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Saint Xavier University President Dr. Keith Elder and Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins will serve the keynote speakers for the 2025 John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference on the campus of Troy University later this month. 

The conference takes place on Troy’s campus Jan. 31 through Feb. 1 and is presented in conjunction with the City of Troy. The conference, which was launched through Troy University’s Leadership Institute in 2022, is the vision of Troy trustee and alumnus Lamar P. Higgins. The conference “seeks to bring individuals together to promote dialogue that fosters multicultural collaboration to strengthen relationships and empower diverse leaders with the tools to better sever their organizations and communities.”

The leadership conference was named in honor of Troy native, and longtime U.S. Congressman, John Robert Lewis in 2020. Elder, appointed Saint Xavier’s 22nd president last year, will speak during the conference’s opening session on Friday, Jan. 31. 

Elder is a native of Troy and a Charles Henderson High School graduate. Elder went on to graduate from UAB with a Masters of Public Health and Public Administration along with a Bachelor of Science. He earned his doctor of philosophy from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. 

Elder went on to spend more than 20 years of service in higher education. He has served as Executive Vice President of Mississippi College and was the founding dean and professor in the School of Public Health at Samford University. He’s also served as chair for the Dept. of Health Management and Policy in the College for Public Health and Social Justice at Saint Louis University and as faculty for the Dept. of Health Services Policy and Management at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health. 

Hawkins will serve as the keynote speaker on Feb. 1. Hawkins is the longtime Chancellor at Troy University, serving in that role since 1989 and is the longest-serving chief executive officer of a public university in the United States. The Mobile native is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and more than $375 million has been invested in capital improvements at Troy University under Hawkins’ administration. 

Additionally, plenary sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 1 with additional speakers that include Dr. Sabrina Pennington, Kevin Dorsey, members of the Lewis family, Dr. Henry Terry, Tonya Terry and Dr. Chanukah Anderson. 

Adult registration for the conference is $30 if completed online – or received – by Jan. 27 and student registration is $15 if completed – or received – by Jan. 27. A $10 late fee will be added to registrations after Jan. 27. Registrations can completed online at, www.troy.edu/leadershipconference.