“Never give up, never quit” was the message that Troy University Trustee Charles Nailen delivered to some 100 graduates during the University’s commencement ceremonies in the Dothan Civic Center.
“The lesson learned is that there are times in your life when things might look bleak, or when you come upon situations that seem hard—remember there is always a flashlight and some duct tape,” he said.
Nailen was referring to an experience at the “El Tour de Tuscon,” a 102-mile-long bicycle race in Arizona that he undertook with son Charles, III.
The pair was dead last and had stopped – fortuitously in front of a Walgreens – when race officials informed them, they were in last place and that rules said that bikes without headlights couldn’t continue after dark.
“The race officials told us they’d send the van after us,” he said. “. . . the ‘Van of Shame’ was not going to bring us in.”
Across the street, the Walgreens held flashlights and duct tape. Not only did they finish the race (albeit just before the time-pads were removed), but they were not in last place.
“Life isn’t a sprint, it’s more like a marathon – it takes perseverance,” he said.
Nailen also shared about his wife, Kay, and her dedication to walk the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, a historic network of European pilgrimage routes in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, famous since the Middle Ages as a key Christian pilgrimage. Today, people walk it for spiritual growth, personal challenge, or cultural experience. The Nailens walked 75 miles.
“There are hills, lots of hills,” he said. “Kay Nailen was not going to quit. She said it was the most challenging thing she’s ever done mentally and physically. In six days, Kay will be 80 years old. She has the ‘Never Give Up, Never quit’ mindset.
“George Herman Ruth, Jr.,—‘Babe Ruth’ said, ‘you just can’t beat the person that doesn’t give up’. When you need it, find the duct tape and flashlights,” Nailen said.
Nailen has served on the University’s Board of Trustees since 2003. An entrepreneur and respected member of the local business community, he and his wife were owners of BBG Specialty Foods, Inc., a franchise of Taco Bell Corporation, and GGG Foods, Inc., a franchise of KFC Corporation. They operated restaurants in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Currently, in addition to his work with the TROY Trustees, Nailen serves as chairman of the Dothan Airport Authority; is a member of the Board Of Directors of the Public Affairs Research Council Of Alabama (PARCA) where he currently serves as Vice President; and is a member of the Personnel Committee of Wiregrass Church in Dothan.
