On Friday, February 6, Spring Arbor University (SAU) held the fifth annual Babbie Mason Songwriting Competition, an event designed to celebrate creativity and original music, and raise funds for the Babbie Mason Minority Music Scholarship.

This year’s event featured six finalists performing their original compositions for our judging panel. Our featured finalists were Stephanie Gessner, Ben Gerig, Paul Nemecek, Adler Hammond, Laura Dickey ’93, and Kathy White. Kathy won this year’s contest with her original piece, Even Now.

In addition to our finalists’ performances, Babbie and her son, Chaz Mason, a producer himself, gave special performances to end the evening. Last year’s winner, Bradly Rainwater ’26, also returned to perform his song Broken Hallelujah, which was produced by Babbie and Chaz within the last year.

The competition also recognized the Babbie Mason Minority Music Scholarship, a scholarship that encourages current students to pursue their musical aspirations at SAU.

“It’s a full-circle moment having been a student and then a graduate, having my own musical experience here on campus, and having professors, staff, and my peers pour into my life, to now having developed the Babbie Mason Minority Music Scholarship and giving back to the community,” said Babbie Mason ’78. “To be able to give back to the next generation is a God-honoring, full-circle experience.”

To donate to the Babbie Mason Minority Music Scholarship, you can visit this link.

SAU would like to thank Babbie Mason, Chaz Mason, and the SAU Music Department for the work they put into hosting this inspiring event that continues to celebrate and recognize musical talent in our community.