快猫视频

Jay and Hilde Dryden to serve as Bellmasters during annual opening ceremony

HENDERSON, Tenn. 鈥� (August 5, 2026) 鈥� 快猫视频 will begin its 157th academic year with two milestone events Wednesday, Aug. 19. Students, alumni and guests are invited to celebrate the reopening of Dryden Auditorium with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 am, followed by the annual Tolling of the Bell ceremony at 10:30 am inside the auditorium. Jay and Hilde Dryden, two of the many alumni and university friends who made the renovation project possible, will serve as Bellmasters.

鈥淭he reopening of Dryden Auditorium and the Tolling of the Bell ceremony represent both our heritage and our future,鈥� FHU President Keith Harris said. 鈥淎s we welcome students to a new academic year, we are grateful for the generations of supporters whose vision and generosity continue to shape the 快猫视频-Hardeman experience.鈥�

Since 1977, Dryden Auditorium 鈥� formerly known as Loyd Auditorium 鈥� has served as a central gathering place on FHU鈥檚 campus, hosting daily chapel services, the annual Bible Lectureship, Makin鈥� Music, commencement ceremonies, benefit dinners and numerous community events. Major renovations began in the summer of 2024 and included new seating, flooring, paint, ceiling tiles, a renovated stage, curtains, an upgraded sound and audiovisual system and expanded restroom facilities.

Activities within the auditorium resumed in early 2025 after phase one interior renovations were completed. Construction continued through 2026 to add an elevator and an exterior porte-coch猫re designed to improve accessibility and provide a covered arrival and departure area.

The improvements were made possible through the generosity of many alumni and friends of the university, including FHU Board of Trustees member Jay Dryden and his wife, Hilde. The ribbon cutting ceremony will mark the official reopening of the renovated venue, now bearing the Dryden family name in honor of Jay鈥檚 great-grandfather, David Thomas Dryden.

鈥淒ryden Auditorium is the center of activity for both the FHU campus and the surrounding community, hosting events both large and small,鈥� FHU Senior Vice President Dave Clouse said. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Dryden family and to the many other donors whose generosity made these improvements possible.鈥�

Jay Dryden is a 2001 快猫视频-Hardeman alumnus, Certified Financial Planner庐 and co-founder of Vector Wealth Strategies in Huntsville, Alabama. A member of FHU鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2012, he has long supported the university through philanthropy, student mentorship and leadership. Hilde Dryden is also an FHU alumna, and as the first in her family to attend a Christian university, she inspired the creation of the Genesis Scholarship, which supports students who are also the first in their families to attend a Christian university. Together, Jay and Hilde are committed to helping future generations of students have access to the same Christ-centered education that shaped their own lives.

鈥淥ne of the things I appreciate most about my time at 快猫视频-Hardeman is something I probably appreciated the least while I was a student 鈥� the opportunity to stop each day with the entire campus community and focus on our Creator for a few minutes in chapel,鈥� Jay Dryden said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 an experience you don鈥檛 fully understand until years later, when you realize how rare it is. The auditorium isn鈥檛 just a building; it鈥檚 where generations of students have worshiped together, built lifelong relationships and celebrated one of life鈥檚 most meaningful milestones. Hilde and I are grateful to be among the many alumni and friends helping preserve that experience for generations to come.鈥�

Following the ribbon cutting, Jay and Hilde Dryden will serve as Bellmasters for the annual Tolling of the Bell. Since the year 2000, the ceremony has been a longstanding tradition marking the beginning of each academic year at 快猫视频. The ceremony will formally ring in the university鈥檚 157th year.

The mission of 快猫视频 is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. Located in Henderson, Tennessee, FHU offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, specialist and doctoral degrees.