Lee Benson, professor of art and department chair, is working to create a sculpture to celebrate the lives of students Olivia Greenlee and Leighton Williams.
Greenlee was a senior at Union University. The music education major was a member of Dyersburg Baptist Church and a part of Union’s Singers. She was also a member of Union’s Zeta Tau Alpha. Williams was also a senior at Union. The nursing major was a member of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Williams was also the social chair of Union’s Chi Omega.
The hill is a representation of us ascending of the mountain to God. The stone wall is a metaphor for Heaven. The well symbolizes Jesus as the Living Water and the pump is to show that anyone can receive the Living Water. The tree is a metaphor of us sinking our roots deep into Christ and flourishing.
Benson wants everyone to know that this is not a memorial.
“We are not here to memorialize these two young women,” Benson said. “What we have to do is allow the world to see that this is actually a celebration.”
Not only is this sculpture here to help us remember Greenlee and Williams, it is also here to help us grow spiritually.
“I hope it’s a reminder to all of us to reassess our belief system and our hope that we have for eternal life,” Benson said.
Hope Lewis, sorority sister of Greenlee in Zeta Tau Alpha, is anticipating the sculpture. The education major feels as if this piece of art will help the Union community remember Olivia.
“This memorial will remind me of the peacefulness that Olivia always seemed to exude,” Lewis said.
Likewise, Anna Coley, sorority sister of Williams in Chi Omega, appreciates the sculpture as well.
“The Oasis sculpture will be a place of peace and reassurance that the Lord is forever faithful, and that all things happen for His good and for His glory,” said Coley.
The Oasis sculpture is scheduled to be finished by the end of June 2015.
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