Mandy Hobbs, Secretary to the Dean of the College of Education, has won Troy University’s Vergil Parks McKinley Award.

Hobbs, who has been a member of the TROY staff since 2017, received the award from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, on Tuesday during a ceremony in the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor on the Troy Campus. She was nominated by Dr. Kerry Palmer, Dean of the College of Education. 

The McKinley Award is the highest honor that Troy University gives to a non-faculty staff member. It is presented quarterly to an employee who has demonstrated outstanding attitude, innovation and work ethic. The award was established by the late John McKinley, former Texaco CEO, in honor of his father, Vergil Parks McKinley, who was a Troy University professor during the early 20th century and was key to the development of the University’s athletic program. Winners of this award receive an engraved clock and a $1,000 stipend.

In his nomination, Palmer called Hobbs “the backbone” of TROY’s College of Education.

“She goes above and beyond each day to assist my colleagues and myself in serving the students of the College at the highest possible level,” Palmer said. “She is truly an ‘extra mile’ individual, always willing to go out of her way to help someone, especially if that someone is a student.”

Palmer said Hobbs not only brings a high level of experience to her daily work, but also recognizes the importance of working well with others across the University.

“Mandy’s intentional development of relationships across the University has allowed the College of Education to enjoy a level of university-wide collegiality that is rarely found in an institution of this size,” he said. “She personifies what it means to be a servant leader and a team player.”

Hobbs said she was honored to receive the award and was grateful for the opportunity to work with the wonderful people in the College of Education.

“I’m extremely honored to receive the McKinley Award and I’m grateful to Dr. Palmer for the nomination,” she said. “I’ve truly been blessed to work with wonderful faculty members in the College of Education. Because of what they do, they are good people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Everything that I know about the University is because they have helped me learn those things. I have developed relationships with people across the University, who have been so helpful, and I am grateful to all of them.”

Hobbs embraces the University’s student-first philosophy.

“I enjoy helping students and being an advocate for them because that is truly why we are all here – to serve our students,” she said.