The 600-seat venue was renamed in honor of the 1979 Lion graduate earlier this year.

Hundreds gathered in the East Texas A&M University Music Building to honor the memory of a Lion alumna and take in a stirring performance by several ensembles of the School of Music as the university formally dedicated the Cheryl Childers Lewis Concert Hall.

The dedication honors Lewis, a 1979 graduate of East Texas State University (now East Texas A&M), who spent her career conducting choirs of all ages, leading church choirs, providing private voice lessons and leading children’s musical theater productions.

Cheryl and her husband Jim, both ETSU alumni, stayed connected to the university’s music programs after graduating. After Cheryl passed away in 2016, Jim established an endowed scholarship for Lion music students and sponsored the Cheryl Childers Lewis Honors Recital.

Earlier this year, Jim bestowed a generous $500,000 gift to the School of Music, and the concert hall was renamed in Cheryl’s honor in recognition of his gift. The renaming was officially approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in May 2026.

Jim, who came out of retirement in 2023 and now works as a senior advancement officer at East Texas A&M, said Cheryl would be proud of the progress the School of Music has made since her passing.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to lift up Cheryl’s memory in such a conspicuous and meaningful way. She lived a life characterized by exemplary service, uncommon fortitude and extraordinary faith,” Lewis said. “She would be very proud of the great work being done by the outstanding faculty and students in the East Texas A&M University School of Music and humbled to have her name connected to the place where they make such beautiful music.”

Devin Girod, vice president for philanthropy and engagement, said that gifts like Jim’s create opportunities for ETAMU students to excel.

“The extraordinary talent of our School of Music students underscores what is possible when talent meets meaningful investment,” Girod said. “Jim’s generosity honors Cheryl’s legacy in a lasting way while creating opportunities for generations of students to learn, perform and pursue their passion for music. Jim and Cheryl exemplify the affinity and commitment so many of our alumni have for East Texas A&M, and I hope their story inspires others to reconnect, get involved and invest in the School of Music’s continued excellence.”

The dedication concert featured performances by the East Texas A&M Wind Ensemble, Chamber Singers and Chorale, as well as solo performances by pianist Hyewon Lee and vocalist Daniel Feliberty Irizarry. A reception following the concert featured a performance by the “Panimation” steel drum ensemble.

The Lion students showcased their talents in performances of music by Debussy, Mozart, Copland and more.

Want to make a difference in a Lion music student's life? Give to the Music Excellence Fund or honor Cheryl's legacy through the Cheryl Childers Lewis Endowed Music Scholarship. Explore more ways to give at etamu.edu/giving.