On Tuesday night, Union hosted David Boudia, an Olympic Gold Medalist diver and author of the book Greater Than Gold: From Olympic Heartbreak to Ultimate Redemption, for a book signing and scholarship fundraiser dinner at the Carl Grant Event Center, in which Boudia gave the keynote speech.
Boudia’s speech stuck to the basic themes of his book: his journey to becoming a champion and the realization that even man’s greatest goals and accomplishments cannot satisfy without a relationship with God. Even people who had not read his book were inspired by the speech.
I have not read Greater Than Gold but after [Tuesday], I definitely want to,” Lauren Massongill, sophomore special education major, said. “It’s on my summer reading list now!”
According to Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, Boudia’s autobiography is a must read for Union students.
“I would highly recommend [Greater than Gold] to others,” Oliver said. “He speaks openly about his struggles with sin and the challenge of living faithfully in the world. He grounds his story in God’s Word, and it is easy to see the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his life.”
In addition to being an Olympic Gold Medalist, author, and powerful speaker, Boudia also has ties to Union. Tim Ellsworth, the co-author of Greater than Gold, is the Associate Vice President for University Communications at Union. When the event was being coordinated, Ellsworth reached out to Boudia to be the keynote speaker.
The banquet also raised money for scholarships for incoming freshmen in the fall of 2018. In addition to a buffet dinner for eight and a photo op with the gold medalist himself, a $300 table sponsorship included being entered to win a $1000 scholarship for a prospective student.
