2026 Legacy Gala
145 Years: God’s Faithfulness Through the Generations
For one evening, the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building 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.”
The Gala Comes Home to Campus
Moving the annual Legacy Gala onto campus gave the 2026 celebration a distinctive sense of place. For one evening, the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building became an elegant event venue filled with conversation, music, dinner, celebration, and stories from generations connected to The King’s Academy.
Much of the success of the event, which raised financial aid funds for students in need, was made possible through generous sponsors, volunteers, families, alumni, and friends of the 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.
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 financial support and her family’s remarkable connection to the Academy.
That relationship extends across nearly a century. The Atchley family’s connections and contributions remain visible in places that continue to be part of everyday campus life, including Atchley Dormitory and Woody Auditorium.
Smith’s continued generosity has helped extend that legacy into another generation. She expressed her appreciation for the recognition through a video message from her home in Sevierville.
An Evening Filled With Familiar Voices
The program brought together alumni, Academy leaders, musicians, and students whose stories represented different chapters in the life of TKA.
Dr. Fred Eaves
President-Elect Dr. Fred Eaves welcomed guests to campus and opened the evening with the invocation.
Greetings From Near and Far
Video presentations featured Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Dr. Agnes Lukaszczyk ’99, and Dr. Kaiyi Jiang ’17.
145 Years Remembered
President Emeritus Dr. Walter Grubb presented an overview of prominent alumni throughout Academy history and the generations of graduates who have carried TKA’s influence beyond campus.
Viola Modi ’26
Viola Modi served as the evening’s featured student speaker, giving guests a firsthand glimpse of the students at the heart of TKA’s mission and connecting 145 years of Academy history with the lives being shaped on campus today.
An Evening to Remember
Generations in Song
Music provided another connection across generations of the TKA community. 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 in support of student financial aid.
Knight also coordinated the online auction, while EK Auctioneers contributed items and expertise to help make the fundraising portion of the evening a success.
Around the Table
Tandalyn Burton of Sweet ’n’ Sassy Catering provided a gourmet meal 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.
The Evening in Pictures
More moments from a record-setting night celebrating 145 years of God’s faithfulness through the generations.
The Setting & Service
4 photographsProgram & Honorees
5 photographsMusic & Auction
8 photographsCommunity & Guests
15 photographsMade Possible Through Generosity
The success of the 2026 Legacy Gala and its support of financial aid for TKA students was strengthened by businesses, alumni, families, and friends who generously partnered with the Academy.
Generations Sponsors
In Memory of Thomas F. King, Andrew King ’82, and Scott King ’76
Faithful Friends
145 Years of Faithfulness.
One Continuing Story.
A host of parent, student, and faculty volunteers helped bring the 2026 Legacy Gala to life.
From transforming the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building and welcoming guests to preparing the program, supporting the auction, providing music, and handling countless details behind the scenes, the evening reflected the very legacy it celebrated: generations of people choosing to invest in the mission of The King’s Academy.
For nearly a century and a half, students, families, faculty, alumni, and friends have each carried part of the Academy’s story. The 2026 Legacy Gala honored those who came before while helping make the next chapter possible.
