Troy opens applications for The 87

The Troy University Office of Student Engagement is accepting applications for The 87 of Troy University for the 2025-2026 school year. Students who received invitations in their Troy email have until Thursday, Oct. 23, to apply. 

The 87 of Troy University, named after Troy’s founding year, recognizes 87 outstanding students who have made significant contributions to the university through involvement and leadership. This recognition was previously known as Who’s Who Among Students. 

Olivia Barron, The 87 advisor and coordinator of first year student engagement and leadership, shared her thoughts on the recognition. 

“It’s exciting and it’s really rewarding to see those students who really stand out,” Barron said. 

The 87 will be selected through their application and faculty review. Eligible students include juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA and graduate students with a 3.5 GPA who have made outstanding contributions to Troy. 

The advisors offered some insight into the application process. 

“If you received the invitation, fill out the application and faculty will review it,” said Emily Dapprich, The 87 advisor and director of IMPACT. “They will go based off of your involvement and academic achievements.” 

Barron warned applicants to be cautious and only include organizations you have been actively involved with. 

The advisors also offered advice for those looking to apply now and in the future. 

“Make your involvement meaningful,” Barron said. “We would rather you be involved in three organizations that you really care about instead of just being involved in every organization.” 

Dapprich agrees and encourages students to get involved naturally and not just for applications and resumes. 

“I think there’s so much more you can get from it personally and professionally if you get involved naturally just because you want to,” Dapprich said. “It’s good to have goals but make it more meaningful rather than just putting all this stuff on your resume.” 

Barron, who received the recognition as a student herself, shared her experience. 

“I was super excited and to see what I had done over the course of my college career and finding out I got it was super rewarding,” Barron said. “That wasn’t the reason I had been involved but it was just an awesome benefit.” 

Bryson Grimsley, a senior music education major from Abbeville, Alabama, who was selected last year, shared his experience. 

“It made me feel honored, but most of all I felt seen,” Grimsley said. “It felt as if all of the hard work I have done throughout my years here have paid off.” 

Some of Grimsley's involvement includes the Sound of the South, Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity, Student Government Association and IMPACT. 

Grimsley offered advice to students looking to apply. 

“No matter how niche you think the activities you do on campus are, please be sure to list them,” Grimsley said. “The selections committee wants to know who you are and what you do.” 

Students who are selected for The 87 will receive a confirmation email within a couple of weeks of the application deadline. A reception will be held at the Chancellor’s house where selected students will receive a certificate of recognition. 

Anyone with questions regarding The 87 can contact Dapprich at edapprich@troy.edu and Barron at obarron@troy.edu.