HENDERSON – Freed-Hardeman University’s 55th Annual Benefit Dinner featuring NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. raised $1,345.560 for student scholarships last Friday. Supportive alumni, friends and guests helped raise $100,000 more than last year’s total.
According to a press release from Tajuana Cheshier – The Bramblett Group – following the evening meal, entertainment was provided by Freed-Hardeman University Chorale, along with a group of alumni and friends from various states under the direction of FHU music professor Dr. Gary McKnight. The group performed a selection of spirituals and hymns to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Freed-Hardeman University, which is being celebrated throughout the 2019-2020 academic year.
Before FHU President David Shannon introduced Earnhardt, or No. 88, he mentioned the impressive stats the university’s students have achieved over the last year such as record enrollment, an increase in the number of returning students for their sophomore year and a pass rate of 100 percent for FHU nursing majors taking their licensure exam. Two FHU senior scholarship recipients, Bailie White and Marshall Dearing, shared their FHU experiences and expressed their appreciation to donors who made their years at the university possible.
“This past summer, I had the pleasure of serving on the Brown Legacy Research Team where we met with John and Rosemary Brown at their home in Atlanta to interview them,” White said, who will graduate with her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in May 2020. “I’ve been fortunate to have numerous experiences because of Freed-Hardeman, and this summer I plan to sit for the CPA exam. I assure you that your investment in Freed-Hardeman is an investment in us.”
During the 40-minute conversation between Shannon and Earnhardt, the audience listened to stories about Earnhardt’s first driving experiences, dealing with losing and life outside of his father Dale Sr.’s, protection and shadow. “I have spent my life trying to make my father proud,” Earnhardt said. “My fondest memories are of us, together in the victory lane.”
Earnhardt keeps three of his 26 trophy wins in his home: Daytona 500, Bristol and the grandfather clock from Martinsville Speedway. “Wins are like kids; they’re all different. But you love them the same,” he said.
Earnhardt said he never drove without a scripture posted on his dashboard. Those scriptures were a gift from Stevie Waltrip, the wife of NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip. Stevie Waltrip made it a point to share Bible verses with the drivers on the day of a race. She did this for Dale Sr., until he passed away. She continued to give the scriptures to Dale Jr., as well as other drivers. Waltrip wrote scriptures for a member of the Earnhardt racing family for at least 17 years. “I always had a scripture in my car and without it, I was very concerned,” Earnhardt said. FHU student government president Samantha McMillan presented Earnhardt with a Bible that had several passages highlighted that Waltrip gave him on race day.
President Shannon praised Earnhardt for his honesty in his memoir, “Racing to the Finish: My Story,” for revealing what it was like to suffer in silence while battling racing-related concussions.
Attendees erupted in laughter during Earnhardt’s description of what it really feels like to flip in a racecar. “You feel safe because you’re strapped in without a care in the world,” he said. “It’s a feeling of weightlessness and I also felt like I was sitting perfectly still. All I could think was ‘This is great!’”
Since Earnhardt’s retirement from racing in 2017, he includes being a great husband and father and one of NBC’s NASCAR broadcasters as his top priorities.
“I’m happy with my racing career on paper,” Earnhardt said. “People always remember whether you displayed good morals, values and whether you were caring and loving toward them. And I’ve worked hard to be that for people.”
Shannon said the conversation with Earnhardt displayed his humble attitude about success and genuine love for his family and friends. “He is a great storyteller and spoke honestly about his journey through concussion and rehabilitation,” Shannon said. “To all who supported this tremendous evening — Thank you! These funds will provide scholarships for our amazing students at FHU. Ultimately, we thank God and to Him be the glory!”
FHU’s annual benefit dinner is typically the state’s largest single-night fundraiser. For the past 19 years, it has generated more than $1 million annually to help students attend FHU. Forever Communications was the premier media sponsor for the event.
(PHOTO: Dr. David Shannon, president of Freed-Hardeman University, left, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. – courtesy Tajuana Cheshier, The Bramblett Group)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/
