May 14, 2003

Reception to honor TSU's Dr. John M. Long

A reception honoring Dr. John M. Long, director of bands emeritus at Troy State University, will be held Monday, May 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor on the TSU campus. The reception is open to the public.

The reception, given by Troy State University and the TSU Foundation, will celebrate Dr. Long’s contributions to the university and the city of Troy, as well as his most recent achievement, the Governor’s Arts Award. The award was presented by the Alabama Council on the Arts to Dr. Long during the 2003 “Celebration of the Arts” awards ceremony on May 2. Dr. Long was one of three Alabamians to receive the award, which is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the arts in Alabama.

From 1965-1996, Dr. Long served Troy State University in a number of capacities, including: Band Director (1965-96); Chair of the Music Department (1972-96); Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (1974-91); Assistant to the President (1982-96); and Dean of the School of Fine Arts (1992-96).

Two buildings on the Troy State University campus have been named for the Guntersville native: John M. Long Hall, which houses the library, recording studio and rehearsal hall for all TSU bands, and the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor, which houses the National Band Association Conductor’s Hall of Fame, the TSU Museum and the Ralph Adams Library.

Prior to coming to Troy in 1965, Dr. Long served as band director at four Alabama high schools -- Jacksonville High School, Blount County High School, DeKalb County High School and Robert E. Lee High School.