Troy University:

Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. has been elected chairman of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Board of Trustees.

The election came during the 114th annual meeting of the accrediting agency held Dec. 8 in Atlanta and was effective Jan. 1. Through the Commission on Colleges and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (K-12), the Board is responsible for the accreditation of institutions, facilitating quality improvement and cooperation among institutions, and preserving the integrity and autonomy of member institutions.

"American higher education is the envy of the world in large part due to our accreditation system," said Dr. Hawkins. "I am pleased to have an opportunity to serve SACS in this capacity."

Dr. Hawkins has served previously on the Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees' Executive Council. In addition, he serves as chair of the Air University Board of Visitors, and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank Board of Directors—Birmingham Branch.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Dr. Hawkins was named Chancellor of Troy University Sept. 1, 1989. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Montevallo and his doctorate from the University of Alabama.

Upon completion of his bachelor's degree in 1967, Hawkins was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a platoon leader during the Vietnam War. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Hawkins' platoon served with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. For his combat duty, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and a citation from the Korean Marine Corps.

Prior to taking the reins at TROY, Dr. Hawkins' served as an assistant dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (1971-1979) and as president of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Talladega (1979-1989).