Troy University will recognize excellence, achievement and service across the university community during its annual Honors Convocation at 2:30 pm. on April 21 in the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus.

The ceremony will recognize students who have earned prestigious awards for outstanding scholarship and service from their departments in the University’s five colleges and will acknowledge students inducted into prestigious honor societies over the last academic year.

Among awards to be presented during the convocation are the Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, presented to an outstanding faculty member, and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards, given to a senior male and female student and to a distinguished faculty or staff member.

The Ingalls Award is given annually to the teacher on the Troy Campus who has “most diligently, effectively and cheerfully conducted his or her classes during the current academic year.” Students nominate faculty members for the award, and a committee of students and faculty advisors selects the recipient.

The Sullivan Award, which is presented at select colleges and universities throughout the United States, recognizes recipients for their excellence of character, humanitarian service and spiritual qualities. The award has been presented annually at TROY since 1981 with nominations for the awards coming from students, faculty and staff.

In addition, the University’s Faculty Senate will present the Dr. Robert Kruckeberg Faculty Excellence Award, which is presented annually to an outstanding lecturer or adjunct faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service. The award is named in memory of Dr. Kruckeberg, an Associate Professor of History, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dr. Alvin Diamond, recipient of the University’s prestigious Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award and a professor of Biology, will deliver the keynote address.

With 36 years of service to the University, Dr. Diamond has made enduring contributions to teaching, research, and institutional growth. His leadership has been instrumental in the restoration of the Troy University Arboretum, the expansion of the TROY Herbarium, and advancements in ecological research that have garnered national recognition, including a National Science Foundation grant and recent honors from the Alabama Forestry Commission. He was selected by NASA to receive a “Moon Tree” seedling that flew around the moon on the 2022 NASA’s Artemis I mission.

“The Honors Convocation is one of Troy University’s most distinguished academic events, celebrating the dedication, excellence, and leadership of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Priya Menon. “This ceremony highlights our University’s strong academic profile and the hard work of students who have achieved remarkable success. As chair of the Honors Convocation Committee, I am incredibly proud of our team’s efforts in organizing this meaningful event and look forward to recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of our university community. This celebration is also a vital part of our Honors initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of scholarship and achievement.”

Honors Convocation Committee members are: Dr. Lauren Berlingo, Dr. Natalie Bryant, Dr. Linda Kathrine Delinsky, Dr. Joel Frank Hammonds, Dr. Priya Menon, Ms. Mary Catherine Register, Dr. Ventsislav Stamenov, Dr. Hui-Ting Yang, and Dr. Jiling Zhong.

The convocation will be followed by a reception for the attendees.