JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 4, 2024 — A Christmas concert by hymn writers and recording artists Keith and Kristyn Getty highlighted the 26th annual Union University Scholarship Banquet Dec. 3 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, with about 1,200 people in attendance.
The Gettys, who hail from Northern Ireland, are the founding leaders of the Getty Music organization and have written hymns, such as “In Christ Alone,” that are sung by millions of Christians in churches across the world each week.
“It was a delight to hear from Keith and Kristyn Getty and be reminded what we celebrate at Christmas,” said Catherine Kwasigroh, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement. “We are so thankful for the donors who support this event, and whose generosity makes an excellent, Christ-centered education at Union possible for students who otherwise might not be able to experience it.”
FirstBank and Elite Contractors were the lead sponsors for this year’s Scholarship Banquet.
The Gettys have long been connected to Union, performing concerts on campus in both 2009 and 2010. Several Union graduates have worked with them in their organization, and their current executive assistant is a Union alumnus.
In a pre-concert interview with Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, the Gettys expressed their appreciation for Union as they discussed their background and how they got into hymn writing.
“We live in the most exciting generation to be Christians,” Keith Getty said. “I know if you are a parent or a grandparent or a supporter of a college, you know, it is easy to get down about many of the things that are happening in our culture. And it is right to mourn and grieve them because they are very serious.
“But at the same time,” he continued, “the gospel that was big enough to save the Apostle Paul and Augustine and Martin Luther and sinners like me is big enough to deal with what’s happening in the world. But we need deep believers. We need to take learning seriously. We need to take the Bible seriously.”
Oliver also interviewed Union senior Tristan Kelly, who came to Union as a cross-country runner from Northern Ireland and became a Christian during his time as a student. Kelly said what sold him on Union was what he saw in Bailey Bell, Union’s cross-country coach.
“More than anything, I think he was the first person who really cared for me, and he really wanted the best for me,” Kelly said. “One thing he said that stuck with me to this day was, ‘Tristan, I care so much more about how you develop as a person than I do how you do athletically.’ And with that, I just packed up my bags and packed my life into two suitcases and went halfway across the world.”
Oliver gave an update about campus happenings over the past year, citing a freshman class with an average ACT score of 26.1 (compared to a state average of 18.5) and construction of a new academic building on the Great Lawn that will be completed in the spring.
The building will house Union’s McAfee School of Business and the computer science and engineering departments.
Oliver, who celebrated his 10-year anniversary as president in 2024, said his tenure at Union’s helm has reminded him of God’s goodness.
“What I’m truly most grateful for is that Union remains faithful to its mission as a Christ-centered university,” Oliver said. “And to be able to serve at a university where our Board of Trustees is dedicated to the truths of Scripture – and to be guided by those truths of Scripture and to be passionate about life-changing, Christ-centered education -- is not just rare, it’s a true gift to be a part of Union.”
