Jack Hawkins Jr.

Jack Hawkins Jr. was named chancellor of Troy University (AL) on Sept. 1, 1989. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Montevallo (AL) and his doctorate from the University of Alabama. Hawkins is the longest-serving chief executive officer of a public university in the United States.

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. For his combat duty, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and a citation from the Korean Marine Corps.

Hawkins led the merger of the worldwide Troy State University System into the unified Troy University, an initiative called “One Great University.” Hawkins also served as the catalyst for the university’s evolution to an international institution, as Troy University has attracted record numbers of students from other nations and established teaching sites around the world. During his tenure, academic standards for admission have increased, new degree programs were established in all academic colleges, and intercollegiate athletics joined the highest level of NCAA competition.