Spotlight On: Troy Sumpter

Graduation is an exciting and rewarding time for any college student. Here at Centenary, The Cyclone Chronicle likes to honor outstanding seniors with a spotlight article. 

Troy Sumpter holds many titles at Centenary. He is a senior creative writing major, employee of Student Activities, the vice president of Omega Rho, president of the volleyball club, and founding member and news editor of The Cyclone Chronicle. Troy has been the recipient of many university awards, including Douglas Wolfe Turrell Community Service Award, the Outstanding Community Engagement Group Award (2023), and the Best organization award (2023 and 2024). 

During this spring’s Annual Awards ceremonies, Troy received The Centenary Cyclone Spirit Award from Academic Affairs and Campus Life. A week later, The School of Business, Media, and Writing honored him with the Outstanding Achievement for The Cyclone Chronicle, presented by Professor Zatta, which he never expected to receive. Of all of the awards Troy received at Centenary, this was his proudest achievement. In response to the words she spoke, Troy said, “Everything that she said from my freshman year to now really showed how much she saw growth in me. I’m really going to miss her.”

Before attending Centenary, Troy had never even heard of the school. But a family friend told him about it, and after a tour, he had a gut feeling. Something told him this was the place for him. 

A big part of Troy’s college experience has been as a Brother of Omega Rho fraternity. He joined the Omega Rho fraternity during his freshman year and was drawn to it by their quote, “Brotherhood has no color.” 

Growing up, Troy remembers watching movies and TV shows depicting fraternities. There was an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where Carlton was rejected by a fraternity by his own race because of where he came from. 

“I thought to myself, Why would I want to join a fraternity where, even though I’m a part of the same race, I come from a different background? Because I do not. I don’t like people judging people, who even though they’re the same race, will judge people by their background. When I saw Omega Rho’s sign, Brotherhood has no color, it gave me a new respect for [fraternities]. Hearing that quote was the main reason I joined Omega Rho,” said Troy. 

Troy first began writing in sixth grade as he always had ideas forming in his head and wanted to write down the stories he dreamed about. He always thought about the main character and the five W’s – the who, what, when, where, and why – which was perfect for the future student journalist. Inspired by his dog, Murphy, Troy wanted to write Murphy as a human. When he started Professor Zatta’s classes at Centenary, Troy’s writing only focused on Murphy and his love of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). But, over time, Zatta encouraged him to think deeper.

Zatta also became his closest confidant and favorite professor. She is known by students as “Professor Mom.” Early on in his academic career, Troy assumed he’d see his professors for one course and forget about them by the next semester. But Zatta was different, there for him with support and guidance, and he ended up taking seven of her classes, a record of any of her students. 

When Troy joined The Cyclone Chronicle, it was called Experiential Writing. Nobody knew what that was. Troy actually thought it was an internship, and he was not all that thrilled to be delving into journalistic writing. But at the same time, he was working for Student Activities and figured he could write about the events he attended. 

Throughout his years of college, Troy’s experience with his classes and The Cyclone Chronicle taught him about meeting deadlines, time management, and editing. He went from writing one dimensional work early on to interviewing President Caldwell and exceeding expectations with article submissions in his final semester. 

As far as a favorite class as Centenary, that would be Superheroes and Society with Dr. McCrystal, because the class not only taught superheroes but morals and their impact on pop culture, according to Troy. 

He will also always remember the Cyclone Showdown, a wrestling event from the spring semester of his freshman year, where he got to talk to wrestlers, including a professional named Encore Showtime, otherwise known as Andre Moore, and take pictures with them. For Troy, professional wrestling is his dream career, and being a part of this event was a dream come true. 

Volunteering on campus taught Troy something he’ll always remember. “There is a whole wide world that needs your help, and I’m glad to do it, because it was something I never did back home,” said Troy. “In Omega Rho, it was required. But the more I did it, the more I started to realize I wanted to do it. I’m glad I was able to help out.”

Leaving Centenary, Troy will miss the people that made his four years special; EOP’s Devon Vialva and Eunice Boyd, his advisors, professors, and all of his friends. 

“Troy has been with me from the beginning; literally. He has bookended his college career with my classes starting freshman year with Comp & Rhet and completing senior year with Newspaper Production Studio,” said Zatta. “In between, he took five other journalism classes with me so at a total of seven classes; this must be some kind of record. We joke that his degree is a bachelors in creative writing with a concentration in Professor Mom's classes.”

“On the rare semester he did not have one of my classes, he always knew where to find me — in the library — and would stop by with a smile,  some conversation, and oftentimes a hug. Seems like one or the other of us needed that hug.”

“All kidding aside, Troy is one of those rare students who squeezed everything he could out of Centenary. He took advantage of every opportunity and ran with it, growing in confidence and skill along the way. His commitment to service through Omega Rho is unparalleled as is his involvement in Student Activities. This extracurricular participation served him well as a founding member of The Cyclone Chronicle where he became our man-on-campus covering student events as News Editor for four semesters.”

“Troy, you are the MIP – most improved player — in the Journalism program here at Centenary. I know you want to write stories, but I know I'll be seeing your name on some news features in the future!”

“I have known Troy since he first came to an accepted students online workshop.  It has been a pleasure to watch him grow and develop over the past four years,” said Dr. Lisa Mastrangelo, associate professor of English, director of composition, and Troy’s academic advisor. “He has become a much stronger writer, and I love that he has found a passion in working on the student newspaper.  One thing that has never changed, however, is his kindness and generosity.  I'll miss his hugs and his smile!”

“Troy Sumpter holds a very special place in our EOP family,” said Eunice Boyd, associate director of the Educational Opportunity Program. “Over the past four years, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth in him. From day one, he was polite, respectful, and brave enough to ask questions—even when he was nervous.”

“Over time, he became a true team player, always willing to lend a helping hand, get involved, and take part in the many opportunities at Centenary,” said Boyd. “Today, Troy walks with confidence, wears a big smile, and continues to offer his support wherever it's needed. It has been an honor to work with Troy and watch his journey over these past four years. I wish him all the success in the world.”

After graduation, Troy plans to work at an online news publication and save money to go to wrestling school and pursue his dreams. 

From everyone here at The Cyclone Chronicle, we wish you the best of luck, Troy. You will be remembered by your humor, your devotion to the paper, and the joy you brought to every club meeting. You are always welcome back.