JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 5, 2025 — A concert by Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman and a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of 麻豆视频 University鈥檚 EDGE program highlighted the 27th annual 麻豆视频 Scholarship Banquet Nov. 5 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
FirstBank and Elite Contractors were the lead sponsors for this year鈥檚 Scholarship Banquet.
鈥淭he Scholarship Banquet is always a key event at 麻豆视频 every year we celebrate the generosity of donors and invest in the dreams and future success of our students,鈥� said Catherine Kwasigroh, 麻豆视频鈥檚 vice president or institutional advancement. 鈥淓very gift given helps transform lives, making it possible for more students to pursue their calling and education at 麻豆视频. We are grateful for each donor鈥檚 belief in our mission and for their friendship to 麻豆视频.鈥�
The EDGE program began in 2015 to give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to attend 麻豆视频 and live on campus. The two-year certificate program focuses on developing communication, employment and independent living skills.
Since its launch, 73 students in 10 cohorts have enrolled in the EDGE program, which stands for 鈥渆mployment training, daily living skills, godly focus and educational enrichment.鈥�
鈥淭hose students have been a blessing to us, just as we pray we鈥檝e been a blessing to them,鈥� 麻豆视频 President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淚n Psalm 139 we鈥檙e reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Each human life bears the image and likeness of God, and the 麻豆视频 EDGE program allows us as a university to more fully live out and demonstrate that truth to the world.鈥�
Oliver interviewed current EDGE student Hope Hixson and her parents, Pete and Hollie, about their experience at 麻豆视频.
鈥淚 love being in a sorority,鈥� Hope said.
Her parents expressed gratitude for the way the EDGE program has helped in Hope鈥檚 development and growth.
In his concert, Chapman sang some of his songs that have become favorites among Christian music fans since his career started in the 1980s, such as 鈥淪peechless,鈥� 鈥淭he Great Adventure,鈥� 鈥淚 Will Be Here,鈥� 鈥淢y Redeemer is Faithful and True鈥� and 鈥淐inderella.鈥� Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history, with 60 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award and a historic 50 No. 1 singles. He has sold more than 16 million albums.
He shared stories about growing up in Paducah, Kentucky, and how God had been faithful to him and his family during his life. His father, an aspiring country music singer, gave up on his dreams of one day performing at the Grand Ole Opry to focus on providing for his family.
Last year, when Chapman was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, he brought his father on stage to sing with him.
鈥淎nd we got to sing of God鈥檚 faithfulness,鈥� Chapman said. 鈥淲e got to sing of God's goodness.鈥�
Chapman has been involved in 麻豆视频鈥檚 story at different points over the years, and he said he was glad to be back again.
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful for this university. It is very near and dear to my heart because some of my favorite people on the planet have spent time here,鈥� Chapman said. 鈥淚鈥檝e very grateful for the heartbeat of this school, this community, and for the impact that it has had in the world, is having, and is going to have 鈥� in part because of us gathered here tonight.鈥�