Troy University News

March 4, 2004

Contact:
Tom Davis :
(334) 670-3196; tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

Earl Johnson to receive special award from Troy State University

   Earl Johnson of Andalusia , who played a leading role in the renovation of the Bibb Graves Quadrangle on the Troy campus, will be honored Saturday, March 13, with Troy State University 's fifth Distinguished Leadership Award.
    Johnson, a 1970 graduate of TSU, will receive the award from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, at an awards banquet to be held in the Trojan Center ballrooms beginning at 6 p.m. He is an attorney and also serves as Mayor of Andalusia.
    The banquet is held in conjunction with the third annual Alumni, Parents and Friends/ St. Patrick's Day celebration at TSU. Tickets for the banquet are $20 each. The evening's events will include a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. , dinner, an awards presentation ceremony and a post-dinner dance. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 334-670-3318.
    The Distinguished Leadership Award was created to recognize the achievements of TSU alumni and friends who have distinguished themselves through exemplary work, philanthropy, leadership and service to their profession, community and alma mater.
    “Earl Johnson's leadership helped make the quad project a success,” Faith Ward, Director of Alumni Affairs, said. “Thanks to Mr. Johnson and many others, we now have a beautiful centerpiece for our campus.
    Johnson's vision included a bronze Trojan Warrior statue in the midst of a fountain as the focal point of the revitalization. The project was adopted by the National Alumni Association, which Johnson serves as both a member and as general counsel.
   Johnson is a past winner of theDistinguished Alumnus Award at TSU, and is a charter member of the Covington County Alumni Chapter, as well as a member of the Troy State University Foundation Board.
   Past winners of the Distinguished Leadership Award are McDowell Lee, Secretary of the Alabama Senate; Bob Howell, former television reporter and anchor; the late Earl Watson; former TSU athletic director; and Harell McKinney, founder of Alabama Reference Laboratories and sponsor of the McKinney Medical Technology Scholarship at TSU.