John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference

07/25/2025

Five years ago on July 25, 2020, the man the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the boy from Troy” made one last visit home during a memorial service at Trojan Arena on the Troy University campus. Hundreds of friends, family and members of the public gathered to pay their final respects to Congressman John R. Lewis, who passed away on July 17, 2020 at the age of 80. During the service, the flag of the country he loved adorned his casket, a reminder of Lewis’ more than 30 years serving in the U.S. Congress representing Georgia’s 5th district.

07/17/2025

Today, we remember and pay special tribute to Congressman John Robert Lewis who passed away five years ago today on July 17, 2020 at the age of 80 years old. We remember and celebrate his legacy of service, leadership and “good trouble.”

03/27/2025

The late Congressman John Lewis for whom our Leadership Conference is named had roots in Pike County, Alabama, as many of you know. Check out TROY Public Radio's Carolyn Hutcheson's interview with Lewis' photographer friend Danny Lyon as he shares his memories of the civil rights icon.

The late Congressman John Lewis had roots in Pike County, Alabama, and his photographer friend Danny Lyon visits In Focus to share his memories of the civil rights icon.

03/04/2025

Check out this interview with Jerrick Lewis, nephew of the late Congressman John R. Lewis, who speaks with Troy Public Radio's Carolyn Hutcheson about how the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute is continuing the late Congressman's work.

The late Congressman John Lewis had roots in Pike County, Alabama, and his nephew, Jerrick Lewis, visits In Focus today to discuss how the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute is continuing his work.

02/01/2025

The final day of the John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference featured morning breakout sessions, a panel moderated by Tonya Terry featuring members of the Lewis family, the presentation of the Lamar P. Higgins Leadership Awards and the Bishop S.D. James Luncheon with the closing keynote address by Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University.

02/01/2025

Day 1 of the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference is in the books. The Troy University Concert Chorale provided musical entertainment and the conference welcomed home to Troy Dr. Keith Elder, the President of Saint Xavier University, who delivered the keynote address to a packed house at the Trojan Center Theatre on the Troy Campus. Thank you, Dr. Elder for coming home to share your inspiring message.

01/28/2025

Meet our speakers: Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.
Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. will deliver the keynote address during Saturday's closing session. A native of Mobile, Dr. Hawkins was named Chancellor of Troy University on Sept. 1, 1989, and is the longest-serving chief executive officer of a public university in the United States.

Hawkins has overseen an era of change and growth at TROY, as he led the merger of the worldwide Troy State University System into the unified Troy University, an initiative called “One Great University.” More than $375 million has been invested in capital improvements by the Hawkins Administration, including new academic buildings on all four of TROY’s Alabama campuses. Chancellor Hawkins served as the catalyst for the University’s evolution to an international institution, as TROY has attracted record numbers of students from other nations and established teaching sites around the world. During his tenure, academic standards for admission have been increased, new degree programs were established in all academic colleges, and intercollegiate athletics joined the highest level of NCAA competition.

01/28/2025

Meet our speakers: Dr. Keith Elder

Friday night will represent a homecoming for Dr. Keith Elder, who will deliver the opening keynote address for the John R. Lewis Leadership Conference. A graduate of Charles Henderson High School, Dr. Elder was named as the 22nd President of Saint Xavier University last year. Dr. Elder has more than 20 years of service in higher education. Before his most recent appointment, he served as executive vice president at Mississippi College and previously served as provost at Mississippi College and founding dean and professor in the School of Public Health at Samford University. He earned a bachelor's degree, a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

01/27/2025

Luke Jones, Chairman of the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference at Troy University, visits Troy Public Radio's In Focus with Carolyn Hutcheson with a preview of the event, which will feature family members of the late Congressman John Lewis.

Today, Luke Jones, Chairman of the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference at Troy University, visits In Focus with a preview of the event, which will feature family members of the late Congressman John Lewis.

01/27/2025

Dr. Keith Elder, President of Saint Xavier University, and Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. will serve as the keynote speakers for the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference on the campus of Troy University, Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Dr. Keith Elder, President of Saint Xavier University, and Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. will serve as the keynote speakers for the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference on the campus of Troy University, Jan. 31-Feb. 1.  Presented by the University and the City of Troy, th...

01/24/2025

Join us Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 for the John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference on the campus of Troy University. The annual event is presented by Troy University and the City of Troy. Dr. Keith Elder, President of Saint Xavier University, will serve as our opening speaker on Friday evening, while Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, will serve as the speaker for the closing luncheon on Saturday. Registration for the conference is available online at www.troy.edu/leadershipconference. Adult registration is $30 if completed online or received by January 27. Student registration is $15 if completed or received by January 27. For more information about the conference, contact Luke Jones at 334-268-4796 or Shelia Jackson at 334-670-2283.