A Troy University Board of Trustee member and a former longtime University administrator were honored in Birmingham on Nov. 5 at the Youth Leadership Development Program’s annual Lunch with Heroes.
Trustee Roy Drinkard, a World War II veteran, and Dr. John W. Schmidt were recipients of the Great American Hero Award presented by Capt. G. Michael Rose, Rear Admiral Denise Hinton and Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy. Drinkard, the nation’s oldest living Marine, was also honored with the Dr. Jack Hawkins Lifetime Achievement Award. The event was held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
In addition to the awards, Drinkard was also honored with a special tribute, “A Marine’s Century: Ode to Roy Drinkard,” that was read during the luncheon program. The poem celebrated Drinkard’s service to country as a U.S. Marine, as well as his service to the community as a businessman and philanthropist.
“A century weather, through joy and through strife, a testament to a well-lived life,” the poem read. “The oldest Marine, a title he bears, with humility and strength beyond compare. So let us honor this American son, for battles fought and victories won. Roy Drinkard’s legacy, a shining light, a Marine’s example, burning ever bright.”
Drinkard was humbled by the recognition he received during the luncheon.
“I feel unworthy of this attention,” Drinkard said. “There are so many other people who are deserving.”
Drinkard, who celebrated his 105th birthday in July, was born in Falkville, Alabama and attended St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman before joining the United States Marine Corps, serving in World War II under General Eisenhower. After returning from the war, Drinkard operated a funeral home in Guntersville, for several years before returning to Cullman to launch Drinkard Chevrolet.
Over the next 50 years, he integrated himself into every aspect of life in Cullman: becoming a part of the “Flying 50s,” a group of civic leaders who recruited industry to the town and revitalized the local economy post-war; chaired Cullman’s Industrial Development Board for nearly 30 years; founded Drinkard Development, a major Southeast real estate firm managing shopping centers, theaters, medical complexes, apartments and more; donated land for educational facilities for Cullman County Schools; and raised thousands of dollars for college scholarships.
In April 2000, at almost 80 years old, Drinkard was appointed to the Troy University Board of Trustees by then-Governor Don Siegelman. He was reappointed twice, most recently in 2020 by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Dr. Schmidt, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, retired from Troy University in 2014 following 20 years of service. He returned in 2019 to lead the Student Services and Administration Division, a role he had previously served. During his tenure with the University, Schmidt also served as Senior Vice Chancellor for the Division of Advancement and External Relations, providing leadership for the University’s first two capital campaigns. In 2022, he returned to the University to lead the Advancement and External Relations on an interim basis.
Most recently Dr. Schmidt served as Interim Director of the University’s Institute for Leadership Development.
Having always placed a priority on student success, Schmidt’s doctoral dissertation led to the creation of a Dean of First Year Studies, a campus reading program and a student success center, which was named in his honor in 2014.
“I am truly honored to receive such recognition among so many heroes,” Schmidt said. “I am also very humbled, as my life’s journey has been one of leading an ordinary life accompanied by extraordinary people who have inspired me to do my best.”
