6 to be inducted into prestigious 'Alabama Academy of Honor'

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - The Academy of honor, created by the State Legislature in 1965, is entering into its 50th year of membership by inducting six new members into its prestigious ranks on Monday.

The academy, which bestows honor and recognition to 100 citizens across the state living in Alabama for their outstanding accomplishments and services, will host the ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol building at 11 a.m.. This ceremony is free and open to the public

According to Catherine J. Randall, chairman of the academy, this year's group of leaders are in both the private and public sectors. The honorees are: Former Birmingham Mayor Dr. Richard E. Arrington, Jr.; Business executive Raymond J. Harbert; Heisman Trophy winner Vincent E. "Bo" Jackson; Retired president of Birmingham-Southern College, General Charles C. Krulak; President and co-founder of A+ Education Partnership, Caroline B. Novak; and Alabama front man and lead vocalist, Randy Y. Owen.

Dr. Arrington will make remarks on behalf of the incoming class, and Dr. Edwin C. Bridges, Director Emeritus of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, will address the audience with an overview of the Academy of Honor's 50 years of history. Governor Robert Bentley and Catherine Randall will also make welcoming remarks in the ceremonies.

Below is a brief description of each inductee, provided by the academy:

Richard E. Arrington, Jr.: Born in Livingston, Alabama, Dr. Richard Arrington was elected the first African American mayor of Birmingham in 1979. He would be re-elected to 4 additional terms, serving a total of 20 years as Chief Executive of Alabama’s largest city. During his administration, Birmingham expanded its city limits by 60 square miles, reduced crime to a 25-year low, and employed the most racially and gender-diverse labor force in Alabama.

Raymond J. Harbert: Harbert has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harbert Management Corporation since it was organized in 1993. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Auburn University, the Robert Meyer Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, and the Birmingham Business Alliance. He also serves as a member of the President’s Advisory Board of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Vincent E. “Bo” Jackson: A native of Bessemer, Alabama, Jackson lettered in football, baseball, and track at Auburn University. In 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy. After his collegiate sports career, Jackson became the first professional athlete to be selected as an All Star in two sports when he played for the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Raiders. Since retiring from professional sports in 1995, Jackson has been active with many charities and established the Bo Jackson’s Give Me A Chance Foundation in 2008. After devastating tornadoes hit Alabama in 2011, he formed Bo Bikes Bama which is an annual bike ride to raise money to build community storm shelters.

Charles C. Krulak: General Krulak served 35 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. His last position was Commandant of the Marine Corps and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his service, he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, three Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V”, two Purple Heart medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the French Legion d’Honneur Commandeur rank, and many other decorations and medals. In March 2011, he was introduced as the 13th President of Birmingham-Southern College. He retired in June 2015.

Caroline B. Novak: Novak is president and cofounder of A+ Education partnership, a non-profit dedicated to offering an excellent education to all Alabama children. Since 1991, this organization has been a driver for real improvement for public education in the state. More recently, Novak helped launch two statewide coalitions, the Alabama School Readiness Alliance and Alabama GRIT – Graduate Ready. Impact Tomorrow. These coalitions promote policies and investments for improving student success.

Randy Y. Owen: Owen has been the front man and lead vocalist of Alabama, one of the most prolific groups in the history of music, for over 40 years. The band has received over 150 industry awards including two Grammys as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Owen is passionate about helping others and has established several organizations and events that raise funds to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Boys and Girls Ranches of Alabama.