Troy University holds ribbon-cutting for Jones Hall
Published 11:38 am Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Troy University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Jones Hall on May 6. (Josh Boutwell)
Jones Hall features a 30-hospital bed laboratory that mimics a clinical setting. (Josh Boutwell)
Murals commissioned by Phenix City artist Mike Howard line Jones Hall displaying all of the job opportunities that can come for students that attend training at Jones Hall. (Josh Boutwell)
Jones Hall is a $37 million facility on the campus of Troy University that houses Troy’s School of Nursing, School of Social Work and Human Services and Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. (Josh Boutwell)
Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins honors Troy alumnus Billy Jones. (Josh Boutwell)
Troy University Board of Trustees Vice President Pro Temporare Brig. Gen. (USASF Ret.) Ed Crowell. (Josh Boutwell)
Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sue Bell Cobb speaks at the Jones Hall ribbon-cutting. (Josh Boutwell)
Troy University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Jones Hall, the school’s health sciences building named in honor of alumnus Billy Jones.
Jones Hall is a $37 million facility on the campus of Troy University that houses Troy’s School of Nursing, School of Social Work and Human Services and Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. (Josh Boutwell)
Jones was also honored at the ribbon-cutting for his contributions to the construction of the building, which houses Troy’s School of Nursing, School of Social Work and Human Services and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
“This is a great day for Troy University and healthcare organizations in the state and the (country),” Troy University Board of Trustees Vice President Pro Tempore Brig. Gen. (USASF Ret.) Ed Crowell said. “As the chairman of the board of trustees at Jackson Hospital I know firsthand the importance of healthcare and the importance of quality nurses. What’s better to have them in the best environment that could be offered and being exposed to some of the most modern technologically advanced equipment you will find anywhere?”
Jones Hall features a 130-person lecture hall, labs, classrooms and a 30-hospital bed laboratory that mimics a clinical setting.
“We have over 1,600 students enrolled here at Troy University in nursing alone, at all levels through our doctorate in nursing practice,” Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins said. “That will make a huge impact. Today, Alabama has 80,000 nurses, and in the next five years, 39,000 will be eligible to retire. There are 4.7 million nurses in America but over the next five years 25 percent of those will be eligible to retire.
Murals commissioned by Phenix City artist Mike Howard line Jones Hall displaying all of the job opportunities that can come for students that attend training at Jones Hall. (Josh Boutwell)
“Schools and colleges like this, that train far more than just nurses, are important because we better get to work with a future like that. We have to make sure we do everything we can because the quality of our healthcare depends on it.”
Jones Hall is named in honor of Troy University alumnus Billy Jones, who has known Hawkins since 1960 when they were fraternity brothers. Jones is a Monroeville native and is the president of Crowne Management LLC, which manages 17 Alabama hospitals, physical therapy centers, hospices and healthcare facilities. Jones, and his wife Frances, donated $2 million towards the construction of the $37 million facility.
“I’m so proud of Billy and Frances and what they have contributed to the community of Monroeville and today, we see in part what that family has meant to Troy University and we’re excited about it,” Hawkins said. “Great universities stir great emotions and our emotions are no doubt stirred today in a way they are seldom stirred.”
Jones and his wife also founded King’s Kids, a non-profit organization designed to help at-risk children in Monroe County. Frances Jones is a longtime educator in the state.
“She is without a doubt one of the finest, relentless, outspoken child advocates in the state,” former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sue Bell Cobb said of Frances Jones. “When she and Billy started King’s Kids in 2008 it served 100 kids that year. Now, this past year, it served 700 kids. You’re talking about 1,000s of children in Monroe County that have been impacted. Why? Frances had a vision – and Billy joined as a huge part of the team – because they wanted to improve the lives of needy children.”
Billy Jones closed out the ceremony with a thanks to Troy University and those that spoke on his behalf.
“It is my pleasure to be a small portion of this building,” he said. “My contribution didn’t make a hill of beans but it is a beautiful building and I am honored for it to be named Jones Hall. That’s probably one of the biggest honors I’ve ever received and I appreciate it.”
