2025 Alumni 0f the Year announced

As part of Homecoming each year, Troy University chooses notable alumni for their Alumni of the Year awards which celebrates its recipients. 

The awards will be presented during the Homecoming football game at halftime with an on-field presentation.  

This year’s Alumni of the Year awards will be presented to Boyd Busby, Forrest Latta, Steve Timberlake and Randal Ward. 

“It is truly an honor to recognize these members of the Troy family as a part of our Homecoming celebration,” said Faith Byrd, director of alumni affairs. “These four Troy alumni, in true Trojan spirit, are making a difference through service to their communities, their careers and Troy University.  

“They continue to represent Troy well, and we are proud to recognize them as Alumni of the Year.” 

This year’s first recipient is Boyd Busby. He is a graduate of the Class of 1999 with a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting.  

Busby serves on Troy University William H. Carr School of Accountancy Advisory Council and is a Board member for the Better Business Bureau Serving Central & South Alabama. Today, he serves as the executive director for the Alabama State board of Public Accountancy.  

The second recipient is Forrest Latta. He is a graduate of the Class of 1980 summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in English. He chairs the Appellate Practice Section at Burr & Forman LLP’s Mobile office, where he is a partner.  

Latta  also serves on the Troy Board of Trustees, the Alabama Rules of Evidence Committee and the Alabama Board of Bar Examiners. Additionally, he is one of the past presidents of the Mobile Bar Association.  

The third recipient is Steve Timberlake, a graduate of the Class of 1982. He graduated with a bachelor of science in business and finance.  

Timberake currently serves as a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley. He has also served as the Pensacola Bay Area Chapter of Troy Alumni and Friends President since September of 2012.  

The fourth and final recipient is Randal Ward. He is a graduate of the class of 1977, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice. While at Troy, he lettered in football and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. 

  Ward serves in several leadership positions on the Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast, Inc. He is the president and chief executive officer for the Chantilly Risk Management Board of Directors in addition to the fund administrator for the Automotive Aftermarket Fund Board of Trustees.  

Troy’s Homecoming welcomes back all Trojan alumni and following the homecoming parade, various alumni groups will tailgate across campus. The TROY Alumni Association will hold its alumni tailgate at the alumni house, beginning at 3 p.m.