An inspiring and caring member of the Geneseo alumni community, Troy Keith, passed away on Aug. 10.
Troy graduated in 2018 with a degree in anthropology. They were incredibly involved in campus life serving as a resident assistant, assisting in Safe Zone training and participating in organizations such as Students Against Social Injustice and Alpha Delta Epsilon. They also served as the vice president of Pride Alliance.
Eunisha Tucker, the coordinator of LBGTQ+ Programs and Services, met Troy during their sophomore year. They emphasized their incredible impact on the people around them and Geneseo as a whole.
“I would describe Troy as a lot … in the best way,” Tucker said. “They did a lot on campus, and even back home, Troy was very active in their community. [They were] an advocate. Troy did a lot for Geneseo, they enjoyed helping people.”
According to Tucker, the college created the position of social justice student connector with Troy in mind which allowed Troy to create a curriculum that fostered constructive relationships between faculty and students of color.
“If it weren’t for Troy, I don’t know where I’d be now, in regards with my own identity,” Tucker said. “I previously described Troy as a lot, again, because they did a lot, and was a lot for people as well. For how they were, what they did and how they helped people. They were not quiet about it either, not at all. Troy would be the first person to unapologetically call someone out if they needed to be called out.”
Troy’s passion to enhance and embrace community was recognized by many awards, such as the Fasal Alam Young Leaders Award, the WGST Harriet Tubman Activism/Leadership Award and the SUNY Geneseo Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award.
“Since finding out the news and everything, I’ve been relaying old memories and even things have been popping up in my mind,” Tucker said. “I’ve been trying to think about some of the really strong memories, but there are so many. I would say my favorites are our sophomore year. Troy, myself and other friends of mine were talking about a boy situation, teen drama I suppose, one night in Letchworth. But after that day, we would meet in Letchworth and we would be there from 6 p.m. until closing. Every night, we were in Letchworth … and we got so close.”
Troy was formally recognized on the floor of the New York Senate in 2014, according to Tucker.
“They weren’t just active in the Geneseo community, but at home as well,” Tucker said. “So caring, and so compassionate, Troy had a presence everywhere.”