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FHU Annual Benefit Dinner featuring Jay Leno

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Jay Leno, acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, will be featured at FHU’s 62nd Benefit Dinner on Friday, December 4, 2026, with the FHU Feud Game Show as special entertainment.

The Annual Benefit Dinner is one of the highlights of the year for Freed-Hardeman University. This event provides supporters with an opportunity to help bridge the financial gap most students face, while also enjoying an evening with one of the nation’s most recognizable entertainers.

If you have questions or comments, please email Senior Vice President, Dave Clouse, at [email protected].

Jay Leno headlines the 2026 FHU Benefit Dinner on December 4th, 2026

Ticket and Sponsorship Information

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS

General Admission ($150) 

  • 1 Ticket for the meal and program
  • Assigned seat on the main floor

 

Silver Sponsorship ($600)

  • 2 Tickets for the meal and program
  • Priority Seating on the main floor

Gold Sponsorship ($1,200)

  • 4 Tickets for the meal and program
  • Preferred Seating on the main floor

Diamond Sponsorship ($3,000)

  • 4 Tickets to the meal and program
  • Preferred Seating on the main floor
  • Photo Pass for Two People

Crystal Sponsorship ($5,000)

  • 8 Tickets to the meal and program
  • Preferred Seating on the main floor
  • Photo Pass for Two People

Platinum Sponsorship ($10,000)

  • Up to 10 Tickets for meal and program
  • Priority Seating on the main floor
  • 2-Person Photo Pass

Corporate Sponsorship ($20,000)

  • Up to 10 Tickets for the meal and program
  • Priority Seating on the main floor
  • 6-Person Photo Pass

Underwriter Sponsorship ($50,000)

  • Up to 20 Tickets for the meal and program
  • Priority Seating on the main floor
  • 6-Person Photo Pass

Naming Sponsor ($100,000)

  • Up to 20 Tickets for the Program
  • Priority Seating on the main floor
  • 6-Person Photo Pass
  • Special Recognition For Your Organization

Schedule and FAQs

SCHEDULE

5:00 p.m. – Meals begin at all dinner locations. (When you receive your tickets, please note your assigned meal time.)

7:00 p.m. – Program begins in Dryden Auditorium

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will I receive my tickets?

  • Tickets will be emailed mid-November 2026

What should I wear?

  • Most of our guests dress for business casual or business.

Where is will call located?

  • Brewer Sports Center lobby

 

Previous Speakers

Previous Benefit Dinner Speakers

2025 General Stanley McChrystal

2024 Clint Black

2023 Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms

2022 Kurt Warner

2021 Jeff Foxworthy

2020 Gary Sinise

2019 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

2018 Scott Hamilton

2017 Tim Tebow

2016 Peyton Manning

2015 Kent Brantly

2014 Ben Carson

2013 Laura Bush (Laura Bush was unable to attend due to winter weather.)

2012 Condoleezza Rice

2011 Bob Newhart

2010 George W. Bush

2009 Mike Huckabee

2008 Tim Conway

2007 Tom Brokaw

2006 Cal Ripken, Jr.

2005 Barbara Bush

2004 Walter Cronkite

2003 Bill Frist

2002 Regis Philbin

2001 Norman Schwarzkopf

2000 George Bush

1999 James Earl Jones

1998 Elizabeth Dole

1997 Fred Thompson

1996 Sam Donaldson

1995 Archie Manning

1994 Tom Landry

1993 Mary Lou Retton

1992 Merlin Olsen

1991 Willard Scott

1990 Gene Stallings

1989 Jerry Clower

1988 Edwin Newman

1987 Paul Harvey, Jr.

1986 Arkady Shevchenko

1985 Gerald Ford

1984 Howard K. Smith

1983 Paul B. Faulkner

1982 Zig Ziglar

1981 James A. Lovell

1980 Art Linkletter

1979 Paul Harvey

1978 Willard Collins

1977 Ira North

1976 Thomas B. Warren

1975 Don Gardner

1974 Clifton Ganus

1973 George Benson

1972 George Bailey

1971 Abe Plough

1970 Chester H. Lauch

1969 James O. Baird

1968 Ira North

1967 Jimmy Allen

1966 V.P. Black

1965 Jim Bill McInteer