Hall of Fame
Tommy Forbes’ life has been intricately connected to Chowan since his childhood when he, his parents, and his sister (Joan) lived next door to Dr. B. Franklin Lowe, Jr., a college Dean from 1968-2001. Lowe was instrumental in Tommy’s decision to attend Chowan in the early 1970’s.
Tommy served as President of the Day Student Organization as a student and his commitment to serve the University has not waivered. After graduation, he has continued to serve his alma mater in a variety of ways. He served as a member and president of the Braves Club, as an active member and donor to the Brave Hawks Club, as a member of the Chowan University Board of Visitors, and as a public address announcer for the men’s basketball team for more than 20 years.
In 2015, Tommy was honored by Chowan University as a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. A Nationwide Insurance agent since 1979, he epitomizes the slogan, “Nationwide is on your side,” offering exceptional service to his entire community as well as his customers who know he is never more than one phone call away. Honored by Nationwide with numerous awards, he has served as advertising chairperson for Eastern North Carolina and co-chairperson for the state of North Carolina.
A Master Mason and past Worshipful Master of the Murfreesboro American George Lodge, a Shriner (Roanoke-Chowan Shrine Club), and a member of the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, he is a past member of the Murfreesboro Jaycees, having served as a regional director and has been honored as North Carolina State Jaycee (1979). Tommy and his family are members of Murfreesboro Baptist Church.
Tommy became a radio personality on WWDR in Murfreesboro, known as Tommy T-Trucking. His gift of gab and love of people and sports led him to public address announcing. Along with serving as the men’s basketball public address announcer, Tommy serves as the public address announcer for Southampton Academy in Courtland, Virginia.
After graduating from Chowan in 1974, Tommy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated from UNC in 1976 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. In 1979, he became a second-generation Nationwide Insurance Agent. In 1989, he married Lisa Davis of Conway (Chowan class of 2009). He and Lisa are parents to Cliff, a golf standout at Chowan (class of 2012) and employee of the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald and married to JoAnn Rose, and Corey, a graduate of East Carolina University and current Optometry student at NOVA Southeastern School of Optometry in Florida.
Born in 1954, Tommy is now a sixteen-year heart transplant survivor. The precious gift of life from an unknown donor has allowed this husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to continue his service to family, friends, community, and to Chowan University. The number 13 is meaningful to Tommy. He enjoys telling that he was born on the 13th, had a heart attack on the 13th, and a heart transplant on the 13th.
