycott a success.

The museum is currently raising funds for the app’s development and hopes to launch the app in 2023. Those interested in helping in this effort can make gifts online by scanning the QR code above.

“Our goal with this app is to engage all visitors, but especially students, on an emotional level and provide them with a series of immersive but educational experiences that will help them to better understand the political and racial oppression of Jim Crow segregation and the people, many of

whom have often been overlooked, who fought to gain the rights and freedoms granted under the U.S. Constitution,” said Donna Beisel, the museum’s Assistant Director. The app is not the only way the museum is seeking to have an impact on visitors. In December, during Rosa Parks Day in Alabama, a new sculpture of Rosa Parks was unveiled outside the front entrance.

Created by local artist Ian Mangum through the use of powder-coated steel, the sculpture depicts Mrs. Parks’ face. The sculpture is the second created by Mangum with the first being unveiled in 2020 at Maxwell Air Force Base near where Mrs. Parks and her husband, Raymond, once worked.

“Since we opened this museum, over a million people from over 100 countries have participated in this experience,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “We look forward to thousands and thousands of visitors having the opportunity to enjoy this new work as they approach and leave this very special place.”

TO DONATE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE APP, SCAN THE QR CODE ABOVE.

Ian Mangum pictured with his sculpture, “Portrait of Rosa Parks,” at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum

UNIQUE MBA MIXES MUSIC & BUSINESS

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.

Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business has teamed up 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.

The Master of Business Administration focused on Music Industry is one of a select few AACSB-accredited programs that blends 18 semester credit hours in business fields with 18 hours in music industry.

“In addition to foundation and development courses in business, the MBA student has the opportunity to focus in multiple areas of the music industry, including audio production, film scoring, music publishing, concert production and composition/arranging among others,” said Robert W. Smith, Director of the Music Industry Program within the John M. Long School of Music.

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.

“Students will be qualified to work in all aspects of the music industry, from business operations to production and performance,” said Dr. William Neese, Director of the MBA program within the Sorrell College of Business.

In addition, to teachers of music industry, the MBA will be considered a terminal degree, meaning no higher degree is offered. “The Master of Business Administration focused on Music Industry is the next step in Troy University’s commitment to the quality education and preparation of our students for a lifetime of success,” Smith said.

TROY’s music industry program has stayed on the leading edge of the business as well. A new mix room has been 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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY MBA AT TROY.EDU/MUSICINDUSTRYMBA.

NEARLY 30,000 PARTICIPATE IN FREE LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL FINANCE COURSES

In an effort to introduce students to online education and leadership, TROY offered two free courses this summer, drawing a peak enrollment of nearly 30,000 students, with approximately 11,000 enrolled in both courses. Students could earn up to six hours of academic credit in the threehour courses in leadership and personal finance by taking a challenge exam at the end of the four-week programs. TROY first offered the free leadership course two summers ago as an introduction to online education during the pandemic, which limited in-class instruction.

“The leadership course we offered in 2020 was such a success, we decided to offer it again and add the personal finance course because we saw a need to develop these skills in our students, particularly incoming freshmen,”

said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “The response was overwhelming.” He added that the leadership course was the perfect introduction to TROY’s curriculum.

“TROY offers leadership education ranging from an academic minor to a Ph.D. in Global Leadership, so this is a natural fit for us,” Dr. Hawkins said. “And, it’s a great way to give students a head start on their college careers or enable them to invest in their personal growth.”

The “Effective Leadership for a Fast-Changing World” course explored various leadership philosophies and allowed students to begin forming their personal leadership styles.

The “Your Life, Your Success: Money Management & Financial Wellness” course introduced students to best practices in personal financial management.

IDEA BANK SUMMER CAMP

Six high school students participated in the IDEA Bank’s first Entrepreneurship Summer Camp to learn business and financial planning, law, marketing and brand development. Emily Stokes, 15, from Highland Home, Alabama, won a $2,000 Harrel McKinney Entrepreneur Endowed Scholarship to TROY with her plan for Blackbird Paper, which aims to provide ecofriendly, handcrafted paper products. IDEA Bank Director Lynne George, (pictured, right, with Stokes, left), along with professionals from the Sorrell College of Business, the Small Business Development Center at Troy University, Troy Bank & Trust and local small business owners provided hands-on instruction throughout the week. The event was sponsored by the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council.

AMERICAN VILLAGE AGREEMENT BOLSTERS KNOWLEDGE OF CIVICS

TROY and the American Village Citizenship Trust have teamed up to help Alabama youth increase their knowledge of U.S. history, the function of government and the role of the citizen in the governmental process. A memorandum of understanding was signed in June by the two institutions in Montgomery creating a Young Leaders Program, targeting high school juniors and seniors, administered by TROY’s Institute for Leadership Development. Upon passing a challenge exam, participants will receive three hours of credit for TROY’s Leadership 1100 course. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said the agreement brings two like-minded institutions together. “We believe in a strong military, we believe in the power of faith, we believe in good citizenship and civility, and we believe in all of those things that we think have contributed to the greatness of America,” he said. “That’s what the Village stands for, and we want to work in partnership with the Village to help impart that understanding to the young people of Alabama.” A civics education micro-credential will be developed for middle or high school civics, American national government, or U.S. history teachers and/or those preparing students to take the civics exam 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 and will create an American Village-Troy University Partnership Advisory Board.

“We have a long way to go before the average person in this country understands the very basics and fundamentals that are required to function in a free and democratic society,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We are very proud at Troy University to partner with the American Village to help Alabamians understand in a much deeper way their responsibilities in civics and in the knowledge of history and the understanding of what we have to do to move forward, together as a nation.” Dr. Tom Walker, President Emeritus of the American Village, said American Village is excited about the partnership and its potential growth in the future.

(from left) President Emeritus of American Village Dr. Tom Walker, American Village Board Chair Carol Brown, President Pro Tempore of the Troy University Board of Trustees Gibson Vance and TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

Montgomery Experience

NIGHT ASSOCIATE IN NURSING MEETS DEMAND FOR NURSES

Troy University expanded its Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program on its Montgomery Campus to include evening classes, which started Fall 2022 with a second cohort to start in Spring 2023 in an effort to more effectively meet the demand for nurses in the River Region and provide greater opportunities for students.

Dr. John Garner, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, said TROY’s reputation for putting quality, careerready 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 can be seen sooner rather than later. “We have entry points in both the Fall

and the Spring semesters, so we are going to be able to get nurses out fairly quickly,” Dr. Garner said. “The ASN is a four-semester program, plus a semester of pre-requisites, so it is not the typical four- to four-and-a-half-year time period.” The program will look to partner with local and regional medical centers, such as Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital as well as independent providers, on student clinical and internship opportunities and student and faculty recruitment. “Many people go to college at night after working a day job to complete their college degrees after work. This TROY nighttime ASN program will provide them that opportunity in Montgomery. The TROY staff and faculty in Montgomery are ready to help them study ‘by the light of the moon’ like we have done for the past 57 years,” said Ray White, Vice Chancellor of TROY’s Montgomery Campus.

HONORING SEN. JIMMY HOLLEY

Troy University’s Board of Trustees honored State Sen. Jimmy Holley (R-Elba) who retired from the Alabama Senate in November with nearly a half-century of service in the State House of Representatives. In addition to his Legislative service, Sen. Holley served Troy University as an administrator from 1984 until 2007, retiring as Director of the Regional Inservice Center and as Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, as well as prior service as Director of the Center for Developmental Education.

“There are a lot of simple lessons that I have observed from Sen. Holley over the years. One of those is the power of servant leadership. That element of service and loyalty runs so deep in Sen. Holley and always has. He always gave what was expected of him during his time at TROY and during his time as a public servant,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. (from left) TROY Trustees Earl Johnson (’70), Gibson Vance (’87), Edward Crowell (’01), Cam Ward, Gerald Dial, Roy Drinkard, Allen Owen and Charles Nailen; and TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., with Sen. Jimmy Holley (center)

LEADERSHIP MOVES 2022-23

As the academic year begins, there are new faces at TROY, along with familiar faces in new roles at the University.

DR. JOHN SCHMIDT returned to the University in late July to lead the Advancement and Economic Development Division as Interim Senior Vice Chancellor. He took the reins from Gen. Walter D. Givhan (USAF, ret.), who held the position since 2014. Dr. Schmidt, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and combat veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, retired after 20 years of service to TROY in 2014 before returning in 2019 to lead the Student Services and Administration Division, a role he had served previously. Dr. Schmidt also served as Senior Vice Chancellor for the Division of Advancement and External Relations at TROY.

DR. MICHAEL THRASHER was named Dean of TROY’s College of Communication and Fine Arts in July, filling the position left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Larry Blocher, who had served in the role since 2014. Dr. Thrasher comes to TROY 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.

DR. JOHN GARNER has been named Dean of the College of Health and Human Services after having served in the role on an interim basis since 2021. Prior to the interim role, Dr. Garner served as Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. He also previously served as the Interim Director of the School of Social Work and Human Services and is a tenured Professor of exercise science.

GREG KNEDLER took on the role of Associate Vice Chancellor for Development in February. Knedler came to TROY with more than 20 years of experience in development and higher education advancement, most recently as the Vice President for Class and Constituent Development at the Air Force Academy Foundation. In addition to his work with the Air Force Academy, Knedler also held positions at Georgia State University and Auburn University.

ALICIA BOOKOUT was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Aid in June. Bookout is a veteran TROY administrator with experience in a variety of roles, most recently as Senior Director for Enrollment Services, Out-of-State Operations and Military and Veteran Affairs. She also held positions in Advancement and Athletics and has overseen recruitment and enrollment efforts of 11 recruiting and teaching support centers in the Southeast and Pacific region.

DR. ROBBYN TAYLOR (‘01, ‘13) was named Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, filling the position left vacant by former Director Dr. Jeff Spurlock. Dr. Taylor, a two-time TROY alumna who also earned her Ph.D. in Communication at Regent University, previously served as Student Publications Adviser and lecturer in the strategic communication master’s program, the Ph.D. in Global Leadership program and various undergraduate courses.

VEDA Y. TAYLOR was recently named as the new Registrar at Troy University, filling the position left vacant by the retirement of Vickie Miles after 32 years of service to the University. Taylor brings to TROY nearly 20 years of experience in several areas of higher education administration, including registrar, admissions, financial aid and graduate school administration. She most recently served as Law Registrar for the University of Mississippi School of Law and previously served in positions at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis and the University of Memphis.

DR. CLIFFORD HUMPHREY began work in June as the Director of TROY’s Institute for Leadership Development. Dr. Humphrey filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Dr. John Kline. Originally from Warm Springs, Georgia, Dr. Humphrey earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He attended the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College. Most recently, he helped launch Thales College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

SCOT BRUMBELOE (‘17) was recently named as the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, including oversight of the TROY for Troops Center. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Brumbeloe joined the Navy out of high school and served as Master-at-Arms, Petty Officer Third Class. A TROY alumnus, he was the founding president of the TROY Chapter of SALUTE National Honor Society. Brumbeloe served for three years as a Disaster Relief Mission Coordinator, helping victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Michael. He returned to TROY in 2021, working in Academic Services.

DR. JAVIER BOYAS was named as the new Director for the School of Social Work and Human Services. He most recently served as an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work, serving as the Director of the school’s Master of Social Work program. Dr. Boyas also previously held positions at the University of Mississippi and the University of Texas at Arlington.

& STAFF

TROY FACULTY RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP, EXPERTISE

Troy University isn’t the only one benefiting from the expertise and leadership demonstrated by its faculty and staff. Other organizations have come to recognize the University’s talented faculty and staff as well.

Dr. Lance Tatum (’88, ’89), TROY’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, was among 22 Chief Academic Officers from universities throughout the country to be selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Student Success Institute (SSI). Launched in 2020, the SSI is a leadership development program aimed at supporting provosts to more effectively lead and implement the type of transformational change necessary to meet the evolving needs of today’s increasingly diverse student body. The program is supported by a $1.6-million grant from Ascendium Education Group. Dr. Tatum was also named to the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics. The committee manages Division I academic matters, including policy, eligibility standards and the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program.

AASCU once again drew on expertise of TROY faculty this spring, selecting Dr. Fred Figliano, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives in the College of Education, to participate in the 2022 Emerging Leaders Program. Dr. Figliano was among the group of academic and administrative leaders from 32 different AASCU institutions.

Designed for early- to mid-career professionals and faculty leaders who have an interest in higher education leadership, the Emerging Leaders program enables participants to engage in a national dialogue with experienced leaders and experts in higher education and to develop a network of colleagues from around the country.

Also in the spring, Dr. Priya Menon (’05), Professor of English, was selected to serve as a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador. The Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador program identifies, trains and engages a select group of Fulbright Scholar Alumni each year to serve as representatives, recruiters and voices for the Fulbright Program. Dr. Menon, who received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program grant to India in 2018, was among those selected from nearly 300 applications.

Another TROY faculty member was recognized for the breadth of her research related to women in leadership.

Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Vice Chancellor of TROY’s Phenix City Campus, received The Women and Leadership Member Community of the International Leadership Association’s Outstanding Scholarship for Established Scholar Award, which recognizes published work by a seasoned scholar that has advanced the understanding of women in leadership in significant ways.

Dr. Lance Tatum

Dr. Priya Menon Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims

Dr. Fred Figliano

DR. MARTIN T. “MARTY” OLLIFF, Professor of History and Director of the Wiregrass Archives on the Dothan Campus, was awarded the University’s Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award during the annual Faculty/Staff Convocation in August. The award consists of a $1,500 cash prize, a medallion to be worn with academic regalia and a specially designed commemorative artwork featuring the globe. The award is made possible through a $100,000 endowment by the SouthTrust Corporation. Wallace Malone, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SouthTrust, served as a TROY Trustee from 1975 to 1995.

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS

DR. SHARON M. WEAVER, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Interpreter Training, received TROY’s 2022 Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching during the annual Honors Convocation in April. The Ingalls Award, which consists of a statue of Socrates, a plaque and a check for $1,000, is given annually to the teacher on the Troy Campus who has “most diligently, effectively and cheerfully conducted his or her classes during the current academic year.”

DAVID VAN BUSKIRK (‘91), Lecturer in the Sorrell College of Business, was the recipient of the Dr. Robert Kruckeberg Faculty Excellence Award, presented by the University’s Faculty Senate. The award, which honors the memory of Dr. Robert Kruckeberg, an Associate Professor of History who passed away in December 2020 at the age of 43 following a courageous battle with cancer, is presented annually to an outstanding lecturer or adjunct faculty member demonstrating excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service.

JOE MCCALL (‘94), a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, was honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award recognizes recipients for their excellence of character, humanitarian service and spiritual qualities. Students Linnie Russell and Justin Thomas were the student recipients of the award.

2022-23 CHANCELLOR’S FELLOWS

• Dr. Lee Ammons, Interim Assistant Chair for the Leadership Development and Professional Studies Department and Coordinator for the Occupational Education Program in TROY’s College of Education

• Dr. Paige Paquette, Associate Professor in Teacher Education

• Dr. J. Brandon Sluder, Professor, Interim Department Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator for Kinesiology & Health Promotion

• Dr. Hui-Ting Yang, Associate Professor of Piano and Interim Director of the John M. Long School of Music

• Dr. Zhiyong Wang, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for the Department of Chemistry and Physics

The partnership with the University of Pisa came about in 2019 after TROY First Lady Janice Hawkins visited Pietrasanta, a town on the coast of northern Tuscany in Italy, where TROY students frequently study abroad.

TROY PROFESSOR, STUDENTS MAKE DISCOVERIES AT ITALY DIG

After partnering with Italy’s University of Pisa to participate in archaeological digs, TROY anthropology/archaeology

Professor Dr. Stephen Carmody and his students have helped make several key discoveries in Italian history.

Having studied in Italy, Dr. Carmody was eager to make the connection. Because the Italian archaeologists had no one on staff to study plant remains — Dr. Carmody’s specialized field of study — he was invited straight away.

“They took me to all of their sites and where the students stay in the summer and it was perfect,” Dr. Carmody said. “I left thinking it wasn’t going to work, that it can’t be this easy.”

Just a few months later, he and six TROY students made the trek over and participated in a three-week dig in Vada Volterra, a harbor town off the coast of Tuscany that was used for shipping agricultural goods.

The Italian team’s focus was geared more toward the larger expanse of the landscape while Dr. Carmody and the students focused on finding and studying plant remains for the University of Pisa researchers to test later.

After the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and international travel opportunities took a hit, he returned on

a solo trip to Tuscany this past fall to dig at the Luni site near Carrara, one of the world’s major marble quarries. Located adjacent to the Apuan Alps — a mountain range that appears to be covered in snow but is actually marble — the town fell around 700 AD after green-tinted marble from Turkey became popular, rendering the white stone obsolete. 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 was “very early” for its time.

“You can see some marble and the archaeologists were like, ‘Oh, there’s nothing there, let’s stop.’ A few days later, they go dig this area again,” Dr. Carmody said. “As we started to dig, we discovered a giant, mosaic tile floor like the one from before. It’s a room right next to the temple, and that colored floor extended across the whole area. It’s not painted marble, it was actually colored stone that was cut and fit into that huge space.”

Troy offers many diverse activities, places to shop and

entertainment for a variety of tastes. Fall is a great time to explore all our great city has to offer. Spend an afternoon riding your bike around town. Cheer on our beloved Troy University Trojans. Or visit Historic Downtown Troy for a one-of-akind shopping experience as you walk door to door visiting all the locally owned boutiques and stores. We take pride in our activities, pride in our businesses and pride in our citizens. Discover the diversity

the City of Troy,

STATUE, SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH HONORS DR. FRED B. DAVIS

“The Student Scholar,” a statue by the late Dr. Huo Bao Zhu, was dedicated in April to the memory of Dr. Fred B. Davis during a ceremony in front of Lurleen B. Wallace Hall on the Troy Campus.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said Dr. Davis embodied the culture of caring for which Troy University is known.

“This is significant because Fred Davis was significant,” Dr. Hawkins said. “There have been very few people in the last 100 years that have made more of a difference at Troy University than Fred. He was Chief Academic Officer, but he was so much more than that. I think we have seen the outpouring of support, love and respect that Fred enjoyed from all those students and colleagues who knew him.” Known for his tireless commitment to TROY students, Dr. Davis passed away in 2019. Dr. Davis climbed the ranks from Assistant Professor of English to the office of Provost during his 33-plus-year tenure at TROY, touching many lives along the way and inspiring all those who crossed his path.

Dr. Hawkins said the choice to dedicate a statue depicting a student scholar in Dr. Davis’ memory was very appropriate. “Fred was a very learned scholar. He loved literature, he loved the written word, he was a grammarian,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We thought that something that would reflect his love of learning, the love of writing, and the love of reading would be appropriate. It is a great honor to have something to remind us on a daily basis, not only of the artist Huo Bao Zhu, but particularly of Fred Davis. That is why we made the decision to place the statue in front of the library, a place that he truly loved.”

The dedication ceremony followed the Scholarship Brunch, which has also been named in Dr. Davis’ memory. The brunch, held each spring, serves to celebrate donors who have helped to establish more than 500 privately funded scholarships benefiting deserving TROY students.

(from left) Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Janice Hawkins, Jane Beasley (’74), Roy Cain (’81) and Karen Carter (’73)

FOLLOW THE LEADERS

Oct. 12, 2022, marks TROY’s fifth annual Giving Day. Our goal: Raise $225,000 in one day. Can you help? Designate your gift to what you are most passionate about at TROY — scholarships, athletics, academics or student activities.

GIVING DAY

& GIVING

SULLIVAN SCHOLARSHIP HONORS PROFESSORS

For alumnus Ward Sullivan (’98), studying at Troy University introduced him to the subjects and mentors that would help define his life.

The Anthropology Department had such a profound effect on Sullivan that he recently established a scholarship in anthropology in honor of two key professors who most shaped his academic life. “I have always been appreciative of my professors like Dr. [Bill] Grantham and Professor [Bascom] Brooms and how they cared about their students,” Sullivan said. “If I can help students have a positive experience at TROY by helping them financially through a scholarship, then I will.” Originally, Sullivan did not anticipate pursuing a degree in anthropology. When he arrived at TROY in 1995, Sullivan thought of majoring in psychology. Two anthropology classes, chosen as electives, changed his course. “I felt really at home

in those classrooms, with the course material, with the subject matter,” Sullivan said. “Anthropology felt like a really well-rounded area in which to major.”

I think being kind to people is one of the keys to having a good society.

— Ward Sullivan

The second class Sullivan took, Dr. Grantham’s cultural anthropology class, piqued his interest so much that he shifted his major. Working in planned giving at multiple institutions has afforded Sullivan a unique perspective on giving back to organizations that matter to him. “Part of me feels if I’m going to work in this field, then I have a duty to participate in it myself,” Sullivan said. He sees firsthand the significant impact of contributions to universities and remembers how grateful he felt receiving a scholarship during his time at Troy University.

Offering his resources to his alma mater also aligns with the values in which Sullivan believes. “I think being kind to people is one of the keys to having a good society,” Sullivan said.

Whatley

ADERHOLT SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS EDUCATION MAJORS

Belief in the power of education and a desire to support future educators are the inspirations behind the Harry C. “Heinie” Aderholt Memorial Endowed Scholarship benefiting Troy University students.

Anne Aderholt established the scholarship in honor of her late husband, Harry C. “Heinie” Aderholt, and sister, Rebecca Langford. Aderholt said she was motivated to create the scholarship because of her parents’ determination that she and her siblings get a college education.

“The goal is that every student who has a strong desire to get an education has the opportunity without it being a financial strain on their parents,” Aderholt said.

Aderholt, born Anne Scarbrough, grew up in Troy, Alabama, with her sisters, Rebecca (’51) and Peggy (’60, ’69), and brother, Robert. All three sisters attended TROY, with

Rebecca and Peggy pursuing education degrees, while Robert went to Auburn University on a football scholarship. Aderholt says she hopes the new scholarship will help future teachers earn their degrees with less financial strain. The new scholarship supports any student pursuing a degree in education, with priority given to students from Pike County. It’s a move that Aderholt believes her late husband would have supported because he believed in the power of education. “He knew how important education was, mainly because he did not have one,” Aderholt said.

“He dropped out of high school to support his family and was not able to attend college. Later in life, he helped to educate some of his nieces and nephews. It meant a lot to him that people have the opportunities that he did not have to get a college education.”

Michelle Richmond’s

most recent novel, “The Wonder Test,” has been hailed as a “gripping thriller” and witty satire of “high-stakes education.”

RICHMOND RECEIVES HALL-WATERS PRIZE

Renowned author and Mobile, Alabama, native Michelle Richmond is TROY’s 2022 Hall-Waters Prize recipient. After receiving the award in April, Richmond spent the morning speaking with students about the evolution of her career from publishing collections of her short stories to writing best-selling novels. During the morning session, Richmond was interviewed by a panel of students from English Department Chair Dr. Kirk Curnutt’s English Senior Seminar class, many of whom are aspiring authors. Richmond, who grew up along the Alabama Gulf Coast but has resided in California since 1999, told the crowded ballroom of students that her southern roots still play an important role within her writing.

“I think what the characters experience is what I experience, but what any of you who have moved here from far away or those who will move far away from here, I think that there is a push-pull,” Richmond said. “You are always looking back to where you came from and you are always aware of the meaning of that place and the landscape of that place. But, you are also pulled toward your new place. You are making a new life somewhere very different than your old life.

I think there is the longing for the past, but there is also the pull toward this new life. Then what happens is your new life becomes your life.”

During the presentation of the award, TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. said Richmond joins the long list of southern success stories in the area of arts and literature to be recognized with the award.

“This is a tradition that began in 2002, and through the years, it has recognized some of the giants of southern arts and literature,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Today is certainly another credit to that long list of success stories as we award this honor to Michelle Richmond.”

The Hall-Waters Prize is endowed by TROY alumnus 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.

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP HONORS DR. JOHN KLINE DONORS & GIVING

Longtime Leadership Professor Dr. John Kline has been honored with an endowed scholarship in his name by the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum (ALHSLF). The $25,000 Leadership Scholarship presentation was made by members of the Lions Club. Students pursuing a minor in Leadership Studies will benefit from the scholarship.

“It was a privilege to work with Dr. Kline during his involvement with the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum. His insight into leadership consistently resonated with our high school delegates every time he took the stage,” said Tracy Thompson, who helps coordinate the forum. “The ALHSLF is thrilled to play a small role in establishing a scholarship in honor of Dr. Kline and the lasting legacy he has at Troy University.”

The purpose of the forum is to build and strengthen leadership, foster new and beneficial relationships, and create a desire to serve among students in Alabama.

That was right up Dr. Kline’s alley. Dr. Kline, who retired in July 2021 as Director of TROY’s Institute for Leadership Development, built a cross-curriculum program centered on servant leadership — a topic on which he wrote a book. Through his efforts, Troy University has been the forum’s home for more than a decade.

“Dr. Kline’s commitment has always been to follow the example of the one who came to serve and not be served,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “It is certainly appropriate that this scholarship recognizes his devotion to servant leadership and is a testament to his dedication to preparing our next generation of leaders.”

The ALHSLF and the Office of Development are working to expand the endowment to at least $50,000.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DR. JOHN KLINE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP, SCAN THE QR CODE ABOVE.

(back row, from left) George Head, Linda Ziglar, Dr. John Kline, Pat Avinger and Ron Seybold (front row, from left) Tracy Thompson and Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

TROY MOURNS MCLENDON DONOR, GOLFER & FRIEND

Troy University is mourning the loss of long-time supporter and former PGA Tour professional Benson “Mac” McLendon, who passed away July 4. In 2001, McLendon and his wife, Joan, and daughter, Amy, established the Lance Robert McLendon Foundation in memory of their son and brother, Lance. Lance was a Sorrell College of Business graduate who died at 29 from Crohn’s disease. Through the foundation, they have generously contributed to the University by naming a classroom and establishing a scholarship in memory of Lance. The scholarship has helped more than 150 students pursuing business degrees who have significant financial needs and come from challenging life circumstances, with the amount awarded totaling more than $750,000. Collin McCrary, Senior Vice President of Investments at Benjamin F. Edwards, has been a part of the scholarship program for the past 15 years. “I have watched the recipients gain confidence in themselves,” McCrary said. “Past recipients have come for their second- and third-year interviews, and we can see the difference the McLendon family has made in their lives. I know of several who have graduated and have become successful in life when the odds were stacked against them until they were able to get help finishing their education. Mr. Mac always told them as they left the interview room, ‘I know you are going to do well in life. You are going to be GREAT!’ He was a great encourager and a cheerful giver.”

“Mr. Mac had a wonderful way of making us scholarship recipients feel like family. He truly cared about us and wanted to know all about us. I can only imagine all of the people he made an impact on throughout his very successful, well-lived life. I consider those people, and myself, very lucky.”

— Courtney Brown Golden (‘19) McLendon Scholarship recipient 2017-18, 2018-19

“For the past three years, I have been honored to receive the Lance Robert McLendon Scholarship, which has been my biggest blessing. The first time I met Mr. McLendon, I could tell that he was a very genuine and caring person who cared about the problems of others, and if he could have, he would have blessed every single person who applied for the scholarship the way he blessed me. He always checked up on his recipients and truly wanted the best for all of us. It is not common for someone you just recently met to care for you as much as he did. He was an extraordinary and rare person, and I am so thankful I got to meet him.”

— Marcus Boler, TROY senior McLendon Scholarship recipient since 2020

GIVE BACK, CHANGE TOMORROW

Your gift to TROY is giving students the opportunity to Lead Change in the world. Your support makes it possible for us to fund scholarships, enhance learning experiences, create opportunities and so much more. There are so many ways at Troy University to make a difference in the education of our students — at home and around the world. We are so grateful for each of you who have given and continue to give. From the bottom of our heart, thank you.

You can begin your TROY legacy today by:

Donating to TROY’s Annual Fund Campaign

Creating or donating to a much-needed student scholarship

Supporting TROY academic programs

Supporting Trojan athletic programs

Establishing a planned gift

Purchasing a Fraternity, Rosa Parks or Graduate Walk of Honor Brick

Joining or renewing your Alumni Membership

A new giving society has been established to recognize loyalty in annual giving to the Troy University Foundation. The 1887 Society recognizes donors of any level who have contributed for three or more consecutive years.

“Since our University’s founding in 1887, proud alumni, friends, faculty and staff have given selflessly to ensure new generations of TROY students will have the opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills necessary to make an impact in the world,” said Meredith Welch, Director of Annual Giving and Special Projects.

In recognition of their contributions, donors will receive an exclusive society lapel pin, a commemorative certificate, and invitations to special donor events, seminars, sporting events and other campus activities. More than 800 donors have already received a recognition package and others will be mailed when donors reach the three-year milestone. All donations are counted toward recognition in the 1887 Society, regardless of amount or where the donation is directed. “By giving annually, donors assist us in our commitment to transforming our students’ lives. Consistent giving allows a donor to play a crucial role in the achievements of the University and thousands of students who call TROY home,” Welch said.

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT TROY.EDU/GIVE, CALL 334-670-3320 OR EMAIL ANNUALFUND@TROY.EDU.

OWEN LEWIS SCHOLARSHIP SHARES LEGACY OF LOVE

Quick to smile. Quick to laugh. Always ready with a hug and eager for the next ride on his “cool bike.” Although Owen Lewis’ time on Earth was cut tragically short, it was brimming with love.

Now, Owen’s parents — Troy University Professors

Onick and Heather Lewis — are working to ensure that love carries forward into the lives of others through a pair of philanthropies: the Owen Wayne Lewis Memorial Scholarship at Troy University and O’s Cool Bike Foundation. Two-year-old Owen passed away in April of this year, and when his parents look back at his life, his early love of bikes is a cherished memory. “Owen started riding a balance bike at 17 months, and by the time he was 2-and-a-half he was balancing and moving toward a regular bike,” Onick said. “I grew up riding bikes my entire life, but I realize that not every kid is able to afford a bike.”

Wanting other families to have cherished memories of riding together, the Lewis family launched O’s Cool Bike Foundation

to collect balance bikes for children in the Troy Head Start program. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, they are well on their way to their goal of 100 bikes, with plans to give them out around Christmas and hold a charitable bike ride on the Troy Campus in the spring.

“We want to allow the children to ride around Troy University and be a part of something they may not always have been able to do, coming to a college campus and fostering a love of cycling at an early age,” Onick said. In addition to the bike foundation, Onick and Heather have established a memorial scholarship in Owen’s name, which will support students in the programs they teach — social work, human services, or hospitality, tourism and event management — with a focus on first-generation college students.

“We just want Owen to live on forever through our efforts,” Heather said. “Through the foundation and the scholarship, we want him to be riding on forever.”

MILESTONES

MILESTONES

WRITTEN BY: SAVANAH WEED

Since Troy University’s founding in 1887, it has undergone many changes — five new names, additional campuses and service sites located both stateside and overseas, partnerships with foreign universities, new programs of study and countless upgrades to academic buildings, student facilities and sporting venues. Throughout these changes, the University’s commitment to excellence remained constant, leading to a storied history and a precedent for success.

On Feb. 26, 1887, the Alabama Legislature established Troy State Normal School as an institution to train teachers for Alabama’s schools. In 1893, the school was renamed Troy State Normal College.

The Normal College offered extension courses for teachers and granted teaching certificates until 1929, when the State Board of Education changed the charter of the institution and renamed it Troy State Teacher’s College. That same year, the College moved to its current location and the first two buildings were dedicated: Shackelford Hall, named for Edward Madison Shackelford, President of the school from 1899-1936, and Bibb Graves Hall, named for David Bibb Graves, Alabama’s “education governor.” The building has since been renamed to honor the memory of civil rights icon, longtime Georgia Congressman and Pike County native John Robert Lewis.

The enrollment of the college more than doubled in the years following World War II, leading to the introduction of various degree programs, most notably in business. In 1957, the State Board of Education recognized this expanded role and dropped “Teacher’s” from Troy State College’s name.

The 1950s also marked the beginning of the University’s long relationship with the military as extension courses were offered on nearby installations, first at Fort Rucker and later at Maxwell Air Force Base. Separate teaching centers established on these bases in the following years evolved into the present-day Dothan and Montgomery campuses. In 1973, the University opened sites at military bases in Florida and later Fort Benning in Georgia. Today, TROY operates 20 service center sites in seven U.S. states, in Japan and South Korea, and has partnerships with universities in Vietnam, Malaysia and China.

In 1967, eight members were appointed to the new Troy State College Board of Trustees, one of the first acts recommending a name change to Troy State University. In 1975, the Phenix City Campus opened as a branch of the University. In 1982, the Troy State University System was formed as the campuses in Dothan and Montgomery were granted independent accreditation status. In April 2004, the Board of Trustees voted to drop “State” from the University’s name to better reflect the institution’s worldwide mission.

Starting August 2005, all TROY campuses were again unified under one accreditation.

TROY’s colleges have followed this pattern of growth and had the opportunity to celebrate multiple milestone achievements during the 2021-2022 school year: the Sorrell College of Business and the Hall School of Journalism and Communication hit the 50-year mark, Ilium Records turned 15 and the student musical group POPulus completed its 10th year with 10 albums released.

SORRELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TURNS 50

What is now the Sorrell College of Business began offering business education courses in the early 1930s. As additional courses were added through the years, it eventually led to the formation of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1961 and creation of a Department of Business. The then-named College of Business and Commerce was founded in 1971 with Dr. Cliff Eubanks serving as the founding dean. In 1981, the college was renamed the Sorrell College of Business (SCOB) in honor of businessman Jeff Sorrell and his wife, Anise. Graduate degrees were added to the inventory in the early 1970s, beginning with the MBA in 1972 and specialized master’s degrees following in 1975. The most recent graduate degrees added to the Sorrell College inventory were the Master of Accountancy (2013) and Master of Arts in Economics (2015).

The Sorrell College earned the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation in November 2018 and Specialized Accounting Accreditation in January 2019. The School of Sport, Hospitality and Tourism Management moved into the Sorrell College in August 2020, adding an undergraduate degree with concentrations in hospitality management, sport management and tourism management, a master’s in sport management and its first doctoral degree: the Ph.D. in Sport Management.

The week-long Golden Anniversary celebration kicked off in March with a fourday series of panels featuring alumni from the 1970s to the 2000s; retired faculty legends from the ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s moderated by Stan Blankenship, retirees Dr. Steve Garrott, Dr. Ed Merkel and Professor Robert Earl Stewart; alumnus Jon Eiland (’09), Senior Vice President of Credit Strategy and Portfolio Analytics at PNC Bank in Birmingham; every living dean of the Sorrell College of Business, including current Dean Dr. Judson Edwards (’96), Dr. Cliff Eubanks, Dr. Wayne Curtis, Dr. Larry Lovik and Dr. Earl Ingram, moderated by Dr. George Crowley, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; and Investors Business Daily writer and author John Merline and Director of Coalition Relations at The Heritage Foundation Andy Olivastro. In cooperation with the Hall School of Journalism, the M. Stanton Evans Symposium on Journalism, Money and Politics was held March 24 featuring keynote speaker Steven Hayward, author of the new Stan Evans biography “M. Stanton Evans: Conservative Wit, Apostle of Freedom.” The week concluded with a disco party in the John Robert Lewis Hall Atrium. “The Sorrell College at 50 continues to do the work it set out to do all those years ago, which is to simply provide great teaching and student support ... to prepare job-ready students for career success and happy lives,” Dr. Edwards said.

As the college looks ahead to another 50 years, the newly formed Center for Corporate and Community Collaboration will continue the SCOB’s goal of building strong partnerships with area businesses and industries.

“Our ties to the region are strong, and we provide broad access to our resources and intellectual capital, cultivating strategic opportunities and partnerships,” said Stan Blankenship, the center’s Director. “Through our new Sorrell Center for Corporate and Community Collaboration, we will offer numerous ways for companies to tap into various Sorrell College resources.”

The center plans to offer business partners professional development programs and will pursue internship opportunities for Sorrell students to gain workforce experiences and full-time jobs. In addition to career fairs for employers, the center will engage local business leaders to provide mentoring programs for students and plans to establish an Executive-in-Residence program to bring CEOs and significant leaders to the TROY community to share lessons learned through their experience. The center is also developing an executive education program to help executives and corporations improve organizational performance, strengthen leadership and address development needs.

“Our faculty are currently identifying their specific areas of expertise, sharing an inventory of their talent, highlighting current and past experiences (academic and professional), addressing their skills and attributes, and demonstrating the strength of talent in the Sorrell College,” Dr. Edwards added. “We are excited to strengthen relationships with business partners to enhance the learning experience for our students at Sorrell College.”

Even as the college aims to build relationships with local industries, a major component of learning for SCOB students will continue to be in global business. Olivia Walleser (’19), 2019 winner of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, had the opportunity to travel to Malaysia her senior year as part of a Global Environment class.

“We got to work with Malaysian students at our partner school, SEGi University, and visit numerous businesses. It opened my eyes to the reality that different cultures truly do have a different way of doing business,” she said. “Having since graduated from college and entered corporate life, I find myself forever grateful to the education I received from the Sorrell College of Business. I know when to ask the right questions, how to work with others to accomplish a goal and how to confidently navigate complex problems.”

HALL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM UNVEILS NEW SLOGAN FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Troy State University Department of English began offering journalism as a minor in 1970, and on Dec. 16, 1971, the Hall School of Journalism was created in a partnership between Troy State University 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. The same year, 1975, Sigma Delta Chi, the 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 produced in the TSU-TV studios. In 2008, the speech department combined with the Hall School to form the Hall School of Journalism and Communication (HSJC). In 2013, the online Master of Science Degree in Strategic Communication program was formed, and the print journalism major was changed to multimedia journalism to reflect industry changes.

Most recently, in 2018, student journalists began working in the Earl Hutto Television Studio, a newly renovated, professionally designed set.

After Chamberlain, Judy Wagnon was named acting dean in 1975, followed by Jim Hall in 1977 and Merrill Bankester in 1981. Dr. Steve Padgett took over the role in 1996 and became Director two years later when the school became part of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. Dr. Robbyn Taylor (’01) now leads the HSJC as Director after the departure of Dr. Jeff Spurlock, who served as Director from 2014 until August 2021. Dr. Amanda Diggs served as Interim Director from August 2021 to June 2022.

On Oct. 8, 2021, the school kicked off a year-long celebration with the unveiling of a new slogan: “Shaping ethical and trustworthy communicators.”

The slogan was chosen by way of a school-wide contest with the goal of describing the mission and values of the Hall School in five words or less. Out of hundreds of entries, the winning motto was submitted by marketing adjunct faculty member Harvey “Jim” Kerlin II.

Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. said the slogan is reflective of the Hall School’s long history of dedication to the truth.

“As you look back over the history of the Hall School, it is impressive. One of the namesakes of the Hall School, Grover

C. Hall, won a Pulitzer Prize for telling the truth about the Ku Klux Klan in 1928. He did that at a great personal risk,” he said. “That same commitment to truth remains our goal — shaping journalists devoted to reporting facts and telling the truth. What we’re doing today is recommitting ourselves to preparing well-qualified communicators who are focused on telling the truth.”

More than 30 HSJC graduates are professional journalists in local markets while others are reporters, anchors and producers at The Weather Channel, CNN and The NFL Network, and public relations coordinators and vice presidents for news services and other industries. Other celebratory events featured a master class hosted by Meagan Hart Dorsey (’09, ’13), a series of deadline-driven student competitions, a reception for “The Art of the Story: A Year Through a TROY Lens,” an exhibit featuring the work of TROY student journalists, and an alumni luncheon sponsored by the Alumni Affairs Office. The once-annual alumni banquet was reignited for the first time since 2013 to recognize outstanding alumni. Awards were presented to Kendra Love (’08, ’21) (Print Journalism Alumna of the Year), LaKia Starks (’13, ’15) (Broadcast Journalism Alumna of the Year), Dr. Robbyn Taylor (Outstanding Service Award), Jordyn Elston (’17, ’18) (Young Alumna of the Year), and Gary Stogner (’74) (Lifetime Achievement Award).

Heidi Moore Dasinger (’81) was recognized as the Public Relations Alumna of the Year. “This honor was quite a surprise and a delight to receive, especially during such a special year for the Hall School,” she said. “I had a wonderful four-year experience at Troy University in that it was a perfect setting for many aspects of my development. I knew at the time that God had put me in a unique place to grow and flourish, and, looking back over my career, I know I learned as much outside of as inside of the classrooms there.”

ILIUM RECORDS, POPULUS PROMOTING STUDENT MUSICIANS FOR A COMBINED 25 YEARS

In 2007, TROY’s new music industry program began a bold venture that would take on a life of its own. Under the guidance of Program Director Robert W. Smith, music industry students launched Ilium Records, a student-run record label designed to promote music made by Trojans while giving current students a taste of the business side of music. The genesis of the label occurred when Smith returned to TROY in the fall of 2006 at the request of Dr. Larry Blocher, Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, after the music industry curriculum was approved. Initially expected to be a relatively small program, courses gained popularity quickly and the pair knew they needed an anchor.

In a collaborative effort between Smith, Dr. Blocher and a group of students, Ilium Records was born. The initial logo and branding by alumna Kelly Efstathiou (’07) remain 15 years later.

“I remember I was really excited about it because Robert wanted to have a really professional experience, so he created a music studio presentation,” Efstathiou said. “He brought in musicians from the Sound of the South, taught us how to use Pro Tools and how to operate a studio. He set up songwriting classes, and that’s when I really learned how to write the proper way. Anybody that’s wanting to have a career in the music industry would benefit from this program.

“It blows my mind to think how it started and what it is now. Students are able to come out with a portfolio to present to whoever they are looking to get a job with. I’ve seen several students post recently that they are now in Nashville or south Florida working in music thanks to their experience at the music industry program and Ilium Records.”

HSJC students gathered on the quad for a commemorative 50th anniversary photo

With the creation of TROY’s pop music ensemble POPulus a few years after Ilium’s founding, the record label began publishing new original student music each year in the form of an annual album. The formation of POPulus allows students to experience every side of the industry — from recruiting and developing artists and producing an album to learning the process of releasing an album and working with copyrights.

“If Ilium is the heartbeat, POPulus is the soul. Between Ilium and POPulus, that pairing of these entities gives our students the opportunity to experience the music industry while they are on our campus,” Smith said. “POPulus is really a music industry biosphere for our students. It allows obviously really fine and talented musicians to perform, but it also allows audio engineers, stage management and lighting designers to put into practice what they’re learning and get a feel for what their life could be.”

As Ilium Records hit the 15-year milestone, POPulus also celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and the number of decorated alumni continues to rise.

Efstathiou graduated and went on to become one half of the award-winning inspirational country music duo Cori & Kelly, who released their second album in October 2021. The pair have also been nominated for and won multiple Country Music Awards.

Cain, a Christian country trio featuring siblings Madison Cain Johnson (’12), Taylor Cain Matz (’13) and Logan Cain (’14), released their debut album that was awarded “Breakout

Single” at the K-LOVE Fan Awards in 2021. They are currently on tour and have been nominated for two K-LOVE awards, “Group/Duo of the Year” and “Song of the Year.” Wyatt Edmonson (’17), the first member of POPulus, is a successful songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, having composed for “Veggie Tales” and worked with Carrie Underwood. In 2020, his song “Pontoon State of Mind” went viral and became a theme song for Avalon Pontoons. He’s set to release new music later this year.

Nashville-based publishing company Banner Music named Leah Hudson Binkerd (’17) as Operations Manager in May. She joined Banner Music from the Nashville Songwriters Association International, where she began her career and rose to Director of Membership & Songwriter Events, and she was featured on the cover of MusicRow Magazine.

Over the last 10 years, Smith said their goal was to develop students for careers in the music industry. While that goal remains, the new mantra is, “We are here not to just prepare you for your career. We are here to launch your career.”

“The number of people that POPulus played for just in the month of April, the music industry professionals, movers and shakers, is off the charts,” Smith said. “We had a number of artists here, Chris Vrenna from Nine Inch Nails, Liberty DeVitto, a drummer for Billy Joel’s recording and touring band, Christine Ohlman from Saturday Night Live, other major producers. … Liberty said, ‘Robert, nobody in the world does this. Nobody in the world. Troy University is the only place doing this.’”

Caleb Etris, student leader of POPulus

Jackson Perkins, Mountain Brook High School student

BOYS & GIRLS STATE BRING HIGH SCHOOL LEADERS TO CAMPUS

WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS & SAVANAH WEED

The next generation of leaders got a taste of college life this summer as Troy University hosted nearly 900 delegates of the American Legion Alabama Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State. The rising high school seniors gathered in late May and early June to learn about leadership and gain hands-on experience in all levels of state government, while also cementing new and lasting friendships.

For TROY, the opportunity to host the events meant bringing some of the state’s best and brightest high school students to the Troy Campus. The University offered scholarships to those attending Boys and Girls State, including a $4,000 Leadership Scholarship, renewable each year over four years, for those who were elected as mayors. In addition, application fees are waived for delegates who choose to apply to TROY.

“Hosting camps such as Boys State and Girls State, along with other leadership events such as HOBY and Youth Leadership Forum are a win-win for the University,” said Herb Reeves, Dean of Student Services. “The University is able to fulfill its mission of education and outreach, which benefits the community and state, and these camps attract some of the best and brightest young leaders among Alabama high school students. As the host site, we have the opportunity to introduce these prospective students to the Troy Campus.”

In addition to meeting as city groups and hosting elections for various local- and state-level offices, both groups heard from various civic and government leaders. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a former Girls State Lieutenant Governor, told delegates that her Girls State experience has stuck with her through the years. “Girls State is not just a week. It’s a state of mind, an attitude, a way of thinking that has stuck with me my entire life,” Gov. Ivey said. “Every day when I enter the Governor’s Office in the Capitol, I take with me the virtues that Girls State so ably instilled in me.”

This year’s delegates echoed those sentiments from their experience on the Troy Campus. “The Troy Campus is excellent; I have loved all of it,” said Jackson Tucker of Thorsby, a delegate to Boys State. “One of my favorite things has been the connections I’ve made with some of the people. The counselors are really good people. Being able to branch out and meet others from around the state is a new experience for me and it has been really nice.” Annsley Wallace of Hooper Academy, who was elected Mayor of Goat Hill during Girls State Week, said she has grown in many ways by taking part in the program.

“Throughout the course of this week, we have all grown in so many ways we could have never imagined,” Wallace said. “The support and genuine happiness from all of these girls is something I’ve truly never seen before. I want to thank the girls of Goat Hill, our wonderful counselors and the welcoming staff of Troy University.”

FEATURE STORY

RIGHTSIZING

WRITTEN BY: MATT CLOWER

Troy University has been recognized as a national model for providing quality, affordable education in a new report from the 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. For TROY, the study examined the leadership of Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. and the Board of Trustees and the decisions that have made Troy University 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’s focus on affordability started in the earliest days of the Hawkins administration. One of Dr. Hawkins’ first acts as Chancellor was to commission an institutional audit aimed at identifying the University’s most significant challenges. “I would advise every new university president or chancellor to do an audit immediately,” Dr. Hawkins said. “A vision can be a great thing, but it also can be a nightmare for those who have to implement it. And that’s why I believe that for a vision to have meaning, to be relevant, it needs to be a collective vision. But how do you have a vision unless you can frame the problem?”

In the end, the audit identified several problems, including duplication related to the independent accreditation of TROY’s campuses in Montgomery and Dothan.

“We had three faculty handbooks. We had three financial systems. We had three brands,” Dr. Hawkins said. “And one of the charges in that study was to address duplication and lack of cohesion in this system.”

This finding led to one of the most significant changes in the history of the University — the merger of TROY’s separately

$TROY UNIVERSITY SETTING THE STANDARD FOR AFFORDABILITY

accredited campuses into “One Great University.” The consolidation of all TROY locations into a single, accredited institution resulted in significant cost savings — estimated at more than $20 million in the first decade.

“It was the thing that really has contributed to affordability at this institution,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Making one of three [separate institutions] really was a key element. It was a difficult process, but today we’re so grateful that we bit that bullet 20 years ago and are where we are today.”

TROY’s focus on affordability did not end with the One Great University initiative. TROY’s senior leaders and Trustees maintain a strong focus on optimization, including faculty and staff utilization, program productivity and space utilization. The goal is to ensure that savings realized through stewardship are passed on to students.

“We have a mindset that we don’t want to pass costs onto the students,” said Dr. James Bookout, Senior Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs and TROY Online. “So, we manage our personnel, which represents around 55 percent of our total budget, very closely.”

This commitment to stewardship extends to the Board of Trustees’ approach to tuition. TROY announced a tuition freeze for the 2022-2023 academic year — the third straight year in which the University has kept prices level.

Gibson Vance, President Pro Tempore of the Board of Trustees, said the Board’s position is to keep tuition rates as low as possible. “As a Board, our philosophy is to not raise tuition unless it is absolutely essential,” Vance said. “We want to keep tuition costs and room and board as low as possible where [students] don’t run up their credit card or student loan debt is weighing them down for years and years.”

Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to making high-quality, affordable college education a reality for all Americans. Their full report can be found at pcapt.org/empowertrustees.

For just the second time in program history, TROY Athletics has already surpassed the 11,000 football season ticket mark with the all-time program record fast approaching.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Spring practice is in the rearview mirror for TROY Football Head Coach Jon Sumrall and his Trojans. The new man in charge of the TROY football program led his squad through 14 practices over a five-week period, culminating with TROY’s annual T-Day Spring Game April 23 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“We’ve gotten a lot of good work in, and I’m proud of our guys,” Sumrall said. “We had a lot of guys practice in all 15 of the practices, which we made a big deal about, clocking in every day and being about your work. I’m excited to see where we’ve gotten to this spring. We’ve got great kids; we’ve got a good group of young men who are excited about getting better.”

Sumrall inherits a squad that underachieved the last three seasons, winning five games each year and failing to qualify for a bowl game. However, the roster is littered with highprofile players looking to take the next step under the leadership of the new coaching staff. Defensively, the Trojans return one of the top units led by two of the top players in the nation in linebacker Carlton Martial and bandit Javon Solomon. Martial, a senior from Mobile, Alabama, enters the year needing just 104 tackles to become the NCAA’s all-time leader at the FBS level, while other Sun Belt and TROY records are also on his radar. Solomon broke onto the scene last year, joining Martial with All-America honors following the year. The Tallahassee, Florida, native was seventh nationally with 0.92 sacks and ninth with 1.5 tackles for loss per game.

The other side of the ball was a work in progress during the spring, with new Offensive Coordinator Joe Craddock and his staff implementing a new offensive scheme. Gone are the days of four or five receivers in the formation; here are formations with two tight ends, multiple running backs and a run-first, pass-second mentality.

“We have taken a bunch of strides offensively. We’re doing great stuff schematically. I think our kids are seeing how it can help them, and they’ve bought into what they’ve been taught to this point,” Sumrall said.

The pieces are there for a successful offensive unit with junior quarterback Gunnar Watson, sophomore running back Kimani Vidal, senior offensive lineman Austin Stidham and sophomore receiver Tez Johnson all back after successful 2021 campaigns.

A new-look schedule is in play for the Trojans in 2022 after the addition of Marshall, Southern Miss, James Madison and Old Dominion to the Sun Belt. TROY moves into the Sun Belt West Division going forward, putting the Trojans in the same division as rivals South Alabama and Southern Miss. The home schedule features a marquee matchup with Army on Nov. 12 at The Vet, with Southern Miss, Marshall, ULM, Texas State and Alabama A&M at home this season as well.

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED BY VISITING TROYTROJANS.COM/TICKETS.

TROY CHEER ADVANCES TO UCA FINALS

The TROY Cheerleading squad finished in sixth place at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Small Coed Division IA competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in January. The finish was TROY’s best in-person result at the event since 2017; the Trojans finished third last year in a virtual format. Competing against schools from across the country, TROY qualified in fifth position following the 11-team preliminary round. TROY finished ahead of Florida State, App State, Minnesota, San Diego State, New Mexico and Syracuse to advance to the finals. (back row, left to right) Head Coach Nic Laracuente, Rannon Pasibe, Abby Grace Barber, Avoni James, Jamia Jones, Rex Smith, Paul Gagnon, Trey Anthony, Cameron White, Trey Wilson, Haleigh Moore, (middle row, left to right) Kalyn Boyle, Becca Senn, Kinley Copen, Abby Shepherd, Caroline Lyles, Morgan Emerson, Addison Reynolds, Anna Short, Carlyn Hayes, Assistant Coach Dani Butler, (front row, left to right) Katelynn Griffith, Miranda Head, Shelby Preston

SUMRALL RECOGNIZED FOR RECRUITMENT

Jon Sumrall and his staff have been on the job for less than a year, but the head coaches at high schools across the state have already taken notice of their prowess on the recruiting trail. In an article recently 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 recruiters 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. “Everything we do starts at home,” Sumrall told AL.com. “We are fortunate to be positioned in a state that has outstanding talent but equally outstanding coaches. For me, everything we do in recruiting and in relationships starts here at home.” The proof is in the pudding, as the old saying goes, with Sumrall and his staff already landing commitments from an in-state player with SEC offers as they build out their 2023 signing class.

TROY MEN’S BASKETBALL CELEBRATES UNBREAKABLE RECORD ANNIVERSARY

TROY Athletics honored the 30th anniversary of the highestscoring game in NCAA Basketball history this past season by rolling out the red carpet for both fans and members of that historic team.

Head Coach Don Maestri and Assistant Coach David Felix welcomed back countless players and staff members from the squad that scored 258 points in a victory over DeVry College on Jan. 12, 1992, in historic Sartain Hall. Members of the team took part in a pregame social event and were honored at halftime in front of a raucous Trojan Arena crowd of more than 4,100 people who received free Troy State T-shirts featuring a throwback version of T-Roy on the front. What makes that 1992 game so special is that it still stands as the highest-scoring game at any level in NCAA history. The Trojans set the NCAA record for points in a half in the first half before breaking the record again in the second half.

Troy State made 51 3-pointers in the game — an NCAA record — and the teams combined to score one point an average of every six seconds.

TROY Sports Hall of Fame inductee Terry McCord (’93) led the Trojans with 41 points after connecting on 16-of-26 shots from the floor and 9-of-14 from 3-point range, while Brian Simpson (’94) hit a game-high 11 3-pointers to finish with 38 points. Four Trojans — YES, FOUR — closed out the game with 29 points, while three players posted double-doubles. The combined 399 points are the most by two teams combined in NCAA history at all divisions; however, you will not see it in the NCAA record book as it only recognizes games between two NCAA teams for combined records. However, Troy State’s scoring prowess wasn’t limited to just that game. The Trojans set an NCAA record for a season, averaging 121 points per game during that 1992 season.

1992 TROY Men’s Basketball team

BASKETBALLREVIEW

As fall turned into winter and the temperatures dropped outside, Trojan Arena was alive and on fire as the TROY Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams fashioned a pair of seasons fitting for the beautiful building they call home. The women’s team won the Sun Belt Conference regular season championship for the second consecutive year, marking the Trojans’ fifth league title in the past seven seasons. While Head Coach Chanda Rigby’s bid for a fourth NCAA Tournament appearance fell just short with the Trojans falling in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game, her squad made history by hosting Alabama in the opening round of the WNIT in front of more than 2,200 fans in Trojan Arena. “I’m proud of the team for setting and achieving the goal of three-peating a Sun Belt Championship,” Rigby said. “The squad also earned the highest team grade point

average of any TROY Women’s Basketball team on record. These accomplishments, along with the countless hours they volunteered in serving TROY’s community, make this team one of the most accomplished in program history.”

TROY dominated the Sun Belt during the regular season, posting a 13-2 league record, losing one game by just two points and another on the road with a shortened bench due to COVID-19 protocols. The Trojans were almost unbeatable at home, finishing the season 12-2 inside Trojan Arena, including a thrilling 77-76 victory over Middle Tennessee, which advanced them to the WNIT Semifinals. The season was highlighted with another marquee win behind a combined 36 points from Felmas Koranga (’21) and Amber Leggett (’22); TROY marched into Humphrey Coliseum and defeated Mississippi State 73-66. It was the Trojans’ first Power 5 victory since a win at Ole Miss in 2018

and TROY’s first over the Bulldogs since 1997. The success wasn’t limited to the win-loss column as the Trojans also led the league by averaging 1,668 fans per game. An arena-record — for the women — 2,784 fans packed in for TROY’s season opener against Talladega, while 2,724 fans watched TROY defeat South Alabama 84-52 and 2,579 fans attended TROY’s win over Florida A&M.

“The outpouring of support from our fans in Trojan Arena this year has made all the difference. It was so fun to play in front of crowds of true Trojan fans,” Rigby said. “I appreciate all that our Athletics Department did this season to get the word out about our games and to make the experience inside of Trojan Arena a great one.”

Koranga earned First-Team All-Sun Belt honors for the Trojans, while Leggett took home third-team distinction. Koranga led the Sun Belt, averaging 10.7 rebounds per game to go along with a team-leading 12.6 points per contest. Leggett was not far behind, averaging 11.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

When TROY hired Scott Cross to lead the Men’s Basketball program prior to the 2019 season, it was just a matter of time before he turned the Trojans back into winners. He did just that this past season.

TROY returned to the postseason for the first time in five years, won 20 games for the first time since 2017 and just the second time in the last 12 years, and posted its best winning percentage overall in nearly 20 years. Picked to finish ninth in the preseason coaches poll, TROY far exceeded expectations finishing fourth in the league and earning a first-round bye at the Sun Belt Tournament. The Trojans posted a 10-3 record inside Trojan Arena, which drew the attention of the national spotlight with ESPN2 televising the regular season finale against Texas State. “We have definitely made strides the past few years, increasing our win total from 9 to 11 to 20 this past season. Twenty wins has always been the benchmark of a successful season in college basketball, and we were able to eclipse that number while missing out on two home games because of a COVID pause,” Cross said. “We were also one of the youngest teams in the country, so the future of TROY

Trojan basketball is looking extremely bright. We were one of the best defensive teams in the Sun Belt all year long, and we finished the season as the best rebounding team in the Sun Belt.

“The bar has been raised, and we are super excited about the opportunity to accomplish things that have never been done before here at TROY.”

TROY ranked second in the league by forcing 14.8 turnovers per game and third with 3.6 steals per contest. The Trojans finished with the third-best winning percentage in the Sun Belt behind their 20-12 overall mark.

Efe Odigie led the way for the Trojans, earning All-Sun Belt First-Team honors, in addition to being named the league’s Newcomer of the Year. He led the Trojans, averaging 11.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while adding 1.2 assists per game.

Zay Williams finished the season nearing the top of a pair of TROY records with 576 career rebounds and 81 career blocks, good for fifth and seventh all-time in TROY history. The Trojans’ non-conference slate was highlighted by an 8378 victory over a Florida Atlantic squad, which played in the postseason, on the Owls’ home court. TROY also knocked off in-state rival Jacksonville State in triple-overtime and won on the road at Mercer, just one of four home losses all year for the Bears.

Just like the women, TROY led the Sun Belt Conference on the men’s side in average attendance. Trojan Arena averaged 2,758 fans for TROY’s 13 men’s games and included three of the top five single-game crowds in arena history and five of the top 10. Crowds of more than 4,000 fans packed the arena for games against South Alabama (4,546), Texas State (4,438) and Little Rock (4,128).

FELMAS KORANGA

ZAY WILLIAMS

UNFORGETTABLE COSTA RICA TRIP FEATURES BASKETBALL & BONDING

The TROY Men’s Basketball team had an unforgettable eightday journey to Costa Rica in the 2022 Foreign Tour, enriched with a highly cultural and athletic experience. The study abroad trip was funded by the Athletics Department and the Chancellor’s Award for Global Competitiveness.

“Costa Rica was an absolutely amazing experience for our basketball team,” Head Coach Scott Cross said. “We played three games during our tour, which allowed us to play different lineups and helped expose areas where we need to improve. However, the main benefit was team bonding. We went hiking, zip lining, whitewater rafting and ATV riding. Our guys even had an amazing time at the pool with an unforgettable karaoke night.”

The adventure began July 30 in San Jose, Costa Rica, where they remained for five days to compete in three games against the El Salvador National Team and the Costa Rica All-Stars. The revamped roster, which included new stars in Jackson Fields, Nelson Phillips and Aamer Muhammad, went a perfect 3-0 with a combined score of 273-173. While in San Jose, the Trojans also hosted two kids’ basketball clinics where they led drills focused on the fundamentals including dribbling, shooting, passing and rebounding. To conclude the clinics, each age group participated in basketball and soccer games with the team. Outside of basketball, the team developed their chemistry through three primary bonding exercises. The first exercise

had the team flying through the rainforest of Monteverde via zip lines and hiking through the forest’s hanging bridges. Next, the Trojans banded together in teams of five to six to wind through the Pacuare River. Finally, they drove ATVs through the jungles of Jaco and swam in the local waterfalls.

The Trojans had a chance to dive into the Costa Rican culture while in the streets of the nation’s capital, San Jose. There they shopped at the local market and enjoyed native cuisines like gallo pinto, sopa negra and coconut flan.

The trip concluded in Los Sueños, where they toured one of the nation’s most famous beach cities while enjoying delicious seafood. Finally, the Trojans finished their stay in Herradura, where they relaxed by the pool and beach until departure to the states.

“We were very fortunate to host two clinics for the youth of Costa Rica and learn about the history and culture from our amazing tour guide, Jorge, and compliance director, Santiago,” Cross said. “This was the most amazing experience, and I am so grateful to Brent Jones and Dr. Hawkins, who made it possible for us. Pura Vida!”

With the conclusion of the 2022 Foreign Tour, TROY gets a short break before starting its official practices in October. However, the 10 extra practices combined with the eight-day foreign tour put TROY in a great position to start the 202223 season.

(left, top to bottom) Christian Turner, Zay Williams, Aamer Muhammad, (right, top to bottom) Nelson Phillips, Associate Head Coach Kenneth Mangrum, Darius McNeill

Miss TROY will celebrate its 50th year in October, continuing the tradition of showcasing the talent and poise of outstanding TROY students.

Photo: Miss TROY 1982, Yolanda Fernandez (’84), who also went on to be crowned Miss Alabama 1982, is seen receiving her crown from then-President of Troy State Ralph Adams.

CLARK CROWNED 49 TH MISS TROY

Caroline Alexis Clark (’22), an English major from Ozark, Alabama, was crowned Miss Troy University 2022 during the 49th annual pageant by Miss Troy University 2021 Eden Hipps, Student Government Association President Maxwell George and Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. As Miss TROY, Clark competed for the title of Miss Alabama in July, and serves as an ambassador for the University. “I am honored and blessed to have the privilege of representing Troy University,” Clark said. “Not only do I get to represent the school I love, it gives me the opportunity to raise awareness and support for victims of violence.”

Through her social impact platform, “Balancing the Scales: A Voice for Victims,” Clark plans to advocate for change within the justice system. “Majoring in English with a minor in criminal justice, I realized just how unbalanced the scales can often be in the justice system,” Clark said. “To me, the only way to implement change is through advocacy. My ultimate goal is to become an attorney so that I may advocate on a daily basis for those who have been a victim of violence.” Clark won the Social Impact Pitch/Onstage Question preliminary award and tied with Abigail Grantham, a

sophomore English language arts education major from Donalsonville, Georgia, for the Leslie Holley Talent preliminary award. Contestants were judged on a private interview, an on-stage question and social impact pitch, talent and red carpet.

2022 Miss TROY Caroline Clark

BACK TO SCHOOL

Days before the start of the 2022 Fall Semester, the Troy Campus was buzzing with excitement as students flooded residence halls with college living essentials, while sorority recruits eagerly waited at the Elm Street Gym across campus to run up the hill to meet their new sisters.

Moving vans and carts filled with bedding, shelves, TROY memorabilia and more could be spotted at every corner of campus as waves of students and their families filled their new rooms in preparation for the start of the semester. Kelsey Thomas, a senior exercise science major from Enterprise, Alabama, moved into her dorm for the last time. As she rolled her decorative pink cart up to the building, she offered incoming first-year students a piece of advice: “Get involved. Once you get involved, you truly start to experience the atmosphere TROY gives. It felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus — I knew I wanted to be here,” she said. “Students considering TROY, just give it a chance. It’s much bigger than most people think it is, and it’s a great school. It’s been my second home for three years, and I wouldn’t

change a thing. I’m cherishing everything while I can and not taking a thing for granted.”

Close behind with another load of belongings, her mother, Amy, reminisced about her own time at TROY as part of the graduating class of 1994.

“It’s so neat to see how everything has changed and to hear the experiences she’s having compared to some of the things

I did, so I’m glad she got the opportunity to live here and experience everything the University and the community have to offer,” she said. “But it’s also bittersweet that it’s coming to an end. It’s been an exciting journey for her.”

First-year student Taylor Hollon of Mobile, Alabama, accompanied by his dad, Jeff, also a TROY graduate from the early 90s, arrived early to beat the crowd. Hollon said he plans to major in economics and is looking forward to joining a fraternity, making new friends and continuing to learn. What initially drew him to TROY, however, was the campus itself.

Students on move-in day Fall 2022

“I visited a few other schools, but I didn’t want to be too far from home,” he said. “[TROY] isn’t too big, it’s not too small. It’s a really nice fit for me.”

Jeff Hollon said he’s more than comfortable with his son attending his alma mater. “I love TROY. I lived in Clements Hall, and it’s a totally different campus,” he said. “I feel good about him being here with everything that’s been updated and everything that’s new. We’re excited for him, and I’m sure he’ll do fine.”

While other students moved in, over a hundred new members eagerly waited to find out which organization’s letters they’d be proudly displaying later that day.

Ashley Alexander, a first-year business major from Tallahassee, Florida, said she wanted to participate in recruitment to help her get involved. “Not only on campus, but in the community too,” she said. “Being from out of state, I knew that would be a struggle for me and this makes that a whole lot easier and way more fun. I’ve gotten really close to my Pi Chi group and we’re all going to different houses, so I’m excited to see where we all end up.”

Ella Bryant, a first-year student from Mobile, Alabama, said she rushed in search of a new friend family. “I played sports

throughout high school, so coming to college and not having that anymore is scary. I needed that family-type atmosphere to rely on and go back to, and I found that this week,” she said. Bryant grew up a short distance away from Troy University’s most intense rival, the University of South Alabama — which also happens to be her older brother’s chosen school. She said she’s already feeling the effects of the animosity between the two student bodies. “My brother already posted on early move-in day about taking his sister to the enemy school!” she said.

First-year student Emily McGuire came to TROY without the comfort of her friends from her hometown of Smiths Station, Alabama, but said she’s already found a home with her fellow recruits. “I wanted to make genuine relationships with the people I met and to be able to grow and be part of something bigger than myself, and I absolutely found that this week,” she said. “I’ve met some amazing people, and I think I found the home that’s right for me. To anyone considering TROY or thinking about joining a sorority, just do it. Give it a shot!”

Bid Day 2022

Since 1932, the Tropolitan has served as the record keeper of all things TROY. Ninety years after the first edition was produced, the award-winning student newspaper continues to live up to its reputation. From sporting events, Student Government Association election results, administrative decisions, campus renovations, events and controversy, the Trop staff have seen it all.

“I was always impressed with how much the Trop staffers cared for Troy University and how they tried to share their love for the University with other students,” said Dr. Steve Padgett, former Dean of the Hall School of Journalism and former Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication. “It appeared to me that the Trop’s staff was always trying to build a strong student community that also cared about Troy University and actively participated in their learning environments.”

When Dr. Padgett was first hired at TROY in 1991, the Trop was created by using wax to layout stories on the pages. Using laser printers, X-Acto knives and the waxer, an exact copy of the paper was created and taken to the printer by a student. The student would wait well into the morning hours until the paper was printed and bundled before delivering copies back to Troy.

“Everyone in the J-School area knew it was deadline day for the Trop because you could smell the hot wax in the waxer,” Dr. Padgett said. “There were several times I would walk into Wallace Hall on Trop mornings and see a piece of paper on the floor. I knew before I picked it up that the tacky wax on

the back meant a story fell off the ‘slick’ while the student was carrying the slicks to his or her car. There would be a blank hole in the printed paper, and I was the only person on campus who would read that story.”

The first technological move the Trop made was to a full prepress pagination, allowing staffers to send PDF versions of pages to the printer via the internet and taking students off the road at night. Next was the switch to a tabloid format from a broadsheet, which is the same format used today. As the way the public consumes news continues to change, the Trop evolved, too, to add a website and social media sites to its arsenal.

Despite the many changes, what has stayed the same over the last 90 years is the commitment to journalistic integrity and developing capable, ethical journalists. “The Trop and the Hall School are hands down what made my TROY experience one that I’ll never forget. The experience at the Trop made me marketable for the job field, which was a blessing,” said Kendra Love (’08), who served as co-editor of the Trop for two years. She now works as the Senior Media Strategist and Researcher for Alabama Values Progress and Alabama Values. Prior to this role, she spent nearly 20 years as a reporter, editor and publisher at newspapers across the state. “Not only did the Trop help prepare me for the real world, but I also met some of the best friends I’ll ever have. We were indeed a family. The Trop helped turn a shy girl from Brantley, Alabama, into a passionate and vocal journalist.”

TROY DESIGN STUDENTS BRING HOME MULTIPLE ADDYS

Travis Carlson (’21) and John Carbone (’21), two recent TROY graduates, brought home multiple awards for their creative work at the regional American Advertising Federation Award Competition. They then went on to represent the Graphic Design program at the national level, where Carlson brought home a Student Silver ADDY in the category of logo design. Carlson was featured for his campaign “Unplug,” which highlights societal impacts of being too plugged in and the damaging consequences that can result from the behavior. Carlson was recognized with five regional Gold ADDYs in the categories of Illustration Campaign, Integrated Brand Identity Campaign, Social Media Campaign and Logo Design.

“I feel so honored to have won these awards through Troy University,” Carlson said. “I’m very thankful to the staff of the design department for guiding me through my education and through this process. It feels so great to see hard work pay off and be celebrated.”

An awareness poster campaign by Carbone won a Gold ADDY. “Having the opportunity to highlight pressing world

issues through my art has been an exceptional experience,” Carbone said. “I’m incredibly thankful to my professors and peers for pushing me to strive for success and can’t wait to see where this growth takes me.”

Associate Professor Chris Stagl attended the live presentation of the National ADDY Awards with the students in mid-May remotely. “John now lives in the Mobile area, where he has a creative job using high-end photo and video tech in the real estate industry, and Travis is working for a very creative firm in Greenville, South Carolina, called Brains On Fire. We truly couldn’t be happier for these students and their accomplishments.”

Department Chair Greg Skaggs echoed Stagl’s pride in their accomplishments. “Both John and Travis are incredibly creative students and their contributions to this program and ultimately the design industry will be felt by many,” Skaggs said. “We are so very proud of them both.”

Display of Travis Carlson’s “Unplug” campaign

STUDENTS

JOURNALISM STUDENTS WIN TOP AWARDS

MARK OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS

• NEWSPAPER IN-DEPTH REPORTING

Vaccination stories — Brady Talbert (‘21)

• RADIO FEATURE

A conversation with “Alabama Noir” contributor Kirk Curnutt — Baylen Parker (‘21)

• EDITORIAL WRITING FINALIST

Afghanistan withdrawal unacceptable; Abandon Trump; Civil liberties are absolute — Samuel Stroud (‘22)

• EDITORIAL CARTOONING FINALIST

Students in the Hall School of Journalism performed well in recent award ceremonies, earning multiple accolades from both the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC).

The SPJ’s annual Mark of Excellence Award honors the best in student journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level, and winners advance to the national competition. Troy University is in Region 3, which is comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition to four individual awards, The Tropolitan was named the winner of the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper, and TROY TrojanVision News was named a finalist in the Best All-Around Television Newscast category.

Nine students also placed in the SEJC competition with the Talk of TROY earning second place in the Best Audio News Program category and The Tropolitan earning third place in the Best Newspaper category. More than 30 colleges entered the competition that focuses on the areas of newspapers, television and radio.

“As both an alumna from the Hall School and a current instructor, it is so exciting to see these students succeed and for their hard work to be validated,” said Dr. Robbyn Taylor (’01, ’13), Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication. “Our J-School students continue to perform well year after year, which is more evidence of why TROY has one of the best journalism programs in the country. I could not be more proud of them or our wonderful faculty here at the Hall School of Journalism and Communication.”

Welcome back; The library computers; Dinner — Dior Brown

SOUTHEAST JOURNALISM CONFERENCE WINNERS

• BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Kaylee Weatherford (‘22), 3rd place

• BEST NEWSPAPER PAGE

LAYOUT DESIGN

Amya Mitchell (‘21), 4th place

• BEST SPECIAL EVENT NEWSPAPER REPORTING Brady Talbert, 4th place

• BEST NEWS WRITER

Claudia Peppenhorst, 8th place

• BEST TELEVISION NEWS REPORTER

Amya Mitchell, 3rd place

• BEST TELEVISION FEATURE REPORTER

Claudia Peppenhorst, 5th place

• BEST RADIO NEWS REPORTER Maya Martin (‘21), 2nd place

• BEST RADIO FEATURE REPORTER

Baylen Parker, 2nd place Cody Skelton, 3rd place

STUDENTS

PH.D. STUDENTS TRAVEL TO LONDON FOR GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

A group of Troy University doctoral students have traveled to London to get a firsthand experience of leadership on the global stage.

The students are a part of the first three cohorts of the University’s online Global Leadership Ph.D. program, which was launched in 2020 in TROY’s College of Education.

The group attended the Student Global Leadership Conference, hosted by the London-based Foundation for International Education. Now in its fifth year, the conference drew more than 600 students and faculty from 32 countries in 2021. Dr. Basil Read, Adjunct Professor and Dissertation Supervisor for the Global Leadership Ph.D. program, and 14 students from the group presented at the conference in four different sessions. This year’s conference theme was “Leading by Example: Making a Social Impact.”

The London practicum is part of the doctoral course internship in global leadership. To participate, students must

be currently enrolled and have a minimum of 10 credit hours completed within the Ph.D. program.

“The London practicum provides a unique opportunity for global leadership students to present what they are learning to an international audience, immerse themselves in another culture and gain new perspectives on how to lead in a globalized environment,” Dr. Read said.

Following the conference, the Ph.D. students interacted with leaders of large and small businesses, not-for-profit leaders and academics. Highlights included interaction with senior managers at Lloyd’s of London; discussions with faculty from the London School of Economics and Political Science; engagement with members of the Kent, England, Chamber of Commerce; learning about the UK health system and the country’s actions in addressing COVID-19 from a British doctor; and taking a business from start-up to an international brand with the CEO of Biotiful Dairy.

(from left) Dr. Basil Read, Melissa Jordan, Austin Coar, Jonathan Poarch, Sohail Agboatwala (’91, ’94), Wesley Ward, Andres Goyanes, Assad Raza, Ryan Coacher (’21), Jenene Calloway, Jonathan Jett, Michel Lundula, Alice Irby, Lauren Cole, Tasha Morss (’11), Joann Rouse (’05), Jim Dryjanski, Greg Gumina, Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims

’50

Dr. Jean A. Thompson (’59, ’63), who earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s in education from TROY, received the Auburn University College of Education Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2021. She was the founding Director of the Lurleen B. Wallace (LBW) Community College Greenville Campus. She retired after 51 years as an educator and is a current member of the LBW Community College Foundation Board.

’80

Jeff Piersall (’81) is founder and CEO of TREP Advisors, LLC, a business advising firm headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, with satellite offices in Tennessee, Texas and California. The firm provides senior talent and experience to address mid-market business succession planning needs. Piersall is co-author of “Dogs Don’t Bark at Parked Cars,” an informative business and personal development book addressing the hyperactive change we are experiencing in society today and how to deal with the uncertainties. His entrepreneurial pursuits have been recognized as Business of the Year, INC 500 fastest growth companies and GROW FL “Top 50 Companies to Watch.” Piersall and Judy, his wife of 39 years, have three children and one grandchild.

Larry Hobbs (’84), a Feature Writer and Reporter at The Brunswick News, in Georgia recently received the Rollin M. “Pete” McCommons Award for Distinguished Community Journalism from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The McCommons Award, sponsored by Grady College, honors outstanding leadership, innovation and entrepreneurism in community journalism. It highlights the substantial contributions of community journalism to civic life and inspires students to pursue careers in community journalism. Hobbs spent the bulk of his early career working for Florida newspapers, including the Palm Beach Daily News and the Palm Beach Post, among others, before coming to Brunswick in 2014.

Karen Keith (’86) was recently promoted to Private Banking Loan Officer at MidSouth Bank. She most recently held the position of Loan Officer and Vice President. A CPA since 2003, Keith joined MidSouth in 2017. An active part of the community, she is a member of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and volunteers with Fostering Hope of the Wiregrass as well as Dothan City Schools. She and her husband, Kenneth, have one daughter and two foster daughters.

Melissa Hayes (’87, ’99) was recently selected as Superintendent of the Pacific South District for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Hayes joined DoDEA in 2000 and has served as an Instructional Systems Specialist, Principal and, most recently, Community Superintendent for DoDEA Europe West in Belgium. Hayes began her career in 1981, teaching kindergarten, first and third grades in Alabama. In 1997, she was named Lanett City Schools Teacher of the Year. She also has served as Reading Recovery Teacher Leader for Dekalb County Schools, Principal of Dexter

Elementary School at Fort Benning, Georgia, Principal of Maxwell Air Force Base Elementary School in Montgomery and Principal of Aviano Elementary School in Aviano, Italy. She holds master’s degrees in elementary education and educational leadership and administration from TROY. DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to local educational activities throughout the United States that serve children of military families.

’90

Cleveland O. Eason (’91) was one of the featured authors at the 2022 Los Angeles Festival of Books, where he discussed his book, “A Sailor’s Advice on Life,” an autobiography about his career as a sailor. Eason entered the U.S. Navy at the height of the Cold War and obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer after nine years of service. He obtained the rank of Lieutenant Commander before retiring from active duty with 23 years of honorable service.

Hope Stockton (’92) was recently named Assistant Vice President for University Outreach and Professional & Continuing Education in Auburn University’s Division of University Outreach. Stockton has been employed at Auburn for more than 20 years and most recently served as Executive Director of the Office of Professional & Continuing Education. She holds a master’s degree in management from TROY.

Dr. Jean A. Thompson

For some three decades, alumni chapters have been reconnecting graduates with their alma mater, and this year marks that milestone for three chapters: Crenshaw County, chartered in February 1992; the Wiregrass Alumni Chapter, chartered in October 1992; and the Sound of the South Alumni Band Chapter, not chartered until October 1993 but had bylaws drafted and ready to go in 1992.

“It was so special to me to be able to help organize the chapter and have such great leaders come on board in the beginning,” said John Harrison, a University Trustee and founding member of the Crenshaw County Alumni Chapter.

“It was the right thing to do at the time, and it’s been a great organization since its inception.”

“The Sound of the South Alumni Band Chapter has grown into one of the largest active membership rosters of any chapter, second in size only to the Emerald Coast Chapter. It formally organized under the leadership of Dr. Johnny Long but had its roots in an informal organization stretching back to 1981,” said Michael Bird, author of “Fanfare: The 75-Year Legacy of the Troy University Bands” and a past chapter president. “Tradition is important, of course, but I would say the word that best describes our alumni chapter’s relationship with the modern-day music department is family,” he said. “The older folks are made to feel just as welcome as the younger ones.”

(photo above, left to right) TROY Trustee John Harrison (’67), then-President of the Alumni Association Sammy Carr, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Gary Pouncey, Wiley Locklar (’63) and Barbara Harrison

The Alumni Band Chapter formed with Rennie Mills serving as Board Chairman. Mills had been the unofficial president and one of the 13 original “Sound of the South” members. Debbie Bradley, the first female band officer in 1971, served as the founding president. Bird learned while writing “Fanfare” that there were thousands of people touched by the music department at TROY over the decades. As the band grew, the University was also growing — and so were the legacies. “The sales of the book, along with some of our other activities as the band celebrated its 75th anniversary, raised over $23,000 for scholarships at the University. To this day, the involvement of the alumni is part of what makes our University and our

band program so special. For instance, at Band Camp this year, a group of about 20 alumni held a cookout for the 330plus members of the current ‘Sound of the South.’ Members old and new ate together and shared stories about their experiences,” he said.

The Wiregrass Alumni Chapter and the Dothan Alumni Chapter (chartered in 1997) merged in 2005 to form the present-day Wiregrass Chapter under the One Great University initiative. “These chapters are really a beacon for others to follow,” said Alumni Director Faith West Byrd. “The leaders they have produced have served the National Association well and have led the way for scholarships and relationships that have benefited the entire University.”

Crenshaw County Alumni Chapter charter event in 1992

Roni Holley (’77) (left), then-President of Troy State University’s Wiregrass Alumni Association, and Bobby Fuller (’76) (right), Treasurer, present TSU Baseball Coach John Mayotte a check for $500 for the baseball program in 1993.

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

DR. DEE DUPREE BENNETT

Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett (’93, ’94) is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Leadership and Administration at Troy University and co-founder of the SHORT the Squirrel Literacy Initiative. SHORT the Squirrel came to life when Dr. Bennett and fellow TROY alumna Monica Anderson Young saw the need presented by the youngest visitors to the state’s court system. The initiative got its start in Mobile, Alabama, courtrooms with the booklet “SHORT in Court” and quickly spread to all 67 Alabama counties. The program received a 2020 Alabama Law Foundation grant and also has been endorsed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Earlier this year, Dr. Bennett was named to the 2022 Class of Women Who Shape the State of Alabama by the organization This is Alabama. Dr. Bennett previously served as a School Administrator for 17 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in school psychometry from TROY, and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on virtual schools from Columbus State University. Dr. Bennett is an active member of the Eufaula Heritage Association, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and the Troy University Alumni Association. She has served as an Advisor, Leadership Consultant and Alumnae Chapter President for Alpha Gamma Delta social organization. Dr. Bennett and her husband, Jason, live in Eufaula and have two daughters, Bailey (’22) and Betsy, a current TROY student.

GERRY BROOKS

Gerry Brooks (’88) is a veteran educator in Lexington, Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from TROY, and his experience as an educator includes six years in the classroom, two years as an Intervention Specialist and 12 years as an Administrator. An encouraging speaker, he has spoken to educational groups all around the nation. He desires to help administrators focus on how to lead all staff in a positive and constructive manner. Brooks is a voice for teachers, but his passion is leading others to be responsible for their own personal climate and culture in the workplace. His book, “Go See the Principal,” outlines strategies for taking on this responsibility. Brooks is perhaps most widely known for his humorous videos on social media that focus on real-world educational experiences. He is active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and currently has a following of more than 1.2 million. Gerry and his wife, Kelly, have three adult children.

BRITTON BONNER

Britton Bonner (’96) is a Partner with the law firm of Adams and Reese, LLP. After earning his bachelor’s degree from TROY, Bonner went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Tulane University in 2000. Bonner advises clients on government relations and economic development matters across the United States and works with public sector clients, advising municipal and other governmental entities on growth and revitalization efforts. In the last few years alone, he has handled projects that represent several billion dollars of capital investment in the Southeastern United States. He is a graduate of Leadership Alabama and Leadership Baldwin County and currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Coastal Alabama Partnership, and most recently as Vice Chairman for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a former Chairman of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County. Bonner is a former Vice Chairman of the Baldwin County Republican Party and is a past President of the Southwest Alabama Chapter of the Troy University Alumni Association. He is also a former member of and served a four-year term on the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee.

JEFFREY D. KERVIN

Jeffrey D. Kervin (’85) was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Troy Bank & Trust and Henderson Bancshares, Inc., (a bank-holding company) in 2010 and has been a Director of Troy Bank & Trust since April 2002. He has also been a Director of Henderson Bancshares, Inc., since April 2002. Prior to his election as President and CEO, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Troy Bank & Trust, serving in this capacity since 1997. A native of Troy, Alabama, Kervin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management degree from then-Troy State University. An active member of the community, Kervin serves as Lay Leader at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, where he and his wife, Janet, are members. He has also been a Board Member of the church since 1995, and presently serves as a District Trustee of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kervin is also currently a Board Member of the Alabama Bankers Association, the Johnson Center for the Arts, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and the Pike County Economic Development Board. He is a member of the Troy University Foundation Board of Directors and TROY’s Sorrell College of Business Alumni Advisory Board. The Kervins have one son, Joel.

Dear Alumni & Friends,

This past March marked a milestone for me: I celebrated 25 years as the Alumni Director for Troy University and as the Executive Director of the TROY Alumni Association. I am so very proud of all we have accomplished. Let’s take a look back at our past, starting with the beginning of the Alumni Association in 1890. In 1910, the association donated $250 for the development of the athletic field on the north side of the campus. Alumni of the Year awards started in 1955. From 1965 to 1968, the Alumni Association raised $100,000 to go toward the construction of a men’s dormitory — Alumni Hall. A full-time Alumni Affairs Office was created in 1975. By 2002, there were a total of 36 alumni chapters, including the first international chapter in Kirov, Russia, founded in 1999. In 1976, the very first alumni scholarship was awarded. The largest endeavor of the Alumni Association began in 2002 with the Quad Revitalization project. On Oct. 2, 2004, the new Alumni House, located at 100 Highland Avenue, was dedicated, and we chartered the African American Alumni Chapter. We now have 64 alumni chapters. Lastly, in 2015, the Student Alumni Association was established and now has its own endowed scholarship. Over the years, scholarships have remained our biggest focus. They unlock barriers and open doors. Recently, our Alumni Board raised $50,000 for another Legacy scholarship and has a goal in 2022 to raise $100,000. To give to this scholarship fund or to join the Alumni Association as a dues-paying member, please contact me at 334-670-3318. In closing, after 25 years of service as your Alumni Director, I stand in amazement at the growth of this great University and what the Alumni Association, with your help, has been able to accomplish. Moving forward, your support is more important than ever. I want to encourage you to give generously of your time, treasure and talent whenever possible. It is indeed my honor and privilege to serve as your Alumni Director. I appreciate you and offer my sincere thanks for all you do for the Alumni Association and our University. Here’s to the school we love, we are Trojans one and all.

FOR FULL LETTER, INCLUDING MORE DETAILS ON THE HISTORY OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, VISIT TROY.EDU/ALUMNI.

Troy

Alumni Director

(from left) Harrel McKinney (’62), Sammy Carr, Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87), Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. and Dr. Cam Martindale at the Alumni House dedication in 2004

Crenshaw County Alumni Chapter charter event in 1992

(from left) Assistant Director of Athletics Kyle George, Sim (’71) and Faith West Byrd and Director of Athletics Brent Jones

Chellie Woodham Phillips (’92) is the recipient of the 2022 LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication, awarded by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Sheila Travis (’95) was recently appointed as Chief Examiner for the Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI). Travis is a 27-year veteran Insurance Examiner, and has been an Insurance Examination Supervisor since 2000. She is a Certified Financial Examiner and a member of the Society for Financial Examiners. She is also a Certified Public Manager. Prior to joining the ALDOI, Travis worked in the accounting division of the Montgomery Housing Authority.

Mitt Walker (’97) was recently named to lead the Alabama Farmers Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department. Walker began his career with the federation in June 2005, directing the Catfish, Meat Goat and Sheep divisions. In November 2011, he became National Legislative Programs Director and resumed Catfish Division responsibilities in 2017. A native of Clarke County, Walker was an Environmental Scientist for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management before joining the federation. He currently serves on the University’s National Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a graduate of the Alfa Leadership Academy. Walker and his wife, Brandi, have three children, Olivia, Addi Leigh and Ford. A native of Jackson, Alabama, Walker and his family live in Montgomery.

’00

Alan Qualls (’01) recently joined the staff of Banner Health as Chief Executive Officer of the organization’s Northern Colorado region. In this position, Qualls will have overall accountability for service excellence, quality clinical outcomes, market share maintenance and expansion as well as financial integrity of operations at Banner’s three hospitals — Banner North Colorado Medical Center, Banner McKee Medical Center and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center. Qualls joins Banner with 25 years of experience in adult and pediatric health care services. He has held a variety of health care leadership roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Sky Ridge Medical Center — a Level 2 trauma center and the largest orthopedic and spine hospital in Colorado. Other roles he’s held include senior leadership in HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division as the Senior Vice President for Business Development in Colorado and Kansas as well as COO at two of the 10 largest hospitals in HCA. He earned a Master of Business Administration from TROY.

Ashley Couch (’02) has been named as the new Public Works Director for the city of Prescott, Arizona. Couch comes to the city with 29 years of professional experience, including 23 years of local government management experience. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from TROY.

Dr. Joshua Sipper (’02) has authored “The Cyber-Meta Reality: Beyond the Metaverse,” which examines the concept of cyber meta-reality with a thorough analysis of the cyber microbiome.

Dr. Sipper is a Professor of Cyber Warfare Studies at the Air Force Cyber College, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. He has an extensive background in intelligence, a capacity in which he served in both military and civilian roles.

Sharmila Shroff (’02) joined Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, as a part-time Staff Counselor in the college’s student counseling services. Shroff worked as a Family Counselor for Family Resources Inc. in Tampa from 2002 to 2011, a Mental Health Counselor in the Tampa Bay area from 2011 to 2013, an Outpatient Therapist at the Agency for Community Treatment Services from 2013 to 2015 and is currently working as a Mental Health Counselor at Chrysalis Health in Orlando.

Maj. Gen. Tracy L. Smith (’02) recently took command of the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) in a ceremony at Fort Douglas, Utah. Gen. Smith was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps through the ROTC program at the University of Guam, where she was awarded a four-year Merit Scholarship and a two-year ROTC National Scholarship. She earned her Master of Business Administration from TROY and also holds a Master in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. In 2016, Gen. Smith became the first Guamanian female general officer in the armed forces. Gen. Smith is the first woman to serve as Commanding General of the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) and leads the largest medical command in the Army Reserve, consisting of 136 units located in 17 different states and nearly 10,000 soldiers, providing general medicine, surgical, hospitalization, dental, ground evacuation, behavioral health, preventive medicine, medical logistics and veterinary support to mobilized units and civilian populations both within the United States and abroad.

Chellie Woodham Phillips

ALUMNA TERESA WHITE NAMED TO AACSB ‘INFLUENTIAL LEADERS’

Sorrell College of Business alumna Teresa White (’93), President of Aflac U.S., has been selected as one of 27 members of the 2022 Class of Influential Leaders by the AACSB International, the leading business school accrediting agency.

The annual initiative recognizes notable alumni from AACSB-accredited business schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders, and this year’s class features champions of diversity and inclusion.

White, who completed her Master of Management Degree at TROY’s Phenix City Campus, is a veteran in the financial services industry with more than two decades of experience. She is a visionary leader with a proven track record of augmenting operations, driving revenue, promoting compensation equity and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

PITTMAN NAMED COORDINATOR OF MEMBERSHIP FOR ALUMNI AFFAIRS

Troy University alumna Christy Pittman (’92, ’96) has been named the Coordinator of Membership with the Office of Alumni Affairs. Pittman will be responsible for managing and developing all alumni chapters and their events, assisting in bi-annual leadership conferences, promoting alumni programs within the chapters and special Alumni Association events, recruiting new Alumni Association members and serving as a liaison between alumni chapters and the Office of Enrollment Management in the recruiting of prospective students.

“The Alumni Board of Directors has set some ambitious goals for the Alumni Association, and I am confident that Christy will help us meet those goals and continue to grow engagement among our TROY alumni,” said Faith West Byrd, Director of Alumni Affairs. Pittman earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration and a master’s in special education.

ALUM NOTES

Monty Robinson (’03) has been named as the new Chief Revenue Officer of Delta Dental of Washington, the state’s leading dental plan provider. With more than 24 years of health care and financial services experience, Robinson comes to Delta Dental of Washington with proven success in leading enterprise business, talent management, strategic planning and organizational readiness strategies. Prior to joining Delta Dental of Washington, Robinson held key senior leadership positions for sales at Aetna and at Nationwide Financial. Robinson holds a Master of Business Administration from TROY.

Chanae Lumpkin (’04, ’07), a Major in the field of corrections, earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Services with a specialization in criminal justice from Walden University in the summer of 2020. She has approximately 15 years of experience in the profession of corrections.

Alabama. Mercer also was recognized in November as a Certified Municipal Official by the Alabama League of Municipalities. The designation comes after 40 hours of continuous training. He is currently in his third term as a member of the Pelham City Council, where he serves as Council President. In May 2021, he graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program at Babson College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at TROY.

Juli Stover (’05), previous Vice President for Envision Healthcare, joined virtual care platform eVisit as Chief Strategy Officer. Stover will oversee eVisit’s growth initiatives and work to secure strategic partnerships.

Dr. Quin Brooks (’06) was named as the new Assistant Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She previously served as Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Contemporary Student Services at Arkansas Tech University.

Stephen Gunter (’07) has joined the Office of University Communications staff at Auburn University at Montgomery as a Multimedia Specialist. Gunter previously served as Sports Director at WSFA in Montgomery.

Ryan Locke (’07) was named as the new Head Coach of the Hale County High School football team in Alabama. He previously served as Head Coach of Etowah High School for two years.

Jeff Mittman (’08), President and CEO at Bosma Enterprises, was recently elected as President of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind.

Dr. James Norman (’08) is a Family Practice and General Surgeon at Mizell Memorial Hospital in Opp, Alabama. Prior to working at Mizell Hospital, he was employed by Monroe County Hospital in Monroeville, Alabama, for four years after his residency. He then trained for four years in South Bend, Indiana, at Memorial Hospital and completed a family medicine residency with a post-residency year in primary care obstetrics.

Willie Spears (’08), Author and Motivational Speaker, recently released his 12th book, “David’s Depression: A Tale of Mental Illness.” Spears spent 20 years in education as an Administrator, Teacher and Coach.

Maurice Mercer (’04) was recognized as a finalist for the Top CEO in Birmingham by the Birmingham Business Journal. He is CEO of KATs Delivery, a logistics firm specializing in food delivery from restaurants, caterers and grocers in

RaSarah Browder Johnson (’07) has joined the Georgia-Pacific public affairs and communications team as Public Affairs Manager for the Cedar Springs Containerboard facility. Johnson joins Georgia-Pacific after almost 12 years as Grant Administrator/Development Coordinator with Talquin Electric Cooperative, which serves residential and commercial utility customers in Gadsden, Liberty, Leon and Wakulla counties of Northwest Florida. Prior to that, she was an Economic Development Specialist for the South Central Alabama Development Commission based in Montgomery, Alabama.

David Anderson (’09) has been named President of Alliance Engineering + Planning, LLC, a civil engineering, land planning, land surveying, landscape architecture and government relations firm based in Alpharetta, Georgia. In this capacity, Anderson oversees business operations, client development, staff development and systems reviews. Anderson is past President of the National Young Surveyors Network.

Monty Robinson

Maurice Mercer

David Anderson

TROY ALUMNI PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR ALABAMA BAR ASSOCIATION

Troy University alumnus Gibson Vance (’87), President Pro Tempore of the TROY Board of Trustees, has begun his term as President of the Alabama State Bar. Vance was installed at the Bar’s annual meeting in June. During his first speech as President, Vance explained his passion for serving the Bar and its members.

“The work we do matters; the message we deliver matters; and the contribution we can make this year matters. Together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of our members,” Vance said.

Advocating for and helping others through his work is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Born in Troy, Alabama, and raised by his mother, who was a schoolteacher, Vance worked his way through Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. For the last 22 years, he has been a partner at Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis and Miles, PC. Vance and his wife, Kate, have two sons, Carter and Andrew.

During the Bar’s annual meeting, another TROY alumnus received recognition. Lang Floyd (’78) received the Alabama State Bar’s 2022 Commissioners Award in recognition of the many ways he has impacted his community and profession. After serving 20 years as a District and Circuit Judge in the 28th Judicial Circuit, Floyd retired from the bench in December 2016 and began his alternative dispute resolution practice. He currently manages a statewide mediation practice.

Floyd has served as a Bar Commissioner, representing Baldwin County, since 2017. He served as Co-Chair of the State Bar Executive Director Search Committee in 2021 and currently serves as Chair of the State Bar Court Technology Task Force. He also serves on the Alabama Supreme Court’s Committee on Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. He is a past recipient of the State Bar President’s Award.

Gibson Vance (left), 2022 President of the Alabama State Bar, presents the Commissioner Award to Bar Commissioner Lang Floyd (right).

ALUMNI

HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Higher Education Partnership (HEP) advocates the importance of higher education in bettering the lives of the people in Alabama. The HEP conference offers a learning experience and an opportunity to network with peers from all 14 four-year public universities in the state. This year, student leaders, educators and alumni met to create a politically informed network of supporters to communicate the true picture of the outstanding performance of these universities and to create a coalition with Alabama’s businesses and educational communities for the purpose of promoting higher education. This year’s participants were also able to celebrate the partnership’s 25 years of service to the great state of Alabama.

Photo: Delegation from TROY (left to right) Marcus Paramore (’90, ’08), Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87), Boyd Busby (’99), Ashlan Kelly (’21), Kayla Spencer, Dalton Cates, Ava Carnazza, Greg Knedler, Jason Frye and Dr. Dione Rosser-Mims

ALUM NOTES

Al Gilmore (’09), a U.S. History Teacher at Elba High School for the past five years, recently received the John Coffee National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter “Outstanding American History Teacher for 2021.”

Josh Haisten (’09) was recently named Market President for the Houston County area by MidSouth Bancorporation, an independent community bank serving communities in Alabama and North Florida. Haisten, a Dothan native, joined MidSouth Bank in 2007. He is a graduate of Leadership Dothan and is a volunteer with the Blayne Hardy Barfield Foundation. He and his wife, Lea, have two children.

football team from 2006-2009, earning numerous honors during his career. Following his college career, Woods was undrafted but signed with the Atlanta Falcons. After being released, he signed with the Montreal Allouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he played for six seasons and became one of the CFL’s best defensive players. He earned CFL All-Star honors and was named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2014 and 2016. After being released by Montreal in 2017, Woods signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He led the Argos in tackles in his first season with the team, then suffered injuries in both 2018 and 2019.

Lynn Hudson, CRNP (’13) is a Nurse Practitioner at East Alabama Health. She has worked for East Alabama Health for 14 years and has been with Endocrinology and Metabolism of East Alabama since 2013.

’10Bear Woods (’10) was recently named Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Wetumpka High School. Woods was a linebacker on the TROY

Ocea Wynn (’12), Administrator of Neighborhood and Community Affairs for the city of Tampa, Florida, was recognized as a 2022 Businesswoman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from TROY.

Melanie Newman (’13) was selected as the 2021 Ballpark Digest award winner for MLB Broadcaster of the Year for her work delivering the call of Baltimore Orioles games.

Melanie Newman

ALUM

Caleb Carbine (’14, ’17) was recently named as Offensive Line Coach for the University of North Alabama’s football program. Carbine, who has served on the coaching staff at West Virginia University for the past three seasons, was a two-year starter for the TROY football team at center after walking on and earning a scholarship after his junior season. Carbine is married to Laura Beth, a Dothan native.

DannyRay Finley (’15) was named the Director of Student Life for the Alabama School for the Blind. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in leadership from TROY.

through Baylor University, athletic administration through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and strength and conditioning through the International Sports Science Association. He has previously served as a Middle School History Teacher, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. Matthews and his wife, Hannah, have two children.

Terrell L. Patrick (’16, ’18), Director of Youth and Family Services for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, was named to Mobile Bay Magazine’s 2022 class of “40 Under 40.” As Director, he has developed programs and curricula to educate students, parents and community partners on the topics of bullying, truancy, internet safety and human trafficking. Patrick is a member of the Mobile United Leadership Class of 2022 and is a Big Brother with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization of South Alabama. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his Master of Public Administration from TROY.

Santana Wood (’17) was recently named Managing Editor of the Tyler (Texas) Morning Telegraph and Editor of ETX View Magazine. Previously, Wood worked for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc., which owns one daily and three weekly newspapers along with three award-winning magazines in Alexander City, Alabama. She served as Design Editor before being promoted to Assistant Managing Editor, then ultimately Managing Editor of the group’s newspapers. Under her leadership, Wood led the company’s flagship paper to be named best in its statewide division three years in a row.

Chandreka Williams (’15, ’18) was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at the Georgia Department of Corrections’ (GDC) Valdosta, Georgia, Transitional Center (TC). Williams began working in state government in 2017 as a Juvenile Correctional Officer with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. In 2018, she transitioned to a Human Service Professional with the Zion Foundation. In 2019, she began her career with the GDC as a Behavioral Health Counselor II at Columbus TC, where she currently serves.

Brandon Matthews (’16), who earned his bachelor’s in political science and public information at TROY, was recently appointed as Head Basketball Coach at Greenville High School. Matthews, who was previously with Pike Liberal Arts, holds certifications in sports leadership

Muriel Bailey (’17) is a new member of the weeknight news anchor team at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama. Bailey joined the station’s news team in 2019 as a Weekend Anchor and a Weekday Reporter. Prior to coming to Birmingham, she worked at television stations in Mobile, Dothan and Huntsville. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communication from TROY.

Jahmal Kennedy (’17) recently joined the sports team at WSFA-TV in Montgomery as a Sports Reporter and Anchor. A Mobile, Alabama, native, Kennedy worked at WSFA 12 News as a Digital Content Producer until 2020 before joining WDAY-TV in Fargo, North Dakota, as a Sports Reporter/Anchor.

Andrew Lowery (’17) is the new Head Baseball Coach at Straughn High School in Alabama.

Willie Mason, Jr. (’18) was recently named as the new Fire Chief for the Selma Fire Department. He previously served as a Fire Investigator that worked in the department for more than 16 years, while also proctoring firefighters’ exams and teaching classes of recruits for the Alabama Fire College. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from Troy University and is currently enrolled in the graduate human resource management degree program. He also earned a fire science degree from Columbia Southern University.

James Postell (’19) is an Associate in Draffin & Tucker LLP’s Atlanta, Georgia, office, where he works on tax preparation in the commercial practice. Draffin & Tucker LLP is a regional CPA and advisory firm serving the Southeastern region of the U.S. and provides auditing, income tax and consulting services to meet client needs.

’20

Ashton Hinson (’20) is a Staff Assistant at Draffin & Tucker LLP in Albany, Georgia, where she assists with audits and tax in the commercial practice.

Chandreka Williams

BAYLEN PARKER NAMED MARK OF EXCELLENCE FINALIST

A lifelong love of broadcasting led to Troy University graduate Baylen Parker (’21) receiving national recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) when he was named a National Finalist in the 2021 Mark of Excellence Award “Radio Feature” category.

Parker, a native of Brewton, Alabama, transferred to TROY for his last two years of college and majored in broadcast journalism. During his senior year, he interned with TROY Public Radio. Each year, professors in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication submit multiple pieces of student work to

the SPJ and other journalistic organizations. “We’re very proud of Baylen and all of our recent award-winning students and graduates,” said Kyle Gassiott, Operations Manager, Host and Producer for TROY Public Radio. “We are always excited and honored at TROY Public Radio to be training and mentoring the next generation of great audio journalists and storytellers. Baylen’s achievement is a great example of what our students are able to do with a microphone, hard work and their creativity.”

VETERAN CHRIS HARDY INDUCTED INTO ARMY RANGER HALL OF FAME

TROY alumnus Chris Hardy (’02), a U.S. Army veteran with 27 years of service, is among the 2022 class of inductees into the Ranger Hall of Fame. Hardy, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, was among the 16 soldiers and one civilian inducted during a ceremony at Fort Benning in July. “Successful leadership is about taking care of people and demonstrating the proper example daily, in both word and deed, to earn and maintain their loyalty and respect,” said Hardy, who now serves as Senior Vice President of Operations at Yorktown Systems Group. Entering the Army in January 1986, Hardy spent most of his 27 years as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. His initial deployment took him to Somalia with Task Force Ranger. He would later serve numerous deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military career, Hardy served in every enlisted duty position inherent to an Airborne Ranger Rifle Company, including multiple Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major positions. He also provided oversight for completion of more than $3.5 billion in construction across the largest training installation in the Army. In 2013, Hardy retired from a distinguished career as the Command Sergeant Major for the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning.

Mandy Irby (’20), a Child and Family Counselor with Joyworks Counseling, was named to Mobile Bay Magazine’s 2022 class of “40 Under 40.” As a former Foster Care Social Worker at the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries and as President of the Board of Directors for Fostering Together Gulf Coast, Irby has helped a significant number of children find stable homes. She and her husband, Ken, have personally fostered 30 children in their home since 2012. She earned her master’s degree in social work at TROY. Jay Prosser, DNP, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC, (’21) was recently appointed as Chief Nursing Officer at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. Prosser joined Saint Vincent from Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham, where he served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer. Prosser progressed through

several nursing leadership roles, including Administrative Director of Patient Care Services, during his time at Brookwood Baptist. Before joining the team in Birmingham, Prosser spent 11 years in various nursing leadership roles at Huntsville Hospital. Prosser’s research, scheduled to be published this fall, promotes patient safety by reducing failure to rescue events. As Chairman of the Commission on Professional Issues for the Alabama State Nurses Association, he championed passage of a law that made assaulting a health care worker a Class III felony in the state of Alabama. He received the Doctor of Nursing Practice from TROY. George Smith (’21) is an intern in the Albany, Georgia, office of Draffin & Tucker LLP, a regional CPA and advisory firm serving the Southeastern region of the U.S. since 1948.

Griffey Jack Godwin, son of Kelly Hawkins Godwin (’02) and Adam Godwin (’05), was born Dec. 29, 2021.

Caleb Phillip Gooden, son of Anna (’06) and Doug (’03) Gooden, was born June 13, 2022.

TROY UNIVERSITY ALUMNI

William “Bill” Allen (’45)

Gwendolyn Dixon Teel

Babston (’48, ’54, ’70)

Muriel V. Battle (’79)

Gary Barton (’10, ’13)

Ganell Bottomlee (’92)

William Hinton Boutwell (’63)

Hazel Roberts Buckner (’49)

William Aaron “Butch” Cauthen (’69)

Ronald K. Davis (’85)

Dr. Barbara Echord (’73)

Stephen Haug (’84)

Ronald H. “Ron” Hays (’64)

Shirley A. Helms (’79)

William Junior Holliday (’76)

William L. Jackson (’47, ’95)

Charles “Steve” Jehle (’72)

Paul G. Jordan (’80)

Ann Louise Kline (’85)

Frances “Fritz” Lammers (’79, ’80)

Mark Cyril Lee (’82)

Cindy Gale Lightsey (’77)

George “Bobby” MacLean (’75)

Kathy Payne Mahaney (’77)

Levon Charles Manzie (’11)

George W. Marshall (’75)

Martha Lois MacIntosh (’58)

Lorene C. McRae (’94)

Kathleen Ann Miller (’96)

Carolyn Brown Moorer (’51)

John Lawrence “Larry” Motley (’67) Louise Nicholson (’46) Joshua Nolan (’08)

Martin Pace (’98)

Curry Mac Palmer (’59) Susan L. Phillips (’76)

Getheral Lee “Bubba” Pinckard (’69)

Richard H. Prater (’92)

Thomas Edward Runyon (’70, ’71) Gary Rushing (’92)

Rillie A. Simmons (’42)

Mark Dean Sobasky (’92)

Lori J. Spina (’77)

Alison Huggins Tew (’09)

Vera P. Tisdale (’47)

Karen E. Lee Watson (’98)

Myra Barr Wilson (’45)

Miller “Toot” Woodson (’73)

Alan Joseph Zuro (’81, ’86)

TROY UNIVERSITY FRIENDS

Robert Newton Carter, Sr.

Dacre Lewis Davis

Ann Katherine Easley

William Easterling

Dr. Gene Hanson

Bill Hortman

Helena Mann-Melnitchenko

Benson “Mac” McLendon

John Peter Mayotte

Walter Randall “Randy” Rushton

Mary Ammons Starling

Jonathan Steed