“This is outside the realm of belief,” said Taylor, adding “Considering the history of Louisburg College, this is truly humbling.  To be a part of two inaugural Hall of Fame classes… Wow!”

Taylor began his “rags to riches” life as the son of a share cropper in Nash County, North Carolina.  After a stellar career at Coopers High School, he used basketball as a springboard for a college education.  His first stop was Louisburg where he earned his A.A. degree, while receiving recognition as a basketball All-Conference performer, team captain, and Most Outstanding Student-Athlete.  His next stop was North Carolina Wesleyan where he again nabbed numerous honors.  A two-time Most Valuable Player and All-Conference selection on the hardwood, he also served as team captain for the Bishops.  In addition, he earned All-Academic, Most Outstanding Student-Athlete, and All-American accolades, becoming the first Bishop to earn such an honor in any sport.  Roger is also one of only two NCWC basketball players to have their jersey retired, and in 2000, he was voted one of the Top-Ten basketball players to ever wear a Bishop uniform.  Taylor, in fact, still holds the two highest single-game point totals in Wesleyan history, as well as single-season records for scoring average and rebounding. 

When asked his opinion of the education he received at Louisburg and Wesleyan, he stated, “I am very pleased that I chose small schools to continue my education.  I was able to develop close relationships with professors, staff, and administrators that I have maintained over the course of my career.  I wouldn’t trade the hands-on learning I received for anything, and I feel that it has given me a confidence that I may not have today if I had I chosen larger institutions.”

After completing his degree at Wesleyan, Roger continued his education at East Carolina University where he earned a M.A. ED degree. He later earned his Professional Degrees from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  Most recently in 2007, Taylor received an Executive Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Upon entering the “Real World”, Roger continued to excel through hard work and determination.  Entering the Life Insurance/Financial Services industry in 1976 he has held various offices and won numerous awards.  Inducted into the Equitable Hall of Fame in 1986, he was the 1996 AXA Advisors Southern Regional Honor Associate.  He was named the Rocky Mount Life Underwriter of the Year in 1994, the North Carolina Insurance and Financial Advisor of the Year in 2000, and the Rocky Mount Financial Advisor of the Year in 2005.  Taylor has been the Advisor of the Year 14 times, while being named ESF Agent of the Year in 1995.  Included in his company awards are National Leaders Corps, National Council, President’s Cabinet, Legion of Honor, Centurion, and Summit.  He received the Hallmark I, II, III, & IV awards and is a member of the Order of Excalibur.  Roger has also earned the Distinguished Service, Superior Achievement, Golden Life, Silver and Bronze Eagle awards, as well the Silver Medal of Honor.  He has served two terms as the North Carolina Life Underwriters Area II Vice President and received the Dorothy B. Austell Area Vice President’s Award for Leadership by the NCALU in 1988.  He is past President of the Rocky Mount Association of Life Underwriters and of the North Carolina State Association of Life Underwriters.

However, the accolades do not stop there... Roger was named the 2002 National Honor Associate of AXA Advisors, LLC.  The company award was started in 1905 and is based on significant contributions and service to the financial services industry, community, and company.  It is presented annually by the company’s Old Guard, the association of AXA Advisor’s branch managers.  The award, considered the most prestigious career honor the company bestows, is given to an associate from AXA Advisors approximately 7,000 sales representatives. 

Currently, Taylor is a Trustee at NC Wesleyan and is a past President of the Alumni Association.  In 1978, he was honored with the Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Service Award, and in 1992, he was the recipient of Louisburg’s Distinguished Alumni Award.  In 2007, he became a member of Louisburg's Board of Trustees. 

Roger and his wife, Gaile, reside in Red Oak and have seven children.  They continue to be a big part of the Wesleyan Community, as evidenced by the beautiful Taylor Center adjacent to Everett Gymnasium.

“I’ve always believed that the more you give, the more you get,” he said.  “My mother always stressed the Golden Rule, and I have tried to live by that rule throughout my life.  It’s an honor to be able to give back to the community I love.”