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.
“I wanted us to celebrate their hope, not remember their passing,” Benson said. “We are not remembering the dead, but the living. For as sure as they were with you, they will be with you forever.”
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’s music department and the entire Union community.
“We’re 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,” Brady said.
Catherine Guthrie, president of Union’s 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.
“When 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,” Guthrie said.
She said she also thinks of Greenlee’s poise and grace, and the confidence with which she lived her life in Christ. She said she remembers Greenlee’s beautiful voice and the smile she always wore.
“When I think of Olivia, all I can do now is smile,” she said.
Union’s Voices of Proclamation sang in honor of Greenlee, and three members of Zeta Tau Alpha sang “Give Me Jesus,” which Guthrie said was one of Greenlee’s favorite songs.
“She sang like an angel, and she’s in heaven singing with the angels now,” 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’s 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.