EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Attached photos are jpeg and cutline follows end of release.

TROY – Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. was presented the Golden Eagle Award by the Boy Scouts of America’s Alabama-Florida Council Thursday night.

The award was a way to recognize outstanding leadership and dedication to the community and its youth, said Scout Executive Randy Mayfield.

Troy Bank and Trust President and CEO Gary Guthrie served as the chairman for the banquet, and praised Dr. Hawkins’ dedication to leadership and devotion to providing a vision for the region.

“Dr. Hawkins’ is a man of vision and has been dedicated not only in his community of Troy, but throughout the state. His vision has been to think globally while acting locally,” he said.

In addressing the more than 140 attendees, Dr. Hawkins said that tradition, responsibility, opportunity and the supporters of Scouting is what made America great, referring to Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations of America.

“I believe America is at a crossroads. America faces social change that threatens to rip the fabric of our society to shreds. Drug abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, single-parent families and other domestic problems challenge our country,” Dr. Hawkins said. “That’s the bad news—but you are the good news. The people in this room are working hard to prepare the next generation of leaders for our community, state and nation who will lead us through these challenges. Stay the course!  We can win this battle.”

The banquet was also opportunity for Pike County-area residents to learn more about the Scouting program in the 10-county area served by the Alabama-Florida Council. More than $32,000 was raised to help support the council’s more than 3,500 Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venturers.

The Council plans to host its next Golden Eagle Banquet in Enterprise on July 12.

CUTLINE:  Troy Bank and Trust President and CEO Gary L. Guthrie presents the Golden Eagle Award to Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. Thursday during a banquet given in Dr. Hawkins’ honor in Troy. Scouts Clifton Lusk, left, of Troy, and Matt Thomas, right, of Ozark, helped preside at the banquet. More than $32,000 was donated to the Boy Scouts of America’s Alabama Florida Council during the event. (TROY photo/Clif Lusk)

Dr. Hawkins printable.jpg: just a mug shot of Dr. Hawkins. Editors: This is a preferred mug shot for your files.