Troy University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are encouraged to show their Trojan spirit on Friday, Aug. 30 by donning their TROY colors.

On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey presented a proclamation to the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama, recognizing Aug. 30 as College Colors Day in the state of Alabama.

“College Colors Day is a proud tradition here in Alabama, where school spirit runs deep and higher education plays a critical role in shaping our future,” Gov. Ivey said. “I’m proud to celebrate the students and graduates who are building a stronger Alabama with their talent, knowledge and dedication. On August 30, I encourage everyone to proudly display their school colors to celebrate the rich academic and athletic success that makes our state great.”

Student Government Association leaders and mascots represented Alabama’s public universities attended Wednesday event, which was hosted by the Higher Education Partnership.

“We always stress the importance of having TROY pride and one of the ways of doing that is to wear your TROY colors and showing your school spirit,” said Betsy Bennett, TROY’s SGA President.

Faith Byrd, Director of Alumni Affairs, encouraged all members of the Trojan family to represent TROY on College Colors Day. Byrd and Alumni Association President Rosemary Elebash joined T-Roy and SGA President Betsy Bennett, Vice President Caleb Smith and Cabinet Higher Education Chair Lucas Parker in representing TROY at Wednesday’s event.

“We are very proud that we have TROY alumni around the world. The one thing we all have in common, despite any distance that may separate us, is pride in TROY – the school we love,” Byrd said. “I want to encourage all the TROY family — Trojans one and all — to show that spirit and pride on Aug. 30 as we celebrate College Colors Day in Alabama.”

The Higher Education Partnership represents the more than 180,000 students, faculty, staff and administrators of the 14 public universities in the state of Alabama. College Colors Day celebrates the spirit of those universities. For millions of current students, alumni, family members, supporters and advocates, public universities are more than an education, they’re a life-changing investment. National data supports this – those with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn more than $1 million more over the course of their lives than those with lower levels of education.

“We celebrate universities because of the difference they make for every Alabamian,” said Gordon Stone, Executive Director of the Higher Education Partnership. “The state’s 14 public universities provide excellent educational pathways for every student to achieve their career dreams. With a more than $20 billion collective impact on Alabama, universities are powerful drivers for the economy of the state through innovation, research, and top-tier education.”