Carr School alumnus Jon Heath creates the "Pay It Forward" scholarship for accounting students – Troy University
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News | September 19, 2025
Carr School alumnus Jon Heath created the “Pay It Forward” scholarship for accounting students.
Jon Heath’s goal in establishing an endowed scholarship in the William H. Carr School of Accountancy in TROY’s Sorrell College of Business is simple: “pay it forward.”
“I was blessed to attend then-Troy State University via academic and athletic scholarships that together funded both my undergraduate degree and MBA,” he said. “Someone paved the way for me via similar grants. I simply want to pay it forward – hopefully helping many future students reach their dreams and goals.”
Heath, who played football for the Trojans from 1989-1993, is President of Operations and a partner in Carr, Riggs & Ingram and CRI Advisors. He was a member of the regular season undefeated 1993 National semi-finals team, playing his last three years for Coach Larry Blakeney.
“I encourage and challenge others to join me in paying it forward,” he said.
Prior to CRI, Heath spent 11 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he specialized in utilities and telecommunications, serving large multi-nationals and start-ups. As CRI’s President of Operations, he is responsible for the firm’s quality control, marketing and information technology initiatives.
Heath said it was the personal touch that gave him great affinity for TROY.
“I made wonderful friends via athletics and earning earning my accounting degree,” he said. “I’m also a Sigma Chi, which has afforded me many lifelong friendships.”
“One of my favorite parts of being at TROY was that, even as a young student, I got to know Dr. & Mrs. Hawkins. I would often see Mrs. Hawkins walking along campus. I received several handwritten notes from Dr. Hawkins both prior to and after graduating. Those personal touches are treasured,” Heath said.
It wasn’t just the personal touches from the First Couple, but from several other mentors on campus, both in athletics and academics.
“I mention athletics because that’s where it all started. Had I not visited on an athletic visit, then I wouldn’t have obtained the academic scholarship either,” he said, noting the impact Coach Blakeney, (head trainer) Chuck Ash, Johnny Williams and (former athletics director) Robert Earl Stewart had on his life.
“Academically, Dr. Thomas Ratcliffe, Mr. Eugene Sherman and Ms. Sue Beasley made big investments in me,” he said. “I am so grateful for them and their love and counsel.”
The “Jon Heath Pay It Forward Endowed Scholarship” is one way Heath can ensure other students have the opportunity to achieve success in Accounting, and in life.
Recipients must be undergraduate students with a declared major in Accounting or enrolled in the Master of Accountancy Program, with first preference given to masters students or students enrolled in Intermediate Accounting I who have and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
“I would tell (today’s) students to first, include God in your planning. Proverbs 16:3 informs us to ‘commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.’ Then, believe in yourself and commit wholeheartedly to that plan, realizing you will make mistakes, enjoy successes, and have to adapt to change,” he said.
“So, surround yourself with wise, God-fearing counsel. Ask a lot of questions, then choose to be humble and listen,” said Heath. “Proverbs 19:20 says, ‘Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.’ After all, isn’t gaining wisdom one of the reasons that you came to TROY?”
Clif Lusk is a University Relations Coordinator at Troy University.
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