The dream of an expansive, state-of-the-art Alumni Center on the Troy Campus is closer to becoming a reality with the launch of a new fundraising campaign.

The first three gifts in support of the campaign were made by Troy Alumni Association Board members Bill Hopper, Lloyd Taylor and Carolyn Gibson. 

“These gifts will help launch the fundraising for this much-needed facility and motivate other alumni to give as well,” said Alumni Affairs Director Faith Ward . “We are truly grateful to our Board members for setting an example with their generous gifts. Our alumni deserve a world-class facility on campus that will be a home away from home while they are here. Thanks to these gifts and to others who are contributing, we are closer than ever to making this dream a reality.” 

Following the announcement of these first three gifts, Ward said two chapters, Pike County and Emerald Coast, have also contributed to the campaign and others are making plans to follow.

TROY’s current Alumni House on Highland Avenue has been in use since 2004.

“Even though a countless number of events have been held at the current location and it has served our alumni well , the Alumni Association needs a larger space on par with those found at peer institutions,” said Alumni Board President, Bill Hopper. 

In more than 25 years as an employee of Sodexo and Marriott , Hopper traveled to some 1500 different colleges and universities and noted that the vast majority had alumni facilities much nicer than TROY’s current facility. 

“If we are going to serve our alumni and acknowledge their importance, we need a new, up-to date alumni center,” Hopper said.  

Hopper said a modern alumni center can motivate graduates to reconnect and provide greater support for their alma mater.  

“Our alumni can help support the university by fundraising and helping recruit new students, and I think it is important that we have a gathering place for alumni that looks as impressive as the other construction that has happened on campus in recent years,” Hopper said.

Ward said Troy’s vision is for a modern alumni center with updated technology and space for meetings and large events.  

“We want to have space where we can comfortably host reunions, large meetings and other gatherings for our alumni,” Ward said.

Board member Lloyd Taylor, a 1968 graduate, said an updated alumni center will help the university make a strong impression on alumni revisiting the campus.  

“I didn’t go back to the campus for years and years,” Taylor said. “But when I did, I found one of the most beautiful campuses in Alabama. We need an alumni center that makes as strong a first impression as the rest of the campus.”