2026 Legacy Gala
For one evening, Tibbetts looked entirely different. More than 250 alumni, families, friends, and supporters gathered inside the elegantly transformed campus building for The King’s Academy’s 2026 Legacy Gala.
The March 28 gathering set a new attendance record for the annual event. Yet the evening celebrated much more than a milestone.
Against the backdrop of TKA’s 145th year, the Academy reflected on generations of people whose faithfulness, generosity, service, and love for the school have helped carry its mission forward. The Gala also raised financial aid funds to help make a TKA education possible for students in need.
Alumni from across the decades joined current families, faculty, trustees, students, and friends of the Academy for an evening that looked both backward and forward, remembering a remarkable history while investing in the generations still to come.
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”Psalm 145:4
The Gala Comes Home to Campus
Moving the annual Legacy Gala to campus gave the 2026 celebration a distinctive sense of place. For one evening, the Tibbetts Building became an elegant event venue filled with conversation, music, dinner, celebration, and stories from generations connected to The King’s Academy.
Trustee and popular campus speaker Craig Connatser served as Master of Ceremonies. President-Elect Dr. Fred Eaves welcomed guests and offered the invocation to begin the evening.
Video presentations featured Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Dr. Agnes Lukaszczyk ’99, and Dr. Kaiyi Jiang ’17. President Emeritus Dr. Walter Grubb also offered an overview of prominent alumni throughout the Academy’s history.
Sarah Atchley Smith
Few families are woven more deeply into the story of The King’s Academy.
Connatser announced Sarah Atchley Smith ’51 as the 2026 Legacy Award recipient, recognizing both her ongoing generosity and her family’s remarkable connection to the Academy.
That relationship extends across nearly a century. The Atchley family’s contributions remain visible in places that are still part of everyday campus life, including Atchley Dormitory and Woody Auditorium.
Smith’s continued financial support has helped extend that legacy into another generation. She shared her appreciation for the honor through a video message from her home in Sevierville.
An Evening Filled With Familiar Voices
The program brought together alumni, leaders, musicians, and students whose stories represented different chapters in the life of the Academy.
Dr. Fred Eaves
President-Elect Dr. Fred Eaves greeted guests and opened the evening with the invocation.
Greetings From Near and Far
Video messages featured Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Dr. Agnes Lukaszczyk ’99, and Dr. Kaiyi Jiang ’17.
145 Years Remembered
President Emeritus Dr. Walter Grubb traced the influence of prominent alumni throughout the Academy’s history.
Viola Modi ’26
Featured student speaker Viola Modi gave guests a firsthand glimpse of the students at the heart of TKA’s mission, connecting 145 years of history with the lives being shaped on campus today.
Music, Fellowship and an Auction With a Purpose
Generations in Song
Music provided another connection across the TKA generations. The Mainor Family’s Whippersnapper String Band welcomed guests with a pre-dinner concert, while Jiho Shin ’05 provided recorded piano music during dinner.
Nathan and Whitney Branch led praise and worship. Soloists included Chris Walker ’97, Katie Jo O’Neal ’12 with pianist Beth Smith, and Presley Burgin ’31.
An Auction With a Purpose
Ed Knight of EK Auctioneers became one of the highlights of the evening, energizing the room as guests competed for artwork, memorable experiences, sports memorabilia, and travel packages, all while supporting student financial aid.
Around the Table
Tandalyn Burton of Sweet ’n’ Sassy Catering provided a gourmet dinner of grilled herb chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach cream sauce, fresh herb-tossed linguini, and a grilled vegetable medley.
Hors d’oeuvres and assorted desserts complemented the meal as guests gathered around tables for conversation and fellowship throughout the evening.
Made Possible Through Generosity
Much of the success of the 2026 Legacy Gala was made possible through the generosity of sponsors whose support helped advance the evening’s financial aid mission.
Generations Sponsors
In Memory of Thomas F. King, Andrew King ’82, and Scott King ’76