RECOGNITION SOCIETIES
1887 Society
The 1887 Society of Troy University is an exclusive society that exists to recognize
donors who have made annual gifts to the University for the last three or more consecutive
years. As a member, donors are recognized with a welcome packet, a commemorative certificate,
a custom logo lapel pin and invitations to seminars, athletic and special events on
campus.Make a Gift Now
TROY Shield Society
The Shield Society recognizes donors who have committed a Legacy Gift to Troy University.
A legacy gift is a planned estate gift made through a will or living trust, beneficiary
designation, IRA charitable rollover, certain real estate, a donor-advised fund, or
charitable lead trust.
For more information about making a legacy gift, please visit https://troyshieldsociety.org/, email us at legacygiving@troy.edu, or call (334) 670-3608.
The Arts & Science Alliance
The Arts & Science Alliance is comprised of the most elite and faithful donors to
the College of Arts & Sciences. The Alliance welcomes donors who give $1,000 or more
annually to any CAS fund, while those who have graduated in the last 15 years are
eligible through a minimum contribution of $500. Contributions can made throughout
the year to reach the Alliance level and can even be established by signing up for
smaller monthly recurring gifts.
White Coat Society
By donating $100 or more, you can join the White Coat Society and make an immediate
impact on the life of a nursing student. You will be able to hear from students and
faculty and see how your generosity truly made a difference. This is an annual giving
initiative that will assist undergraduate nursing students in purchasing necessary
medical items such as scrubs, coats, shoes, stethoscopes, and even smaller items like
badge holders, bandage scissors, and clipboards.
Troy Humanities Alliance/ THA
THA is a body of friends, alumni, supporters, and patrons of Troy University's College
of Communication and Fine Arts. THA promotes the well-being, advancement, and success
of CCFA by assisting administrators, faculty and staff through enhancing and engaging
its network of supports. Give annually to CCFA at a level that is meaningful to the
member. Giving tiers include: Designer Circle - $2,500 per year; Performer Circle - $1,200 per year; Authors - $500 per year; Reporters - $300 per year; Ensemble Members - $100 per year.
Make a Gift Now
College of Education Dean's Leadership Circle
The Dean's Leadership Circle is an annual giving recognition society for donors who
contribute $1,000 or more annually to any Troy University’s College of Education fund.
Leadership giving within the College of Education plays a dynamic and vital role in
proving annual support to the College. Gifts at the Dean's Leadership Circle level
can be made in support of faculty and students through investments in scholarships,
capital projects or for operational support of the College.
Make a Gift Now
2024 NEW ENDOWED FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Owen Wayne Lewis Memorial Scholarship
Owen Lewis was quick to laugh, always ready with a hug, and eager for the next ride on his "cool bike." Although Owen's time on Earth was cut tragically short, it was brimming with love. In February of this year, Owen's parents, Troy University professors Onick and Heather Lewis, established the Owen Wayne Lewis Memorial Endowed Scholarship to ensure the love their son had carries forward into the lives of others. Owen's scholarship assists students majoring in social work, human services, or hospitality, tourism and event management on Troy University's main campus. Recipients must be first-generation college students with a 2.5 GPA. Applicants are required to submit a 250 to 400-word essay describing their need for financial assistance and the obstacles they had to overcome to be the first in their family to attend college. Recipients must write a letter of appreciation to the donor and attend the Scholarship Donor and Recipient Reception held in March.
Barry Baker Endowed Scholarship
Philip Barry Baker is a two-time Troy University graduate, a member of the College of Health and Human Services Advisory Council, and a long-time supporter of his alma mater. In March 2024, he established the Barry Baker Endowed Scholarship to assist students pursuing a degree in kinesiology and health promotions within the College of Health and Human Services on Troy's main campus. Preference for this scholarship is given to students from Chilton County, Alabama. Recipients must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA and showcase a strong work ethic, selfless dedication, and perseverance throughout their time at Troy University. Recipients must write a letter of appreciation to the donor and attend the Scholarship Donor and Recipient Reception held in March.
Matthew Spencer Awbrey Farmhouse Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Matthew Spencer Awbrey graduated from Opelika High School in 2023 before enrolling at Troy University. While at Troy, he became an active brother of the Farmhouse Fraternity and served at the Wesley Foundation. Matthew is remembered for his gentle spirit, devout faith, and contagious laugh. After Matthew passed suddenly in 2023, James and Jodi Wells knew they wanted to honor his memory. So, they established the Matthew Spencer Awbrey Farmhouse Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Matthew's scholarship is awarded to pledges or brothers of Farmhouse Fraternity who meet all the standards and requirements of the organization and have a 2.7 GPA. The Troy University Office of Student Services selects recipients. Recipients must write a letter of appreciation to the family of Matthew Awbrey and attend the Scholarship Donor and Recipient Reception held in March.
Central America Endowed Scholarship
Enterprise Christian Youth Camp established the Central America Endowed Scholarship in 2024 to assist students native to Honduras who are pursuing a degree on Troy's main campus in Troy, Alabama. To be eligible for this award, students must have completed their studies at the Great Commission School in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, or have served as an interpreter at the Honduras Baptist Medical Dental Mission located in Honduras. Recipients must have and maintain a GPA of 2.0. The Troy University Scholarship Committee selects recipients in collaboration with the Great Commission School. Recipients must write a letter of appreciation to the donor and attend the Scholarship Donor and Recipient Reception held in March.
Alex and Jane Whaley Endowed Leadership Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama with first preference to be given to students from Pike County, Alabama. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarships may be either merit-based or needs-based. Recipients will be selected by the Troy University Scholarship Committee. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
2024 New Current Foundation Scholarships
Dothan Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at Troy University in Dothan, Alabama. First preference will be given to students in the nursing apprenticeship program. Second preference will be given to students from Dothan, Alabama. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Scholarship may either be merit-based or needs-based. Selection will be made by the Troy University Scholarship Committee. There will be two $2,500.00 scholarships awarded annually. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Pike Community Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist incoming freshman from Pike County, Alabama. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarship will be needs-based. FAFSA is required. If the recipient no longer meets the scholarship qualifications, then it can be awarded to a student of any academic classification from Pike County, Alabama who meets the required criteria. The scholarship will be awarded to one recipient starting the Fall semester starting their Freshman year and is intended to fund the entirety of their undergraduate tuition. Selection will be made by the Troy University Scholarship Committee. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Wiregrass Radio Broadcast Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students pursuing a degree on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama. First preference given to students majoring in communications with the interest in broadcast communications. Second preference will be given to students majoring in business or marketing. The scholarship will include an unpaid internship at Wiregrass Radio. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarship will be needs-based or merit-based. Selection will be made by the Troy University Scholarship Committee. One $1,500.00 scholarship be awarded annually. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Ryan Wilkes Achievement Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students pursuing a degree in journalism on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama. Recipients must have a physical disability, as determined by Troy University's Coordinator of Adaptive Needs. Applicants with muscular dystrophy will receive the first and highest consideration. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarship will be needs-based or merit-based. Recipients will be referred to the Scholarship Committee for selection by Troy University's Coordinator of Adaptive Needs. Initially one $1,000.00 scholarship be awarded annually. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Matthew Spencer Awbrey Farmhouse Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students who are pledges or brothers of Farmhouse Fraternity who meet all standards and requirements of the organization. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Potential recipients will be referred to the Scholarship Committee for selection by Troy University's Office of Student Services. One $1,000.00 scholarship be awarded annually to cover the cost of tuition or books. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Floyd E. Rodgers Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist incoming freshman pursuing a degree in the Sorrell College of Business on the Troy University campus in Troy, AL. First preference will be given to students from the Wiregrass Area who are membership of All In Credit Union. If there are no qualified incoming Sorrell College of Business freshman applicants, the scholarship can then be awarded to an incoming freshman of any major who meets the criteria. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarship will be needs-based. Recipients will be selected by the Sorrell College of Business Committee. One $1,000.00 scholarship be awarded annually to cover the cost of tuition or books. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Laura Aaron Mixon Memorial Choral Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama who are pursuing a degree in Choral Music Education. Recipient must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Recipients must be classified as either a Junior or Senior. Applicants will need to provide evidence of demonstrated commitment to the advancement of choral music education and to spreading "light and love" though the choral arts. Scholarship may be merit-based or needs-based. Recipients will be selected by the choral faculty, designated administrative faculty and the Troy University Scholarship Committee. Depending upon the number of qualified applicants, one $1,000 scholarship or two $500.00 scholarships will be awarded annually. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Chasity Dione Barnes Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama with first preference will be given to an African-American student who is an incoming freshman from either Coffee, Houston, Henry, or Dale County. Recipient must have GPA and ACT scores that meet the conditional admission requirements. The conditional requirements are as follows: A student with a high school GPA of 2.5 needs an ACT score of 17-19. A student with a high school GPA of less than 2.0 needs an ACT score of 20. Applicants must submit a copy of their ACT score and a resume that highlights their volunteer and community activities. Recipients must exemplify high moral standards and values who realize the importance of a quality education. Recipients not meeting this requirement are subjected to lose their scholarship. Scholarship may be merit-based or needs-based. Recipients will be selected by the Troy University Scholarship Committee. One $1,000.00 scholarship will be awarded annually to assist with tuition and fees. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
Trojans Teaching Trojans Scholarship for the College of Education
This scholarship will assist students pursuing a degree in Education on the Troy University campus in Troy, Alabama. The scholarships are by invitation only by the College of Education Selection Committee. Recipients will be identified and selected solely by the College of Education Selection Committee. Recipients will be required to serve in the Troy City School System as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Troy City Schools, the City of Troy and the Troy University College of Education. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and must attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
FEATURED STORIES
A new endowed scholarship will help honor the memory of a TROY student who recently passed away.
The Matthew Spencer Awbrey Farmhouse Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established by Jodi and James Wells, will provide an annual $1,000 scholarship to a Farmhouse Fraternity member who maintains a 2.7 GPA and meets eligibility requirements of the fraternity.
“We hope this scholarship will assist other students to meet their financial needs while in college. It is often difficult for students and their families to juggle the expenses of both school and Greek life, and the hope is that with this scholarship, students who receive it can feel a bit of relief in that area,” said Jodi Wells. “We know that Matthew’s memory and legacy will live on through this for the students who are awarded the scholarship.”
Wells, a TROY alumna with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, said the Awbreys were just like family. Matthew and their oldest son, Andrew, hit it off at five or six years of age and the families remained close from then on.
“Over the years our families spent time together on and off the soccer field and my husband and I considered Matthew as one of our boys. I also serve as a part of the leadership team for our church youth group and Matthew and Andrew were involved in every activity offered there. I was privileged to work with Matthew for seven years while he was in the youth group. Those years consisted of many, many service projects, mission trips and leadership camps together,” she said.
When it came time to go to college, Wells said TROY was the choice for Matthew and Andrew, both pledging Farmhouse and being initiated together.
“Matthew’s uncle is a Farmhouse alumni and Matthew knew before arriving in Troy that he wanted to be a part of the brotherhood that meant so much to his uncle,” she said.
“Matthew’s time at TROY may have been short but during that time he built a circle of wonderful friends both in his fraternity and at the Wesley Foundation. He was so loved and there is no doubt he will always be remembered,” she added. “Our hope is that his name and legacy will carry on to future Trojans through this scholarship.”
Alabama Nursing Foundation, Beard family gift to help equip TROY’s School of Nursing with advanced simulation equipment
A gift from Dr. John G. Beard and the Alabama Nurses Foundation will help to provide equipment for a nursing simulation lab in Troy University’s new Jones Hall, which is nearing completion on the Troy Campus.
The building, named in honor of Crowne Health founder and CEO Billy Jones and his wife Frances, will be home to programs in the College of Health Sciences, including the School of Nursing.
In recognition of the gift, the lab will be named the John G. Beard Family/Alabama Nurses Foundation Nursing Simulation Lab.
“We are truly grateful for the financial gift to the School of Nursing from the Alabama Nurses Foundation and the John Beard Family,” said Dr. LaGary Carter, Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “The monies will certainly make a positive impact on teaching efficacy and student success. We are honored by their generosity and support.”
The Alabama Nurses Foundation was established in 1984 for the purpose of serving the nursing profession in the state through educational support, research grants and benevolent assistance to nurses in crisis. Through the years, the organization has provided scholarships related to nursing education and community grants for qualifying projects initiated by nurses. In 2015, the “Nurses Save Lives” specialty care tags was approved by the Alabama Legislature, and due to the tag’s popularity, the ANF has been able to increase its efforts to include assisting schools of nursing in the purchase of advanced simulation equipment to better prepare students for the clinical setting.
“We realize that nurse educators and schools of nursing are the core of keeping the workforce healthy and solid with the flow of competent nurses,” said Dr. John Ziegler, Executive Director of the Alabama Nurses Foundation. “As we know from national statistics, there is a constant need for nurses. With the advanced simulation equipment, students are not just being trained in a cohort of five or 10 students, but their individual competencies are being measured. It really helps the nurse educators and students develop high competencies before they are in situations where they are saving lives and responsible for patients. We are very proud to participate in that with TROY.”
Simulation-based education has become a vital way to prepare future nurses for what they will experience in the clinical setting, said John Beard, President of the ANF Board of Trustees.
“The Alabama Nurses Foundation collects money from our distinctive automobile tag and what we have predominantly used that for is for scholarships, but we have also allocated some of our tag money to help nursing schools with clinical educational tools such as simulation,” Beard said. “For a number of years, nursing schools have been building up their simulation capabilities using these high tech mannequins.”
Gifts such as the one ANF has made to TROY will enable students to build stronger clinical competency before they are dealing hands-on with patients.
“The feeling is that as students take part in these simulations, they will become more competent in dealing with their patients when they are at their clinical sites,” Beard said. “In building the new building at TROY, we saw that one of the things to be included was a simulation lab and that is why we decided to help in that effort. When you think about the staffing issues going on in both hospitals and nursing homes, it really creates a necessity for the nursing schools to give the students as much training as they can so that when they go into those clinical sites, they do so having learned and prepared as much as they possibly can.”
Heading into its sixth year, Troy University and the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women's gardening and art class partnership has received a $10,000 grant from the Strickland Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Tennessee.
Now named Gardening in the Alabama Prison System (GAPS), the partnership formed in 2019 after Dr. Sharon Everhardt, Associate Dean for Administration in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Stephen Carmody, Chair of the Anthropology, Sociology and Criminology Department, researched food allocation and prisons. The courses span over 15 weeks and teach inmates about the fundamentals of gardening, horticulture and nutrition while giving them hands-on experience with growing a garden.
After two successful years, organizers broached the idea of offering art classes alongside the gardening course. Lead by Art and Design lecturer Dr. Kelly Berwager, the first painting course was held in the fall of 2021 and was the inspiration for an art exhibit, named “Garden of Perseverance,” which was featured in the International Arts Center in 2022.
Another art exhibit, titled “Roots of Hope,” was recently featured at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts in Wetumpka, Ala.
“This Gardening and Art Program gives us hope,” Berwager said. “One of the women said, ‘All of this is more than putting something in the dirt. Gardening is an art. Gardening is a visual and hands-on activity, but is also emotional.’ The intrinsic nature of what we do is what they remember. It’s not a drawing class, it’s not a gardening class—it’s the sense of community and what they get out of it.”
After an initial donation from the USDA, the program now relies solely on fundraising and donations. Earlier this year, Everhardt was contacted by Lena Levendoski, executive director of The Strickland Foundation, with the offer of a grant.
The Strickland Foundation was founded in 2019 by a longtime University of Alabama business professor and his wife. Famous for his speech on how to make $5 million, he put his strategy into practice and is now able to support charitable initiatives across the world.
“One of the things he talks about in that speech is the purpose of building wealth and saving money is so that later in life you can give it away,” she said. “He was walking the talk, and he did it. I know he knew it would work, but I don't think he realized how well it would work.”
The Foundation supports a variety of programs ranging from anti-poaching and conservation efforts to hunger, children’s literacy and more. After the founders expressed an interest in serving women in prison, Levendoski began searching and discovered TROY’s partnership with Tutwiler.
“It's one of those ideas that are so simple, but so obvious. Gardening can be very healing to the body, to the spirit and to the mind,” she said. “I called Dr. Everhardt and we had a great conversation. She’s very passionate about what she's doing. Then my contact was shifted to Dr. Carmody and it was the same thing.
“It's very powerful to talk to people who feel so strongly about this, and it's easy to support.”
In addition to financial support, Levendoski has scheduled phone calls throughout the year for strategy sessions and guidance.
“My dad teaches strategy, and that’s the other part of this,” she said. “I explained to Dr. Carmody that this is not a call so he can tell me how he spent the money; it's a call to talk about how it's going, almost like a brainstorming call, because we’re invested in the program itself.”
The program offers beginner and advanced class options. There are currently five women in the advanced class and 14 starting the beginner’s course. Fifteen women have been with the program for more than two years, and five women have been a part of the program for all six years.
“This program is a big deal, and it matters. Dr. Everhardt and Dr. Carmody must really want this because it's not easy what they're doing,” she said. “They have so many roadblocks but they're willing to do it anyway. This program can change people and help them change how they view their life.”
While only the partnership with Tutwiler exists at the moment, the goal is to have gardens in women’s prisons across the state and nation.
To make a donation to the garden project or art classes, click here. Art class donations should be designated or will otherwise go to the garden program.
STUDENT-INSPIRED PIKE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TO PROVIDE TUITION FOR FOUR YEARS
In honor of her time at Troy University, senior Jane Vickers and her family have started the Pike Community Scholarship that will provide tuition for four years to a student from Pike County.
A broadcast journalism major from Tallahassee, Fla., Vickers spent her time at TROY giving back as much as she could because at one point, she didn’t think she’d get to have a college experience. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in high school, an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism.
Due to side effects caused by her illness, she was forced to leave school and instead obtained her GED—despite being a good student before becoming sick, many colleges couldn’t see past the lack of a diploma.
“I was always a good student, so that was really hard for me,” she said. “Then TROY opened up and said ‘No, college is still accessible to you.’ Chancellor Hawkins always talks about the glass ceiling, so it’s really special to me to be able to take away that glass ceiling for a student, and more students in the future.”
Vickers arrived at TROY for her freshman year in 2020 when COVID suspended extracurricular activities. Once restrictions were lifted, she dove head first into any and everything to make the most of her remaining years.
“Especially being sick, I’ve just had such a different mindset of, ‘Why not just do everything?’” she said.
She’s served as Chi-Omega New Member Educator Assistant, Panhellenic President and Vice President of External Recruitment, Order of Omega President, Student Government Association Senator at Large, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Public Relations Chairwoman and Director of Elections, College Republicans Secretary and a Bright Futures Civic Scholar. She was also a Trojan Ambassador and a Conversation Partner and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, Miracle League, Make a Wish Alabama, Campus Kitchens, Common Ground Troy, Miss Walk Hard and American Red Cross.
In October 2022, she founded Community Connections, a mentorship program with the Boys and Girls Club, and in 2023 she was crowned Homecoming Queen.
“I’ve really tried to get to know every single group on campus,” she said. “My family is really big into giving back to the community, and especially after getting Homecoming Queen, I really wanted to do something that would stay even after I graduated.
“I’ve loved getting involved with different volunteer groups in the community, but I’m leaving this spring. I wanted to do something that still connects me to TROY and still gives back because I’ve gotten so much from TROY.”
It was through her volunteer work with the Boys and Girls Club that Vickers and her family had the idea for a full-tuition scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship, undergraduate students need to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and qualify for FAFSA. Preference will be given to incoming freshmen from Pike County.
“I’ve done a lot of mentorship with kids around the Troy area, and I realized there is so much poverty in our area and a lot of kids grow up and don’t think they are able to go to college. That’s not even a dream in their head because they don’t think it’s possible,” she said. “Our hope is this upcoming fall semester will be the first time it’s given, and we hope to just get one student and it will be given to them through their senior year. As long as they make the grades and stay at TROY.”
As she approaches graduation, Vickers already has plans to re-enroll as a graduate student in the TROY Online strategic communication master’s program while applying for jobs in Washington D.C. After earning her master’s, she has her sights set on law school with the goal of eventually working with elections.
The deadline to apply for the Pike Community Scholarship is May 1, and it will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year.
To view additional donor scholarships TROY offers, click here.