Benefit Dinner
The Annual Benefit Dinner is one of the highlights of the year for Freed-Hardeman University. The Benefit Dinner provides supporters with an opportunity to not only help bridge the financial gap that many students face with rising tuition costs, but also to hear one of the nation’s leading personalities and entertainers.
The 2023 Benefit Dinner is set for Friday, December 1, and will feature a pair of NFL greats-turned-commentators, Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms.
If you have questions or concerns, please email your thoughts to the Vice President for Community Engagement, Dave Clouse at dclouse@fhu.edu.
Ticket and Sponsorship Information
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS
- 1 Ticket for Dinner & Program
- Wallace-Gano Dining Hall Dinner Location
- Balcony Seating
- 2 Tickets for Dinner & Program
- Brewer Sports Center Main Arena Dinner Location
- Balcony Seating
- 4 Tickets for Dinner and Program
- Brewer Sports Center Main Arena Dinner Location
- Floor seating
- 4 Tickets to Dinner and Program
- Brewer Sports Center Main Arena Dinner Location
- Floor Seating
- Photo Pass for Two People
- 8 Tickets to Dinner and Program
- Brewer Sports Center Main Arena Dinner Location
- Floor seating
- Photo Pass for Two People
THE PREMIER SPONSORS DINNER
- Priority seating for the program in Loyd Auditorium
- Fast Pass for VIP photo session with Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms
- Exclusive entertainment
Choose your level:
- 10 Tickets for VIP Dinner & Program
- Brewer Sports Center Auxiliary Gym Dinner Location
- 2-Person Photo Fast Pass
- 10 Tickets for VIP Dinner & Program
- Academic Resource Center Dinner Location
- 6-Person Photo Fast Pass
- 10 Tickets for VIP Dinner (Academic Resource Center Dinner Location) & Program
- 10 Tickets for Sponsors Dinner in Brewer Sports Center Main Arena Dinner Location
- 6-Person Photo Fast Pass
- 20 Tickets for VIP Dinner & Program
- Academic Resource Center Dinner Location
- 6-Person Photo Fast Pass
- Special Recognition For Your Organization
Schedule and FAQs
SCHEDULE
3:00pm – 8:00pm – Christmas in the Commons / Merry Market
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner in Various Locations. Refer to your tickets for your specific dinner time.
6:15pm – 7:00pm – Photo Session in Brewer Sports Center (must have photo pass)
7:00pm – Program Begins in Loyd Auditorium
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When will I receive my tickets?
- Tickets will be mailed mid-October.
Where do I park?
- You can park in any available spaces around campus.
- A parking map will be provided in your ticket packet.
What is Christmas in the Commons?
- Christmas in the Commons is filled with yuletide cheer and ole-timey Christmas spirit.
- The Merry Market will have a variety of wonderful vendors for Christmas shopping.
- FHbrew Coffee will be available from the FHU Associates.
What is the Merry Market?
- The Merry Market is the perfect place to begin your holiday shopping.
- It will feature a variety of wonderful vendors for Christmas shopping.
- Also, you can buy bags of FHBrew Coffee from the FHU Associates and further support our students.
- Conveniently store your purchase at our “bag check” area until after the program.
What time does dinner start?
- Dinner times differ based on eating location. Please refer to your ticket packet for your location and specific dinner time.
Is there reserved parking?
- Yes for Platinum sponsors and above. If you have any special needs, you can request that on your ticket order form or you may call 731-989-6017.
What should I wear?
- Most of our guests dress for business casual or business.
Where is will call located?
- Brewer Sports Center front desk
Previous Speakers
Previous Benefit Dinner Speakers
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