TROY Today Spring/Summer 2021

S P R I NG/ S UMME R 2021

LEAD CHANGE Everyone dreams. We make it real.

Learn how TROY is teaching students to be leaders in their field.

COST OF COLLEGE Is it all worth it? How can you be sure?

LEGACIES PAST & PRESENT Troy University celebrates the lives and legacies of Rep. John Robert Lewis, Dr. Doug Patterson, Trustee Lamar P. Higgins and other Trojans.

D eMarc us Ware ’05

troy.edu/funin21

2

TROY TODAY Troy University Marketing and Communication Spring/Summer 2021

From the desk of the Chancellor

Executive Editor Samantha Johnson

The cover story of this edition of TROY Today cuts to the heart of the values we hold dear as a University. The story reports on our new “Lead Change” campaign, which focuses on our mission to prepare students to become leaders.

Leadership development is nothing new at TROY. We offer a leadership minor and provide real-world opportunities to learn leadership throughout the undergraduate and graduate experience. Last fall, we took a bold step forward by offering our Ph.D. in Global Leadership. I believe this program will have a tremendous impact on our state and nation, as excellent formal leadership training is a valuable commodity.

No one exemplified the Trojan “Lead Change” philosophy like the late Lamar P. Higgins, who is eulogized within these pages. Mr. Higgins, our first African-American SGA President and first African-American Trustee, passed away in April after a lengthy illness. Mr. Higgins was devoted to working for inclusion and fairness, and certainly left his mark on his alma mater.

Mr. Higgins played a major role in the creation of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum on the Montgomery Campus, and later was instrumental in passing legislation creating Rosa Parks Day in Alabama. Moreover, his vision was behind the successful leadership conference celebrating African-American History Month, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year under a new name — the Congressman John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference. Speaking of the late Rep. Lewis, Mr. Higgins led the effort to name the signature building on campus for “the boy from Troy,” who was a seminal figure in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

This edition also mourns the passing of several other outstanding Trojans: the Honorable Earl Hutto, former U.S. Congressman; Sim Byrd, who quarterbacked TROY to the NAIA national title in 1968; Dr. Doug Patterson, who served the University with distinction as a senior administrator for two decades; Dr. Robert Kruckeberg, a member of our history faculty who passed away from cancer last year at age 43; and James O’Neal, a dedicated teacher and true southern gentleman.

On a more upbeat note, this issue includes coverage of several major rankings earned by the University over the past year, including recognition for the 16th year in a row as one of the best colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States by The Princeton Review. These rankings are important to alumni by confirming the value of their TROY degrees.

In closing, I invite you to stay in touch with your alma mater by submitting your information for the Alum Notes section of the magazine. Let us know about your career, your family and any personal achievements you wish to share with us. Please submit your information to marketing@troy.edu.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Art Directors Rob Drinkard (’09) Mark Moseley (’97, ’99) Copy Editors Andy Ellis Kristin Frazier Contributors Tomiwa Akintode (’20) Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87) Matt Clower (’04) Tom Davis (’81) Andy Ellis Madelyn Flanagan (’19) Kristin Frazier Kyle George Buddy Johnson (’75) Brent Jones Clif Lusk Jane Martin (’97, ’99) Amya Mitchell Greg Phillips (’06) Adam Prendergast Jonathan Sellers (’07, ’11) Alex Travis Josh Yohn (’07, ’14) Photographers Joey Meredith (’16) Mark Moseley (’97, ’99)

Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. Senior Vice Chancellor, Advancement & Economic Development Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan (USAF, ret.) (’89)

Sincerely, Chief Marketing Officer Samantha Johnson Associate Vice Chancellor, Development

Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. Chancellor

Becky Watson Senior Director, University Relations Matt Clower (’04)

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 2021

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 University is following the latest coronavirus safety precautions as they pertain to masks, social distancing and more.

For more information visit troy.edu/coronavirus.

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.

Director, Alumni Affairs Faith West Byrd (’81, ’87) President, Troy University Alumni Association Roni Holley (’77)

SAVE THE DATE Golf lovers, grab your clubs and join TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Wednesday, Sept. 22, in Prattville, Alabama, for the 2021 Troy University Chancellor’s Invitational Golf Tournament.

Support TROY’s Athletic Ministries by registering yourself or a team for a day of fellowship, sport and prizes at Prattville’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail — Capitol Hill course.

Join us as we continue to celebrate the success of the Dr. John W. Schmidt Student Athletic Ministries Fund and TROY Athletic Ministries.

GOLF TOURNAM S ’ R ENT LLO E C 20 N A 21 H C

troy.edu/chancellorscup

Introducing the Global Leadership Ph.D. for the world ahead.

As one of U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative” universities, TROY is tackling the national need for principled, visionary leaders head on. And, as Alabama’s International University, we know today’s successful leaders need a global viewpoint that works within all cultural contexts.

This one-of-a-kind, online Ph.D. program gives leaders global opportunities through travel, innovative teaching, and shared values. It will push leaders to become visionaries to guide the world ahead.

Apply today if you have what it takes to change the world.

troy.edu/globalleadership

Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D. Chancellor

© 2021 Troy University

On The Cover SPRING/SUMMER 2021

NEWS 2 From the desk of the Chancellor 6 Rosa Parks Day 7 New co-op program

26 Lead Change TROY’s mission of creating leaders goes hand in hand with our new campaign, “Lead Change,” that encourages people to make a change in the world around them.

Portrait of success: DeMarcus Ware, TROY Football and NFL legend, TROY computer science graduate and honorary doctorate recipient turned entrepreneur, as featured in TROY’s Lead Change campaign

ATHLETICS 42 DeMarcus Ware & TROY partnership

8 Pediatric simulator 9 Supporting entrepreneurs 44 Softball triumph 45 Dedication pays off 46 Women’s basketball

30 The Dream Advisor is in 10 Agboatwala appointed 11 TROY at the top 12 IAC exhibits 13 Alabama bicentennial 14 BOT changes 15 Armed Forces Day

FACULTY & STAFF 16 Physical ed program 17 Leadership moves 18 Dr. Kruckeberg remembered

DONORS & GIVING 19 Scarboroughs’ gift 20 Chad Jones gives back

During an interactive event at a Birmingham Barons game, TROY’s Dream Advisor listened to people describe their aspirations for the future.

32 Remembering Lamar P. Higgins He was a trailblazer at TROY who will long be remembered for the impact he had on his alma mater.

47 Return to play 48 Remembering Sim Byrd

STUDENTS 50 Marine veteran making a difference 51 Homecoming queen

34 Nall at TROY A new book featuring work from the Troy, Alabama, artist explores and celebrates his relationship with the University.

36 Dr. Patterson remembered Commitment, hard work and loyalty leaves a lasting impression on all who knew Dr. Doug Patterson.

38 New name, new legacy An official dedication was held to rename Bibb Graves Hall after Rep. John Robert Lewis, “the boy from Troy.”

52 Trojan Outreach

ALUMNI 54 Alum Notes 55 Hutto remembered

22 Vances’ gift

56 O’Neal remembered 57 Alumna finds global success 58 Alumna opens law firm 64 Air Force weather officer 24 PCB Optimist Club Scholarship

40 Is the cost of college worth it?

25 Xi Beta Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship

It’s not just about the numbers. A college experience delivers more than a degree and the probability of a higher income.

65 Alpharetta site now open

NEWS

HONORING ROSA PARKS DAY & 65 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT

The exhibit, “Tired of Giving In: 65 Years Since the Montgomery

and the relevance of nonviolent disobedience today. The

Bus Boycott,” featuring Rosa Parks’ original fingerprint card and

exhibit was on display at Maxwell Air Force Base.

other personal effects from the Library of Congress’ collection

Admission to the museum and the Children’s Wing was

was on display in December 2020 at the Troy University

free from Dec. 1-5, and while supplies lasted, visitors could

Rosa Parks Museum on the Montgomery Campus. The free

receive a commemorative Rosa Parks Museum coin inscribed

exhibit was held to commemorate Rosa Parks Day and the 65th

with December 1, 1955, the date of Parks’ arrest. The city of

anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Montgomery’s 1950s-era bus was also on display.

In 2018, the Alabama Legislature unanimously approved a

In addition, the museum offered free guided virtual tours

bill declaring Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day in the state, making

which lasted about 30 minutes with a 10-minute

Alabama one of four states to designate holidays in honor of

question-and-answer period.

Parks and marking the first Alabama holiday to honor a woman.

The museum wrapped up its celebration with “Memories from

Dec. 1, 2020, marked the anniversary of Parks’ historic 1955

the Movement: A Child’s Perspective,” featuring Meta Ellis,

arrest after she refused to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery

daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Robert Graetz, supporters of

city bus to a white male passenger. Her arrest sparked a

the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The presentation was held in

boycott of the Montgomery city buses by the African American

the museum’s auditorium. A clip of the short film, “Architects

community, eventually leading to the desegregation of the

of Change,” created by Brooke and Breanna Bennett, was

city’s public bus system.

also shown during the program. Items were collected for

The observance also featured the premiere of one of the

the Bennett’s nonprofit organization, Women in Training,

museum’s two new traveling exhibits — “The Women of the

Inc., a youth empowerment organization that advocates for

Movement.” The traveling exhibits were made possible through

menstrual equity and menstrual education and engages girls

a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services’

and nonbinary youth, ages 10 to 18, in community service and

African American History and Culture program.

social justice.

“The Women of the Movement” exhibit utilizes oral history

The program closed with a musical composition dedicated to

interviews, digitized archival material and court documents

Parks written by composer and trained vocalist Mason Byrnes

to tell the heroic stories of Jo Ann Robinson, Aurelia Browder,

from Sugarland, Texas, and performed by the brass quartet

Claudette Colvin, Mary Louise Smith and Lucille Times, among

The Westerlies.

others, while also highlighting important grassroots political

In addition to activities at the museum, St. Paul AME Church

organizations such as the Women’s Political Council.

hosted events to commemorate Rosa Parks Day, including a

The other traveling exhibit, “The Legacy of Rosa Parks,”

United Walk to Celebrate Rosa Parks’ Faith and Legacy in the

provides an overview of the history of the Rosa Parks Museum,

Civil Rights Movement.

the life of Parks, the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott

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UNIQUE CO-OP PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS FULL-TIME, PAID WORK EXPERIENCE Troy University is giving students an opportunity to experience

Those accepted into the program will be enrolled in Co-Op

life in the working world through a new program.

3350, a 12-hour, non-credit-bearing course that keeps

TROY’s Co-Op Program features real-world employers offering

students enrolled during semesters in which they participate

full-time paid positions to current students who alternate

in the co-op.

semesters between the co-op and their normal class schedules.

Students must commit to three semesters of the co-op on an

Offered through TROY Career Services, the program is the first

alternating basis. The program is open to all TROY students,

of its kind on a University-wide basis.

including those studying online.

“This is another opportunity for students to get real hands-on experience while remaining enrolled and connect with employers in probably the most impactful way we’ve ever offered,” said Lauren Cole, Coordinator of Career Services.

“These are full-time, 40-hours-per-week work experiences that students get paid for, and often the housing is also paid for. It’s a fully developed program by the employer.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TROY.EDU/CAREERSERVICES OR CONTACT TROYONLINECAREER@TROY.EDU. APPLICATIONS FOR THE INITIAL CO-OP WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH OCT. 1, 2021.

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DOTHAN NURSING PROGRAM UNVEILS NEW PEDIATRIC SIMULATOR

The simulator is located in the new simulation lab in Adams Hall on the Dothan Campus.

Troy University’s School of Nursing on the Dothan Campus

on the Dothan Campus from having to drive to Troy for every

unveiled a new SimJunior pediatric simulator in October 2020,

simulation, which is what they had to do previously.”

which will give nursing students a chance to practice real-world

The BSN program has grown significantly in Dothan since

techniques on a life-sized simulated child patient.

its start in 2016, when it had an initial graduating class of

“It does pediatric simulations, but it also gives us the ability

six students. Today, more than 60 BSN students are enrolled

to do anything an adult simulator would do,” said Dr. Wade

in Dothan.

Forehand, Director of the School of Nursing.

The Wiregrass is a major hub in the medical field, and

The new simulator joins two adult simulators in the school’s

Dr. Chance sees the BSN program in Dothan as a way to fill a

new sim lab, located in Adams Hall.

major need in the community.

“They help to simulate different heart and breathing sounds,

“There’s been a lot of burnout in nursing with the rise of

you can do CPR and use a defibrillator, so it gives students

COVID-19,” Dr. Chance said. “The need has increased more

a way to practice things they would do in a clinical setting

than it was before, and we’re hoping the more we get out in the

on a patient who is not really alive,” said Dr. Kasey Chance,

Wiregrass, the more nurses we can put in this area.”

Assistant Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Coordinator on the Dothan Campus. “The biggest thing is it keeps students

NEWS

Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. helps cut the ribbon on the newly renovated IDEA Bank on the Square in downtown Troy.

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS IDEA BANK & SBDC BRIDGES BUSINESSES AND STUDENTS

Troy University’s IDEA Bank hosted an open house and ribbon

One of those resources is the SBDC that concentrates needed

cutting April 9, 2021, as a way to introduce the communities in

consulting services for businesses with 500 or fewer

the Wiregrass to what the entrepreneur center can offer.

employees — both existing and people looking for help in

The IDEA Bank, located on the Square in downtown Troy,

launching new businesses.

Alabama, in a former bank building, is a gateway between

Juliana Bolivar, who was hired in January as the center’s new

the businesses in the community and the University and

Director, said, “I am excited to get to know the entrepreneurs

its students. It is also home to the Troy Bank & Trust

and businesses in our area and help them meet their goals

Entrepreneurship Program, part of TROY’s Sorrell College

for growth.” She joins the TROY team with a background in

of Business, where students can develop, launch and hone

small business development, operations, brand development

their businesses.

and marketing.

Also in April, Lynne Firmin George was named Director of

“The IDEA Bank is the place where we bring it all together —

Economic Development and the IDEA Bank at Troy University.

our Small Business Development Center, our entrepreneurial

“We want the community to know that the IDEA Bank is not

program, our economic development effort — in support of

only a place that serves Troy University students,” said George.

our students, our community, our alumni, and our local and

“This is a place to link University resources with businesses, nonprofits and community organizations across Alabama. Here,

regional businesses,” Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan, (USAF, ret.), Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic

we hope to provide the assistance needed to move not only the

Development said. “This is where we create the synergy

Wiregrass, but all of Alabama forward.”

that connects and fuels the economic engine of growth and prosperity at every level. It’s an exciting place to be.”

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SOHAIL AGBOATWALA APPOINTED TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP Troy University alumnus and administrator Sohail Agboatwala has been appointed as the University’s Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Administration effective May 1, 2021.

Agboatwala, former Vice Chancellor for International Programs, will follow Dr. John Schmidt, who retired in April after a second stint with TROY. Agboatwala came to TROY more than 30 years ago as an international student, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1991 and a Master of Business Administration in 1993. He has served in numerous leadership roles at the University, including Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Financial Services, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Services, Director of Auxiliary Services and Student Activities, Director of Academic Support Services for StudentAthletes, Graduate Assistant for Academic Support for Football Student-Athletes and adjunct instructor.

“This is the right move at the right time for Troy University,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “Mr. Agboatwala’s experience in athletics, auxiliary services, student financial services and international programs provides the perspective we need at the senior level. His experience also provides a new global dimension at the senior leadership level, in keeping with our status as Alabama’s International University.”

Agboatwala said he was appreciative of the new opportunity to serve TROY. “I appreciate the confidence placed by Troy University’s leadership in my abilities to corral resources to serve the best students anywhere,” Agboatwala said. “The different perspectives gained from the different opportunities afforded to me over the years provide me the great opportunity to understand needs and work with our staff to address them. I look forward to building on the foundation laid by Dr. Schmidt and others before him in the division to assist functional area leaders to provide the seamless consumer experience to our students.”

In addition to his degrees from TROY, Agboatwala also holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.

Agboatwala is married to the former Cissy Debray and has three children, alumna Mary Thomas Jones (’20), current student Zack Jones and future Trojan Aaliyah Agboatwala.

T ROY T O DAY

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NEWS

TROY AT THE TOP

Troy University’s commitment to serving students, quality

publication’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and 50th in the

academic programs and spirit of innovation continues to garner

“Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans” lists.

national recognition.

TROY’s program rankings were led by a master’s degree

For the 16 year in a row, TROY was recognized as one of

program in criminal justice, which was ranked 15th in the best

the best colleges and universities in the Southeastern United

for veterans list and 26th in the overall best master’s degree

States by The Princeton Review, a leading tutoring, test

program rankings.

preparation and college admissions services company.

Programs within the University’s Sorrell College of Business

“At Troy University, our faculty and staff are committed to

were also recognized in several categories. TROY ranked 31st in

helping our students become globally aware and globally

the country in the “Best Online Master’s in Business Programs

competitive. I believe it is that commitment to serving students

for Veterans (Excluding MBA)” and 68th overall for its online

that has led to the consistency with which we have been

master’s in business. The college’s online bachelor’s program in

recognized by The Princeton Review over the last 16 years,”

business ranked 46th.

said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor.

Sorrell College’s online Master of Business Administration

TROY was also recognized as one of the best and most

programs made the rankings in both the best for veterans and

innovative universities in the south by U.S. News & World

the best overall categories.

Report. The University was one of only 134 schools ranked

The University’s online master’s program in nursing was ranked

in the publication’s “2021 Best Regional Universities South”

32nd in the nation, while the master’s in education was also

list, and was among the top 20 “Most Innovative Universities

recognized among the best in the country.

South” ranking.

The University’s Ph.D. in Sport Management was recently

“Innovation is woven into the very fabric that makes up Troy

recognized as one of the top 10 programs of its kind in the

University, and we believe those efforts pay great dividends for

country by Best Value Schools.

our students,” Dr. Hawkins said.

Another one of the University’s degree programs, the

The quality, flexibility and affordability of the University’s

bachelor’s degree in social work, was recently recognized

academic degree programs also continues to stand out among

among the nation’s top 10 programs. Learn.org, an online

the nation’s best.

forum dedicated to improving awareness and knowledge about

Several of the University’s online degree programs were

educational options, ranked the program seventh in its “Best

recognized in the U.S. News & World Report’s “2021 Best

Online Bachelor’s Programs in Social Work.”

th

Online Programs” rankings. TROY ranked 75 overall in the th

NEWS

VIETNAM, COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUBJECTS OF LATEST IAC EXHIBITS Visitors to Troy University’s International Arts Center (IAC) during recent months have gotten a glimpse of unique Vietnamese art forms and seen the COVID-19 pandemic through a different lens thanks to a pair of recent exhibits.

“Quarantine Walks” featured a series of photo collages created from places and things captured by artist Micah Mermilliod during his daily walks through last year’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Mermilliod, a Mississippi native currently living in Mobile, said he was mostly interested in using art to display adaptations that humans make in response to environmental catalysts.

The exhibit was on display from February through April 15, 2021.

The previous exhibit, “Faces of Vietnam,” featured a collection of contemporary works, curated

by Stephen Humphreys, featuring Vietnamese woodblock prints, gouache on Dó paper and mosquito netting and lacquer works inlaid with eggshell, sand and even human hair.

Humphreys, an attorney based in Athens, Georgia, accumulated the artwork in his travels through Vietnam during the 1990s. The artwork collection later emerged as Vietnam was struggling to reconstruct after decades of war.

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T ROY T O DAY

Former Phenix City Vice Chancellor Dr. David White seated next to the statue of Albert Patterson at the dedication ceremony on June 26, 2021

PLANNING & DEDICATION COMES TO FRUITION The Phenix City and Russell County Alabama Bicentennial

organized crime and corrupt politicians at the time. Patterson’s

Committee, formed in January 2017 by former Phenix City

assassination served as the catalyst for reformative change in

Vice Chancellor Dr. David White, recently produced a series

Phenix City.

of projects as a result of more than three years of planning and

Another project involved the production of a short

dedication by civic, community and TROY volunteers.

documentary film through a TROY grant with funding from

One project involved the commission of a full-sized statue

the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National

of Albert Patterson, a prominent politician and attorney in

Endowment for the Arts.

Phenix City, Alabama, with funding from the Russell County

The film captures highlights of Phenix City’s history and future

Commission, Russell County Tourism, Alabama Department

developments through interviews with community and civic

of Tourism, CTV Beam, WestRock, the Roy Green family, Troy

leaders John Patterson, former Governor of Alabama; Chance

Bank & Trust and Troy University. The statue was completed by

Corbett, Russell County Commissioner; Kenneth Funderburk,

sculptor Jon Lumpkin, a Phenix City native.

Attorney at Law; Dr. White; and Phenix City native artists Mike

Patterson was assassinated shortly after he won the

Howard and Jon Lumpkin.

Democratic nomination for Alabama Attorney General on the platform of “cleaning up” the city, which was largely run by

TROY TODAY

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Brig. Gen. Edward Crowell

Charles Nailen

Cam Ward

CHANGES ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES Two Troy University Trustees were reappointed and a new

Nailen has served on the Board of Trustees since 2003. He

member was added to the Board this spring by Alabama

and his wife, Kay, are owners of BBG Specialty Foods, Inc.

Gov. Kay Ivey.

— a franchise of Taco Bell Corporation, and GGG Foods, Inc.

Gov. Ivey reappointed retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Edward F.

— a franchise of KFC Corporation. They currently operate

Crowell and Dothan businessman Charles Nailen to the Board

restaurants in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

of Trustees. TROY alumnus Cam Ward (’93) was appointed to

Nailen is a member of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce,

the Board to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Trustee

Chairman of the Friends of Fort Rucker Task Force, Board and

Lamar P. Higgins, who passed away in April 2021 following an

Executive Committee member of the Army Aviation Museum

extended illness.

Foundation, Inc., member of the Association of the United

During the Trustees’ May meeting, Crowell was elected as

States Army, board member of the Dothan-Houston County

Vice-President Pro Tempore, filling the leadership position left

Airport Authority and the Business Council of Alabama.

vacant by Higgins’ death.

Cam Ward, like his predecessor, Trustee Higgins, was twice

“Gen. Crowell and Mr. Nailen are proven leaders who have

elected as Student Government Association President as a

made a profound impact on Troy University through their

student at TROY. “Besides Mr. Higgins, Cam Ward is the only

service on the Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.,

SGA President at Troy University to have been elected to serve

Chancellor. “I look forward to their continued service, and

two consecutive terms in office,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Mr. Ward

I am grateful for Gen. Crowell’s willingness to assume this

and Trustee Higgins were close, dear friends. We are grateful

leadership role within the Board.”

to Gov. Kay Ivey for this nomination, and we look forward to

Gen. Crowell, who was a recent candidate for mayor of the city

welcoming Mr. Ward to our Board.”

of Montgomery, retired from VT Miltope as its President and

Since December, Ward has served as Director of the Alabama

CEO. His corporate career includes work with Blount, Inc.

Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Prior to the Bureau, Ward

Gen. Crowell, a proud veteran of the Air Force and Reserves

was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2002

with more than 35 years of service, retired from the USAF at

where he served for two terms. In 2010, he was elected to the

Maxwell Air Force Base in March 2009, where he had served

Alabama Senate representing parts of Shelby, Bibb and Chilton

as Commandant of the Air War College and Vice Commander

counties. He was re-elected in 2012 and served as Chairman of

of Air University while serving an extended tour of active duty

the Senate Judiciary Committee, a role he held for the last nine

and most recently as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander

years. Additionally, Ward served as President of the Alabama

of Air University. He is married to Ernestine Jordan Crowell.

Law Institute. Ward is married to the former Lindsey Clements

They have two children.

and has two daughters, Riley and Clements.

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Dr. Hawkins with TROY Trustee Forrest Latta inside the UH-1H Huey helicopter on Armed Forces Day 2021

CELEBRATING ARMED FORCES DAY For some, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For others, it

Huey, along with other attractions such as a medical evacuation

was a reminder of a war fought long ago and the memories that

helicopter, a Vietnam-era museum and historic re-enactors.

came with it.

“This is our inaugural event to recognize active duty armed

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, was

forces personnel currently serving our nation,” said FOAA

among the hundreds who took a ride in a historic UH-1H

President John “Doc” Holladay. “We thought it would be neat to

Huey helicopter during the Friends of Army Aviation’s

show our veterans our appreciation … for those who seldom get

(FOAA) inaugural Armed Forces Day event May 15, 2021, on

celebrated for what they do for this nation each day. It’s a very

TROY’s Dothan Campus.

important thing for them to be recognized.”

For Dr. Hawkins, a U.S. Marine who fought in Vietnam, the

From children to older individuals, a litany of people got to

aircraft brought back a flood of memories and appreciation.

experience what Holladay called “the ride of a lifetime.”

“What did Yogi Berra famously say? It’s déjà vu all over

Dr. Hawkins said it’s important for the University to continue

again,” Dr. Hawkins said. “This time, though, it was a lot more

its tradition of supporting the Armed Forces.

comfortable and fun. It was a great experience, and it let all

“That’s a big part of our culture,” he said. “TROY’s a little bit

of us appreciate the Friends of Army Aviation and what all

unique in that it’s a patriotic place. We know freedom isn’t free

the men and women of the United States military do for

and we want to do our part to support those people who are

our country.”

willing to go into harm’s way to preserve it.”

Dr. Hawkins and other TROY dignitaries kicked off the event that morning, followed by a day of taking visitors up in the

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TROY TODAY

FA CULT Y & S TA FF

Home-schooled students take part in a parachute activity on the Troy Campus.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM PREPARES TEACHERS, BENEFITS HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS When pandemic shutdowns threatened the opportunity for

education for the home-schooled child. “A lot of my friends

Troy University students to gain valuable teaching experience

were home schooling, so we asked them to bring their kids to

in the classrooms of area school systems, a faculty member

campus and it really just started to snowball from there.”

came up with a creative solution.

Johnson, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees

Lana Johnson, a Health and Physical Education Lecturer,

from TROY, taught and coached at Pike County High School

created a program that brought home-schooled students to

before joining the University’s faculty and knows the value the

the Troy Campus to be taught by students in her “Teaching

experience has for her students.

Individual and Team Sports I and II” classes.

“My students are able to teach for 50 minutes with these

“I started this program because my students couldn’t get into

home-schooled kids in three different age groups —

the school systems due to COVID-19, and we had to come up

elementary, middle and high school,” she said. “This program

with a solution so that my students could experience teaching,”

gives my students the opportunity to get the experience they

said Johnson, whose research interest is organized physical

need before they go into the school systems.”

T ROY T O DAY

17

FA CULT Y & S TA FF

Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims

Dr. Kerry Palmer

Dr. John Garner

Samantha Johnson

LEADERSHIP MOVES There are new leadership changes at Troy University’s Phenix

10 years, including nearly six years as Head of School. Prior to

City Campus and for the Colleges of Education and Health and

joining the team at Trinity in 2008, Dr. Palmer taught band and

Human Services, along with a new promotion within the Office

served as a K-12 school administrator for 13 years.

of Marketing and Communication.

Dr. John Garner was named Interim Dean of the College of

“The most important thing we do at Troy University is serve our

Health and Human Services for the University in May 2021.

students. The second most important thing we do is hire good

Dr. Garner most recently served as Associate Dean of the

people,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor.

college and has been Chair of the Department of Kinesiology

In October 2020, Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Dean of TROY’s

and Health Promotion since 2016. He has also served as the

College of Education, became Vice Chancellor of the Phenix

Interim Director of the School of Social Work and Human

City Campus, replacing Dr. David White, who retired after

Services, and is a tenured Professor of Exercise Science.

nearly 24 years of service to the University.

In May, Samantha Johnson was named Chief Marketing Officer

Dr. Rosser-Mims joined the TROY faculty as an adjunct

for the Office of Marketing and Communication following the

professor in 2005 and then as a full-time faculty member in

retirement of Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and

2007. She also has served as Site Director and District Director

Communication Donna Schubert after 30+ years of service to

for TROY sites in Georgia and Associate Director of Academics

the University. Johnson, who joined Troy University in 2012,

for the University’s Southeast Region.

previously served in the role of Senior Director of Marketing

Dr. Rosser-Mims became Associate Dean of the College of

under the Department of Advancement and Economic

Education in 2016, and since 2018, she has served as the

Development. Her promotion coincided with the launch of

college’s Dean.

TROY’s new “Lead Change’’ campaign. Before joining TROY,

Dr. Kerry Palmer, a TROY alumnus who has served as Associate

Johnson spent 20 years in similar leadership roles within the

Dean for the College of Education since January 2019, became

advertising, international retail and financial service sectors.

the college’s new Dean in October 2020.

Dr. Palmer previously served in administrative leadership roles at Montgomery’s Trinity Presbyterian School for more than

TROY TODAY

FA CU LT Y & S TA FF

18

DR. KRUCKEBERG REMEMBERED FOR HUMOR & IMPACT ON OTHERS

Dr. Robert “Kruck” Dale Kruckeberg, Jr. is remembered by his colleagues not only for the value he brought to students in Troy University classrooms, but also for the meaning and laughter he brought to so many lives.

Dr. Kruckeberg passed away Dec. 27, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 43. A memorial service celebrating his life was held Jan. 3, 2021, at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with honorary condolers consisting of his colleagues from the Troy University Department of History and Philosophy.

“I was profoundly saddened to hear of Dr. Kruckeberg’s death,” said Dr. Steven Taylor, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“Rob was a valued member of the history faculty and a truly wonderful person. He will be missed, and my heart goes out to his family. I know his colleagues feel the same.”

An Associate Professor of History, Dr. Kruckeberg was a member of the TROY faculty since fall 2012. He was known as a passionate scholar; but even more than that, he was known as a trusted colleague and friend who was armed with a tremendous sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious.

“Rob had recently received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. He was looking forward to beginning sabbatical in fall 2020 during which time he planned to write on his monograph about early modern France. Instead, he learned of his cancer and began treatments,” said Dr. Allen Jones, Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy. “We in History miss Kruck’s collegiality, not least of all his sardonic humor, and that laugh.”

TROY PROFESSOR FINDS PASSION AS STEM MENTOR Dr. Jacqueline Jones, an Assistant Professor in TROY’s Biological and Environmental Science Department, has been involved in the success of many minority Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathemetics (STEM) scholars and research collaborations with other universities across the country through her mentorship programs.

For years, Dr. Jones has been working closely with students to prepare them for major opportunities, such as TROY alumnus Blake Swicord (’17), who acquired an internship at the prestigious Harvard Medical School after working with and receiving a recommendation from Dr. Jones.

Dr. Jones’ primary goal in mentoring is to help students understand the importance of having an interest in the sciences. This has mostly been achieved through her personal research lab and the core classes she teaches.

Dr. Jones is also involved in two major programs which target local high school students with an interest in the STEM field.

One is focused on underrepresented minority students in the University’s TRIO program, and the other is focused on helping students in the STEM field until they graduate college and even after.

“There are two different programs: the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program,” Dr. Jones said. “We start at the high school level for the LSAMP program and we bring local high school students to TROY for the summer for those in the junior and senior year, and we give them a college-like experience so that they have an idea of what to expect when they get to college.

Our goal is to really bring them here so that once they begin in our program, they don’t just go to another institution, they come to TROY.”

T ROY T O DAY

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DON O R S & GIVING

SCARBOROUGHS’ GIFT Sherri and Barry Scarborough landed at then-Troy State University in 1986 through a twist of fate and with the help of a Ford Ranger pickup truck.

Sherri came to TROY with her best friend from Haines City, Florida, after her friend had received a scholarship. However, just two days before classes were to start, Sherri’s friend left TROY to get married. Sherri chose to stay, and soon met some new friends.

It was when Sherri returned home for Christmas break after her first term at school that Barry and his Ford Ranger came into play. Sherri’s mother bought a dorm refrigerator and enlisted Barry to deliver it to TROY in his Ford Ranger.

“He unloaded the refrigerator and took it to my room and said, ‘Where’s the Admission’s office around here?’” she said.

And that was the beginning of their story at TROY and life ever after.

Both readily admit they had a lot of fun at TROY and that they both felt it was time to give back and “pay it forward,” hoping to make the TROY experience available to another student from Polk County, Florida.

“We have been blessed with good fortune and good jobs, and I think we pay it forward. What better way than to give somebody the resources to help make something of themselves — and that starts with the college degree,” said Sherri, now an attorney and partner in the law firm of Howell and Thornhill, P.A.

The couple, who now resides in Winter Haven, Florida, established The Sherri Ingram Scarborough and Barry Scarborough Leadership Endowed Scholarship through a generous gift of $136,000 in stock, with preference given to students from Polk County with at least at 2.8 GPA. This scholarship will allow a student to receive a $5,000 annual scholarship and will be renewable for all four years of the student’s time at TROY. “TROY is very appreciative of the Scarboroughs’ generosity for this endowed scholarship,” said Becky Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development. “This gift will impact many generations of future TROY students, and we are grateful to the Scarboroughs for their benevolence and love for Troy University.”

Sherri was one of very few economics majors during her time at TROY, while Barry majored in marketing. She ended up in the first graduating class of the Hawkins era in 1989. Barry officially matriculated in the summer of 1990.

After TROY, Barry built a 30-year career in the insurance industry from which he retired in 2018. He is now a third-generation owner of a Badcock Furniture franchise and also manages the family’s rental properties.

“Lots of things shape your life and TROY was a big part of making us who we are,” Barry said. “We want to give that chance to someone else.”

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TROY TODAY

D ON O R S & G I VING

CHAD JONES PAYS IT FORWARD One of the first in his family to graduate college, Chad Jones knows firsthand the financial struggles families face when it comes time to send children off to college. He well remembers the discussion at his mother’s breakfast table when pencil was put to paper, and the tally came up a little short.

“I was fortunate to have people who rallied behind me who said you had to have good grades — and not the money — up front,” he said. “I want students without the financial means to be able to go on to college. TROY benefited me, and I wanted to pay it forward.”

Now President and CEO of First Bank of Alabama based in Talladega, Jones has made a $300,000 legacy gift to establish the J. Chad Jones Leadership Scholarship for future high school students in his bank’s service area which currently consists of Talladega, Calhoun, Clay and Randolph counties with Chilton County being added.

“Chad Jones’ commitment to achievement is indicative of the ‘servant leader’ brand of leadership that is taught at Troy University. He is a model any Trojan could follow, and future students will benefit from his example,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. Through the mentorship of Jason Reeves, now mayor of Troy, Jones became involved in the Interfraternity Council, becoming its President as well as President of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It was through this mentorship and through TROY faculty members that Jones learned how to impact others.

“Students need to get that there’s hope. You can come from a single-parent family and be the first to graduate. Taking the step to obtain your degree is one of the best first choices you make because it will change the trajectory of your life,” he said.

“I can’t believe what my life would have been — my mom was a postal clerk, and my dad was a pole climber for Alabama Power — if I hadn’t made that change.”

Jones added, “You can be the first person to change in anything.

Get involved if you’re shy. Be the first person to show you have a personality. I always thought of myself as shy until I got to TROY and then it was like I was reborn,” he said. “Students need to understand they have the opportunity to be first in whatever they want to try.”

Associate Vice Chancellor for Development Becky Watson said, “It was a pleasure to work with Chad and assist him with his legacy gift. TROY is truly proud of the wonderful leader that Chad has become and exhibits daily in his career, community and as a role model for his children. He shared with me from the first meeting of how TROY influenced his life, and now he is giving back through a legacy gift so that others will have that same opportunity. It is a wonderful testament to his character.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN ESTABLISH A LEGACY GIFT, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AT 334-670-3608.

Morgan (Hooper) (’10) and Rob Drinkard (’09), legacy members since December 2011, with their children William and Emory

CREATE YOUR LEGACY AT TROY UNIVERSITY AND IMPACT FUTURE GENERATIONS Generosity comes in many forms, and it’s often the best way for you to support important causes that matter the most to you in your life. When you give to Troy University, you help us make a difference.

A legacy gift is the process through which a gift is pledged but may be completely or partially deferred until sometime in the future. There are many ways you can make an impact at Troy University through a future gift, such as: • A bequest through a will • The purchase of a life insurance policy • Establishing a charitable remainder trust Contact the Office of Development at 334-670-3608 to learn more.

TROY TODAY

D ONOR S & GIV IN G

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GENEROUS GIFT WILL ENDOW VANCE STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND

T ROY T O DAY

In a tumultuous time of unprecedented financial hardship for many, a new fund established by a gift from Kate and Trustee Gibson Vance aims to help students in need. This selfless assistance from the Vances is an exceptional example of the Trojan giving spirit. The Vances’ contributions promise to help TROY not only retain students but improve their quality of life while on campus.

The $100,000 gift will establish the Kate and Gibson Vance Student Emergency Fund that will benefit students on the Troy Campus who experience an unexpected financial burden and need assistance to remain enrolled in classes.

“There are students at TROY whose finances are limited, and when an emergency occurs, they don’t have the resources to handle it,” said Trustee Gibson Vance, a 1987 TROY alumnus who serves as President Pro Tempore of the University’s Board of Trustees. “I went to school on a Pell Grant, student loans and work study. If something went wrong, I didn’t have the extra money to pay for it. This fund will help students be able to weather those difficult situations.”

Becky Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, said the couple’s generosity would be of tremendous benefit to TROY students, as well as the University as a whole.

“We know that once a student drops out, the odds of them coming back to continue their education decrease dramatically,” Watson said. “This fund will provide students the opportunity to continue to pursue their degree without interruption so they are able to realize their goals. We are so grateful to Kate and Gibson Vance for their generosity and their continued support and loyalty to Troy University and its students.”

TROY will form a committee to establish criteria and review student applications. The funds will be administered by the Troy University Foundation. Students will go through an application process through which they will have to demonstrate a specific financial need in order to qualify for the grant.

“You never know when you may experience emergencies and unexpected expenses whether that be your car breaking

(from left) SGA President Nicole Jayjohn, Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Kate and Trustee Gibson Vance

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down, a serious illness or having a family crisis that changes your financial situation,” Kate Vance said. “Gibson lived with his grandmother when he was at TROY and didn’t have a lot of extra money to spend on things. We want these students to be able to continue their education, even when unexpected emergencies arise that are beyond their control. We want to provide them with that extra support that is needed to keep the students in school and focused on their studies.”

Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. said the most important thing Troy University does is serve its students, and the establishment of the Kate and Gibson Vance Student Emergency Fund will play an important role in the University’s student-centered mission.

“At Troy University, we are deeply committed to serving students, and Kate and Gibson Vance’s generous gift is the very embodiment of the culture of caring that exists here,” Dr. Hawkins said. “I am grateful for the leadership and support they provide to TROY and their continued commitment to our students.”

Another motivating factor in the establishment of the fund came from the couple’s son, Andrew, a current TROY student.

“Andrew is earnestly engaged in the campus community,” Kate Vance said. “He has friends that are working to put themselves through school that wouldn’t have the extra money to handle an emergency should one occur. He has shared with us that there are real needs among students here, and the most meaningful help we can offer is this fund’s material assistance.”

Trustee Vance, an attorney with the Beasley Allen Law Firm and Vice President of the Alabama State Bar Association, said he feels fortunate to be able to help TROY students in this way.

“Serving my alma mater and giving back in a tangible way to help the students means everything to me,” he said. “We feel fortunate and thrilled to be able to establish this fund, and we look forward to helping as many students as we can in the coming years. It is a heartwarming way to pay our good fortune forward.”

TROY TODAY

DONOR S & GIV IN G

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(from left) Randy Philips, Craig St. Martin, Optimist Club President Elect, Robert Draper, Becky Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development and Matthew Wright, Enrollment Coordinator for Panama City

PCB OPTIMIST CLUB SCHOLARSHIP Keeping with their creed to be “just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own,” the Panama City Beach Optimist Club partnered with TROY to create a $25,000 Leadership Endowed Scholarship.

In a typical year, organization member Bob Draper said the group would host local events for the youth in the community, but with the arrival of the pandemic, they wanted to find other beneficial uses for these funds. Thus, they sought to create the Panama City Beach Optimist Club Leadership Endowed Scholarship. Having partnered with TROY in the past to create scholarship opportunities, Draper said the club was more than happy to come together again with the University to support future Trojans.

“We’ve partnered with TROY on a previous $25,000 endowed scholarship for the Panama City Beach campus, and with the money we had in our budget that didn’t get to go toward community youth activities, we felt it was a good investment to do another scholarship with the University,” said Draper.

This endowed scholarship will be used to benefit students from Bay County, Florida, who are attending any TROY location.

“Opening up the scholarship to a wider range allows more students to partake of this scholarship, and they can really be anywhere in the world,” said Draper. “We feel like this will help our community even more than the original scholarship has helped, by allowing the students to attend more than just the Panama City Beach campus.”

Draper said the organization has sponsored Boy Scout troops in the past, and many Eagle Scouts have come out of the program to then pursue a military career. With the number of diverse campus locations TROY offers today, Draper said those

students will still be eligible for this scholarship while they serve in the military.

Having been part of the Panama City Beach Optimist Club for more than 20 years, Draper said being able to see the impact these scholarships make in the lives of the students is incredibly rewarding.

“We offer our scholarships to individuals that want to make our community better,” said Draper. “Our hope is that this scholarship betters the lives of students and the lives of their families. We’ve had some pretty successful individuals come out of our scholarship program. Our main aim is to be a friend of the youth and to inspire the youth, like our creed says.”

Draper notes that one requirement for the scholarship is that the recipient keeps in touch with the organization periodically.

This, he said, allows the group to see how the student is progressing, what their hopes and goals are and how the club can ultimately help them achieve these goals.

Ever the optimist, Draper said the organization hopes the individuals receiving the scholarship will get their education and ultimately become more well-rounded people.

“Troy University is very appreciative to the Panama City Beach Optimist Club for its benevolence and generosity to our students. These scholarships are wonderful resources for our students in the Panama City Beach area,” said Becky Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development for Troy University.

“The members of the Panama City Beach Optimist Club are some of the finest individuals I have met and want to see their community thrive in a positive manner and that includes educating them at the highest level. We are proud to partner with the club, the members and the organization.”

D ON O R S & G I VING

XI BETA CHAPTER GIVES BACK In 1978, the Xi Beta chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was established at Troy University, and since that time, the brothers and alumni members of the fraternity have worked to encourage more students to pursue an education at TROY and become involved in Greek life.

With this idea in mind, alumni chapter members Kelvin Wallace and Darryl Green said the original founders partnered with TROY to create a $25,000 Xi Beta Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship.

The original founding members, pictured above, of TROY’s Xi Beta chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity from spring 1978 were: Gregory Goosby, Thomas Gosha, Robert Ballard, Thomas Wilson, Freddie Briggs, Edwin Little, Mitchell Lynch, Sylvester Smith, James Epting, Solomon Green, Dwayne Perry, Eric Brooks, Anthony Hart, Robert Lawrence Jr., Lamar Higgins, Michael Gibbs and Richard Adair.

“Our focus and the focus of the scholarship is to ensure that we’re being the most impactful for the students,” said Wallace.

“We want to push students to TROY, and we wanted to be able to make a lasting impact by offering this scholarship through the University.”

By partnering with TROY, Wallace said the fraternity is better able to serve students. The scholarship is open to not only current Xi Beta members, but also to the children and grandchildren of alumni.

“We are so excited for this opportunity to give back,” said Green, a 1986 graduate of TROY’s nursing school. “As an organization, we always want to provide a pathway for individuals to go to school and to give back to TROY.”

“These Trojans have experienced firsthand both the value of Greek life in the total TROY experience and the important difference a scholarship can make for a student,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “We are grateful to them for creating this win-win opportunity.”

During his time at TROY, Wallace was an active member in the Xi Beta chapter, gaining what he called a true home away from home.

Since graduating, Wallace said he and his brothers have always made a point to stay in touch with each other. This was an aspect of fraternity brotherhood he was proud to showcase to his son Keagan, now a junior at TROY pursuing a degree in journalism and a proud member of the fraternity.

As part of the scholarship requirements, applicants must submit a 500 to 1,000-word essay. The essay topic is chosen based on the national organization’s annual theme, and Wallace said themes are related to current events to challenge students to think critically about what’s going on in the nation, and how they can actively be part of the solution.

Wallace and Green urge more alumni to get involved with TROY by joining the Alumni Association, getting involved on campus, creating a scholarship or even just attending events.

“I don’t think I would be who I am today without having attended TROY,” he said. “Having alumni that continue to stay involved speaks volumes for what TROY is and what it continues to do to stay relevant today.”

F EAT UR E STORY

WRITTEN BY: GREG PHILLIPS

A CHANGE IS IN THE AIR. Billboards, commercials and advertisements are now out that feature Troy University’s new campaign “Lead Change” — a slogan that reflects the University’s strong reputation and commitment to building leaders throughout the world.

“One of the most important things a university can do is prepare its students to become leaders,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University. “We’re in a critical state in America. Daily we talk about the shortage of well-qualified leaders. We see that as a primary mission for Troy University, to prepare leaders who can help guide this nation, and we’re working hard to do that. We take seriously the preparation of our students for leadership roles. We want our students to be servant leaders and that begins with a sense of service and a willingness to give to the communities that will embrace them and that need them.”

TROY has developed leaders for decades, and the new campaign seeks to highlight the ways in which the University has fostered the qualities that encompass those individuals.

One such individual featured is DeMarcus Ware, Troy University alumnus and member of the 2016 Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos. Ware, who graduated in 2005 with a computer science degree, was the University’s first-ever, first-round draft pick when taken 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Not only is DeMarcus Ware one of the best defensive players to ever play at TROY, he has turned his success on the college gridiron into a wildly successful professional career, with his latest venture a fitness app called Driven to Win (D2W) that he is partnering with TROY Athletics to promote.

“We are proud of DeMarcus’ on-field success, but we are even more proud that he is putting his TROY degree in computer science to good use by developing this new app. And we are proud to enter into this partnership that will help so many reach their fitness goals,” said Dr. Hawkins.

The University offers leadership education at every level — from a minor to a Ph.D. in Global Leadership, as well as realworld leadership opportunities with campus organizations, internships and partnerships with major companies.

T ROY T O DAY

“In addition to our leadership courses for undergraduate students, we have now launched the Global Leadership Ph.D.,” said Dr. Kerry Palmer, Dean of the College of Education, which houses the Department of Leadership Development and Professional Studies. “We will be welcoming a third cohort of outstanding students into this program in August.”

During the summer of 2020, in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, TROY launched Leadership 101, the University’s first free online course.

With course content designed to equip students to thrive in a post-pandemic world, Leadership 101 featured lectures and materials from some of TROY’s most well-known faculty, including Dr. Hawkins; Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, former Dean of the College of Education; and Dr. John Kline, Executive Director of the Institute for Leadership Development.

Nearly 5,000 people participated in the course, ranging from age 14 to 85.

“We felt that it was important to demonstrate that TROY is a leader in both online education and leadership development,

27

especially during the uncertainty of the early weeks of our pandemic shutdown,” Dr. Palmer said. “This practical course was well received, with greater than 90% of survey respondents giving us the highest scores available.”

The University is also reaching into surrounding communities to foster leadership amongst the populace.

“The College of Education has recently partnered with the city of Troy to launch ‘Catalyst Troy,’” Dr. Palmer said. “Catalyst Troy is a community leadership initiative geared toward Troy citizens who would not normally participate in formal programs.

The program is designed to empower citizens to engage in community leadership at the grassroots level as they learn how their local government is organized.”

Leadership opportunities for TROY students arise through the Office of Civic Engagement’s Civic Scholars Program.

This twice-yearly cohort gives students the chance to serve as leaders in community outreach areas, including Campus Kitchens, Community Gardens, the Real Talk on Race Mentoring Project and the Democracy Project.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

Stills from TROY’s Lead Change campaign commercial

Courtney Rushing (’14) Latonda Paymon, DNP, FNP-C (’92, ’00, ’03)

T ROY T O DAY

Dawn Walton, CFO Children’s Hospital (’92)

“These students agree to sign up to work with us for 10 hours during a semester, and they work with one of those four initiatives,” said Lauren Cochran, Coordinator of Civic Engagement. “They go through specific training on how to serve in the community, and also they learn about how to move within their specific area — for instance, those who work in Community Gardens learn about how best to communicate with young kids.”

Those who have participated in the Civic Scholars Program gain knowledge and experience that helps them become leaders in the communities as well as their professional lives.

“Many of our students who have volunteered tell me later that they’ve never done a lot of public speaking or led a discussion before or had courage to get up in front of other people, so we’ve seen this to be quite a development tool for students,” Cochran said. “This program gives students a chance to learn by doing — real-world leadership experience. They learn how to be part of something that’s bigger than themselves and has a deep impact on our community through meeting community needs.

I think when we’re able to listen to others and learn from each other, to meet the needs of each other and our neighbors, that’s when we really understand the true meaning of leadership.”

Those hands-on leadership opportunities pay off when the students leave TROY. “Leadership can be studied here, but it’s developed through application and practice, and there is a host of activities for students to do that,” said Dr. Jonathan Cellon, Associate Dean of First-Year Studies. “In the John W. Schmidt Center for Student Success, we have over 35 student employees learning skills of professionalism, problem solving, project management, customer service, conflict resolution and other areas that will be valuable leadership skills for them as they go forward.”

Career Services Coordinator Lauren Cole actively encourages students to seek leadership opportunities on and off campus.

“Leadership is a necessity for your resume, but not just as a line on a piece of paper, but a list of transferable skills,” Cole

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2nd Lt. Brandon Williams, U.S. Army (’21)

said. “I encourage students to take leadership positions with organizations not just on campus, but in the community, and begin to network and make contacts in the community at large. TROY often talks about servant leadership, and that is vital because it’s about the whole. Leadership is about serving alongside other people.”

One of the brightest examples of TROY’s commitment to developing leaders is SGA President Nicole Jayjohn. Jayjohn started her Trojan tenure on Freshman Forum, where she received mentorship and encouragement from upperclassmen, faculty and staff to begin her leadership journey.

“My Freshman Forum Director encouraged me to go for her position, and from there I started thinking I was able to do these things, to be a leader,” Jayjohn said. “It’s just the community and people that are at TROY, constant encouragers who build you up, whether it’s faculty or staff or Dr. Hawkins himself.

They constantly built me up and encouraged me to try things I wouldn’t have tried without that encouragement. It’s a support system that helped me get to where I am. It’s made me want to be that encourager for the new students. I’ve gotten so much from TROY that I want to pass onto those younger than me.”

“Lead Change” also reflects the University’s efforts to enhance leadership skills in the professional world through Continuing Education and Outreach, which offers training, consulting and executive coaching aimed at enhancing today’s leaders even as the University prepares the leaders of tomorrow.

TROY continues to seek out new ways to foster those efforts, evidenced by the success of both Leadership 101 and the Global Leadership Ph.D. program.

“Moving forward, we will be exploring ways to grow and enhance our Institute for Leadership Development, especially in light of our recent successes,” Dr. Palmer said. “The future is bright for leadership education at TROY.” FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TROY.EDU/LEADCHANGE.

F E AT UR E S T O RY

DREAM ADVISOR EVENT HITS HOME RUN Troy University hit a home run with the launch of its

philosophy exemplifies TROY’s dedication to teaching a new

first experiential interactive Dream Advisor event at the

generation to lead change through action.

Birmingham Barons baseball game June 3, 2021, in front of the

“It was exciting to see the inspiration expressed by the

home crowd of more than 6,000.

participants during the Dream Advisor event,” said TROY

Curious Barons fans were invited to sit on the cardinal couch

Chief Marketing Officer Samantha Johnson. “This campaign

and tell TROY’s Dream Advisor for this event their hopes and

puts a voice to our core strategy of building leaders for real-

dreams and how they would like to shape their future.

world change. TROY’s leadership issued a challenge, not only

The Dream Advisor event was the second leg of the

to students but to faculty, staff and the more than 170,000

launch of TROY’s “Lead Change” campaign that debuted at

alumni we have to stretch ourselves, dream bigger, then to do

commencement ceremonies May 7, highlighting TROY’s

something to make those dreams real. It’s time to lead change!”

commitment to fostering leadership development. Lead Change

As part of the University’s strategic plan, leadership courses

encourages students to identify and develop the leadership

and experiential opportunities are available to all students

skills needed to fulfill their dreams and change the world. This

from day one. Students on the Troy Campus enjoy a traditional

T ROY T O DAY

It was exciting to see the inspiration expressed by the participants during the Dream Advisor event. This campaign puts a voice to our core strategy of building leaders for real-world change. TROY’s leadership issued a challenge, not only to students but to faculty, staff and the more than 170,000 alumni we have to stretch ourselves, dream bigger, then to do something to make those dreams real. It’s time to lead change!

— Samantha Johnson

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Participant 1: Dream Advisor: How do you see yourself impacting the world and leading change in your field?

Interviewee: I think a lot of big changes start with a lot of small changes.

Chief Marketing Officer, Troy University

Participant 2: college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, as well as locations around the world and online.

TROY’s ad agency, Intermark Group, located in Birmingham, Alabama, planned the Dream Advisor event to engage prospective students, alumni and friends with Troy University.

Intermark is known for helping brands identify and communicate their core values and overall mission.

TROY’s Advisor, Emily Reiss, sat for hours listening to people describe their hopes, dreams and aspirations for their future.

Dream Advisor: Something that’s important to us at TROY is leadership; it is what we teach from the very beginning, and we teach you how to get involved in your field. Do you envision yourself as a leader?

Interviewee: I do ... and what I love about leadership is that it never ends.

Topics of conversation during the Dream Advisor event centered around leadership and how participants saw themselves participating in effecting change in the world. Some sample interactions revealed how participants viewed the

By the end of the game, more than 40 people had participated

world and the role they play in shaping its future.

and were captured on video during the interactive event.

Others interviewed during the Barons game specifically

Coming off the coattails of the success of the Birmingham

mentioned how they were going to use their major or career

Barons event, more in-person and virtual Dream Advisor

choice to lead others.

events are planned for the fall.

F E AT UR E S T ORY

REMEMBERING LAMAR HIGGINS WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS

T ROY T O DAY

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LAMAR P. HIGGINS WAS A TRAILBLAZER.

As a student at then-Troy State University, Lamar P. Higgins

of late Congressman John R. Lewis. In addition, Higgins

became the first African American in the University’s history

was responsible for initiating the University’s Unity Prayer

to be elected President of the Student Government

Breakfast in 2020. During the second annual event, held in

Association. He followed that up by winning a second term in

March, the newly renovated ballroom in the Trojan Center on

office, running unopposed.

the Troy Campus was named the Lamar P. Higgins Ballroom.

In 1996, Higgins became the first African American member

Still others will remember Higgins as a fixture on the sidelines

of the University’s Board of Trustees, later being elected by

of Trojan football games, combining two of his favorite activities

his peers to serve as the Board Vice President Pro Tempore —

— TROY football and photography. Higgins would often share

another first.

his photos with the players’ families.

Higgins, a 1981 TROY graduate, passed away in April 2021 at

Higgins was a lifetime member of the Troy University Alumni

the age of 61, following an extended illness. He was honored

Association and, in 2019, was selected as an Alumnus of the

during a memorial service on May 28 in the Claudia Crosby

Year for his service and commitment to TROY.

Theatre on the Troy Campus. Indeed, Higgins blazed a lot of

The subject of a documentary produced in 2020 by TROY

trails at Troy University, and he will long be remembered for the

TrojanVision and the Office of Marketing and Communication,

impact he had on his alma mater.

Higgins described the culture of caring and inclusion that exists

“If there was anyone who lived a life that was the embodiment

at Troy University.

of the Golden Rule, I think that was Mr. Lamar P. Higgins,” said

“Troy University has been a part of my life for almost half my

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “He was a true servant leader

life … and during that time I’ve tried to remind the University to

who was instrumental in so many important initiatives at TROY.

be inclusive,” he said. “The students get it, and I think what you

Troy University is a better place today because of Mr. Higgins,

continue to see is students from across the country — and now

and his leadership and friendship will be greatly missed. He was

across the world with our international students — different

our brother and was loved by all.”

cultures coming together and realizing that we can do a lot

Higgins was instrumental in the planning and construction

more together than we can divided.”

of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum on the University’s

Gibson Vance, President Pro Tempore of the TROY Board of

Montgomery Campus. Located on the spot of Parks’ historic

Trustees, credited Higgins for helping to build and maintain that

1955 arrest, the museum has drawn more than 1 million visitors

type of culture at TROY.

since its opening in 2000, and continues to maintain the legacy

“No one loved Troy University more than Lamar, and Troy

of Parks and the foot soldiers of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

University loved him back,” Vance said. “On a personal note, I

A state-of-the-art conference room on the building’s first floor

valued his opinion on all things and trusted his judgment.”

bears his name.

In addition to naming the Trojan Center Ballroom in his honor

However, his efforts to ensure the legacy of Rosa Parks lives on

earlier this year, the University is now celebrating Higgins’

were not limited to his work with the University. He also helped

legacy with the creation of an endowed scholarship.

lead the effort to establish Rosa Parks Day in Alabama and helped create legislation to erect statues of Parks and Helen Keller on the state capitol grounds.

Higgins will also be remembered for establishing the Leadership Conference Celebrating African American History Month, a partnership between the University and the city of Troy, which this year was renamed in memory

FUNDS ARE STILL BEING RAISED TO ESTABLISH THE SCHOLARSHIP. TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LAMAR P. HIGGINS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND, CALL 334-670-3608 OR GIVE ONLINE AT TROY.EDU/DONATE. YOU MAY ALSO MAIL CHECKS PAYABLE TO TROY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, NOTATING THE SCHOLARSHIP ON THE MEMO LINE, TO 301 ADAMS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, TROY, AL 36082.

NA NA LL F E AT UR E S T O R Y

WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS

A new book is exploring and celebrating the long and fruitful relationship between world-renowned artist Fred “Nall” Hollis and Troy University.

“Nall at TROY: An Internationally Regarded Alabama Artist Comes Home,” published by NewSouth Books, highlights the Troy, Alabama, native’s decades of artwork, much of which is located in the Fred Nall Hollis Museum inside TROY’s International Arts Center (IAC).

Featuring an introduction by former Alabama State Council on the Arts Executive Director Al Head, “Nall at TROY” commemorates the prodigious gifts of a great artist and the unique relationship he enjoys with one of Alabama’s premier learning institutions.

“For more than two decades, Nall has graced TROY with his brilliant art,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “We are proud that our University has become a showcase for his work from throughout his storied career. This book is a wonderful reminder of the impact one person can make and of the important role of the arts in society.”

The book, which was sponsored by the Mary and Manuel Johnson Foundation and the Watson-Brown Foundation, features galleries of his work, showing readers the pieces that have made him a cultural icon. “I think it’s only fitting that a

book will be published to describe Nall’s association with TROY, the development of his art and to catalog an important part of his collection,” said Dr. Manley Johnson, a TROY alumnus and one of the book’s sponsors. “I think this book will be a great way for people to learn about Nall and his work, as well as what TROY is doing to promote the arts.”

While the book is a celebration of the relationship between the University and Nall, visitors to the IAC are able to get a firsthand glimpse of the artist’s most significant art series, “Alice in Wonderland.” The exhibit, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic novels “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass,” opened in October 2020, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of Alabama’s most creative artists.

Nall worked on the series from 1977 through 1979, using real-life figures to match the characters in Carroll’s stories.

“It is phenomenal,” said Janice Hawkins, First Lady of Troy University. “It is his most significant and prized work, and he developed unique techniques in the process of creating this.”

As a TROY alumnus, Head said he was pleased to have the series exhibited at the University. “This particular exhibit is a reflection of artistry not many people have really seen before or will see again,” he said. “This exhibit stands alone in terms

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of the quality and depth, and we are really proud to be able to have the entire ‘Alice in Wonderland’ series on exhibit here at Troy University. It’s a rare opportunity to be able to see this work in its entirety in this space.”

TROY students played a significant hand in creating the display of Nall’s work, physically hanging and arranging the pieces.

In addition to “Alice,” IAC visitors can now see a new section of the Fred Nall Hollis Museum: a recreation of Nall’s Fairhope, Alabama, studio. “It’s what you would experience by walking into Nall’s studio,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “You can go in there and get a glimpse into his life and personality, and that’s what this show is and all the fabulous works you see in here. Our students for the most part designed this space, hung the [‘Alice’] show and completely did the Nall Studio. We have the most wonderful students, and I am so proud of them and grateful for them.”

THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE THROUGH TROY BY CALLING MEREDITH WELCH AT 334-670-5924.

FOR A SPECIAL DONATION, PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A SIGNED BOOK AND A FRAMED PRINT OF ONE OF NALL’S SIGNATURE CAMELLIAS — AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH TROY UNIVERSITY. THE BOOK ITSELF IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT LOCAL AND ONLINE RETAILERS.

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For more than two decades, Nall has graced TROY with his brilliant art. We are proud that our University has become a showcase for his work from throughout his storied career. This book is a wonderful reminder of the impact one person can make and of the important role of the arts in society.

— Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

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TROY TODAY

FEATURE STORY

DR. PATTERSON REMEMBERED FOR HIS COMMITMENT, HARD WORK & LOYALTY WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS Whether leading the charge or working behind the scenes, Dr. Doug Patterson is being remembered as one who could get anything accomplished both at Troy University and through numerous roles in the community.

Dr. Patterson, who served as Vice Chancellor at TROY from 1989 until December 2007, passed away March 17, 2021.

Dr. Patterson was instrumental in developing and coordinating strategic planning for Troy University and, while serving as Vice Chancellor, held interim positions as Provost and Vice President for Financial Affairs for the Troy Campus as well as Interim President for the Dothan Campus. In the five years prior to retirement, Dr. Patterson served as Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration. In this capacity, he directed TROY’s finance and budgeting, information technology, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning and athletics. He was instrumental in the University’s move to Division I-A athletics, and his stewardship made many of the new buildings on campus possible.

In his retirement, Dr. Patterson served as Special Assistant to the Chancellor.

Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. first met Dr. Patterson in 1963 at the University of Montevallo. The two lived on the same dormitory hall and pledged the same fraternity. The two also took the Marine Corps oath at the same time in 1964, commissioned together in 1967 and, although they served in different units in combat, were aboard the same plane bound for Vietnam in 1968. They returned from Vietnam on the same plane in 1969.

Dr. Patterson served alongside Dr. Hawkins as Vice President for Instruction at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) from 1979 to 1989.

“Doug Patterson was a true servant-leader and one of the finest men I have known,” Dr. Hawkins said. “He was a man of strong character and was loyal to the core. Dr. Patterson loved his work with Troy University and knew every aspect of the University. He was the best I have ever seen at taking a complex problem and breaking it down. He had a great mind, and his attention to detail was unmatched. I will greatly miss his wise counsel and his true friendship. His passing has left a gaping

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Patterson and Hawkins are commissioned USMC Second Lieutenants in May 1967.

hole in my heart. My thoughts are with his wonderful wife, Lise, and their daughters, Lauren and Natalie.”

Gibson Vance, President Pro Tempore of the Troy University Board of Trustees, said Dr. Patterson’s strong commitment to the University will continue to impact future generations of Trojans. “Dr. Doug Patterson was a great Trojan who helped shape our campus and our culture. His many contributions will positively effect generations of students,” Vance said.

Dr. Patterson served 15 years as a member of the Troy City Board of xEducation, including three times as Chairman. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Troy Regional Medical Center. “I would be hard-pressed to think of anyone in the past 32-plus years that has been more involved and active and who has done more than Doug Patterson,” said Troy Mayor Jason Reeves. “If something needed to be accomplished, Dr. Patterson was always the one that could accomplish it. He was one of the most intelligent, effective people that I have ever known. I counted him as a good friend,

and I will miss him and his counsel greatly. Troy is a better place because of Doug Patterson.”

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama College, a master’s degree from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate from the University of Alabama.

In 1967, Dr. Patterson was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a Platoon Commander and as an Intelligence Officer in Vietnam.

In addition to his work with AIDB and TROY, Dr. Patterson served as a high school counselor and as the Director of Counseling and Career Services at Jefferson State Junior College (1976-1979).

In 2007, Dr. Patterson was selected as Honorary Alumnus of the Year for Troy University. In 2010, the Board of Trustees named the general academic building in his honor.

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TROY TODAY

F E AT UR E S T O R Y

NEW NAME, NEW LEGACY WRITTEN BY: ANDY ELLIS

T ROY T O DAY

A gentle breeze blew a cascade of autumn leaves through the air just as Rep. John Lewis’ nephew talked about the importance of “good trouble.”

On a day where hundreds gathered in the legendary civil rights icon’s home county to celebrate the naming of an academic building in his honor, it was as if the man Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously called “the boy from Troy” was making his presence known.

Troy University officially dedicated John Robert Lewis Hall in a ceremony Nov. 13, 2020, that included two of Lewis’ fellow congressional leaders, members of his family and stirring musical performances.

“To see this happen in his hometown of Troy, in a city where he was once denied his basic right to education, he would have been overcome with pride and gratefulness,” said Jerrick Lewis.

“My uncle would have been proud to have his name displayed on this building, and he would’ve been proud of this University for showing the world what it truly stands for: unity and equality over hatred.”

Troy University’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in August 2020 to rename Bibb Graves Hall after the congressman, who died in July 2020 at age 80. “It is the right thing to do to name this building for a great man,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “I am proud of our Board for making that decision. On July 25, we honored John Lewis for a day. Today, we honor him for an eternity.”

The University honored Rep. Lewis with a memorial service July 25, 2020, but this dedication marked a chance to cement his legacy at a university with a special connection to him.

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In 1957, Rep. Lewis was denied admission to then-Troy State College. More than three decades later, TROY awarded him an honorary doctorate, and now, one of that same University’s central academic buildings bears his name.

“On behalf of the family, I’d like to thank Dr. Hawkins and Troy University for being the perfect example of change and progress,” said Ron Lewis, another of Rep. Lewis’ nephews.

Rep. Martha Roby and Rep. Terri Sewell also spoke at the ceremony, praising their longtime colleague for his bravery and commitment to service.

“He was known as the conscience of Congress,” Rep. Roby said.

“He was a true American patriot. We had the great privilege of serving with John.”

Rep. Sewell said the event marked a key moment for the region and the state. “No one represents the resilient spirit of the state of Alabama, the city of Troy and Troy University like ‘the boy from Troy,’” she said.

Trustee Lamar P. Higgins said the building represents a man who paved the way for others.

“If it weren’t for John Lewis, Lamar Higgins wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “If it weren’t for John Lewis, a lot of great things about this country would not have happened. We’re grateful for all that he has done.”

Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Gibson Vance said he hopes TROY students learn from Rep. Lewis’ example in the years and decades to come.

“We hope they’ll be inspired by this man to go out into the world and make it a better place,” Vance said.

At the newly named John Robert Lewis Hall, a portrait of the civil rights leader gazes upon Troy University students as they enter the academic building.

TROY graduate Karvarus Moore (’19) had the honor of painting the portrait that will be ingrained in Troy University’s history.

Moore, a Montgomery, Alabama, native, drew sketches for the painting and completed it in two weeks. When it was time for the dedication ceremony, he took it from Chicago to Alabama, where it was framed and readied for the building.

Moore never imagined he’d have this opportunity and become a part of Troy University’s history.

“It feels very honorable and surreal,” Moore said. “I never in a million years would’ve thought that I would be doing that.”

Moore is currently a Master of Arts student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

FEATURE STORY

IS THE COST OF COLLEGE WORTH IT? The idea of attending college and earning a bachelor’s degree has traditionally been a logical step on the way to achieving career and personal success. Recently, however, the changing higher education landscape has left some students and families questioning the value of a college degree.

And with increasing numbers of adult learners returning to the classroom to advance or change careers, the college value equation has become more complicated.

Is the cost of college worth it?

It’s a fair question, given the significant expense of attending college and rapidly evolving workforce trends. But, taking a closer look, it becomes clear that it’s not just about the numbers.

A college experience delivers more than a degree and the probability of higher income.

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS Let’s face it, the numbers do matter. Statistics continue to show the financial benefits a college degree can deliver over time.

According to research by the U.S. Social Security Administration, the difference in lifetime earnings between those with a bachelor’s degree and those with just a high school diploma is as much as $900,000.

But numbers are just where the conversation begins, says Buddy Starling, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management at Troy University.

T ROY T O DAY

Starling explains that 60% of jobs in the U.S. economy today require a degree beyond high school, which can be justification enough that the cost of college is worth it in terms of employment. But the impact of the college experience on other aspects of life and work is equally important.

“We like to oversimplify the response when we’re asked, ‘What is the value of a college degree anymore?’” Starling says. “The real value is how it shapes someone. Whatever age you are, earning a college degree shapes your perspective. Nobody comes away from the college experience unchanged for the better.”

One key benefit, Starling says, is growth. He says that students typically surround themselves with look-alike friends and social circles during middle and high school. But during the college experience, students are exposed to greater diversity and a broader view of the world. “That’s where a real strength of a college degree comes in,” says Starling.

This, Starling says, is especially true for students from smaller, rural areas who usually have less exposure to cultural diversity.

And, as a top regional University in the state of Alabama, these are the students that TROY typically serves.

“We’re located in a very rural area, in a town of about 20,000.

But I’ll bet you the number of students we’ve given opportunities to travel abroad is staggering.” Those types of opportunities can be true game-changers. “Those experiences open the mind and heart to a different approach to life,” Starling says. “College should be all about growth; we help students grow academically, socially and spiritually.”

IS COLLEGE WORTH IT FOR ADULT LEARNERS? There is no one approach to college these days. While the traditional path has always been college directly out of high school, more adults are looking to college as a career booster.

“People have always said, ‘College isn’t for everyone.’ What we should say is that college right after high school isn’t for everyone,” Starling says. “Some students find value in going out to work for a while or in taking a gap year. For these students, it’s not so much a question of is college worth it, but when does it make the most sense to attend?”

While post-secondary education has always delivered exceptional value to adult learners, this is even truer with the growth of online learning that provides access to higher education anytime, anywhere. For adult learners, the top concern is convenience.

“They want to know how they can work, raise their family, serve their country and still get a college degree,” says Starling. “At TROY, we’ve made that very attainable; we have a substantial, long-standing platform for online learning. We played a big role in pioneering that in Alabama and our region.”

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NON-ACADEMIC TAKEAWAYS Too often, the perceived benefits of a college education are measured solely in terms of the academic knowledge and training gained as a result. This fails to acknowledge an array of other important student experiences like community service projects.

“The community-mindedness of our campus is amazing,” Starling says. “It’s astounding the dollars contributed by our campus community through philanthropy. For a lot of students, that’s the first time they understand individual accountability and responsibility. That’s part of the maturation process.”

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE The hands-on training that students receive during college is another value factor. Much of this is through internships, something that virtually all students at TROY engage in.

Through internships, students gain work experience in a real-world professional setting. Employers often use internships to feed their internal hiring needs, and that can lead to a full-time job for the student intern after graduation.

“As we look at value, these internship opportunities not only serve the students, they also serve the business. Employers can tap into a talent pool and observe students in a hands-on environment to determine their fit for the organization,” Starling says. “I think the internship opportunities are where I’ve seen some of the strongest coordination between what students expect us to deliver and how well and extensively we deliver it.”

For TROY grad Jasmine Canlas (’20), her internship provided valuable insight into a career in surplus lines insurance. “During my internship, I learned how to manage my time and prioritize my workday, which is exactly what I have to do now. I also had to sharpen my social skills, which is a vital part of my career as it is founded on the relationships we are able to form in the industry.

I don’t think I could have been better prepared,” she says.

A college education is an investment in the future, but students and families also need to feel comfortable with how to pay for college right now.

“We work very closely with families to exhaust the financial aid possibilities that exist for them,” Starling says. “We want to leverage everything available to the student based on merit and then based on need, as well.”

From start to finish, TROY emphasizes the value of education — including after graduation.

“Our Career Services department does an excellent job of promoting professional awareness to students. I always tell parents that we have a mutual goal,” Starling says. “In four or five years, we want your student off their parents’ payroll. We want them gainfully employed.”

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TROY TODAY

AT H LE T I CS

TROY & DEMARCUS WARE: DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP Troy University, TROY Athletics and TROY legend DeMarcus Ware have teamed up for a dynamic partnership that will provide Troy University students, fans, employees and alumni with access to Ware's Driven to Win (D2W) fitness app and put officially licensed TROY jerseys with Ware's name and iconic No. 94 in the TROY Bookstore and online store. The official announcement came at a press conference April 19, 2021, at TROY’s Trojan Fitness and Wellness Center on the sixth anniversary of DeMarcus Ware Day in Alabama.

“DeMarcus Ware left TROY as a student-athlete and returns home as a hall-of-famer and an entrepreneur,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor.

All Troy University students, faculty, staff, alumni and season ticket holders will receive a special discounted rate for Ware's D2W app and a portion of the proceeds from the app will go back to TROY Athletics.

Unlike other apps that just provide workout videos, D2W combines technology, fitness science and pro-level progression techniques and leverage machine learning, 3D models and augmented reality to give you an experience video can't touch.

“I built a room with more than 300 cameras to film myself doing more than 700 exercises for the app,” Ware said. “D2W can create different warmups, activations and a recovery program that is specifically for the user. The app uses artificial intelligence, so the more you use it, the smarter it gets, and the more advanced it grows with you as you go along the process. It's like having a real male or female trainer in your hand.”

The partnership between TROY and D2W has a wide scope that will place Ware’s brand into TROY’s athletic venues while bringing Warespecific TROY merchandise into the marketplace for TROY fans. Additionally, TROY will receive a percentage of revenue from D2W over the length of the partnership.

In addition to announcing the partnership with his alma mater, Ware visited with the TROY Football team and spoke to TROY's student-athletes, coaches and student body.

Ware was instrumental in TROY's transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001 and finished his Trojan career as the program's all-time leader in tackles for loss with 55.5 in addition to totaling 27 sacks for

T ROY T O DAY

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DeMarcus Ware at a press conference on DeMarcus Ware Day 2021

a loss of 198 yards to rank among the all-time greats in TROY history. A member of the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team, Ware was a finalist for the 2004 Hendricks Award which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive end.

Ware was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft and was the first-ever first-round pick from TROY or the Sun Belt. He would go on to become one of the most successful players in NFL history.

“I am extremely excited for this unique, dynamic and cuttingedge partnership between DeMarcus Ware, D2W and Troy University,” TROY Director of Athletics Brent Jones said.

“DeMarcus has been a great ambassador for Troy University and is known as a successful businessman and a pioneer in the digital fitness space. We are excited to work directly with him and his team to allow our faculty, staff, students, alumni and season ticket holders to utilize his fitness platform focused on improving one's overall health and well-being.”

A Super Bowl 50 champion with the Denver Broncos, Ware played in nine Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro seven times, tied the NFL record by leading the league in sacks twice and was a two-time Butkus Award winner. He finished his 12-year NFL career with 654 tackles, 138.5 sacks and 35 forced fumbles.

Already a member of the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, Ware was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in May and will appear on the NFL Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2022.

“The personalized engagement is one of the biggest keys that I was trying to get out of this,” Ware said. “When you go to a trainer, you're getting the personalized engagement that keeps you coming back. I want that same thing for this app.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP VISIT TROYTROJANS.COM.

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TROY TODAY

AT H LE T I CS

(from left) Jade Sinness, Kelly Horne and Leanna Johnson

TROY SOFTBALL TRIUMPH Following a 25-year hiatus, TROY made a triumphant return to the NCAA Softball Tournament this spring as an at-large selection following a second-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference. Led by Head Coach Beth Mullins, the Trojans posted a 37-16 record overall, featuring three wins over Power Five opponents for the first time in almost 10 years.

“We set out at the beginning of the year with the goal to make the NCAA Tournament,” Mullins said. “Team 28 completely bought into what it was going to take to reach that goal.

Despite the many challenges this year presented, we were able to accomplish that goal. I am very proud of our team, our program as a whole and for Troy University.”

TROY advanced to the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals, which was held at the TROY Softball Complex. All four teams that made the tournament semifinals received a bid to the NCAA Tournament — ­ the most by any of the non-Power Five conferences.

Sophomore pitcher Leanna Johnson again proved to be one of the nation’s top hurlers, ranking 12th nationally for strikeouts with 260 and 20th with seven shutouts. Kelly Horne finished

ninth with 18 doubles on the year in addition to setting TROY’s single-season on-base percentage record with a .495 clip.

Katie Lively, Jade Sinness and Katie Webb joined Johnson on the All-Sun Belt First Team, and Horne was selected to the league’s second team. The five overall selections were the most by a TROY squad since the 2012 season. Johnson was remarkably not named the league’s Pitcher of the Year despite leading the conference in ERA, strikeouts, opposing batting average and innings pitched.

“I am so proud of our softball team and our entire coaching staff who, in an extremely challenging year due to COVID-19, excelled on the diamond as proven by earning one of just 33 at-large selections into the NCAA Tournament,” Director of Athletics Brent Jones said. “They finished second in the regular season in the premier mid-major conference in the country and won multiple games against Power Five opponents.”

TROY’s run to the NCAA Tournament, which included a victory over Alabama State in the Tuscaloosa Regional, is just the tip of the iceberg for this program with eight starters in the lineup returning in addition to the Trojans’ top three pitchers.

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Steve McLendon at Super Bowl ILV; Photo credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DEDICATION PAYS OFF For former TROY Trojan Steve McLendon, the 2021 Super Bowl was a second chance at a huge blessing. McLendon took advantage of that second chance and earned the ninth Super Bowl ring by a TROY player as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 on Feb. 7.

“This is one of the greatest blessings because you know it is something that you have worked so hard for for so long,” he said prior to the game. “It has been a challenging journey, but I have just allowed my faith to stay strong and understand that all my work, all of the training, all the blood, all the sweat, all the tears and all the dedication was going to pay off.”

McLendon’s path to Super Bowl ILV did not take shape until late October 2020 when he was traded from the winless New York Jets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“When Vita (Vea) went down (with an injury), Steve was the first guy we thought about to bring in to fill the gap for us,” Bucs Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers said. “Since he’s been here, he’s been outstanding. He has stepped in and been everything we thought he would be — an excellent veteran presence, works hard in practice and is good with the younger players. He has been a welcome addition.”

In his first game with his new team, the Ozark, Alabama, native recorded five tackles plus a tackle for loss and took home a game ball for his efforts. He finished the season with four more multi-tackle games, including three in the NFC Championship game and two hits on Drew Brees in the NFC Divisional Round.

“Steve stepped in immediately and had an amazing role for us,” All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. “It was great that Steve has been in this type of defense before and he came in and was just one of the guys and did a great job.”

The trade to the Bucs was not just a new team for McLendon, it was a reunion with several faces from his past.

Head Coach Bruce Arians was the Steelers’ offensive coordinator during three of McLendon’s seasons with the club, Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles was his head coach in New York for three seasons and Rodgers was his position coach with the Jets for three years.

An all-region selection out of Carroll High School and an honorable mention All-Sun Belt pick his senior year at TROY, McLendon has worked for every opportunity in his career, nothing was given or assumed.

“I live by a Focus-Driven-Life code,” he said. “I have it up in my gym, and I write it every single day. It is something that has helped me in my journey, and it helps you put things in perspective. I always tell people that I’m not that guy that was hungry for it and I’m never hungry for anything. I’m driven and focused for everything because I only have one life to live.”

McLendon added, “I’ve always followed TROY because that is the place that gave me my start and gave me my opportunity to be where I’m at today. I want to let every guy at TROY know that no matter where you come from, no matter where you go or however it goes, if you desire to be in this league and be in this business, pay the price of sacrifice to live in paradise.”

Super Bowl Sunday was a second chance for McLendon. In his first season on an active roster, McLendon and the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Arians as the offensive coordinator, lost to Green Bay in Super Bowl XLV. Before the game, he said, “I told everyone, if we win, I’m going to cry because I’m very emotional about this. This is something that I know that I’ve worked a long time for, and the opportunity is here. Win or lose, it’s going to be emotional because I know the amount of work that I’ve put in to get here.

But at the end of the day, I’m thankful for the opportunity. I want to remain humble with this and stay thankful.”

TROY TODAY

AT H LE TICS

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Alexus Dye at TROY vs Texas A&M game

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DANCES The eyes of the nation were on the TROY Women’s Basketball Team as they were seconds away from pulling the secondbiggest upset in the history of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. A No. 15 seeded team has never won a game in the NCAA Women’s Tournament and a No. 16 seed just once, more than 20 years ago.

TROY, the No. 15 seed in the Mercado Region, trailed second-seeded and fourth-ranked Texas A&M by just two points, 82-80, with 4.5 seconds remaining and the Aggies inbounding at midcourt. TROY forced Texas A&M into what should have been called an over-and-back, but instead the officials called a foul on TROY’s Tiyah Johnson, which led to a pair of free throws to ice the game for Texas A&M. “It just looked like she touched it and it went backcourt. It just looked very evident that that happened,” TROY Head Coach Chanda Rigby said after the game. “We were seeing if we could get the call corrected, but that's just not the way it went. We had all the momentum at that point. If we would have gotten that call, I don't think there's any way we would have lost the game. I don't think the will of my players would have allowed us to lose.”

The controversy, not the only one in the final minutes of the game, spoiled a remarkable comeback by the Trojans in the second half. TROY overcame a 16-point deficit and multiple 10-point deficits, including a 14-point halftime margin, as the Sun Belt Conference Champions did everything they could to record the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history.

Leading 71-69 with 5:51 to play, and 73-71 with 5:04 left, the Trojans (22-6) took every punch the SEC champion Aggies (24-2) dealt.

The growth and depth of Coach Rigby's program was on full display, as the Trojans never trailed by more than four points in the final five minutes. There were four ties and one lead change in that span.

Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player Alexus Dye contributed 26 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in the setback, while Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year Felmas Koranga contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds. The duo recorded their 23rd and 12th double-doubles, respectively. The duo recorded double-doubles in the same contest for the 11th time this season. The Trojans were 9-1 in those instances heading into the contest.

“Basically, we just proved to people all over the world that we’re more than capable,” Dye said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re a mid-major or any kind of major. It’s all about heart.”

TROY earned its position in the NCAA Tournament after rolling through the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with victories over Texas State, Appalachian State and Louisiana. The victory over Louisiana in the championship game had a little extra meaning after the Cajuns were crowned the Sun Belt regular season champions with a 13-1 record compared to the Trojans’ 15-2 mark.

The Trojan senior class — Emely Rosario, Jasmine Robinson, Tyasia Moore, Janiah Sandifer, Tiyah Johnson, Jhileiya Dunlap and Dye — finished their careers with 87 wins, tying the school record set by the previous senior class. That number is even more remarkable when you consider teams played fewer games this past season due to COVID-19 affecting conference and non-conference schedules.

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RETURN TO PLAY

TROY Athletics, along with the rest of the NCAA and the country, was put on hold last spring as COVID-19 changed our lives and day-to-day activities. The Women’s Golf Team was pulled off the course mid-tournament, the Baseball Team turned its bus around halfway to Statesboro, Georgia, and the Women’s Basketball Team was denied an opportunity to play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and NCAA Tournament after winning the Sun Belt Regular Season Championship.

From the moment those teams were pulled out of competition, the focus of the TROY Athletics Department was to find a safe way for its players to return to practice and competition as soon as possible. The football program was the first to return in the middle of the summer, which was accompanied by weekly COVID-19 testing for players and staff. Soccer, cross country and volleyball were soon to follow, and then on Sept. 11, in Mobile, Alabama, the Cross Country Team competed in the Azalea City Classic marking the return of athletics to TROY. The TROY football squad would go on to play 11 of its 12 scheduled games with the lone cancellation coming at the end of the season. Had the University of Louisiana Monroe made the trip to TROY, the Trojans would have been one of just four FBS teams to play a full 12-game regular season schedule.

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Thanks to the tireless work of many to play the 2020 football season, an unexpected future game at The Vet found its way on the schedule. TROY and BYU were both looking for games after many conferences across the country at the time canceled their seasons or barred non-conference games. A match was made that sent TROY to Provo, Utah, for the second game of the season, a deal which will have BYU play in TROY to open the 2026 season.

Additionally, TROY rekindled its old Sun Belt Conference rivalry with Middle Tennessee with a home-and-home matchup.

The addition of BYU and Middle Tennessee to the schedule also created new television opportunities for the Trojans with those two games landing on ESPN, which marked TROY’s first-ever regular season games on ESPN. All told, TROY played four nationally televised games during the 2020 season.

The work done by the student-athletes, coaches and staff during the fall sports seasons laid the groundwork for the winter and eventually the spring sports to return to competition as well. While stadiums and arenas were not as full as normal, the Trojan Spirit was on full display at The Vet, Trojan Arena and the other venues across campus with TROY students, fans and alumni back cheering on their Trojans!

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TROJANS REMEMBER SIM BYRD Hall of Fame and National Champion TROY quarterback Sim Byrd passed away Nov. 18, 2020, at the age of 75.

One of TROY’s first modern day All-Americans, Byrd led the then-Red Wave to the 1968 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship behind passing numbers that were way ahead of his time. In TROY’s semifinal and championship game victories, Byrd combined for 12 touchdowns (11 through the air), and he finished the season with 41 touchdown passes and 3,569 passing yards. As a comparison, the NCAA’s Division I leader for the year finished with 25 touchdown passes.

“We have lost a special Trojan with the passing of Sim Byrd.

Although he is revered by the TROY family through his achievements on the field of play, he was much more to us than a football hero,” TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. said.

“Troy University never had a more passionate ambassador, or a more loyal alumnus. Sim Byrd personified the Trojan Spirit.

We extend our prayers and best wishes to his wife Faith, his extended family and his close friends.”

More than 50 years have passed since his last game, and Byrd’s season and career numbers have stood the test of time. His 41 touchdown passes during the magical 1968 season still rank as the most in school history — by 10 touchdowns — despite TROY’s propensity for pass-heavy offenses over the years.

His yardage total for the season stood as the high-mark in the record book for more than 40 years.

The Montgomery, Alabama, native ranks second all-time in TROY history with 79 career touchdown passes. He is third in total offensive yards and passing yards per game and fourth in passing yards, completions and attempts.

His prowess and leadership on the gridiron are not the only things for which he is remembered, however.

“He was just a really good human being,” said Lloyd Taylor, an educator from Destin, Florida, who attended then-Troy State College with Byrd. “He was a leader people could follow, and he was one of the main leaders on the football team. His death is a tremendous loss for many, and especially the University. He truly was an ambassador, not only for things in Montgomery, but for the University as a whole.”

Taylor had rekindled his relationship with Byrd through participation with the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

“Sim was extremely proud of the growth the University had experienced and would always bring up how different it was now than when he was a student,” Taylor said. “He bragged on Troy University constantly and how its growth was made possible through the University leadership.”

National Alumni Association Immediate Past President Bill Hopper said that Byrd’s love of TROY was readily evident.

“His love of Troy University was always on display, especially in the alumni suite during football season and was surpassed only by his love of [Alumni Director] Faith [West Byrd],” he said. “Sim will be remembered for his engaging smile and his welcoming heart. Sim made everyone feel special while maintaining a very humble self-image. The Troy University National Alumni Board is saddened by his passing, and Sim will be missed by so many.

I was proud to know that he and I were friends,” Hopper said.

The first TROY player to participate in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic, Byrd was a member of the inaugural class of the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame where he was enshrined along with his Head Coach Billy Atkins in 2012.

Rusty Ninas played with Byrd and was a true freshman linebacker in 1966. He was one of about 35 freshmen who would go on to claim the national title a short three seasons later after having only five or six carryover players from the ’65

Sim Byrd (left) was the quarterback of the 1968 NAIA National Championship TROY Red Wave team.

season — a feat still heralded in the lore of collegiate football.

“I really looked at Sim as the ‘small-college Joe Namath’ — their actions and moves were similar, they completed balls and read defenses. From the standpoint of a ball player, he was a passer and playmaker, and I’ve always admired him for his ability to do that. That’s what set him apart from others of that time,” Ninas said. “There was no question he was the leader … Sim was a star.”

Ninas remembers how Byrd’s stardom impacted practices.

“We couldn’t touch him in practice,” he remembered. “Coach Atkins once told Coach (Phillip) Creel that if his defense players hit Sim ‘one more time,’ he was gonna send the whole defense home for good.”

“The thing about Sim was that he was confident and was always a leader and spoke — and, basically, everybody listened.” That leadership transcended the years for the ’68 team, which has also lost linemen Mike Sadler and Gary Loggins, as well as offensive guard Alvin Dees.

“We used a phrase — ‘Forever First’ — because we will always be the first national champions for TROY. I think Sim was the symbol of that time and era,” Ninas said. “You have someone like Sim come in with the leadership and the ability, and Coach Atkins with his pro style and techniques, and it was a whole new ballgame for everybody.”

“The success TROY has had going forward all began with Billy Atkins and Sim Byrd. That’s what our legacy will be: we were the first and from there, it just kept getting better and

better. We’re going to miss Sim and wish he’d been here longer.”

A member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Wiregrass Hall of Fame, TROY Sports Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame, Byrd set the then-TROY single-season records for passing yards, completions and pass attempts during the national championship season and was rewarded with first team NAIA All-America honors after leading the nation in passing and punting.

In 1967, Byrd led TROY to its first-ever Alabama Collegiate Championship and a then-school record eight victories as he passed for 2,457 yards and threw 22 touchdowns.

Byrd retired in January 2014 following a 45-year professional career. He served as the President of the Republic National Distributing Company Control States at the time of his retirement. In 2019, Byrd returned to work as Supervisor of the Real Estate Division with the Alabama Beverage Control Board where he worked until his death.

TO HONOR SIM’S MEMORY, DONATIONS MAY BE MADE

BY CHECK TO THE TROY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION AND MAILED TO KATHY NINAS, 100 HIGHLAND AVENUE, TROY, ALABAMA, 36082.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT KATHY NINAS IN THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AT 334-448-5162 OR GARY WILBERT WITH TROY ATHLETICS AT 334-670-3689.

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FORMER DRILL INSTRUCTOR GETTING MASTER’S TO HELP OTHERS

Troy University graduate student Lameka Butler is part of a veteran’s exhibit in a Pensacola, Florida, mall. She was a drill instructor in the Marine Corps, but now is finishing her master’s degree in psychology to help others.

It was really the Marine uniform that did it for Lameka Butler.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to college after high school, so when I saw the Marine Corps uniform, I was hooked,” she said. “I did whatever it took to join.”

An athlete in high school, it wasn’t tough for her to meet the rigorous physical demands of the Corps. So, in 1996, she enlisted and made E-5 before leaving the military in October 2004. Along the way, she managed to have two children — while she was an Administrative Clerk and Marine Drill Instructor — and start an exercise science associate degree program, with her eye toward a bachelor’s degree in business.

“When I took a TROY psychology class, it completely changed my mindset, so I changed my degree,” she said.

Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, Butler now has her sights set on helping others through the Veterans Affairs Hospital, a women’s group and military school counseling armed with a Master of Science in psychology. She completed the bachelor’s degree in 2018.

She said that her college career, however, has been spurred on by a series of mentors, including Navy veteran Ira Wenze, who encouraged her to get started on a degree, and Dr. Sharon Thompson, an Assistant Professor in Counseling, Rehabilitation and Interpreter Training.

“Dr. Thompson was one of my first instructors … and she encouraged me to continue into my master’s degree — she ended up being my academic advisor. She sets a high example as a role model and spreads her knowledge within our community,” Butler said.

Butler, who wants to pursue working in children’s counseling, team mentorship, veterans and sex and labor trafficking recovery, expects to complete her master’s degree this year. She’s taken online classes and in-person classes at the Pensacola, Florida, site.

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LUCY PU CROWNED TROY HOMECOMING QUEEN

(from left) SGA President Nicole Jayjohn, Lucy Pu, Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. and Savannah Maddox, 2019 Homecoming Queen

Lucy Pu, a senior biology major from Ellicott City, Maryland, was crowned Troy University’s 2020 Homecoming queen in October.

Pu is the daughter of Yang and Julia Pu and was nominated

by FarmHouse fraternity. She is the Copy Desk Chief for the Tropolitan and represents the University as a Trojan Ambassador.

“I feel so honored and lucky to be in this position right now,” Pu said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to this University.”

Pu was crowned at halftime of the Trojans’ football game against Georgia State.

Pu will spend the next year preparing for her future career.

“I am going to dental school in this next year to pursue my dreams of being a dentist,” she said.

ATO WALK HARD 2021 RAISES $90,000 FOR CHARITY

Troy University’s chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity raised $90,000 for the chapter’s annual Walk Hard event — $30,000 more than its original goal.

The event was to benefit Jeep Sullivan’s Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures, a mission that provides outdoor opportunities to veterans and their families.

“We knew that to make [this year’s] Walk Hard historic, to make it meaningful for Jeep, we had to commit every single day,” said Josh Marvin, this year’s Walk Hard Director.

An official website was developed and launched as the springboard into other social platforms that included crowdsourcing sites and greatly expanded the chapter’s reach.

“Ultimately, though, we had 36 incredibly bought-in walkers.

When you have that kind of passion behind Walk Hard, that drives everything,” he said. “We set the theme for the year as ‘commitment’ and in every single weekly meeting, we asked the walkers, ‘How are you committed today; this week?’”

Kyle Crabtree, an alumnus and one of the founders of Walk Hard, with Austin Bivins and Jacob Laan, said the news of the chapter’s success in 2021 gave him the sort of pride a parent feels when their child grows up and leaves the nest.

“It’s like a ‘loss-for-words’ thing. It feels surreal, and it feels like a different event. What we started was cool and was a catalyst for what it has become today,” he said. “It’s grown into the lifeblood of the chapter. It’s incredible and mind-blowing.”

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TROJAN OUTREACH MAKING A DIFFERENCE Focusing on the mental and physical health and well-being of Troy University students is the mission of Trojan Outreach, and the organization recently received national recognition for one of its efforts.

Earlier this year, NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, recognized the organization as an Outstanding Peer Education program for its work during Interpersonal Violence Awareness Week in October 2020.

NASPA is the professional home for the field of student affairs and is “dedicated to fulfilling the promise of higher education through [its] guiding principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion and inquiry.”

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Trojan Outreach Coordinator Morgan “Rose” Williams said. “Even though we do this for the sake of TROY students, it really hits home for us that we’re recognized for something that we’re so passionate about.”

The group’s Interpersonal Violence Awareness Week programming included the Clothesline Project, These Hands

Don’t Hurt and a showing of the movie “The Hunting Ground,” a film about sexual assault across college campuses. Each event was to bring awareness to topics that might go undiscussed in traditional classroom settings.

The Clothesline Project included a T-shirt display that showed statistical data and provided encouragement and emotional expression regarding interpersonal violence, while These Hands Don’t Hurt provided students with the opportunity to take a pledge against domestic violence and sexual assault.

“It’s very necessary to educate and raise awareness because you never know who’s going through these situations,” Williams said. “You can have a roommate, a best friend or brother that could be going through this. We really want students to understand how prevalent interpersonal violence is.”

Raising awareness to violence and sexual assault is only one area that Trojan Outreach seeks to help students.

Last fall, the group sought to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention efforts with various activities centered on

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Project Semicolon, a nonprofit organization started by Amy Bleuel in 2013 in memory of her father, who committed suicide 10 years earlier. The movement was launched last year on the Troy Campus to spread awareness and encourage those struggling with mental illness.

“One thing that I hope students can take away from this is that it could happen to anybody,” Williams said. “I want them to see how prevalent suicide is among college students because there are so many things that college students are faced with. They are faced with keeping up in class, financial security and trying to keep up with everything that’s going on around them, especially with things that happen abruptly. I think that when something happens to rock their foundation, it’s going to be hard to keep their life stable.”

She also hopes students understand that Trojan Outreach is there to help them feel safer in college and to know that those struggling with mental health are not alone in whatever they’re going through. TROY’s Student Counseling Center is one of

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the resources available to students who may find themselves struggling with such issues.

In January 2021, the group launched its “Spring into Self Love” project that sought to spread body positivity across campus.

“We had an event where we cut out flowers for students to design and write one word they would use to describe themselves. We took those flowers and put them on a display we have in [the Trojan Center],” Williams said. “It’s important to spread body positivity because so many of us often look at the bad about ourselves rather than the good,” she added. “It’s important because we all share a lot of the same struggles, and I think that knowing that others struggle with the same things brings us comfort and lets us realize that we’re not alone in struggling and to be the best version of ourselves.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT TROJAN OUTREACH AT 334-670-3202.

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ALUM NOTES ’60 Jack Rogers (’67) recently published the book “Jack’s Stories: Inspirational Stories for the Soul.” The collection of stories was originally written for a men’s group Rogers was a member of for many years.

He has served as a Sunday School teacher for elementary-aged students, adults and senior adults during his lifelong association with the United Methodist Church.

Defense Lawyers Association (ACDLA), where he has served on the Board of Directors for more than a decade. He received the ACDLA President’s Award in 2004 and 2007 and was elected as the Association’s President in 2016.

Young is a recipient of two of the highest awards that a criminal defense lawyer in Alabama can receive — the Alabama State Bar Association’s Clarence Darrow Award (1994) and the ACDLA’s Roderick Beddow Lifetime Achievement Award for Criminal Defense (2009).

’80

’90 Glen Hevy (’91) recently joined the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home as its Deputy Superintendent. Hevy, a retired U.S. Army Infantry Officer, joins Holyoke from the Bedford VA Medical Center, where he was the Senior Operations Official for Patient Care Services at the 400-bed VA hospital.

’70

Paul A. Young (’76), pictured above with his late wife, Shawn, was recently inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those who have distinguished themselves in trial practice.

Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers is comprised of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Young served as President of the Coffee County Bar Association for 15 years and is a lifetime member of the Alabama Criminal

Jill Olen (’82) is Regional Director of Antiterrorism and Exercises with the Department of the Navy. From September 2018–February 2020, she served as Deputy Director of the Legal Advisor Group for the Combine Security Transition Command in Afghanistan, advising Afghan and international counterparts on counter-corruption actions as well as human rights violations. She holds a master’s degree in management from TROY, and earned her Juris Doctor from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Dr. Kathy Murphy (’81) was recently named President of Gadsden State Community College. Dr. Murphy began her career in public education in 1984 as a junior high school teacher in Auburn before serving as an Assistant Professor at Judson College and the University of West Georgia. In 1993, she began her career in public school administration as the Principal at Greenville Middle School. She went on to serve as Principal at Greenville High School and Charles Henderson High School in Troy as well as an administrator for the superintendent at Butler County Schools. Eventually, she was promoted to Superintendent of Monroe County Schools, a position she held for four years. Just prior to taking on the role of Gadsden State’s president, Dr. Murphy spent five years as the Superintendent of the Hoover City Schools.

Chellie Phillips (’91) is the author of two nonfiction self-help and careers books — “When in Doubt, Delete It: Life-Changing Edits to Clarity, Success and Joy in Your Life” and “Get Noticed, Get Hired.” She is the founder and owner of Successfully Ever After, a career brand strategy firm.

Col. Thomas L. Tate (’91) was recently named the new Commandant and Dean of Students at New Mexico Military Institute. Tate most recently served at Howe Military Academy in Howe, Indiana, starting as Commandant in 2016 and then becoming President of the private college preparatory school.

His work there ended in summer 2019.

Prior to that, he was at Marion Military Institute, a public military junior college in Marion, Alabama, joining in 2008 as its Commandant and also serving as Director of its Center for Leadership and Career Development. Before his decade of work with military schools, he served as an officer with the U.S. Army in many capacities. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from TROY.

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ALUMNUS HUTTO REMEMBERED FOR HIS LEGACY OF SUPPORT

“In the game of life as in any game of ball, play it clean, play it fair or not at all.” It was this catchphrase that former broadcaster Earl Hutto used in signing off of his sports broadcasts throughout his career in radio and television. But, for the former eight-term U.S. Congressman it was more than a catchphrase — it was a way of life.

A TROY alumnus, Hutto passed away at his home on Dec. 14, 2020, surrounded by family. He was 94.

The Midland City, Alabama, native served in the Navy before becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree from then-Troy State Teachers College in 1949.

Following his graduation, he went on to teach business courses at Cottonwood High School while also serving as a part-time radio announcer.

A talented broadcaster, Hutto’s career got its start during his college years in both the TROY press box and the studios of Troy radio station WTBF. Hutto went on to become Sports Director for WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida, before moving to WSFA in Montgomery from 1961 to 1963 and WJHG in Panama City, Florida, from 1973 to 1979. Hutto also owned Pensacola’s first FM radio station, WPEX. In 1972, Hutto won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives and, in 1979, was elected to his first of eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing northwest Florida. In Congress, Hutto earned seats on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and the Armed Services Committee and later chaired the Coast Guard and Navigations Subcommittee, as well as the Panel on Special Operations Forces. In 1989, he became Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, overseeing a $90 billion annual budget.

In 1980, Troy University honored the Congressman with its Alumni of the Year Award and, later in 2005, he received the University’s highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Leadership Award. Hutto was also a lifetime member of the Troy University Alumni Association.

“Troy University is saddened to learn of the death of Congressman Earl Hutto. He was a part of what Tom Brokaw famously termed ‘The Greatest Generation’ — a generation that not only saved this great nation but also built it into what has been characterized as the greatest nation in the history of the world,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “He was a dedicated public servant and a model TROY alumnus whose legacy of support will continue to impact TROY students for years to come. Congressman Hutto will be greatly missed, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.”

In 2018, Hutto and his wife, Nancy, donated $100,000 to Troy University, paving the way for the renovation of TROY TrojanVision studio, located in Wallace Hall on the Troy Campus. The new Earl Hutto Studio was unveiled during a ceremony in November 2018 with University officials and the Hutto family participating.

“Congressman Hutto’s service to and generous support of Troy University went to the very heart of our mission of serving students,” said Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan, (USAF, ret.), Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development.

“His family’s generous gift helped provide a state-of-the-art studio where our broadcast journalism students gain valuable hands-on, practical experience as a part of their TROY degree.

He was a true Trojan, through and through.”

Kyle Bozeman, Troy University’s TV Manager, said the Hutto family’s generosity made possible the technological upgrades that prepare TROY students for successful careers in the field of broadcasting.

“When I met Earl and Nancy Hutto, I was really impressed and touched by their sincerity and thoughtfulness in thinking of us,” Bozeman said. “We’re very proud of our technologically advanced and up-to-date facilities, but we’re even more proud to be able to offer these facilities to our students without depending on tuition dollars or state allocations to pay for them. It’s the generous financial support of people like the Hutto family that makes that possible.”

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TROY MOURNS THE LOSS OF A MATHEMATICIAN & MENTOR The city of Troy and the University lost a genteel legend with the death of James “Jim” O’Neal, who died May 19, 2021, at the age of 96.

He taught mathematics at the University for some 40 years, serving as Department Chair for 16 years. In 2006, O’Neal joined the Troy University Foundation’s Legacy Giving Council.

“Mr. O’Neal was a dedicated teacher and Trojan,” said Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “He was a true southern gentleman.”

“True gentleman” is an apt description for O’Neal. He was always quick with a kind word or to offer gentle advice or help to anyone in need.

“With his kind demeanor, he had a profound influence on his students through outstanding teaching and on several of our current and former faculty members through mentoring,” said Mathematics Department Chair Dr. Kenneth Roblee.

Today, the Mathematics Education Award bears his name.

and security, operations, maintenance and transportation, planning and development, as well as sustainability, asset management and facilities.

Balram Bheodari (’92) was named General Manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Bheodari started working at the Atlanta airport in 1999, and served as Interim General Manager since April. He briefly left for a role as General Manager of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in 2015, but returned the following year.

Bheodari had been Deputy General Manager of Operations at HartsfieldJackson. At Hartsfield-Jackson, Bheodari has overseen public safety

Bobby Rice (’92) was recently named Publisher of The Troy Messenger and President and Director of Troy Publications Inc., which is owned by Boone Newspapers, Inc (BNI). Rice will also serve as a Regional Publisher of BNI’s newspaper in Bainbridge, Georgia, and Group Manager for BNI-managed Alabama newspapers in Andalusia, Atmore, Brewton and Cordele and Americus, Georgia. He previously served as General Manager of The Tuscaloosa News. Rice was recently elected to the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife, Molly, have two children — Will and Eleanor.

Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt (’94) took command of the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base during a formal change of command ceremony in November 2020.

She is the third commander and the first female commander of the CFSCC. She was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base from 2006 to 2008 and served as Commander of the former 50th Space

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TROY ALUMNA FINDS GLOBAL SUCCESS With her love for traveling and computers, software consultant and CEO Wendy McGhee began an adventure that led to partnering with an entrepreneur to start an IT firm based in South Africa.

McGhee, a Troy University alumna, began her career as an IT professional spending nine years working as a software engineer for various Fortune 500 companies around the world.

By June 1999, she decided to start her own firm, Wendy McGhee and Associates, where she specializes in mergers, acquisitions and enterprise resource planning software implementation projects.

McGhee knew that she had a passion for adventure since she was a high school student.

“My goal was to finish college, make a lot of money and be able to see the world,” she said. During the beginning of her career in IT, McGhee realized how the career path she chose was able to help achieve her goal to travel the world. She has visited 12 countries across the globe so far.

It was while visiting South Africa that McGhee decided to partner with a South African IT entrepreneur to start PWM Technologies, a firm targeted at promoting businesses’ brands with the use of information technologies. McGhee describes the partnership as a great opportunity to make connections and experience moments she could never have imagined.

“It showed me the difference between being in the States and being there [South Africa],” she said. “We are talking of a little girl from Alabama who has sat with presidents, kings and princes. I was given the opportunity to work with them and they sat with me and now I have an office here in America and over there. Sometimes I think of where I came from, and I couldn’t imagine a better life.”

McGhee graduated from TROY’s computer science program as one of its first students in 1990.

Her love for the University is shared within her family as about 10 of her relatives are TROY alumni.

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Kameisha Logan is featured in TROY’s new Lead Change campaign.

TROY ALUMNA OPENS LAW FIRM At just 26 years old, Kameisha Logan is following her passion by opening a law firm, K. Logan Law Firm, in her hometown of Selma, Alabama.

Logan, who received a master’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University in 2016, felt a calling to give back to her hometown community rather than pursue a law practice in a bigger city.

“I knew from day one after studying criminal justice that I wanted to have my own law practice,” said Logan, who earned a Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2019. “With your own practice, you have the ability to focus on areas of law you want to practice and choose the cases you want to take. Selma is a very rural area. I realized there’s a need here for people who are really going to advocate for clients. I want to help Selma, to give back.”

Logan has always finished ahead of schedule. While in high school, she earned two associate degrees from Wallace Community College-Selma. Then, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University in just two years, graduating magna cum laude.

After earning her law degree, she planned to open her own practice by age 30. Then COVID-19 changed things by giving her a forced time of reflection.

“One thing I always said was I wanted to have my own practice by 30. Then the pandemic happened,” Logan said. “My faith

came in, my belief in God came in and I started pondering what’s next. I prayed, talked to my mentor, and I realized the time is now, because I’m needed.”

Her time spent studying online at TROY prepared her for her career, and her memories of the institution are strong.

“At Troy University, I was challenged,” Logan said. “I really enjoyed myself. Everybody was helpful. My advisor always reached out to me to make sure I was on track to graduate and make sure I took the classes I needed. One thing I really loved about TROY was the communication — it was like no other ... every time at TROY I got someone and got the answer that I needed.”

The groundbreaking of the K. Logan Law Firm was held Sept. 19, 2020. Logan is thankful for the help she’s received from her community.

“I have been so blessed,” she said. “It is overwhelming right now because I didn’t expect my caseload to jump up and be this booming from the beginning. Other than that, it’s been smooth.

When I made my mind up to open my own firm, I got all my office furniture donated to me. From filing cabinets to desks, conference room tables, everything was donated to me, so that process has been smooth. I’m grateful.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EARNING A MASTER’S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT TROY UNIVERSITY, VISIT TROY.EDU/ACADEMICPROGRAMS.

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Wing at Peterson-Schriever Garrison from 2015 to 2017. Burt’s most recent assignment was at Peterson Air Force Base, where she served as the Director of Operations and Communications for the Space Force.

Daniel Serfass (’95) was recently named Superintendent of the Camp Hill School District. He previously served as the Assistant Superintendent in Elizabethtown. A retired U.S. Naval officer, Serfass earned his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy before later earning a master’s degree in management from TROY. He also holds graduate degrees from Lehigh University and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jessie L. Tucker, III (’95) was named President and CEO of Wayne UNC Health Care. A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with more than two decades of experience in executive health care leadership, Dr. Tucker holds a Master of Business Administration from TROY.

Matt Byrd (’96), President and CEO of Hillwood Aviation associated with The Perot Group of companies, was re-elected to the National Business Aviation Association’s Board of Directors during the group’s annual meeting. He will serve a three-year term. Byrd served for 33 years in the United States Air Force, where he flew as an air demonstration pilot with the Thunderbirds, an instructor pilot in the F-117A Stealth Fighter, the A-10 Thunderbolt II and T-38C Talon. Byrd

served three tours in the Middle East, where he flew combat missions in the F-117 during Desert Storm.

Jennifer Abney (’97) recently joined WPDE ABC15 News in Conway, South Carolina, as an anchor for the station’s weeknight newscasts. Abney has more than two decades of experience in television news, including serving as morning anchor at Mobile’s WKRG-TV.

Susan Anderson (’97), co-owner and Chief Financial Officer of Eagle Eye Outfitters, was recently elected to the Alabama Retail Association’s Board of Directors. Anderson is a longtime volunteer for WIRED Ministries and the Wiregrass Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also a former member of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and Dothan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors.

Michael Ferguson (’97) has been named Post Commander of the American Legion Post 52 in Hartselle for the 2020-2021 year. Ferguson, the former Post Adjutant, began the new position in August 2020. He served in the Marine Corps during Desert Shield/Storm and later served in the Alabama National Guard. He works with the Department of Veterans Affairs and has been a member of Post 52 since 2014.

Cami McClenny (’97, ’00) has been selected as Principal at Enterprise Career and Technology Center. She previously served as Guidance Counselor at Enterprise High School for the last 21 years.

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Rhonda Thomas (’97, ’02, ’04), a second grade teacher at Eufaula Primary School and Site Coordinator for the Eufaula Primary School 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool Program, has been named to the Board of the Alabama Community Education Association.

Jarrett Kolthoff (’98) is President and CEO of the St. Louis-based cybersecurity and counterintelligence firm SpearTip, which helps protect organizations from digital attacks. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from TROY. Kevin Burgess (’99) is Senior Manager of Human Resources for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi. He has more than 20 years of experience in human resources within the automotive industry. Burgess also is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi and a Board member and President of the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Betty Dawson (’99), a lifelong resident of Crenshaw County, was recently sworn in as the first black female to serve on the Luverne City Council.

Amy Phillips (’99, ’13) was recently named Coordinator of the Nursing Program at Enterprise State Community College.

Chresal D. Threadgill (’99), Superintendent of Mobile County Public Schools, was named Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama.

Threadgill previously served as the Assistant Principal and the Principal of Troy, Alabama’s, Charles Henderson Middle School and then as the Assistant Superintendent of Troy City Schools before becoming the Superintendent of Elba City Schools. He was appointed Superintendent of Mobile County Public Schools in July 2018.

CONTINUED ON PG. 60

ALUM N I Dear Alumni and Friends, As we prepare to return to normal after facing the challenges brought about by COVID-19, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to you — our faithful alumni and friends. COVID limited our ability to come together face to face, but we persevered and are better for it.

’00 Jessica Ventiere (’00) was recently named District Attorney Pro Tem for the 37th Judicial Circuit. She previously served as Chief Assistant District Attorney. Prior to coming to Lee County, Ventiere served as Assistant District Attorney in Alabama’s Second Circuit.

I am so very proud to lead the Troy University Alumni Association after this extremely challenging year, knowing we have come out stronger on the other side. Our mission has never been more important. We are TROY, and we stand more than 170,000 strong. When we all work together, we can achieve greatness.

Imagine if all of us were dues-paying members in the Alumni Association.

Membership is something so simple but is a definite statement of our loyalty and commitment to our alma mater we all hold so dear. The Troy University Alumni Association has a membership package that includes a membership card and car decal, all issues of the TROY Today magazine, a 20% discount at the Barnes and Noble bookstore, hotel and rental car discounts and much more. The revenue gained from your membership allows the Alumni Association to continue to provide scholarships to deserving students and to allow for quality programming for you, our alumni. You will not only make a difference by your contributions, but you will increase the value of your degree.

Membership is only $35 annually. If you are already a dues-paying member, a gift to the Alumni Legacy Scholarship would be greatly appreciated. Remember that it is not the amount that you give, but the fact that you do give that makes a difference.

In closing, you have an extremely dedicated Alumni Board to serve your interests and lead the change in your association. Let us hear from you, and we will represent you and Troy University to the best of our ability. We are excited to welcome you back home to TROY as we prepare to return to normal campus operations! WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER! From one Trojan to another,

Faith West Byrd Troy University Alumni Director

Melanie Bevan (’01) was recently appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the state’s Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. She currently serves as the Chief of Police for the City of Bradenton Police Department, and previously spent 29 years with the St. Petersburg Police Department, where she rose to the role of Assistant Chief of Police. She holds a Master of Public Administration from TROY. Traci Johnson (’01) was named Deputy Editor for sports at the Tampa Bay Times. A 20-year veteran of the Times, Johnson has served as Sports Editor since March. She is the first woman to run the newsroom’s sports staff.

Kevin Sorrow (’01) was recently named Public Works Director for the city of Covington, Georgia. He had worked for the city of Covington since 1977, most recently serving as an Assistant Public Works Director in the water division. He holds a Master of Public Administration from TROY.

Dr. Joshua Sipper’s (’02) paper titled “The Cyber Microbiome and the Cyber Meta-reality” was awarded a “Best Paper Award” at the International Academy, Research and Industry Association’s (IARIA) Cyber 2020 Conference. Dr. Sipper received a digital award and an invitation to submit an extended article version to one of the IARIA Journals. He is a Professor of Cyberwarfare Studies at the Air Force Cyber College, Air University.

Nicola Liquori (’03) is Turnpike Enterprise Executive Director and CEO at the Florida Department of Transportation. She has served in various roles with the department for more than 15 years. She holds a master’s degree in management from TROY. Robert Maloney, Jr. (’03) was recently named Chief Operating Officer of Chattanooga, Tennessee-based, Erlanger Health Systems. Most recently, Maloney was COO of Mercy Health Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati, part of the Bon Secours Mercy Health hospital system. He also previously served as COO of Frankfort (Kentucky) Regional Medical Center and as Vice President of Operations for LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, part of Nashville, Tennessee-based, HCA Healthcare. He holds a Master of Business Administration from TROY. Kenneth Miller (’03) was recently appointed Interim City Manager for the city of Petersburg, Virginia. He previously served as the city’s Chief of Police and Deputy City Manager of Public Safety.

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LaToya Wiley (’03) was named the Director of the Special Programs Department of the Aiken County, South Carolina, Public School District.

She previously served as the district’s Coordinator of Compliance, and has 17 years of experience in the field of education. She earned a Master of Public Administration from TROY.

Silvia Scaife (’05) was recently named Career and Technical Education Director for Auburn City Schools. In October 2020, she was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year at Auburn High School.

Melissa Adams (’04) is Director of Student Services at Auburn University.

She is a member of the Junior League of Lee County and served as President of the organization in 2017-2018.

Toni Herrera-Bast (’04) was recently named President and CEO of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

She previously served as Vice President of Public Relations for the YWCA of Central Alabama. Prior to her position with the YWCA, Herrera-Bast was Director of Media Relations for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for about five months and served as the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for the Birmingham Airport Authority for 15 years before that. She holds a master’s degree in human resources management from TROY. Kacie McRee (’05) was recently named Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP. McRee has a broad range of experience in real estate and corporate transactions, including representing both borrowers and lenders in real estate development transactions, commercial leasing and secured lending, as well as representing clients in corporate formations and corporate M&A. She also has particular experience related to environmental issues in connection with sales and acquisitions of real estate. She earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Jordan Mills (’05) was added to the staff of U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, serving as Auburn Regional Director. A Montgomery native, Mills now makes his home in Auburn with his wife, Riki, and the couple’s three children.

DeMarcus Ware (’05) is a member of the 2021 class enshrined into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Ware was an inductee in the inaugural class of the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was instrumental in TROY’s transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001 and finished his Trojan career as the program’s all-time leader in tackles for loss with 55.5 in addition to totaling 27 sacks for a loss of 198 yards to rank among the all-time greats in TROY history. A member of the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team, Ware was a finalist for the 2004 Hendricks Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive end. In 2005, the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft, making him the first-ever first-round pick from TROY or the Sun Belt Conference. A Super Bowl 50 Champion with the Denver Broncos, Ware played in nine Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro seven times, tied the NFL record by leading the league in sacks twice and was a two-time Butkus Award winner. He finished his 12-year NFL career with 654 tackles, 138.5 sacks and 35 forced fumbles.

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Veronica Crock (’06) has joined the business development team at the Alabama Department of Commerce as Senior Project Manager. In the role, Crock will concentrate her efforts on advanced manufacturing projects statewide. She previously served as the President of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corp., as well as a stint as President of Grow Southeast Alabama, an 11-county organization that promotes industrial growth and job creation across the region.

Clarissa Sparks (’07), founder and Brand Strategist for Sparks + Company, was named to the Sandy Springs, Georgia, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.

Her company is a branding agency that empowers women to strengthen their own brand architectures. She also serves as an Instructor for the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship through Cornell University’s eCornell program. Previously, Sparks served as a Clinical Instructor for hospitals in the metro Atlanta area and throughout the U.S. She holds a master’s degree in management from TROY. Willette Capers (’08) serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Augustana University. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from TROY. Kendra Majors (’08), Regional Editor of The Greenville Advocate, The Luverne Journal, The Lowndes Signal, The Demopolis Times, The Selma TimesJournal and associated digital and print products, was recently elected as President of the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation.

She previously served as Regional Publisher of The Andalusia Star-News, The Atmore Advance and The Brewton Standard.

CONTINUED ON PG. 62

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TROY TODAY

Dr. Kristina Anderson (’09, ’12) was named Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality at the Luverne Center of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. Dr. Anderson has more than 10 years of experience in Alabama public education, including serving in roles such as Assistant Principal and Community Liaison for Charles Henderson High School and Lead Teacher/Crisis Management Leader/Summer School Director for Pike County Elementary School.

School in Norfolk, Virginia, and has served as the Executive Officer at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Bahrain. Natta is the recipient of many personal and campaign awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Leadership Award in a Joint Operational Combat Zone.

’10

Dr. Brock Kelley (’09, ’11) was appointed President of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Dr. Kelley previously served as Regional Director of Workforce Development for the Alabama Community College System and as Director of Workforce Development for the Alabama Department of Education. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College has campuses in Andalusia, Opp, Greenville and Luverne.

Hezekiah Natta (’09) was named Chief Operating Officer for Watershed Security, LLC, a provider of cybersecurity and information technology solutions for defense and civilian markets. A 32-year Navy veteran with combat experience in Desert Storm, Natta also served as CISO for several combatant commands and established the International Zone Communication Systems in Baghdad, Iraq. He was part of the leadership team that established the Navy Electronics Technician Training

Cornelius Williams (’10) was named Wide Receivers Coach at Auburn University. Williams, who won four Sun Belt championships and helped lead TROY to three bowl games as a player, has served as a Receivers Coach at TROY for the last six years and was also the Passing Game Coordinator the last two seasons. He is married to the former Kiley Miller from Little Rock, Arkansas, and the couple has two daughters, Ellis and Wynn, and one son, Maverick.

Mark Bishop (’12) was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. He will command the department’s Administrative Division. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from TROY.

Chelsea Cloud (’12, ’18) was recently named Mental Health Services Coordinator for Mountain Brook Schools. A licensed Master Social Worker, Cloud is the first to hold the newly created position, which is intended to be support for faculty and staff and help propel students to success. Cloud comes to Mountain Brook from East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, where she served as a Psychiatric Assessment Clinician.

Before that, she spent three years with the East Alabama Mental Health Center as a Mental Health Technician, Certified Associate Prevention Specialist and Prevention Services Coordinator. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s in social work from TROY. Jay Fondren (’12) of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was recently promoted to the rank of Major. With the promotion, Fondren will command the department’s Administrative and Jail divisions. Fondren’s law enforcement career began in 1996 with the Leeds Police Department. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2004 and joined the Pelham Police Department in 2006. Fondren joined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 2008.

Taylor Edwards (’13) was named Director of Player Personnel for the University of South Carolina football program. He previously served as Director of Recruiting Operations at Maryland. Prior to his stint at Maryland,

T ROY T O DAY

Edwards spent one season (2018) as Director of Recruiting at Arkansas. He got his start at Jacksonville State as an Assistant in Personnel and Operations in 2013. He left JSU to become the Director of Recruiting at UAB in 2014.

He then served as the Director of Player Personnel at Samford before joining Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2017 as a Player Personnel Assistant. The Pleasant Grove, Alabama, native holds a master’s degree in sport and fitness administration from TROY. Steven Stiefel (’13) was recently named the Publisher of the Fort Payne Times-Journal newspaper. He most recently served as a reporter for the paper and has more than 30 years in the newspaper, communication and marketing industries.

Lt. Col. Jonathan E. Bisset (’14) is a Foreign Area Officer with the U.S. Department of Defense, serving the National Capital Region in Washington, D.C. He specializes in Latin America and advises policy makers and senior defense officials on policy and security cooperation issues throughout the region.

Faith Vavra (’14) was recently recognized by the Junior League of Binghamton, New York’s, 2020-2021 Woman of Achievement Honoree.

She also received the JLB’s lifetime achievement award, the Watrous Silver Bowl Award, in June 2020. Vavra recently served as Deputy District Director with the office of Anthony Brindisi and the 22nd New York State Congressional District. She holds a Master of Public Administration from TROY. Trey Strickland (’15) is in his seventh season with the Cincinnati Reds organization and in his second as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Class AA Chattanooga Lookouts. During the 2020 COVID-19 season, Strickland worked at the Reds alternate training site in Mason, Ohio. He spent the 2019

season at advanced Class A Daytona and worked the 2018 and 2017 seasons as Strength and Conditioning Coach for Class A Dayton. Strickland was the Strength and Conditioning Assistant for the Major League club in 2015 and Strength and Conditioning Coach for Rookie Billings in 2016. Prior to working in professional baseball, Strickland coached baseball and strength and conditioning for the Darton State College Cavaliers in Albany, Georgia.

He holds a master’s degree in sport and fitness management from TROY and lives in Carrollton, Georgia.

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and successful execution of its founding mission to provide affordable health care services to individuals in the Savannah community. She previously served as Chief Operations Officer for J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center.

She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from TROY. Caleb Posey (’19, ’20) has begun his career with Draffin Tucker as an Associate. He will assist with field audits in the firm’s health care practice.

Eric Lee (’20) is serving as Marketing, Business Development and Special Projects Director for Brantley Bank & Trust.

Dallas Tidwell (’15) was named as Quarterbacks Coach for the Shelia Leverette (’20) was named as the Presentation College Saints football team. He previously served as Offensive Chambers County School District’s first Mental Health Services Coordinator.

Coordinator at Briar Cliff University.

She holds a master’s degree in mental Jacob Holmes (’16) was recently named health counseling from TROY. Design Editor for Tallapoosa Publishers.

He previously served as News Editor for the Troy Messenger.

Chelsea Singleton (’18, ’19) recently published a collection of poems called “All Things Left Unsaid.” Singleton is the Mental Health Coordinator with Troy City Schools.

Taylor Wilson (’18) has joined Altaworx, LLC, as a Client Success Manager.

Altaworx, founded in 2003, is a Fairhope-based company that operates cloud-based voice solutions from data centers in Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta. The company serves customers in 40 states, Canada and Mexico. Wilson previously served as a Sales Development Representative for CoverWallet.

Maribeth West (’18, ’20) recently joined the staff of Davis, Bell & Amerson, LLC, an accounting and tax service firm in Atmore, Alabama.

Dr. Rena M. Douse (’19) was named Chief Executive Officer of J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center. In her new role, Dr. Douse will provide detailed oversight, strategy and vision for the nonprofit organization’s future growth

Cannon Wayne Pruitt was born Sept.

29, 2020, to alumni Allison (Farrington) and Josh Pruitt. Allison was Miss Troy University in 2010, while Josh played football for the Trojans from 2005-2006 and was a Graduate Assistant Coach from 2007-2009.

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TROY TODAY

A LUM N I

CADET COL. CAMRYN MOTE FIRST TROJAN SELECTED FOR WEATHER POST Troy University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 017 has recorded another “first” with the selection of Cadet Col. Camryn Mote as a Weather Officer for the Air Force.

Mote graduated and commissioned in the Air Force in May 2021 and will be sent to the Naval Postgraduate School’s Basic Meteorology Program, one of the leading meteorology programs in the country. There, she will earn a certificate in meteorology under World Meteorological Organization requirements for practicing professional meteorologists.

Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Stephen Cox said that because of the specific educational requirements of the field, the Air Force was “opening up the aperture” to allow about 40% of those in the career field to have different educational backgrounds such as mathematics, computer science, computational science and physical science.

“With her chemistry degree, Cadet Mote has proven she has the aptitude and ability to excel in a difficult technical degree program. This will be a great foundation for her to build upon as USAF looks to her to fill critically manned positions like Weather and Environmental Sciences Officer,” Lt. Col. Cox said. “Unique problems require innovative solutions and create opportunities like this for not only Cadet Mote but also other AFROTC cadets and TROY students.”

A Geneva, Alabama, native, Mote transferred to TROY from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in fall 2019.

“I’ve had a great experience at TROY in my short time here.

I love that it is such a small community — and small class sizes.

There is always someone there to help when you need it,” she said.

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A LUM N I

ALPHARETTA SITE OPEN TO STUDENTS, ALUMNI FOR USE

Alumni and students in the metro Atlanta area now have a place to meet, work and network in the University’s support center in Alpharetta.

“Our office is a café-style space that gives students the opportunity to learn in a fun educational environment,” said Staci Hutto, the Atlanta Area Coordinator.

Hutto said the site was set to hold its first graduate course in Term 1, then COVID-19 moved the course online. Since then, several events have been held in the facility for the more than 5,000 alumni in the area along with traditional recruiting events for the Troy Campus.

“TROY Atlanta has evolved to better serve our students and help them to network with others in their area by creating an inviting space,” she said. “In a way we help online students build their network just as student involvement helps those students on the Troy Campus, and that makes our location unique.”

The site is open to host events for students and alumni. It offers professional workspaces, small meeting spaces, a conference room, wireless internet and coffee and tea for guests.

LOCATED AT 2855 OLD MILTON PARKWAY, SUITE 100, ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, THE SITE CAN BE CONTACTED AT 770-730-0033. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TROY.EDU/ATLANTA.

IN REMEMBRANCE Troy University Alumni Joe Bob Allen (’21)

IN REMEMBRANCE Troy University Friends Aubrey Dan Martin (’63)

Joan Wood Beard

Gerald Ray Black (’10)

Rev. Freddie L. McCain (’76)

Arlene Davis

Dorothy White Bradford (’48)

Martha “Ann” McSwean (’57)

Dr. Gene J. Garfield

Charles “Sim” Byrd (’71)

Thomas L. Minnis (’77)

Carla Guthrie

Bill Cook (’75)

Julellyn Motley (’69)

Bishop S.D. James

Alvin H. Dees (’69)

James “Jim” O’Neal (’49)

Robert O. Joslin

Cheryl Colley DiChiara (’74)

Richard Penton (’73)

Dr. Marjorie Crews Kirkland

Timothy A. Diehl (’95)

Imogene Allen Pinckard (’40)

Dr. Robert Dale Kruckeberg, Jr.

William Ray Dodd, Sr. (’64)

Donna Leigh Reynolds (’86)

Glenda Locklar

Gloria K. Thompson Dozier (’64)

William “Bill” Sanford (’50)

Jimmy Lunsford

Asa E. Dudley, Jr. (’51)

Charles L. Saunders (’49)

Charles Winston Meeks

Joey Edwin Eagerton (’98)

David L. Seanor (’83, ’86)

Troy Michael Morgan

Barbara Rountree Folmar (’87)

JoAnn Sanders Slay (’55)

Dr. Doug Patterson

Richard A. Forster (’69)

Margaret Schaeffer Thomas (’46)

Leslie Ray Waltman, Jr.

Lamar P. Higgins (’82)

Joyce Stewart (’57)

Dr. Ervin L. “Chip” Wood

Rep. Earl D. Hutto (’49)

Bobby Hubert Terrell (’59)

Peggy C. Riddle Jackson (’64)

Wayne Trawick (’61)

Ivan Jones (’51)

Susan Dunlap West (’04, ’12)

Louis D. Keller (’68)

Andi LeRae Whatley (’08)

Jessica Knowles (’13)

Jerry Edward Woodham (’82)

Betty M. LaGrone (’78)

Nicholas E. Zorn (’67)

Gary A. Loggins (’75)

TROY UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE ALUMNI AFFAIRS OFFICE TROY, AL 36082

CREATE SCHOLARSHIPS WITH A TROY TAG TROY Trojans don’t just drive in style — they drive with purpose.

For more than 20 years, TROY fans like you have supported students by purchasing TROY license plates at their local DMVs. By adding approximately $50 worth of TROY spirit to the cost of your regular car or motorcycle tag, you’re giving $48.75 of that amount to fund scholarships to help students reach their educational dreams. Fans can also support their Trojans by showing team spirit on the water with TROY distinctive vessel identification stickers for their boats!

To learn more, visit troy.edu/tag or call the TROY Foundation at 334-670-3608.

GET YOUR TROY TAG! troy.edu/tag © 2021 Troy University