TrojanVision, WSFA feel the loss of alumnus Desmond Wingard

Following his battle with cancer, Desmond Wingard, a cherished and admired Troy University alumnus and esteemed WSFA 12 news director passed away on Oct. 30 at the age of 46. 

Wingard was a man beloved by those who surrounded him, no matter where he went. His name, for so many, is synonymous with a level of care and kindness more genuine than was previously thought possible. 

Before he graduated from Troy in 2000, he got his start in television news at TrojanVision, known then as TSU-TV. TrojanVision Executive Producer Jeff Herring, who was a good friend of Wingard, said they shared a connection as students who were the heads of their own areas at TSU-TV – Wingard the head of news and Herring the head of production.  

“For so many people who knew Desmond personally, he was a friend first and a colleague second,” Herring said. “That’s one of the rare distinctions you’ll find in people – that they have a good heart, they have a good soul and even in the middle of chaos, they’re going to make sure that you’re OK. 

“He was also a phenomenal leader and an amazing person in the world of news. He was a force to be reckoned with. 

“There’s a saying that if you enjoy what you do and love what you do, you never work a day in your life. I think Desmond never worked a day in his life.  

He was always having fun and he was always an amazing person to be around.”  

Similar to Wingard and Herring, TrojanVision Director of Television Aaron Taylor also got his start with TSU-TV. Taylor, though, had the chance to not only have Wingard as a colleague and a peer, but also as a roommate. 

“I often say that Desmond was the one that kept me in line back in the day, because he was,” Taylor said. “Desmond was meant to do this – he was a consummate producer, even at the collegiate level.” 

When he could, Wingard would regularly pay visit to Troy University to connect with students and share his knowledge of the business of news. According to Taylor, he always remembered his roots at Troy and worked to create opportunities for other Troy alumni. 

“He would come here for Gray Day when all the Gray representatives would show up, and he would just sit hour upon hour talking to different students – print, broadcast, producers, reporters, I mean anybody – just talking to them and offering advice,” said TrojanVision TV Production Coordinator Paige Ray. “He didn’t care if you didn’t want to be a reporter, he just wanted to see how life was going and what he could do to possibly help out.” 

WSFA Executive Producer Rachel Scarbrough was one Troy alumni who Wingard helped open a door for. 

“Desmond’s impact on my life is hard to put into words,” Scarbrough said. “From breaking news to when I didn’t know if I had enough content to fill a show, he was always my person to go to get advice on what to do.  

“As I sit across from his desk, I am reminded of the saying our General Manager Mark Bunting came up with: ‘What would Desmond do.’  

“Desmond would want us to keep up the good work and have some fun.” 

For Ray, Wingard stands as an inspiration even after his passing. 

“I wish I would have had more time to interact with him and get to learn from him, but with the impact that he’s had on so many people – I mean what more could you want,” Ray said. “I think we should all strive to leave a legacy like Desmond has left.” 

Wingard was honored at TrojanVision’s 50th anniversary in early October with their Local Spotlight Award.  

“He was the only person that we considered for that because he has made such an impact,” Taylor said. “His spirit of TrojanVision and TSU-TV has stuck with him throughout the years and has made such an impact on both the news business and the lives of Troy University students and graduates that there was no one else that we could give that award to.” 

In the wake of his passing, the countless lives Wingard touched continue to go on with the inspiration to not only be good people, but to go beyond that, just as he did.  

“A lot of people’s lives were better because Desmond was in them,” Taylor said. “It’s tough, having a friend that’s gone, especially so soon, but to know he left a lasting impact that will be forever felt is good.”