U OF M Fellowship of Christian Students to celebrate centennial

An integrated celebration by Christian students on campus will commemorate the history of The University of Memphis on Sunday at 4 p.m.

This Sunday, Christian organizations at The U of M will come together to celebrate the school's centennial anniversary.

The Fellowship of Christian Student will sponsor the event with Kingdom Alliance Entertainment and It's J Media.

"We want this to be something that the Christian community could celebrate," said Cortney Richardson, minister at St. Paul Baptist Church and a graduate assistant.

"The gathering will mark the first time all of the Christian organizations on campus fellowship together," Richardson said.

Guest speakers include Christopher B. Davis, Sr. of St. Paul Baptist Church, Zac Reno of Bellevue Baptist Church, Pastor Stacy Spencer of New Direction Christian Center, Reverend Robert "Ty" Jones of Keel Avenue Baptist Church.

"I thought that we needed some big celebration. I saw that everyone else was having an event, so I orchestrated one for the Christian community," Richardson said.

Davis teaches in The U of M's Project Transformation Bible Study and will speak Sunday.

"One hundred years shows The University of Memphis as a faithful institution and I am honored to be a part of it," Davis said. "I look forward to seeing students that understand that you can worship God and enjoy your college years."

Carla Tolbert-Taylor will perform at the celebration. She is the daughter of Odie H. Tolbert, the first African-American librarian at The U of M.

"My father made history here at The University of Memphis and it is an honor for me to sing at the same place that he worked for many years," Taylor said. "I'm looking forward to being able to share my gift and celebrate this centennial."

The event will be held in the Michael D. Rose Theatre. It is free and open to the campus community.

"To see such a dynamic group of pastors and preachers come on college campus to assist in the celebration of The University's 100th year brings joy to my soul," said Kenya Gray, freshman member of the Fellowship of Christian Students. "Seeing integration occur in a Christian setting where all races and denominations can join together and worship one God that we all serve is a beautiful thing."