Candlelight Ball returns with sellout crowd to support Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University hosted its 38th annual Candlelight Ball Saturday at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University hosted its 38th annual Candlelight Ball Saturday at the Omni Hotel with a sellout crowd of close to 700 guests to support the university and raise funds for student scholarships.

The 2019 event, also held at the Omni, was the last in-person Candlelight Ball with the 2020 event being canceled for the first time in its history because of the pandemic, and in 2021 the ball was held as a virtual event over safety concerns.

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take the dance floor with the music of Leaving Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the dance floor for the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor for the music of burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor for the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor for the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

O’Neal Wiggins and Mark Kelly at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor for the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor for the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Cynthia Pitts at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor to the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

The band Burning Las Vegas performs at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests take to the the dance floor to the music of Burning Las Vegas at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Dr. Cooper Beazley accepts the Wendell H. Gilbert Awardat the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests enjoy dinner at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

The auctioneer prepares to start the bidding for the live auction at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Dr. Cooper Beazley accepts the Wendell H. Gilbert Award at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Casey Jenkins accepts the Spirit of Austin Peay Award at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Casey Jenkins receives the Spirit of Austin Peay Award by special delivery at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

APSU President Dr. Michael Licari speaks to guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Awards presentation the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Awards Presentation at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Awards presentation at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Madison Casey, a Junior at Montgomery Central High School. A Scholarship Award recipient at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Bayleigh Robinson a Junior at Clarksville Academy. A Scholarship Award recipient at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Awards presentation at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Don Jenkins of Jenkins & Wynne Ford, Lincoln, Honda, speaks to guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Jimmy Terry gives the invocation at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Awards presentation at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Retired Major General Walt Lord, APSU Military Adviser, speaks to guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Emcee Dave Loos Jr. speaks to guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

A performer entertains dinner guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Erin and Eric Yow attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Montgomery County Commissioner Tangi Smith Guests at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Montgomery County Commissioner Rashidah Leverett at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the F&M Bank pre-party for the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests and award winners attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests and award winners attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the F&M Bank pre-party for the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Sara and Wes Golden at the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests attending the 2022 Austin Peay State University Candlelight Ball on Mar. 12, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Over the many years of the Candlelight Ball, Austin Peay has supported a total of 48 scholarship award recipients, and two of those were recognized Saturday night. Madison Casey, a junior from Montgomery Central High School, and Bayleigh Robinson, a junior from Clarksville Academy.

At the celebration, APSU honored two supporters from the community as they have done in the past with 2022 Candlelight Ball awards.

The awards honor those who have significantly contributed to the university through sustained service, made a generous contribution to the university, or brought recognition to APSU through their success. Dr. Cooper Beazley received the 2022 Wendell H. Gilbert Award, and Casey Jenkins was the recipient of the 2022 Spirit Award.

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.

Candlelight Ball returns with sellout crowd to support Austin Peay State University | PHOTOS