NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University held its 40th annual Candlelight Ball on Saturday at the Omni Nashville Hotel, and they smashed their previous fundraising record.
Attendees enjoyed music from Burning Las Vegas and were treated to a live art demonstration by Clarksville’s Olasubomi “Ola” Aka-Bashorun.
The 2024 Candlelight Ball Committee at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Corey Gibson (Head Coach, Men’s Basketball at APSU) and April Gibson at the40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Miss Queen City Volunteer Lauren Berg, Luke Johnson, and Miss Austin Peay Volunteer, Kara Shorts at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
The Governor at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
APSU President, Mike Licari at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Awards presentations by APSU President, Mike Licari at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Welcoming remarks by the Voice for The Governors Sports Network, Brian Reeves at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Toast and Introductions with Brian Reeves at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Reid Poland and McClure at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Erin Yow, and Linsey Youngbauer at the and 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Having a grand time on the 360 Photobooth at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
APSU President, Mike Licari at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
APSU President, Mike Licari at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Corey Gibson gives the Invocation at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Mark Kelly at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Music by Burning Las Vegas at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
APSU President Mike Licari, and the Governor getting the party started at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
APSU President Mike Licari and The Governor heat up the dance floor at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Sold! At the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Full house for the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Live auction action at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
The Loos family, with Phyllis seated and Dave Loos, right, is honored at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Charlsie and John Halliburton are honored by Mike Licari, center, at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Kimberly and Oneal Wiggins at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County Commissioner Joe Smith and Una Smith with Shelton Harrell at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County Commissioner Joe Smith and Una Smith at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County Mayor Wes Golden, Sara Golden, Wanda Kennedy, Camilla Green, Kevin Kenedy, and Congressman Mark Green8 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Oneal Wiggins, Roberta Morton at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
The Governor and Olasubomi Aka-Bashorun at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Kevin and Wanda Kennedy at the 840th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Burton Coleman, Candice Coleman, Adonia Kennedy, and Kevin Kennedy Jr. at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Matt McWhirter, and Jordan McWhirter at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Tennessee State Representative Jeff Burkhart, and Cindy Greene at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Kelley Board, and Richard Pardue at the40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Belle Bagby, James Bagby, Adrienne Beasley, and David Adams at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Amelia Magette, Larry Corrigan, and Tracy Corrigan at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Rodney Williams, LaNeeca Wiliams, Lorenth Peters, and Jonathan Peters at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Brandon Gully, and Toni Gully at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Barbra Williams, and Lisa Prichard at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Pennie Haste, Steve Nash, John Franklin, and Kathy Franklin at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Ken Goble, and Andrea Goble at the 40th Annual APSU Candlelight Ball on May 18, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
The previous record amount raised at this fundraiser was $162,000, and this year they raised over $220,000, according to early estimates.
Wyatt Johnson Kia was this year’s Governor Sponsor, which is the 2024 Title Sponsor for Candlelight Ball.
Wendell H. Gilbert Award
The 2024 recipients of the Wendell H. Gilbert Award were Charlsie and John Halliburton. John Halliburton graduated from Austin Peay in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a marketing minor, then served in the U.S. Air Force. He had a successful banking career, and his service to the community has included participating in Leadership Clarksville, chairing the Clarksville Industrial Development Board and holding offices in the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club.
Charlsie Halliburton earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Kentucky University in 1970. As owner-instructor for Classic Steps School of Children’s Ballet, she volunteered her talents as a Mid-Cumberland Arts League Board member, chair and grant writer for the Nashville Ballet and Nashville Symphony project for Austin Peay’s Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. She was honored with the APSU Ovation Award for her significant contributions to the arts and continued her service as board member and chair of the APSU Acuff Circle of Excellence, and as Candlelight Ball co-chair.
Charlsie and John are APSU Legacy Society members. In 1998, they helped establish the Tom Malone Memorial Endowed Art Scholarship. Due to their increased support for that fund, the Malone-Halliburton Classroom in the Art+Design Building was dedicated in 2017.
Spirit of Austin Peay Award
The Spirit of Austin Peay Award winner is the Loos family. Dave Loos was hired in 1990 by then-APSU President Oscar Page and Athletics Director Tim Weiser to take the helm of the Governors men’s basketball program. The Clarksville community not only opened up their arms to Loos, but also to his family – his wife, Phyllis, and their children David, Todd, Brad and Nikki.
Dave left the APSU program after 27 years as the all-time Ohio Valley Conference wins leader and the all-time APSU wins leader. He achieved 502 career wins, granting him the 120th rank in all-time NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball head coaching wins.
Dave was also APSU’s director of athletics for 16 years. While he was often on the road for games and recruitment events, Phyllis cared for their four children while Dave was often on the road for games and recruitment events. The Loos children, and later grandchildren, were always present at APSU basketball games to cheer on Dave and the Governors. They have become involved with APSU in their own ways, with David Loos Jr. (’94) giving back to his alma mater within athletics and being involved in the APSU Tower Club, Brad (‘01) as a Governors basketball player and graduate assistant and Nikki Loos Peterson (’04) serving 14 years as APSU’s director of alumni relations. The Loos family has truly made an impact on Austin Peay in many ways.
