Tell us about yourself! We would love to update our membership records and send you information about the FHU Associates. Perhaps there is a chapter in your area already, or perhaps you and some friends can start one! Join us in spreading joy, encouraging friendships, and supporting student scholarships at FHU.
The FHU Associates is a women’s organization whose members know the value of Christian education at Freed-Hardeman University. Members volunteer time and energy to raise money for student scholarships at FHU; more than $4 million dollars has been raised over the last 50+ years! Fun projects and lasting friendships built around a common purpose bind volunteers together.
The Associates organization is composed of chapters in different cities and states. Each chapter hosts their own fundraising events and, for large events on FHU’s campus, multiple chapters come together.
All ladies interested in supporting the work of FHU are invited to . Whether you are a career woman, a stay-at-home mom, retired or just joining the work force, in the Associates, you will find a way to use your talents.
On September 5, 1963, ladies whose husbands were members of the Freed-Hardeman College Board of Trustees and Advisory Board met for the purpose of planning a women’s organization to help support and encourage Christian education at Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee. Mrs. Neal Penny of Milan, Tennessee presided at the meeting and was elected the first president.
In late 1963 and early 1964, chapters of the Freed-Hardeman Associates were organized in west Tennessee and Kentucky, and north Alabama and Mississippi.
National presidents during the Associates first 56 years have been Margaret Penny, Rebecca Woods, Pearl Griffin, Louise Dixon, Hazel Bradfield, Sylvia Harris, Irene Taylor, Lynda Ruff, Delphia Thornton, Martha Alls, Rubye Dodd, Corine Taylor, Fran Davis, Jo Martin, Lora Edwards, Laurel Sewell, Genia Southall, Ann Watson, Diane Smith, Lana Pirtle, Debbie McLaughlin, Sylvia Scott, Jeanita Estes, Carole Childers, Shirley Eaton, and Debby Gibbs.
The FHU Office of University Advancement annually chooses two members of the Associates to receive special awards.
The LaVonne B. Scott “Heart of a Servant” Award is given to an Associate who exemplifies the heart of a servant – who is happy to work at projects (even in the thankless jobs), who is excited about our mission, and who does not ask for recognition, but who deserves to be honored.
The Martha J. Alls “Leap of Faith” Award is given to the Associate who is an innovator, an encourager – an Associate who, perhaps, is responsible for getting a new project off the ground or who came up with a “big new idea” and had the courage to follow it through. This award honors the Associate who says, “We can do that!”
2013
Heart of a Servant – Arlene Brown
Leap of Faith – Sandra Moore
2014
Heart of a Servant – Linda Hale
Leap of Faith – Lorie McCaskill
2015
Heart of a Servant – Sharlene Thompson
Leap of Faith – Nyla Stewart
2016
Heart of a Servant – Jackie Hibbett
Leap of Faith – Debbie McLaughlin
2017
Heart of a Servant – Linda Hale
Leap of Faith – NONE
2018
Heart of a Servant – Doris Maness
Leap of Faith – Martha Alls
2019
Heart of a Servant – Jean Marilyn Hogan
Leap of Faith – Brenda DePriest
2020
Heart of a Servant – Lynne Golson
Leap of Faith – Carole Childers (awarded posthumously)
2021
Heart of a Servant – Joan Rhea
Leap of Faith – Dwina Willis
2022
Heart of a Servant – Diane Smith
Leap of Faith – Connie Pritchard
2023
Heart of a Servant – Clydeen Puryear
Leap of Faith – Debby Gibbs
2024
Heart of a Servant – Jeanita Estes
Leap of Faith – Ashley Smith
2025
Heart of a Servant – Cayron Mann
Leap of Faith – Sharon Galloway
Victorian Tea PartyMark your calendars for our next Victorian Tea Party on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Tickets go on sale in April, 2026
Become a Corporate Sponsor [ Donation FHU Tea Party Sponsors ] or an Individual Patron [ Donation FHU Tea Party Patrons ] and you can choose a dedicated tea time for your group. Corporate Sponsors also receive advertising in print and media.
President: Debby Gibbs (gibbsdr@bellsouth.net, 662-678-3844)
Vice-President: Cari Rowe (martyrowe@bellsouth.net, 662-213-9930)
Secretary: Laura Cupp (lcupp@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 423-827-2490)
Treasurer: Diane Smith (dsmith@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 731-608-6467)
National Projects Chairperson: Connie Pritchard (cpritchard@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 573-344-5125)
Executive Coordinator: Debbie McLaughlin (dmclaughlin@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 731-435-9315)
Immediate Past President: Diane Smith (dsmith@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 731-608-6467)
Finance/Budget: Diane Smith (dsmith@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 731-608-6467)
Hardeman House: Laurel Sewell (lsewell@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 731-435-0144)
Membership: National Projects: Connie Pritchard (cpritchard@fhu.bramblettgrp.com, 573-344-5125)
Social Media: Marah Collins (marahbcollins@gmail.com, 502-645-7008)
Historian: TBA
Nominating: TBA
| Fall National Meeting | September 20, 2025 |
| FHU’S Day of Giving | November 6, 2025 |
| Homecoming at FHU | November 7-8, 2025 |
| Dinner and a Show event partnering with FHU Theatre | |
| Spirit button and pennant sales during the Homecoming ballgames | |
| Merry Market during FHU’s Benefit Dinner | December 5, 2025 |
| Annual Bible Lectureship at FHU | February 1 – 5, 2026 |
| Daily Lunches in the Lectureship Kitchen (Aux Gym) | |
| Beloved FHBrew Coffeeshop, every day, 7:00am-7:00pm, | |
| concession stand in the Sports Center | |
| Information and Product Booth (Main Arena) | |
| Winter National Meeting | February 2, 2026 |
| 5:00pm, Hall of Fame Room, Brewer Sports Center | |
| Spring National Meeting | TBA |
| Officer installation, luncheon, Advancement Awards | |
| Fiscal Year End (All donations due.) | May 31, 2026 |
The historic Hardeman House is located on campus of Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tennessee. It is available for weddings, receptions, parties, reunions, and other gatherings.
Contact us as shown below for prices and availability. All profits go to student scholarships.
MAILING ADDRESS:
FHU Associates
158 E. Main Street
Henderson, TN 38340
731-989-6010
associates@fhu.bramblettgrp.com
facebook.com/FHUAssociates
instagram.com/fhuassociates/
