Troy University officially transferred the deed to building 136 on the Montgomery Campus to Valiant Cross Academy during a ceremony in the Rosa Parks Library and Museum on Tuesday.
Valiant Cross, a fully accredited, all-male school established by brothers Anthony and Fred Brock in 2015, has leased the building for its high school since 2018 and took ownership of the building after documents were signed on Tuesday.
“I want to thank Anthony and Fred Brock for their great work,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “The principles of VCA are perfectly aligned with those we value at Troy University – good citizenship, leadership, and values. Those things made this country great and will make these young men great leaders. We need leadership today more than we ever have. Not only does VCA and what it represents inspire us, but it also makes us grateful that Troy University has been given the opportunity to be a part of this effort.”
Anthony Brock, Head of School for Valiant Cross, expressed his gratitude to Troy University.
“Thank you to Troy University. This is another step and another sign directly from God that He cares about these young men. God loves them and keeps making provision for them,” he said. “All my brother and I did was just say yes. God needs vessels to do his work. We said yes and all he has done is send provision one day after the next. We are so honored to have this opportunity to have this permanent location on TROY’s campus.”
Fred Brock, who serves as Valiant Cross’ Director of Operations, echoed his brother’s gratitude.
“Thank you to Chancellor Hawkins and the TROY leadership for first having the idea and then for helping us execute it,” Fred Brock said. “Ideas are easy, but execution of those ideas is everything. What an amazing day for Valiant Cross and, more importantly, what an amazing God we serve.”
Gibson Vance, President Pro-Tem of the TROY Board of Trustees, called Tuesday a “great day for Troy University.”
“I can tell you on behalf of the board that this was one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made,” Vance said during the ceremony. “We’ve been supporters of VCA since they started. This is just another step in us working together, and there will be plenty of other opportunities for this partnership in the future.”
Having known the Brock brothers since they were children, Gen. Ed Crowell (USAF retired), Vice President Pro-Tem of TROY’s Board of Trustees, said he always knew they would have a commitment to serving others.
“I’ve known the Brocks since they were little kids, and I could determine at that time that they had something to give and they were going to give it,” Crowell said. “It is great to be associated with what VCA is doing, and I tell the Brocks all the time that I couldn’t be prouder of them in mentoring these young men and growing them because that is our future.”
Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Hawkins presented scholarships to four Valiant Cross scholars who recently graduated as a part of the academy’s second graduating class.
“We are proud that you have decided to become Trojans,” Dr. Hawkins told the scholarship recipients. “We want that number to multiply many times over. We love VCA, and we love VCA graduates. We look forward to your enrollment at TROY in the fall.”
Ja’Quincy Scott and Bryant McMeans received Lamar P. Higgins Scholarships. The scholarship was established in memory of Mr. Higgins, who was TROY’s first African American SGA President, serving two terms, and later a member of the University’s Board of Trustees for 25 years before his death in 2021.
“This scholarship from TROY is very important to me because I needed the help financially to continue my education,” said Scott, who plans to study cybersecurity at TROY. “At Valiant Cross we were taught to be different and make a difference. It was a great experience being at Valiant Cross Academy, and I look forward to starting college in the fall.”
VCA scholars Tyler James and Reuben Harris were presented with the Brock Brothers-Valiant Cross Academy Scholarship.
