I think Clark would be in awe that he came from winning 'The Gong Show' at Lee to being on 'American Idol."
It could be a scene on any college campus: Students in shorts and Greek-letter shirts lounge in the student center, talking, laughing and chowing down on pizza while "American Idol" plays in the background.
But what sets this group apart is the expectant lull that dims the noise each time "AI" host Ryan Seacrest announces the name of the next contestant to advance in the voting, then the exultant cheer that goes up when that name is Clark Beckham.
Lee University students Emma Myers, left, and Megan Jafari watch Lee alumnus Clark Beckham perform on "American Idol."Tune In
"American Idol" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox. Tomorrow night's theme will be Judges' Hometowns and Soul Songs. The winner will be announced May 13.
Lee University students eat pizza as they watch Lee alumnus Clark Beckham perform on "American Idol."Since March 18, students at Lee University have gathered each Wednesday night in Conn Student Union to view episodes of Fox's TV talent show and vote for Beckham, their school's now-famous alum who's considered a frontrunner to win the title of American Idol this season. Last week, about 75 students were on hand, but they've drawn anywhere from 60 to 150, says Jill Welborn, Lee's director of student development.
"Support from my family means more to me than anything and Lee University is a huge part of that family," Beckham writes in an email to the Times Free Press. "From the choirs to the Greek clubs to the professors, the people I spent time with at Lee are the reason I'm here on 'Idol' and I miss them terribly.
"To hear that they're supporting me from thousands of miles away and perhaps thinking of me as much as I'm thinking of them makes me feel strong and helps me keep going each week," he says.
The viewing parties were the idea of members of Epsilon Lambda Phi, an all-female Greek social-service club on campus and where Beckham is an honorary big brother.
"We started with about 20 or 30 people who knew Clark," says Hannah Lethbridge, Epsilon past president. "Because Clark was so involved at Lee and it's been such a big part of his life and his music career, he's just friends with everybody. So people are like 'I know Clark' and 'My buddy, Clark.' Once the university got behind the parties, it's grown from there."
Lethbridge and friend Rachel Byrd were in Los Angeles last Wednesday to see Beckham's live performance on "American Idol." Byrd's parents gave the seniors plane tickets as graduation gifts to see their friend.
"Clark is everything everybody sees on TV. He is doing what he absolutely loves. He is quirky. He's fun. I always tell him he's a dork -- but in the best way," Byrd says, laughing.
The word "humble" was used repeatedly to describe Beckham around the Student Union on Wednesday.
"He's always been very humble about his music, lets the recognition he receives come on its own from his performances," says Christian Brewer, 21, Beckham's former roommate at Lee.
Brewer says that, during their dorm year together, Beckham kept a piano and acoustic and electric guitars in their room and was constantly playing or singing.
Lee University students Caroline Corley, Sierra Smith and Trevor Mullikin, from left, cheer as Lee alumnus Clark Beckham is announced as safe on "American Idol."Lee junior Tyler Jarvis says he and Beckham used to play in a band together and he credits Beckham's talent for arranging music, in part, for his success on "Idol."
"He's smart musically," agrees Lee senior Adrienne Sandifer, 21.
Kelly O'Bannon, a 21-year-old senior, was in Campus Choir with Beckham when she was a freshman. "That was four years ago and he has grown as a musician so much since then. He has the talent. He's himself on TV," she says.
"I think Clark has every component to be successful on 'Idol," Hannah Buckingham says. "He's very charismatic, very musical and also very driven. When people get on 'Idol,' they need to have a background in music performance, and Lee has equipped him for this."
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.