By Jenna Oden

They can tear down the walls of Sartain Hall, but the memories will be preserved forever. Richard Hice said he holds one memory of the building especially dear.

During the 1991 graduation, Hice was preparing to propose outside of Sartain.

“I had planned this proposal for over six months and I almost did not get away with it,” Hice said. “I had a Prince Charming costume and a white horse ready to go down by Adams Center.”

After almost being blocked by the dean and University police, Hice rode in on a white horse outside of the graduation to propose.

“This building is a historical monument because of it,” Hice said as he laughed. “I was not nervous until my horse decided to make a loud noise and buck a little. This made everyone in the crowd turn around and look at me. At that point my heart was beating so fast.”

Needless to say, she said yes.

Tuesday night, alumni, faculty and staff, retired staff and the Troy community gathered around and inside Sartain Hall at Troy University to say goodbye one last time before it is demolished.

Some told stories, some looked through the old rooms and some just reminisced with old Troy friends.

“I have so many fond memories of this place that there are too many to count,” Dr. James Kimbrough said. “I remember the times with my faculty, the basketball games and graduations. Don’t forget the entertainers we had here, too.”

Once the building comes down, a new parking lot will take its place.

“It is just a wonderful feeling to know we are growing,” Kimbrough said. “This university is moving in the right direction and we have so many great changes happening.”

Countless graduations were held in the building before it was moved to the Trojan Arena.

“This is the building I started marshaling graduations in,” Michael Orlofsky said. “Of course, like so many people I have many fond memories. I have seated so many students, watched countless basketball games and even watched my daughters play here.”

Orlofsky said that he will be sad to see the building go.

“It is just a shame,” Orlofsky said. “They might tear down the building, but they better not touch any of those old oak trees.”

Alumna Keri Flowers also shares fond memories of the gymnasium.

“Sartain is where I decided to go to Troy,” Keri Flowers said. “I came to a basketball game with my family when we were kids and when I saw the pep band playing, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”