Troy A. Howerton

PROFILE: Troy Howerton is a grounded, hard-working young man from middle America. He possesses a native wit, common sense, honesty, and a solid moral compass. Troy’s goal is to become a mechanical engineer. If there is work to be done, whether school-related, harvesting crops on his grandfather’s farm, or helping his mom with the household chores, Troy believes in finishing each task he starts. Troy also knows about adversity, having been bounced from foster home to foster home, but on a cold February day in 1998, his life changed. Second-grader Troy was scheduled to be moved to another foster home when his teacher, Angie Howerton, stepped in and brought him home to stay with her family. She later adopted Troy, and he’s flourished ever since.

INSPIRATION: Troy’s adopted mom is a big influence. “She gave me a home - a life,” he said. “She taught me everything I know and pushed me to be the best I can be. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for my mom, my teacher.” 

ASPIRATION: Troy seeks to be the best mechanical engineer he can become, whether working with materials science, kinematics, fluid mechanics, or in other engineering specialties. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Troy is most proud of earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during his two years attending community college. But he is also proud of his work as a volunteer tutor to fellow Northeastern Oklahoma A&M students. 

ACCOLADES: Troy was named to both the All-Oklahoma Academic Team and as a national finalist to the Coca Cola All-State Academic Team. Also, he was named the Top Graduate of his community college.

INTERESTING FACT: Troy can easily recite 300 digits of pi.