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December
13, 2002
Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| TROY
STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1-334-670-3196 |
| Drinkard
challenges Troy State graduates to become leaders Cullman businessman Roy Drinkard encouraged 382 Troy State University graduates to strive to be leaders and set their sites on making a difference in the world. Drinkard, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, was the featured speaker at Friday’s fall commencement ceremony held at Sartain Hall on the Troy State campus. "There is only one requirement to become a leader and that is, first you must follow. Make good things happen," said Drinkard. "Lead realistically. Life is 90 percent how you take it and only 10 percent what you make it." Appointed a trustee in April 2000, Drinkard is president of Drinkard Development Inc., which owns, develops and manages commercial real estate. Drinkard challenged the graduates to tell the truth, to set goals and to go forward striving to reach those goals. At a luncheon following the ceremony, Drinkard was presented a framed proclamation, as Gov. Don Siegelman declared Friday "Roy Drinkard Day" in Alabama, and Mayor Jimmy Lunsford presented Drinkard with a key to the City of Troy. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said in welcoming remarks that he was confident Troy State University had prepared the graduates to meet the challenges of a changing world. He said that TSU is changing rapidly, as well, as the campus has made the transition from a regional university to a global one. The fall 2002 graduates came from 23 U.S. states and 13 foreign countries, including 11 students from Taiwan who received their Executive Master of Business Administration degrees. The students, mostly upper-level and mid-level management personnel from Taiwanese firms, have been earning their graduate degrees at TSU’s site in Taiwan and arrived in Troy earlier this week to complete final requirements. In addition, a student from University College’s Hong Kong campus traveled to Troy to receive his degree. University College administers more than 50 sites in 15 U.S. states and eight foreign nations and oversees the Distance Learning Center in Troy, which provides degree programs over the Internet. In all, 31 associate degrees, 225 bachelor’s degrees, and 126 master’s degrees were awarded during the Friday morning ceremony. |