NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 42nd annual Candlelight Ball was held at the Renaissance Hotel on Saturday. The event, which is a long-standing tradition at Austin Peay State University, raised more than $400,000 during the evening, surpassing its initial goal of $225,000.

Established in 1984 by the late retired Army Brig. Gen. Wendell H. Gilbert, the Candlelight Ball was created to generate scholarship funding for APSU students. Over the years, the event has expanded, with underwriters and attendees contributing to both scholarships and campus improvements.

Three adults posing for a photo at a formal event: woman in a black dress, woman in a silver gown, and a man in a blue sequined jacket smile at the camera.
Rhonda Kennedy and Kevin Kennedy at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple dancing closely at a formal party, the woman in a black polka-dot dress and the man in a tuxedo smile at the camera while dancing with others in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple in formal attire posing for a selfie on a crowded dance floor at a gala event with guests in evening wear in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two women in formal gowns dance on a lit dance floor, high-fiving and smiling at a lively party.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a navy suit dances with a cartoonish mascot in a red jacket and top hat at a lively party.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Bearded man in a gray suit dancing with a woman in a blue dress at a formal party, warm red lighting in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Guests in formal evening wear dancing on a wooden floor at a gala with a red-lit stage and musicians in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling couple in formal wear taking a selfie on a dance floor, with a red-lit stage and band in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling man in a blue sequined tuxedo dancing at a party, with another man in a suit in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a black suit and red tie points at the camera, posing with a large cartoon mascot in a red jacket and top hat at an indoor event.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Older man in a tuxedo and a woman in a beaded gown dance and smile at a formal gala venue.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a black tuxedo and bow tie smiles as he looks up at a formal dinner table, a laughing woman beside him fades into the scene.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling elderly man in a black suit with a red vest and bow tie at a banquet table with a red floral centerpiece in the foreground.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two women in evening gowns laugh at a formal gala table, with wine glasses and a floral centerpiece nearby.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a dark suit speaks into a microphone on a stage, with two other men in suits nearby and a large red floral arrangement on a pedestal to the left.
Jeff Faris speaks at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Older man in a black tuxedo and white bow tie speaks into a microphone on a stage with a large red flower arrangement beside him on a pedestal
Phillip Traylor speaks at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a suit delivering a speech at a podium with red backdrop and large floral arrangements on each side.
Michael Licari speaks at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Speaker at a lectern delivering a speech at a formal event, with large red flower arrangements on stage.
Brain Rives at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling couple seated at a banquet table during a formal event; woman wears a red dress and a black fascinator, man in a dark suit with a red tie.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Banquet hall full of guests in formal attire, round tables with red floral centerpieces, stage with red curtains behind.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two women in black evening gowns smile and pose together at a formal event; one holds a red clutch bag.
Melanie Bull and Libby Scanlan at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling couple in formal attire posing against a green hedge wall with red rose bouquets in the foreground and background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Four adults in formal attire posing together at an event, smiling for the camera.
Todd Pewitt, Andrea Pewitt, Brandon Sheffield, and Ricky LaCombe at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Three women in formal dresses pose together at a bar during a gala, each holding a clutch purse.
Ginna Holleman, Kirsten Licari, and Grace Lord at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple at a formal event: woman in a blue lace evening gown with jewelry and a man in a black tuxedo with a gold vest and bow tie, each holding a drink.
Allison and Veitenheimer at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling man in a dark suit and glasses chats at a formal gathering, holding a drink in a crowded event setting.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a patterned tuxedo with cream vest and boutonniere smiling at a social event, bar in background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling woman in a shimmering black evening gown beside a man in a white tuxedo jacket at a formal event.
Jeremias Elston and Kym Dukes at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
A smiling couple in formal attire posing together at a social event; woman in a blue gown and the man in a black suit and tie.
Karen Yost and Brian O’Meara at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple posing together at a formal event: man in a navy suit and white shirt, woman in a red evening gown smiling at the camera, standing on a patterned carpet.
Jake Fish and Autumn Eleazer at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Older man in a tuxedo with medals smiles as he holds a wrapped gift bottle at a formal event; others chat in background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple posing at a formal event: woman in teal floral dress with a large white fascinator, man in pastel mint blazer, pink bow tie and pink pants with sunglasses.
Jazmine Jones and Chris Jones at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple posing together at a formal event; man in a red sequined jacket and bow tie, woman in a red gown, both smiling.
Shahrooz Roohparvar and Jessica Roohparvar at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Group of formally dressed guests at a cocktail party, conversing and holding drinks in a crowded venue.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Six adults in formal evening wear posing for a group photo at a gala event.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Bald man in a black tuxedo with a red bow tie at a formal event, conversing with another guest.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling blonde woman in a black dress chats with guests at a social event or reception around her.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Six adults in formal wear pose together at a black-tie gala, smiling for a group photo English-style venue backdrop behind them so the scene reads as a formal event.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Three well-dressed guests posing for a photo at a formal event: two men in tuxedos with red bow ties and a woman in a red dress in the center.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two smiling women pose for a photo at a formal event, one in black holding a small clutch, the other in dark green dress with a patterned backdrop behind them.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Man in a black tuxedo and bow tie smiles while holding a glass of red wine at a formal cocktail party, with a bar in the background.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Crowded formal event with guests mingling in a modern indoor venue.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two men in black suits posing for a photo at a formal event; one wears a red bow tie and the other holds a drink and smiles.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Couple posing at a formal event: woman in polka-dot gown with red clutch and drinks, man in tuxedo with bow tie smiling for a photographer nearby.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Two women in formal gowns pose for a photo at a gala; one in navy lace with a silver clutch, the other in a black off-the-shoulder gown with a high slit and jewelry.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling couple in formal attire toasting with champagne at a black-tie event.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Three women in black formal dresses pose and smile at a gala, standing together indoors near a warm floor lamp and dark backdrop.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling man in a black suit and bow tie chats with an older gentleman at a cocktail party with drinks nearby.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
A smiling couple in formal attire posing together at a social event, with a bar area and other guests in the background.
Phil Burkhart and Virginia Burkhart at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Group of four adults in formal wear posing for a photo at an indoor event, smiling.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Smiling couple in formal attire posing at a reception; man in a dark patterned suit and vest, woman in a black lace gown.
Adam and Doketa at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Three smiling men in tuxedos pose together at a formal event, each holding a drink in a dimly lit venue.
Trey Jacobs, Kris Phillips, and Thomas Locke at the APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)
Woman in a silver sequined gown, a man in a blue glittery suit, and a mascot in a red jacket with a top hat posing together before a green hedge backdrop at a formal event.
APSU Candlelight Ball at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 2, 2026. (Wesley Irvin)

Throughout the evening, guests were encouraged to participate in fundraising efforts through donations, a live auction, and a silent auction, with all proceeds directed toward student support. “Thank you for your love and contributions to Austin Peay State University,” said emcee Brian Rives.

The event also included recognition of individuals and supporters who have made significant contributions to the university. Mitchell Ross and Sheila Ross received the Wendell H. Hoover Award for their longtime service and dedication to the institution. The Spirit of Austin Peay Award was presented to Todd Harvey for his contributions to both the university and the local community.

The upcoming 2027 Candlelight Ball will coincide with the 100th anniversary of Austin Peay State University.

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