The Troy University Alumni Association inducted 28 former Alumni of the Year honorees into the Alumni of the Year Society during a reception on Nov. 1 and laid the groundwork for future events for the group as a chartered alumni chapter.

During the reception, held at the International Arts Center on the Troy Campus, the University recognized the 2024 Alumni of the Year recipients – Derek Ellington (’92), Alison Scott Wingate Hosp (’99), Dr. Kathy L. Murphy (’81) and honorary alumnus Jason Jones. The four honorees were also recognized during a Saturday morning breakfast at TROY’s IDEA Bank prior to the Homecoming Parade and during a halftime presentation on the field.

Alumni of the Year recipients are honored annually during homecoming for their outstanding professional accomplishments, civic involvement and loyalty and service to the University.

TROY first recognized an alum of the year in 1955 when Norma Smith Bristow received the honor. Since that time, the University has recognized 200 alumni and honorary alumni with the honor.

“Troy University alumni can literally be found around the world, succeeding in their careers and making a difference in their communities,” said Faith Byrd, Director of Alumni Affairs. “We are so proud of their accomplishments and continued support for their alma mater. One of our favorite traditions around our Homecoming celebration is our recognition of our Alumni of the Year and, this year, we were thrilled to be able to induct past recipients into our Alumni of the Year Society. We believe this Society will be a tremendous resource for the University and our students moving forward.”

During the reception, inductees into the Alumni of the Year Society were announced and presented with a medallion by Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

Dr. Dee Bennett, president of the Alumni of the Year Society, said that Byrd had shared with her the vision that this group would become a chartered alumni chapter and play an active role in furthering the mission of the Alumni Association and the University.

“We all had so much fun when we were honored as Alumni of the Year, and then we went home on Sunday thinking, ‘aww, it’s all over.’ Guess what, it’s not over,” Bennett, a 2022 honoree, told the gathering. “We are going to take those minds that are thinking all the time. That’s what brought us into this space – the heart that feels for Troy University and what we want to continue to give back. Then, we have the body to act, and we are about to put some serious talent into action. There has been some exciting energy in this room, and we are going to keep this energy alive by having different events throughout the year.”

Bennett mentioned events in basketball and baseball seasons that are in the planning stages.

“I am thrilled to be the president of the newly energized Alumni of the Year Society, and we are excited to have all of you as members of this new club. Together we can all do amazing things,” Bennett told the group.

Those inducted during the event, along with the year they were honored as Alumni of the Year, were: Mike Amos (2008); Chuck Ash (2013); Dee Bennett (2022); Tommy Bryan (2019); Karen Carter (2002); Ed Crowell (2020); Max Davis (2014); Wanda Gardner (2000); Larry Groce (1998); Jack Hawkins (2002); Roni Holley (1996); Bill Hopper (1987); Larry Hughes (2000); Darlene Hutchinson Biehl (2019); Jeff Kervin (2022); Wiley Locklar (2016); Randy Mauldin (2023); Rick Maxey (2021); Kyna McCall-Paster (2021); David Morgan (2009); Gwen Mosley (2023); Rusty Ninas (2009); Dawn Railey (2018); Lloyd Taylor (2009); Freddie Thomas (2020); Gibson Vance (2018); Cam Ward (2008); and, Randy Wilkes (2021).

Photos of the event, those inducted into the Alumni of the Year Society and this year’s Alumni of the Year recipients can be viewed at: https://troyuniversity.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00003WLH3UtGd40/G0000wbrdgWdLT2s/2024-Alumni-of-the-Year-Reception-and-Breakfast