When rising senior Chris Hood took the oath of office as president of Troy University’s Student Government Association last month, it marked a milestone in the University’s history.
Hood became TROY’s 100th SGA president, the history of which isn’t lost on the Exercise Physiology major from Helena, Alabama.
“I was considering running and someone said, ‘whoever gets it next will be the 100th president.’ I thought that was cool,” Hood said. “It really shows that I’m standing on the shoulders of giants in the 99 that were before me. It is something that gets credited to me, but it really should be viewed as all the accomplishments of the 99 before me. It shows that TROY has been a place for leadership and hopefully will continue to be for the next 100 presidents.”
Hood’s TROY journey began as a member of the University’s Freshman Forum. He credited then-Freshman Forum Director and current outgoing SGA President Caleb Smith for making his initial foray into student leadership a positive one.
“When I was coming into TROY as a freshman, I was told that Freshman Forum was the big ‘to-do’. I applied and got it, and it was an amazing experience,” he said. “Caleb Smith, the last SGA President, was the director of Freshman Forum at the time. He really helped make that the experience that it was and worthwhile to me.”
From there, Hood moved on to the SGA Senate and later as a member of the SGA’s Executive Branch.
“After last year on the exec, I decided I wanted to pursue becoming SGA President,” Hood said. “It has been a great experience throughout, and I would really like the opportunity to pay that forward to the next person and help develop the next generation. I felt I was really developed through SGA in some leadership skills and developmental skills that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
As the outgoing 99th president, Smith said he has greatly enjoyed his time at TROY.
“I came to TROY from three hours away not really knowing anybody. I was the first person in my family to go to Troy University,” Smith said. “TROY has meant a lot to me. It has built me up, not just as a leader but as a person in general. Having that last year as SGA President, leading the entire student body and being the voice for all Trojans, I’ve enjoyed every single minute. It has been a great experience to serve in this role with all of those great leaders who have come before me. I feel like we have done a lot of great work to end out our first century as the Student Government Association at Troy University.”
Smith encouraged current and future TROY students to take advantage of all the University has to offer.
“Take advantage of every opportunity, even if you think it is a small something, take advantage of it,” he said. “There is so much that TROY has to offer from clubs and organizations, events every single week. Take advantage of everything and really go all out here at TROY.”
Dr. Korrie Lynn Williamson, Associate Dean of Student Services, said the historic occasion represented a continuation of the University’s commitment to develop students into leaders.
“We proudly celebrate Caleb Smith, who served with excellence as the 99th Student Government Association President, and as one chapter closes, another begins. As Chris Hood officially took the oath of office as the 100th SGA President, it marked a historic milestone for our University,” Williamson said. “Stepping into this role at such a significant moment speaks to Chris’s leadership, character, and vision for the future of Troy University. From the 99th to the 100th, this transition represents more than just a change in leadership — it is a continuation of a proud tradition of student-led service, excellence, and impact.”
