APSU announces recipients of the 36th Annual Candlelight Ball Awards

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University will host the 36^th Annual Candlelight Ball at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the Omni Nashville Hotel, located at 250 5^th Ave. S in Nashville. To celebrate the tradition of this event, APSU has announced the three winners of the 2020 Candlelight Ball Awards.

The awards honor those who have significantly contributed to Austin Peay through sustained service, made a generous contribution to the University, or brought recognition to APSU through their success. The honorees exemplify excellence and integrity and their accomplishments inspire others.

The recipient of the 2020 Wendell H. Gilbert Award is William S. “Sammy” Stuard, Jr. Stuard currently serves as President/CEO and Chairman of the Board for F&M Bank headquartered in Clarksville, Tennessee. Under his leadership, with current assets exceeding $1.2 billion dollars, F&M has grown from one of the state’s smallest banks to ranking among the largest state chartered banks in Tennessee. With over 40 years in banking, he has been recognized by numerous local, state, regional and national entities, including a 2007 Community Banker of the Year Award presented by American Banker Magazine. As an instrumental community leader, he has served in various elected, appointed and volunteer positions including an elected Montgomery County Commissioner and Chairman of the Tennessee Bankers Association, the Clarksville-Area Chamber of Commerce, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board and the Clarksville Downtown District Partnership. He is also a past director of Two Rivers Company (an organization dedicated to downtown development and growth). He currently serves as Chairman of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Airport Authority and a member of the APSU Foundation Investment Committee.

Stuard’s support of Austin Peay State University departments, faculty and leadership has been extraordinary. He has been instrumental in building a strong relationship between APSU and the Clarksville business/professional community. His support, input and guidance have been essential elements to the success of various APSU programs and events. 

The recipients of the 2020 Spirit Award are Kevin and Rhonda Kennedy. Kevin Chambliss Kennedy graduated with honors from APSU in 1978, and went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in 1979. He began teaching American History courses at APSU at the age of 22, and graduated from the Nashville School of Law in 1983. In 1989, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He started a residential rental business, later expanding into additional farms and commercial buildings. He also continued the family tradition of running the Kennedy Walking Horse Farm, which has been in his family since 1900. Kevin currently co-hosts the Treva & Kevin Show and has produced the God and Country Patriotic Broadcast for more than 30 years. He has received numerous awards such as the City of Clarksville Citizen of the Year, Montgomery County Citizen of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Kevin has organized some of the largest military support rallies in Clarksville in the past 30 years. To date, he has published six books.

Rhonda Jean Kennedy graduated from Northwest High School with honors in 1978. She graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and earned her Master of Arts degree in 1985, both from Austin Peay. In 1983, she became a special education teacher with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. She served at various schools until she was named assistant principal at St. Bethlehem Elementary School. In 1999, Mrs. Kennedy became principal of Hazelwood Elementary School. In 2006, she opened Barker’s Mill Elementary School, where she continues to serve as principal. The Clarksville Jaycees named Rhonda an Outstanding Young Teacher and the The Korean American Association also recognized her for her contributions to her students. In 2005, she received the Principal of the Year Award from the State of Tennessee. Rhonda received the Outstanding Alumni Award from APSU and was named the Tennessee Education’s Association Administrator of the Year for Middle Tennessee in 2006. She raised three children, Dr. Kevin Kennedy, Jr., Dr. Kenneth Laurence Kennedy and Katelyn Kennedy Lincoln, who are all Austin Peay graduates.

Over the years, proceeds from the Candlelight Ball have supported the restoration and renovation of the Pace Alumni Center at Emerald Hill and provided financial support for the APSU Center for Teaching and Learning. The event has also funded the establishment of a scholarship endowment that continues to benefit deserving recipients.

To reserve your tickets or for questions, contact the APSU Alumni Office at 931-221-7979. For Presenting Sponsor or Table Sponsor Information, email Nikki Peterson at petersonn@apsu.edu or call 931-221-7291.