Inspired Gifts: The Lawrence Concert Series

Tennessee Wesleyan University relies on the gifts of generous donors to accomplish our mission of preparing students for lives of service and success. The Inspired Gifts series looks at recent gifts which accomplish specific purposes, often inspired by donors’ family, careers, passions, and more.

The Merner Pfeiffer Library recently held the Lawrence Concert Series, concerts supported by Dr. Dale Lawrence in memory of his aunt, Edythe Vyvian Smalley.

Smalley was a piano and voice student at the Athens School of the University of Chattanooga (now TWU), but her young life was cut short by the 1919 influenza epidemic. Dr. Lawrence and his syster, Dr. Vyvian Lawrence, inspired by their aunt, went on to the public health fields, in epidemiology and veterinary medicine, respectively.

Dr. Lawrence’s gift made possible this concert series to honor Smalley’s life, to commemorate her love of music, and to share music with the TWU students of today. Musical guests for the Lawrence Concert Series included Cody and Alex, a Senior Music Major Showcase, The Ben Dockery Jazz Trio, and Dreams of Kings.

TWU's relationship with Dr. Lawrence also inspired the Epidemics of Amnesia symposium put on last year on campus. See more about Edythe Vivian Smalley's story and the symposium by scrolling through the gallery on the Epidemics of Amnesia Symposium website.

Cody and Alex

Tabitha Netzas (left), Cristian Buzas (right), and accompanist Sylvia Gossett

Ben Dockery Jazz Trio

Dreams of Kings

Dr. Dale Lawrence and Dr. Vyvian Lawrence