JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 4, 2016 —
Students, alumni and friends gathered Oct. 1 for the dedication of The Oasis in honor of Olivia Greenlee, who passed away in 2014 while she was a student at Union.
The Oasis is a sculpture built to celebrate the life of Greenlee and fellow student Leighton Williams, who also passed away in the same academic year. Lee Benson, professor of art and designer of the sculpture, said it is not a memorial, but a sculpture that celebrates hope.
鈥淚 wanted us to celebrate their hope, not remember their passing,鈥� Benson said. 鈥淲e are not remembering the dead, but the living. For as sure as they were with you, they will be with you forever.鈥�
Todd Brady, vice president for university ministries, led a time of prayer and Scripture reading at the dedication. He said he will always remember the joy and life Greenlee brought to her sisters in Zeta Tau Alpha, Union鈥檚 music department and the entire Union community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e here today because of this special place which is an ongoing reminder to us of a special person who lived a special life on earth, a special life that is now being lived in heaven with Jesus,鈥� Brady said.
Catherine Guthrie, president of Union鈥檚 chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, said she is thankful for the impact Greenlee had on many lives, even the lives of people she never met.
鈥淲hen I think of Olivia, I think of a God-fearing woman who loved the Lord and who lived his light in such a dark world,鈥� Guthrie said.
She said she also thinks of Greenlee鈥檚 poise and grace, and the confidence with which she lived her life in Christ. She said she remembers Greenlee鈥檚 beautiful voice and the smile she always wore.
鈥淲hen I think of Olivia, all I can do now is smile,鈥� she said.
Union鈥檚 Voices of Proclamation sang in honor of Greenlee, and three members of Zeta Tau Alpha sang 鈥淕ive Me Jesus,鈥� which Guthrie said was one of Greenlee鈥檚 favorite songs.
鈥淪he sang like an angel, and she鈥檚 in heaven singing with the angels now,鈥� she said.
The Oasis sculpture includes a tree and working water pump, as well as stones with the initials of the Greenlee and Williams. Those in attendance at the dedication were able to fill jars with water from the pump to keep as personal memorials. Greenlee鈥檚 family was in attendance at the dedication and were the first to receive water from the pump.
Union plans to hold a similar dedication service for The Oasis during Homecoming weekend in November, with the Williams family attending.