BERRY Winter 2016-17
Justice served
Lisa Slavovsky (01C) walks alongside victims of violence in the developing world
Climbing higher assion drives Marc Heileman (93C) P to reach for new heights in rising industry
Thank you!
For telling us what you think. We asked, and you answered! More than 1,200 alumni and friends shared their opinions about Berry magazine through last fall’s online survey hosted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. We appreciate your thoughtful responses and overwhelmingly positive feedback and will consider survey results carefully as we continue our quest to provide the very best magazine for our readers. You’ll hear more about survey results in our next issue! The Editorial Staff Berry magazine
VOL. 103, NO. 2 | WINTER 2016-17
BERRY 14 Justice served Lisa Slavovsky (01C) walks alongside victims of violence in the developing world
18 Climbing higher
Brant Sanderlin
Features
14
Departments 2
Inside the Gate
• Early ace for tennis center • Surprise gift spurs theatre project; construction underway • Berry to host Governor’s Honors Program • Honoring Pearson • Fall sports highlights • Educating the heart; chapel centennial
10 Well Done!
18
Lauren Neumann (16C)
32 Mountain Day 2016
Mary Claire Stewart (14C)
Passion drives Marc Heileman (93C) to reach for new heights in rising industry
32
12 President’s Essay
An improbable friendship
29 Thank You
Alan Storey
25 News from You
21 The Campaign for Opportunity
• Project focus: Animal science building • Who supports Berry? Chet Diercks Jr.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
2
4
The allée leading to the original Gate of Opportunity; photo by Jessica Foley Griesbach (04C, FS). Cover photo by Brant Sanderlin
INSIDE THE GATE
BERRY magazine
Published three times per year for alumni and friends of Berry College and its historic schools Editor Karilon L. Rogers Managing Editor Rick Woodall (93C) Staff Writer Debbie Rasure Design and Production Shannon Biggers (81C) Chief Photographer Brant Sanderlin News from You and Gifts Listings Justin Karch (01C, 10G), Joni Kenyon, Rose Nix and Carrie Rigdon
Alan Storey
Contact Information News from You and change of address: alumni@berry.edu; 706-236-2256; 800-782-0130; or Berry Alumni Office, P.O. Box 495018, Mount Berry, GA 30149. Editorial: rwoodall@berry.edu; 706-378-2870; or Berry magazine, P.O. Box 490069, Mount Berry, GA 30149. BERRY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION President: Frances Richey (83A, 87C) Past President: Tim Goodwin (03C) Vice Presidents: Alumni Events, Julie Patrick Nunnelly (88C, 00G); Berry Heritage, the Rev. Valerie Loner (91C); Financial Support, Jonathan Purser (85C); Young Alumni and Student Relations, Samantha Knight Tuttle (11C); Alumni Awards, Patricia T. Jackson (82C) Chaplain: Clara Hall McRae (60C) Parliamentarian: Robert Aiken (82A) Secretary: Mandy Tidwell (93C) Historian: Dr. Jennifer Dickey (77A, 80C) Director of Alumni Development Jennifer Schaknowski Vice President for Marketing and Communications Nancy Rewis Vice President for Advancement Bettyann O’Neill President Stephen R. Briggs
2
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Courtesy of Greater Rome CVB
Early ace for tennis center THE ROME TENNIS CENTER AT BERRY COLLEGE was envisioned
as a source of tourism for the local community and opportu nity for Berry students, and it’s shaping up as a winner all around. A public-private partnership funded by a voter-approved special purpose sales tax, the facility has already welcomed several events sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, with many more expected in 2017. This spring, it will host Berry tennis matches as well as its first major collegiate tournament – the Atlantic Coast Conference men’s and women’s championships. The ACC includes such universities as North Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame, Clemson, Virginia Tech,
Georgia Tech, Florida State and Wake Forest. With 60 asphalt courts spread across approximately 30 acres of Berry-donated property just north of Mount Berry Mall, the center has staked its claim as the largest single-surface tennis facility in the United States. It opened to rave reviews in July, with USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith declaring, “Less than a handful of communities in the entire country come close to matching what you have here. You should all give yourselves a round of applause.” The center is also a learning laboratory for students working on site through Berry’s Work Experience Program. These opportunities will expand when plans are finalized for the
addition of a USTA-accredited Professional Tennis Management program leading to certification by the United States Professional Tennis Association. Open to students of all majors, the PTM program will offer a unique combination of online modules developed by the USTA, hands-on work experience, and summer intern ships on site and at other tennis facilities nationwide, providing a pathway to the knowledge, skills and experience required for a career in the tennis industry. “There are only a few PTM programs in the country,” said center Executive Director Tom Daglis. “It’s the crème de la crème. Employers know that a student who has gone through it has the skills to be successful.”
ghp
Surprise gift spurs theatre project STUDENTS WILL COMMAND THE STAGE of Berry’s new theatre when it is completed later this year, but it was project champion Audrey Morgan who stole the show at the Sept. 27 groundbreaking with her announcement of a new $1 million commitment to the facility by the foundation of her late sister, Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey. “Over the years I’ve volunteered and supported a lot of great causes,” said Morgan, a Board of Visitors member and honorary Berry alumna. “And standing right by my side and supporting me in all of my endeavors was my sister and business partner, Bobbie Bailey.” News of this latest commitment came just one year after Morgan’s original $1 million challenge gift initiated fundraising for the $6.7 million project. In the months between, an additional $4 million was contributed by alumni and friends. At press time, the project was less
GOVERNOR’S HONORS PROGRAM
BERRY IS NEW HOST OF GOVERNOR’S HONORS PROGRAM BERRY COLLEGE HAS BEEN SELECTED as the
Ryan Smith (00C)
Audrey Morgan, right, speaks at the groundbreaking for Berry’s new theatre; students transformed the BOLD ropes course into an outdoor venue for Peter and the Starcatcher.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
new site of Georgia’s prestigious Governor’s Honors Program, an annual four-week summer residential program for 650 of the most gifted and talented high school students in Georgia. GHP is the longest continuously running summer enrichment program in the nation and had been held at Valdosta State University for more than 30 years. “We are thrilled to serve as host,” said Berry President Steve Briggs. “Berry’s campus is an ideal setting for a residential program that offers innovative and engaging experiences. We expect the GHP students to make the most of this amazing place and its academic, artistic and recreational opportunities. What a great way for them to test-drive what college can be.” The GHP aims to provide a unique learning experience that cultivates and challenges the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. The program is structured to offer challenging “majors” in academic areas and the arts, while also helping students build meaningful relationships with their fellow participants. Berry was chosen from a group of colleges and universities across the state expressing interest in hosting the program and helping support its continued advancement; Berry also will host 1,500 students and their parents on campus this winter for final GHP interviews and auditions. “Our specialty is a great residential academic community,” said Berry Vice President for Student Affairs Debbie Heida, “and that fits with the Governor’s Honors Program. We’ll treat these students as our own.”
than $300,000 short of completion. Construction is well underway on the east side of Blackstone Hall for the 9,226 square-foot, 250-seat theatre with black-box stage that will usher in an entirely new era for Berry theatre. In addition, updates to support facilities within Blackstone will breathe new life into the oldest permanent brick structure on the Berry campus. Although temporarily displaced by the construction, the theatre program – under the leadership of new director Dr. Anna Filippo – has continued to entertain and inspire. Embracing the adage “The show must go on!” the Berry College Theatre Company is staging productions outdoors and elsewhere on the Berry campus. At the groundbreaking, Morgan praised Berry students’ “Broadway-quality talent,” noting, “This is not a ‘build it and hope they will come’ project, because they are already here.”
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
3
Honoring Pearson EFFORTS TO RECOGNIZE A PIONEER in Berry’s intercollegiate
student photographer Sara Leimbach
INSIDE THE GATE
Warming of Penn State and athletics program have ushered in a new era of lighted Ray Leone of Maryland. Bob Pearson, second from right, is joined at competition for the college’s soccer and softball programs, as “Bob Pearson is and will the first lighted soccer game on Pearson Field well as a name of distinction for the soccer facility. always be known to me as by (from left) grandson Jack Jr., wife Janice, Dr. Bob Pearson, professor of kinesiology emeritus, was on the patriarch of Berry daughter Holly Gaston (93C) and son Jack. hand Sept. 1 to see the Berry soccer women notch a 1-0 College men’s and women’s victory in the first-ever night game on the field that now bears soccer,” Leone said. “His his name. He also plans to attend the official field dedication during support of women’s soccer was visionary at a time when few knew the April 29 men’s and women’s soccer reunion. where college women’s sports was going.” Built in the 1980s during Pearson’s tenure as athletic director, the Basking in the glow of the new soccer lights are other improve soccer complex is just one example of the many advances he helped ments such as a larger scoreboard, permanent bleachers and, most bring about while working to expand equality and opportunity for notably, a two-story building housing media facilities, concessions and Berry’s student-athletes. restrooms. This building was made possible by the generosity of Brad Among those supporting the naming effort was an impressive and Mary Gooch, retirees who became enthusiastic and generous fans group of former Berry coaches who later worked in NCAA Division I, of Berry soccer after relocating to the Rome area. including one-time Creighton and Stanford coach Bret Simon (82G); Lights at the adjacent softball field made their debut last spring, Kurt Swanbeck, formerly of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; helping to light the way to another Southern Athletic Association and three current head coaches: Becky Burleigh of Florida, Bob championship for the Vikings.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Let there be light
4
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
By the numbers FIVE-HUNDRED, THIRTY-FOUR FRESHMEN and 39 transfer
students took their initial steps through the Gate of Opportunity last fall, joining a student body enriched by historic retention rates at all levels of the college. The result was a total enrollment of 2,174 (including 101 graduate students). The newcomers are geographically diverse – photo by Jennifer Dickey (77A, 80C)
representing more than 25 different states and several foreign countries – and individually accomplished, with seven valedictorians and five salutatorians among them. One-third of the freshmen who reported rank finished in the top
AN EXTENSIVE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION EFFORT has helped ensure that one of the oldest buildings on the Berry campus will continue to serve as a visible reminder of the college’s historic roots. Cabin in the Pines, which is nestled between Hermann Hall and Barnwell Chapel along the Road of Remembrance, received a new stone foundation, exterior logs, roof and floor during work completed in the fall. Brothers Mike and David Crook – the same craftsmen who completed the restoration of Roosevelt Cabin – also stabilized cabin walls, restored the ceiling, refaced the fireplace and rebuilt the firebox. Thought to have been constructed in the late 1880s, the structure first was known by Martha Berry as a tenant house for her father’s workers. It later served as a day school, club meeting room, handicrafts center and Sunday school room. The last major restoration was in 1986. “Berry’s historic buildings are part of what makes the campus special,” said Dr. Jennifer Dickey (77A, 80C), Berry’s campus preservationist and a history professor at Kennesaw State University. “They are part of who we are as an institution, and it’s important to continue to preserve them.” Funding for the project was provided by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and their Junior Membership Committee, the Daughters of Berry, donors to Berry’s Historic Preservation Fund, and revenue from film and television shoots on campus.
2,174
25 5607 than two-thirds were in the top 25 percent. Many also have strong family ties to Berry, with more than 60 declaring alumni as relatives.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Campus landmark gets new life
10 percent of their high school classes, and more
KCAB welcomes the class of 2020 to campus
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
5
INSIDE THE GATE
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Recruited to build a program from the ground up, Berry’s first full class of football seniors will graduate as co-champions of the Southern Athletic Association. The Vikings posted a 9-1 record last fall, the best in the program’s four-year history. They finished a perfect 5-0 on Williams Field at Valhalla and were 7-1 in the SAA, tying Washington University in St. Louis for first place. A come-from-behind victory over Centre marked the end of the line for the team’s 36 seniors, but their accomplishments won’t soon be forgotten. Their résumé includes Berry’s unforgettable first-ever varsity win on Mountain Day 2014, back-to-back winning seasons in 2015 and 2016, and a sparkling 9-1 record at Valhalla. “It would be hard to write a better script for this class,” said Berry head coach Tony Kunczewski. “They’ve certainly left a mark on our football program. More importantly, they’ve left a mark on Berry. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these men. They’ve been leaders here since day one.” Kunczewski was honored as 2016 SAA Coach of the Year, and 17 players were All-Conference selections. They were led by SAA Defensive Player of the Year Mamadou Soumahoro, who also became Berry’s first football All-American.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Championship season
The women’s cross country team also made history last fall, winning its first SAA championship and posting a best-ever sixth-place finish in NCAA Division III regional competition. Senior captain Danielle Patterson, pictured at right, paced her team by finishing second individually in the SAA meet and fifth in the regional race held in Berry’s Clara Bowl. Her regional time of 22:32.30 earned her an additional distinction as the program’s first NCAA national qualifier. Paul Deaton (91C) was honored as SAA Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in recognition of the team’s success, while freshman Abby Carroll was named the conference’s top newcomer.
student photographer Russell Maddrey
All-American success
6
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Three Berry volleyball players – junior Hannah Kate Thompson and seniors Jessica Gum and Katie Truluck – earned praise as honorable-mention All-Americans from the American Volleyball Coaches Association after leading their team to a 23-10 record and a runner-up finish in the SAA tournament. Truluck also was named SAA Defensive Player of the Year. In women’s soccer, senior Maggie Midkiff (pictured) again claimed Academic All-America recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America.
student photographer JoCee North
Race to the top
MBA FLEX
Zane Cochran
gives students more options A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING OPTION combining online activities with
Berry parents establish matching fund for Ford Auditorium renovation WITH CONSTRUCTION WELL UNDERWAY ON BERRY’S NEW THEATRE, attention has turned to the second major arts priority of the LifeReady Campaign – renovation of historic Ford Auditorium into a first-class recital hall. To encourage support for the $4.9 million project, Berry parents Rick and Barbara Gaby recently stepped forward with a $300,000 commitment to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for new gifts by others, doubling their impact. This effort follows the lead of other successful matching programs supporting Gate of Opportunity Scholarships, Clark Track and the new theatre. Built in the late 1920s at the direction of Henry Ford himself, Ford Auditorium long has served as Berry’s signature venue for music performance. Planned enhancements include an enlarged stage, 366 seats in an arched configuration, redesigned balcony, highperformance acoustics, digital lighting and sound systems, climatecontrolled instrument storage, renovated foyer and lobby, and restoration of historic architectural elements. Contact Scott Breithaupt (91C, 96G) at 706-238-5897 or sbreithaupt@berry.edu for more information on the matching program as well as the many naming opportunities available. For project updates visit www.berry.edu/fordauditorium.
traditional classroom sessions is making it more convenient than ever before to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Berry’s Campbell School of Business. Launched in the fall, FlexMBA is one of two ways to earn a Berry MBA. It complements the “fast-track” program introduced in 2015, which allows students to complete their degrees in one year (four semesters) by taking a full class load. Both options are meant to increase access to the program, even for students who don’t have an undergraduate degree in business. FlexMBA opened the door of opportunity for Mack Wright, who works from home as program manager for a national health care organization while also looking after the son he shares with wife Dr. Lauren Denney Wright, a member of Berry’s music faculty. “I have needed to pursue an MBA for many years to advance my career, but life was always in the way,” he said. “With my job, I often travel. A few years ago this would have resulted in a failing grade in each course due to the rigid attendance requirements and lack of technology to enable distance learning.” Now Wright and other FlexMBA students can watch recorded lectures and classroom discussions online; use Skype for Business to participate in classes, meet with professors or work with fellow students; and discuss projects, readings and other topics with classmates through online forums hosted by Berry. “Without these positive program developments, I would not have pursued an MBA, or I would have looked to another college or university to meet my needs,” Wright said.
Draut joins advancement staff strongly motivated to work with alumni and friends in support of Berry’s mission because he understands personally just how special his new place of employment is. Both of his daughters are Berry students: Alexis is a senior and Hannah a freshman. Draut came to Berry from Centre College where he served as director of leadership gifts and the parents program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree from Webster University and spent 20 years in the corporate world as a product manager before transitioning to fundraising. He and wife Maureen round out their family with two rescued canines, Parker and Jett.
student photographer Sara Leimbach
Robert Boag
NEW SENIOR ADVANCEMENT OFFICER DOUG DRAUT is
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
7
heart
portion of Berry’s timeless “head, heart and hands” mission, and you’re likely to hear references to service or to the school’s Christian heritage, which was celebrated last fall with the centennial anniversary of the Berry College Chapel. For the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins and his staff in the chaplain’s office, it means actively encouraging students to take matters of faith seriously and engage in their own spiritual growth. “We help students develop a wellinformed, thinking faith,” said Huggins, who also serves as pastor of Mount Berry Church. “We want to help students grow in their understanding of God and virtue, of religious devotion and practice, and to have a clearer vision of who they ought to be in the world.” CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL MATURITY
While the “heart” of Berry’s mission is reflected throughout campus culture, its spiritual essence has its home in the college’s voluntary Religious Life program, which focuses on helping students navigate a broad spectrum of issues and develop spiritual maturity in their thoughts, feelings and actions. Operating out of the chaplain’s office, Religious Life encompasses all the things you might expect – small-group meetings, discus sions about theology and social issues, Bible studies, and service opportunities – each grounded in the commitment to welcome students of every faith tradition, as well as those who have no spiritual foundation. “We try to meet students where they are, and we don’t impose our views,” Huggins said. “We pray, we listen, and we do our best to provide wisdom and support.” SERVANT LEADERS
Forty-seven years after the end of mandatory church attendance on the Berry campus, religious life remains vibrant thanks, in part, to dedicated students who work and
8
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
serve in leadership roles for the chaplain’s office, Mount Berry Church and other related groups. Working alongside Huggins and his assistant chaplain, the Rev. Erin Moniz (03C), students in the chaplain’s office, religious-life groups and Mount Berry Church coordinate 12 to 15 events each week, including concerts and nationally recognized speakers hosted by the Lumen Lecture Series. “Our student workers and leaders have very demanding jobs that require a range of skills and the ability to work as a team,” Moniz said. “It’s high-level work. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish what we do without them.” FOREVER CHRISTIAN, ALWAYS WELCOMING
At a time when religion often is a divisive issue, Berry strives to balance its pledge to be “forever Christian in spirit” with the deep desire and commitment to welcome people from diverse religious traditions and help students from different backgrounds find ways to express their faith. “We work to find connecting points, common ground,” Huggins said. Some of those connecting points are found in the interdenominational Christian worship service of Mount Berry Church. Others are forged through the 12 student-led religious-life groups on campus, which include major Christian denominations as well as groups for students of other faiths. Still more connections have been made through the Interfaith Council, a group of faculty, administrators and students formed in 2003 to help foster a welcoming environment for people of all faiths. “You can’t turn a corner at Berry without bumping into opportunities for heart formation, but the heart isn’t in isolation,” Moniz said. “We try to help students learn to integrate the heart into their minds and their actions. Berry’s mission makes for a very unique education – and the heart is part of who we are.” B
Alan Storey
ASK SOMEONE TO DEFINE THE “HEART”
student photographer Jenna Johnson
by DEBBIE RASURE
Mary Claire Stewart (14C)
EDUCATING THE
Mary Claire Stewart (14C)
INSIDE THE GATE
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS GATHERED LAST FALL TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
of the Berry College Chapel, the symbolic heart of Berry’s campus. The Sept. 18 service featured the combined voices of Berry’s choirs and remarks by the Rev. Fleming Rutledge, an internationally known preacher and teacher. In addition, three new donorfunded musical instruments were dedicated, including a Steinway piano, Johannus Ecclesia digital organ, and digital carillon and sound system. Designed by architect Harry Carlson of Boston (who also designed the Ford Buildings), the college chapel was built by students in 1915 and dedicated in 1916. Since that time, it has served as a venue for religious services, notable speakers and countless weddings.
From Berry Trails: An historic and contemporary guide to Berry College, we share the following facts about the historic structure’s earliest years: • Originally called Mount Berry Chapel. • Made possible by a gift from Mrs. Curtiss James of New York, whose $50,000 contribution remained anonymous at her request until 50 years after her death. • Originally seated 750 but was expanded in 1927-28 to hold 1,100. • Featured a specially cast bell in the tone of B flat, which often was rung to herald happy times in the lives of students. • When deteriorating woodwork was replaced in 1947-48, 47 gallons of honey were salvaged from a column and served in the dining halls. • On June 23, 1917, Henry Grady Hamrick (12H) and Ethel Edwards (15H) were the first to be married there. • Martha Berry was buried on the south lawn of the chapel on March 1, 1942. A dogwood tree was planted at the head of her grave in 1946 and an eternal flame was lighted in 1966 when she was recognized with the Atlanta Gas Light Company’s Shining Light Award. • Miss Berry personally chose not to be buried in a more prominent place at the chapel’s front because the band stood there during the traditional march of students into the chapel, and she was afraid her grave would cause them to play more softly than they should.
100years Historic photos courtesy of Berry Archives
t
College chapel marks 100 years
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
9
WELL DONE!
student photographer Sofie DeWandel
photo courtesy of Colleen Curlee (16C)
Awesome adviser Academic dynasty The women’s swimming and diving team has posted a perfect record in the classroom since its 2009-10 inaugural season: In seven out of seven years – including 2016 – the unit has been named a Scholar AllAmerica Team by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America. This year, the swimmers and divers posted a collective GPA of 3.43 during the spring semester to earn the award. Numerous other Berry teams earned similar recognition in 2016 including the baseball Vikings, who made the grade as inaugural recipients of the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Team Academic Excellence Award.
Rockin’ job Colleen Curlee (16C) was a standout during her four years at Berry, so it should come as no surprise that the former Gate of Opportunity Scholar and student videographer was chosen from a pool of 600 applicants for a coveted film and video internship at Nashville’s Big Machine Records – home of Taylor Swift and many other big-name artists. Even more impressive – and also not surprising – is the fact that the internship culminated with an offer of full-time employment as a video coordinator and editor.
Lauren Neumann (16C)
BERRY COLLEGE:
10
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
The College Media Association has recognized Berry’s Steven Hames as an “Honor Roll Broadcast Adviser” for his work with Viking Fusion, a multimedia website featuring content exclusively student photographer Sara Leimbach authored and produced by Berry students. Hames, who also serves as technology specialist in the communication department, has shepherded Viking Fusion to numerous regional and national honors during his five years as adviser, including 20 award nominations (and seven wins!) in 2016 alone.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT (AGAIN) What do Forbes, Southern Living, Travel Channel, Southwest Airlines and Blue Ridge Outdoors have in common? In recent months, all have focused their considerable spotlights on Berry. Forbes praised the college as an “undervalued buy” and awarded it an “A” for financial fitness, while Southern Living referenced the natural beauty of the Berry campus and its “personalized college experience” in a feature on the South’s best college towns. Travel Channel was similarly impressed, including Berry among its 10 favorite “resort-like campuses,” while readers of Southwest’s inflight magazine were invited to “traverse the world’s largest campus” while viewing a striking photo (at left) of the college’s famed Old Mill. Finally, Berry’s reputation as a really “wild” school made headlines in Blue Ridge Outdoors, which ranked Berry on its list of the region’s top 13 adventure campuses, noting that the college “even has its own bald eagle population, a testament to the unspoiled wilderness students have access to while still being only an hour’s drive from metropolitan hubs like Atlanta and Chattanooga.”
Luck of the Irish: Allie Crain shows her Berry pride while
Taste of
visiting Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher during a summer 2016 study-abroad experience at the Waterford Institute of Technology. The junior double-major in French and communication was one of more than 130 Berry students last summer who participated in study-abroad opportunities on five different continents.
Olympians and Paralympians
weren’t the only highlevel athletes to compete in Brazil last summer. Berry
Ambassador for excellence Amanda Ashley (16C) aims for a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, and she’s getting a strong start as one of only 30 students nationally in 2016 awarded a U.S. State Department-funded Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship. Chosen from an applicant pool in the hundreds, the Berry psychology alumna will receive up to $75,000 in financial support while pursuing a master’s degree in global studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also will have the opportunity to complete summer internships in Washington, D.C., and at an embassy overseas.
Science of teaching Mandi Dean (16C) made history last summer as the first Berry recipient of a five-year Knowles Teaching Fellowship. The doublemajor in mathematics and secondary education now in her first year as a geometry teacher at Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Ga., was one of just 34 early-career high school science and math teachers selected nationwide.
Other recipients of the esteemed fellowships, which provide summer stipends, professional development funds, grants for teaching materials, and additional mentoring and support, represent such notable institutions as Stanford, UCLA, Amherst and Princeton.
White House invitation The rising stature of Berry’s creative technologies program was on display last summer when faculty representatives were invited to the White House (yes, that White House) for a “makerspaces” conference hosted by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology. Creative Technologies Chair John Grout (below right) and Visiting Instructor Zane Cochran spent the day connecting with the nation’s most talented tinkerers and exploring ways to improve student learning and innovation.
volleyball standout Katie Truluck visited the country in June as the libero (defensive specialist) for a team of 10 NCAA Division III all-stars. This is the second consecutive year that Berry has been represented on the team, which this time notched a third-place finish in competition with top Brazilian clubs. student photographer Russell Maddrey
Healthy program Just four years after work was begun to develop a bachelor’s degree program in nursing at Berry, the Georgia Board of Nursing has granted the program full approval, and Berry nurses are finding strong success across the Southeast. Twenty-eight nursing students graduated last May, and all have passed their licensing exam (93 percent on first attempt) and been hired into health care systems. Thirteen are working at metro Atlanta hospitals and 10 in the health care systems of Floyd County, with the other five in Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.
reports compiled by student writer KATHERINE EDMONDS
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
11
PRESIDENT’S ESSAY
friendship — Dr. Stephen R. Briggs
AN IMPROBABLE
E
DSEL FORD, GREAT-
GRANDSON OF HENRY AND
CLARA FORD, VISITED BERRY
LAST OCTOBER, becoming the first
of the couple’s direct descendants to visit campus in more than 65 years. The occasion was the filming of a video honoring the outstanding humanitarian efforts of Ford Motor Company dealers around the globe, and Edsel Ford personally selected Berry College as the ideal setting. “Just as Clara and Henry Ford used their vision and insight to improve the world around them, these dealers have shown an unwavering and relentless commitment to others,” Mr. Ford stated, noting that the honored dealers “perpetuate the spirit of Henry Ford and of Martha Berry – working hard, giving back with a dedication to civic responsibility.” Martha Berry’s friendship with Clara and Henry Ford was truly astonishing. When they first met, Henry Ford was the wealthiest man in America and the wealthiest industrialist in the world. He was about to produce his 10-millionth car and had already amassed a vast industrial empire. To put it in perspective, it would be today as if Bill and Melinda Gates were to take a sudden and profound interest in Berry College. Martha was introduced to the Fords in 1916 at the New Jersey home of Mina and Thomas Edison; Mina and Martha were active members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Martha later visited the Edisons and Fords in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and then met the Fords again in 1922 as they passed through Rome by train en
12
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
route to Florida. Soon after, Henry Ford’s first gifts of tractors and a truck arrived at the Berry Schools, and the couple visited campus in 1923. Over the next two decades, the Fords stopped at Berry regularly, and their friendship with Martha grew deep. Martha was so absorbed in her work that others became believers. As Edsel Ford put it: “Henry, in particular, became increasingly enamored with Martha Berry’s vision for the school, her foresight and her work ethic.” In the spirit of Edsel Ford’s recent visit, it is worth considering again the shared values that shaped and cemented this improbable friendship. DO YOUR BEST WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
When Henry Ford first visited Berry, he was in the process of building the River Rouge Complex in Michigan, the largest factory of its kind in the world. In addition to being a progressive and humane facility with ample light for its 100,000 workers, the revolutionary complex was a model of vertical integration with its own steel mill, electrical plant and interior railroad system. And yet, in the midst of this massive project,
Henry also took delight in the homegrown Berry Schools. Although acutely aware of his wealth and power, he had not forgotten his humble origins as a farm boy. His love for the old ways and his genius for the new remain an intriguing paradox. After a meal at the log cabin campus of the girls’ school at Berry, Clara and Henry were impressed to learn that the girls who had served the meal also cooked it and that Berry boys had grown the vegetables, made the furniture and built the building. Clara asked to look at the kitchen. The stove was small and old, the floor pieced together, but everything was spotlessly clean, even after the meal. She was impressed with what they had accomplished given such limited means. Henry smiled and suggested, “Callie, maybe you’d like to give the girls a bigger stove.” In time, the Fords elected to contribute far more. Henry Ford saw in Martha Berry a fierce determination to build with the materials at hand and to carve opportunity out of adversity. It was the same mindset that enabled him to succeed during the turbulent early years of the automotive industry. Both individuals had a resolve that kept them working on a problem long after others had stopped. IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY
Henry Ford was not a talkative man, but he loosened up during sunset suppers at the House o’ Dreams. That was the place, high atop Lavender Mountain overlooking Berry,
where Martha would go for extended stays to plan and to pray. Up there, she would also ask the Fords for advice about her plans, and that was where they would think with her. All three wanted the schools to succeed; Henry’s advice was to keep buying land, keep working hard and keep both feet on the ground. Henry and Martha talked a lot about education, but he did not try to tell her or others what to do. He expressed his approval in what was being done rather than saying what ought to be done. He was a vigorous proponent for practical training and handson learning. He provided substantial funds for Berry to buy land in the 1920s and ’30s, and he had a vision for how Berry might become increasingly self-sufficient. He believed that agricultural work would strengthen Berry financially and that it was good for students to connect with the land. He sent machinery of every kind – not only tractors, but also everything students needed to use the tractors. For decades, Martha’s chief deputy was Gordon Keown, an early graduate of the Berry Schools. Keown purchased most of the acres the schools acquired and spent hours with Henry Ford exploring country roads. One night the two men were watching a half-dozen school tractors running at 10 p.m. with lights on. They walked out to the field, and Henry praised one boy for “saving a day.” The boy chuckled and responded, “We’re saving a year. If we get it planted now at the right time, we’ll make a crop this year. And if we don’t … we’ll have to wait ’til next year.” Always looking to the future himself, Henry was impressed with the young man’s vision for his work. In Detroit, Henry Ford promoted small water-power plants, and he did so at Berry as well. He funded the construction of Berry’s reservoir and the overshot wooden waterwheel at the Old Mill as well as the purchase of two other water-powered mills. He also purchased a brick plant that enabled
Berry students to make and lay 10 million bricks used in campus buildings including Evans (1931), Thomas Berry (1931), Laughlin (1933), Moon (1934), Cook (1937), Memorial Gymnasium (1937) and the Normandy Buildings/WinShape Retreat (1937). MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL
Clara and Henry Ford were enthusiastic about Martha Berry’s approach to education. Martha believed that people needed to carry their part of the burden of living, and her hope and purpose was to prepare citizens who would make a community better. Her goal in providing an education was not that someone would have an easy life, but rather that a person would work in a manner that was valuable to society. In that sense, Martha and the Fords did not believe in charity or a free education. They came alongside young people willing to make an effort to bring out the best in themselves. The response they sought was a cheerful willingness to participate in work that needed to be done, affirming that all work is honorable if done well. Keown once asked Henry Ford if there were still great opportunities for business. Henry replied enthusiastically that there were a hundred ways a young person could be useful and thereby both better the world and make a good living. He pointed to homes all around where only one in a thousand had indoor bathrooms. He argued that if you focused on improving the lives of others – endeavors that would make life easier and happier for everyone, such as indoor bathrooms – you would likely prosper yourself, but he saw no purpose in creating a product just to make money.
Far left: Historic images of Henry and Clara Ford posing with Martha Berry on campus and Henry Ford, seated next to Martha Berry on the steps of Community House at Possum Trot, accepting a drink of water from Irene Sellers (35C). Near left and above: Edsel Ford, greatgrandson of Henry and Clara Ford, views family letters and photos from the Berry Archives and prepares with President Steve Briggs for a video shoot in the Ford Living Room honoring the humanitarian efforts of Ford dealers.
According to Keown, Martha never asked the Fords for money. They talked instead about what the schools needed to succeed. What Martha Berry valued most “was their friendship, and their interest, and their help, and their good wishes for this place.” For Martha, “What they gave of themselves was worth more to the school than what they gave of their means.” She believed in her heart of hearts that people who directed money to support the deserving students at Berry were choosing to invest in the nation’s most important natural resources. Martha Berry’s friendship with Clara and Henry Ford may have been improbable, but it flourished because the values she sought to instill in Berry students were the very values that invigorated the Fords’ own life’s work. And so we are honored that Edsel Ford returned to Berry to celebrate this legacy and to inspire another generation of citizens to be equally relentless and unwavering in service to others. B
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
13
Justice SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN. FORCED-LABOR SLAVERY. PROPERTY GRABBING. SEX TRAFFICKING. Whatever the abuse,
it’s the powerful taking advantage of the vulnerable, and that happens everywhere – from the dark rooms of a filthy Philippine brothel and the knee-deep mud of worm farms in India to a hard-scrabble patch of land in Uganda and the well-paved streets of Atlanta, where the largest underground sex industry in the United States reportedly flourishes. In our nation and others, systems are in place to protect, help and heal the abused, even if the cracks through which defenseless adults and children sometimes fall remain far too wide open. In many countries, however, there has been absolutely no help or hope for the vulnerable. It’s in these places that Lisa Slavovsky (01C) has chosen to walk alongside survivors on their journey
from rescue to restoration.
14
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
served
by KARILON L. ROGERS portrait by BRANT SANDERLIN
IT SEEMS SO OVERWHELMING.
SO HOPELESS. FOUR BILLION
PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET LIVE OUTSIDE THE PROTECTION OF LAW ACCORDING TO UNITED NATIONS STATISTICS. FOUR BILLION. Whether
they are among the more than 45 million men, women and children reportedly held as slaves, the estimated 2 million children abused in the commercial sex industry, or the millions of powerless widows and orphans living in fear of being forced violently from their homes by more powerful relatives or neighbors, these massive numbers of human beings live in places where the systems of justice cannot or do not protect them from violence. The laws, courts and police are broken, corrupt or dysfunctional – or all three. Yet despite these appalling statistics and an up-close-and-personal view of some of the most horrific abuses, Lisa Slavovsky awakens most mornings full of optimism. As an International Justice Mission aftercare specialist, she has seen firsthand what amazing progress can be made. “Every victory matters and is a sign of progress, whether it is one individual who is safe or the major turnaround we’ve experienced in Cambodia,” she said of the work undertaken by the global nonprofit, which strives to protect the poor from violence throughout the developing world. “If we can see a result, we can keep going.” Currently stationed at IJM headquarters in Washington, D.C., Slavovsky spent her first six years with the organization in Cambodia, a country once viewed by many as “ground zero” for the commercial sexual exploitation of young children. In 2003, IJM President and CEO Gary Haugen labeled the Cambodian sex trade and its practice of marketing children as young as 6 as the most brutal and gutwrenching situation he had witnessed. At that time, minors – many younger than 15 – accounted for up to 30 percent of Cambodian sex-industry workers, and children were being sold for sex openly on the streets. From 2009 to 2013 alone,
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
15
INJUSTICE: Staggering statistics
1 in 5 – Girls/women worldwide who will
become victims of rape or attempted rape; poor girls often are attacked at school
2 million – Children sold into the commercial sex trade annually
“relentless” and credits its global team of lawyers, investigators, social workers, community activists – Stateless people with no rights and other professionals with of citizenship anywhere facilitating rescues of more than 25,000 people and helping to – Men, women and children protect 21 million people from held in forced-labor slavery violence and oppression. IJM works through 18 field offices in India, – Widows living in extreme Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America and South America, and poverty with half a billion children depending 96 percent of its staff members are on them for survival nationals of the countries in which they serve. – Amount generated annually While Slavovsky’s work in by human trafficking aftercare begins at the moment of rescue for individual victims, Source: IJM website providing for their immediate physical and psychological needs is just the Slavovsky and her team provided crisis-care tip of the iceberg. Aftercare also services to more than 300 individuals, encompasses the safe and sustainable return including 125 victims of trafficking, following of victims to their communities, and that police raids on commercial sex requires a coordinated network of local establishments. But in 2015, after years of agencies providing the education, job collaboration with and among Cambodian training and other tools victims need to leaders, police, courts, social services and survive and thrive. nongovernmental organizations, IJM “It’s easy for individuals to be redocumented that the prevalence of minors in victimized if their vulnerabilities remain,” the industry had dropped to just 2.2 percent she explained. overall and 0.1 percent for those 15 or IJM’s approach – and Slavovsky’s focus in younger. The transformation is amazing. aftercare – is to build and maintain strong “Despite the large sex industry that partnerships with local resources and then to persists in Cambodia, young children are look for gaps in the pipeline of justice and now a very small part,” Slavovsky said. “Law process of restoration. No one entity or enforcement is proactive and responsive to agency can address all needs, but when exploitation and forced prostitution, united, they become an effective force. And including the trafficking of minors and because each stage along the justice adolescents. What made the difference continuum is interconnected, Slavovsky’s across the board was the response of the work in aftercare also impacts efforts to public justice system. Originally no one was bring criminals to justice and strengthen the prosecuted; police turned a blind eye or courts. Among many victories in Cambodia, worse. But the government made a shift and for example, Slavovsky and her team of four wanted it to end. Now the changes made in Cambodian social workers trained police in Cambodia serve as an example for other victim/witness interviewing and childcountries about what can be done.” friendly practices that significantly improved the ability of police to build rapport with THE SEARCH FOR JUSTICE children and obtain truthful testimony IJM works to protect the poor from against their abusers. violence by partnering with local authorities to first rescue victims and then hold THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? criminals accountable, restore survivors and Slavovsky approaches her work with a strengthen justice systems so that future deep sense of faith and purpose that springs violence is stopped before it begins. The from her upbringing and was nurtured at organization describes its approach as
12 million
45.8 million 115 million
$150 billion
16
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Berry. Her family’s culture of inclusiveness was a huge shaping factor, and she often tells the story of a homeless man who frequently joined her family for Sunday dinner. “As children, we didn’t think of Joe as someone who was homeless,” she said. “We just knew him as someone who laughed with us, taught us card tricks and was a good friend to our family. My parents have a deep belief in the dignity of every person, and there was always a focus on coming alongside those who are vulnerable. It was modeled for us not just in words but in actions – that we are not the helper and the helpee but are all equal and are just sharing a journey through this world.” Slavovsky came to Berry via the WinShape College Program created by late Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy but as a freshman had no strong sense of future direction. “I believe it was a career center adviser who suggested that I not think about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life but about what I wanted to learn,” Slavovsky said. “She suggested I read through the course catalog and find what interested me. I did that and found I wanted to learn everything that was in the family and community services major.” Slavovsky was among the last graduates of that major, as it began to be phased out her sophomore year. Yet she remains a strong proponent of its multidisciplinary approach and Berry’s hands-on, practical emphasis; her senior-year project required her to work 36 hours a week with the Rome Housing Authority. “It was almost like a graduate-level degree,” she declared. “It was a fantastic foundation for social work practice.” She also volunteered with several other Berry students in the local sexual assault center, discovering a passion for supporting victims in crisis, and shadowed a Berry alumna working in foster care with the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, Ga. It was with the children’s home that she took her first job post-graduation, a position she held for four years until she left to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Michigan. “There were three Berry alumni working
there as foster care workers,” she remembered of the children’s home. “When we needed to fill a position, our supervisor would say, ‘Go shake that Berry tree!’ He knew that people from Berry came with a strong work ethic and a practical, professional approach. And he understood from the get-go that our head, heart and hands approach integrates values into students, that Berry graduates would do the work that needed to be done.” WALKING THE WALK
With master’s degree in hand and following a graduate internship focused on child sexual assault, Slavovsky spent most of 2008 in an aftercare fellowship with IJM in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, before joining the organization full time in January 2009. That she ended up staying in the Southeast Asian nation came as a surprise. “Atlanta is a hotbed of commercial sexual exploitation, and I thought the fellowship would be an opportunity to get equipped to come back and address those issues,” she said. “I thought I’d be there one year and then come back to Atlanta.” What she underestimated was the love she would develop for Cambodia and its culture and how invested she would become in the efforts of the team there. Since 2014, Slavovsky has worked out of IJM’s international headquarters, helping support newly launching field offices in the Dominican Republic and Ghana and taking a temporary role as acting vice president of aftercare. Today she is responsible for aftercare services in the organization’s four field offices on the African continent. She is focused on identifying what is working well in the Ghana, Uganda and Kenya offices, as well as where strengthening is needed and where they can expand into system reforms. Ghana is challenged with forced-labor slavery, Uganda with property grabbing and Kenya with issues of sexual violence and police abuse of power. Slavovsky finds satisfaction in both field work and overall IJM leadership. “In-country, you understand all the nuances, complexities and cultural contexts,” she said. “I loved getting into not only the issues but also the responses, partnerships
and innovations to address changes together. But in D.C., I enjoy the breadth. I love the way I can connect learnings from Cambodia to a new setting, to help others see ways to address overwhelming issues and to bring a sense of hope. You can see progress from here that is hard to see when you are in the midst of it.” Slavovsky comprehends and accepts that her role as an individual is not to fix problems or solve complex issues on her own but rather to walk, as her parents taught her, alongside others.
“I am just a vessel, not a power in and of myself to change things,” she said about her ability to witness man’s inhumanity to man without losing heart or becoming traumatized personally. “I know I am one of many who together are making change possible. I have 750 colleagues around the world who are passionate and innovative, and we are partners with so many others globally. We believe strongly that it is possible to end these global injustices and have great hope that they will, indeed, be ended.” B
Helping humanity AMELIA TODD (12C) ARRIVED AT BERRY WITH A PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE, but she finds herself now on a very different stage than once imagined. Today, the one-time music and management major is a first-year lawyer spending six months with the International Criminal Court in The Hague, working for a judge in trial chambers on cases involving crimes against humanity. Todd’s desire to combat human slavery already has taken her all over the world, from Israel to the Philippines and now to the Netherlands, but it began in an unexpected way: at a sex-trafficking awareness concert her freshman year at Berry. The concert inspired a change of tune in Todd, who discovered while doing research for a speech class that her hometown of Atlanta is a hotbed for sex trafficking and prostitution. “I was horrified to find out that it was happening in my own city,” she said. Spurred to action, Todd joined “Out of Darkness,” a local hotline and safe house founded by Jeff Shaw (04C) that seeks to reach out to, rescue and restore victims of commercial sexual exploitation. She began spending Friday nights with other volunteers in downtown Atlanta extending a hand of friendship to sex workers in the darkest parts of the city. She feared being overwhelmed by hopelessness but was filled with hope instead. “I knew from that point on that I wanted to work somewhere in the anti-trafficking field,” she said. “I didn’t know how until the end of my time at Berry when I decided to go to law school.” The summer after her first year at Emory University School of Law, Todd interned with the International Justice Mission in the Philippines, where the sex trafficking of women and children long had been epidemic. Her fate was sealed: she focused her career on international and criminal law, eventually traveling to Israel for meetings on international humanitarian law with Israeli military and nongovernmental leaders and working with federal prosecutors on human trafficking cases in the Atlanta area. Todd’s temporary assignment in The Hague will conclude later this spring, but she is just beginning her quest to find justice for those most in need.
by KATHERINE EDMONDS, philanthropic communications student writer
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
17
m i
l
C
g n i b
18
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
r e h
hig
by MAXINE DONNELLY (16C)
photo provided by Marc Heileman
photos by MARY CLAIRE STEWART (14C)
MARC HEILEMAN
has spent most of his life reaching for something – usually the next rock ledge. Now he’s also reaching new heights in the climbing industry. IN THE CLIMBING BUSINESS, THERE’S ALWAYS ANOTHER PEAK ON THE HORIZON. Just ask Marc Heileman (93C), whose 26-year journey transformed a hobby into a passion, a passion into a business, and a business into a growing mission to help others experience the exhilaration of scaling new heights. “Climbing’s the perfect metaphor for life because it promotes enthusiasm about setting goals and persevering,” he explained. “You don’t have to artificially inflate someone’s self-esteem when they’re climbing. Even making it halfway up a wall is difficult, so people get this real sense of accomplishment when they can reach a goal.” Once the ninth-ranked competitive climber in the United States, Heileman today is founder and owner, with wife Gaylene, of Treadstone Climbing Gym in Columbus, Ga. He also serves as an outdoor leadership
trainer and designer/builder of climbing walls and gyms, boulder rooms, and ropescourse “outposts” in other states and nations. His business is burgeoning: In addition to being a source of recreation and fitness training, the Columbus gym also is a hub of activity for companies, churches, schools and military groups interested in leadership training and team-building exercises. And the Heilemans are in the initial stages of franchising Treadstone as well as scouting locations for other gyms they will operate. THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Climbing wasn’t always on Heileman’s radar. Growing up in Angleton, Texas, he knew nothing about what was then a niche sport, much less that it would play a central role in his life. Things changed when he enrolled at Berry while on a National Guard BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
19
Above: Marc Heileman climbing in his Columbus, Ga., gym. Left: Heileman holds a rotatable component that adds variety to a climbing wall.
intertwined with mine, so when we lost him, I dedicated myself to preserving his memory with my own work,” Heileman said, pointing out that the boots Wingo wore during the accident now hang in the Treadstone gym as a reminder of this commitment. RISK AND REWARD
assignment in Georgia. A single class on the campus ropes course got him hooked. “It’s impossible not to be enthusiastic about climbing,” Heileman said. “It’s a real accomplishment to be at the top of a rock wall and know you did this all yourself. Plus, nothing in climbing is standardized; it’s different every time you do it. So you can enjoy the process of getting stronger and accomplishing your goals without locking yourself in a basement somewhere and lifting weights. Climbing takes you beautiful places you couldn’t go otherwise.” Heileman channeled this excitement into his first post-graduation job, helping run climbing activities for the WinShape Wilderness program on Berry’s mountain campus, in addition to building his own skills scaling such lofty peaks as California’s 14,505-foot Mount Whitney, Africa’s 17,057foot Mount Kenya, and more recently, the 3,000-foot vertical wall of Yosemite’s El Capitan, a favorite of experienced climbers. His upward trajectory took a serious turn in 1998 when an accident on Mount Whitney claimed the life of good friend and climbing buddy Jeff Wingo (93C). Although Heileman wasn’t present when the accident occurred, it affected him tremendously, causing him to reflect more deeply and channel his athletic passion into service. “Jeff’s climbing career was very closely
20
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Heileman’s entrepreneurial spark ignited late in the 1990s when he was working as activities manager at an Atlanta church gym. Asked to expand the activities offered, he responded with: “Why not start a climbing program?” “How?” would have been an appropriate next question. The sport was still so unknown that very few contractors had the knowledge to build what was needed. So he did it himself, drawing on his own knowledge and experience to build a rock-climbing wall, bouldering room and ropes course that in 2003 became one of the first church-based climbing programs in the United States. About the same time, Heileman authored an article on the value of rock climbing for personal fitness that was featured on the cover of an industrywide fitness management magazine. The article encouraged gym operators to bring rock climbing into their facilities, and demand surged. “I don’t know how important I was to that sudden popularity,” he said. “But I was finding my niche in spreading the word about climbing. It felt good to help popularize the sport in ways it hadn’t been before.” Encouraged by growing demand, Heileman launched his company, originally called Cliff Dweller Rock Walls. It was a risky proposition considering the industry’s
infancy, and he had to craft a business plan from the ground up. Soon, however, he was building rock-climbing facilities as far away as Kenya. “It took a lot of hustle in those early days to convince people rock climbing was viable,” he recalled. “But I just took every chance I got to build climbing walls. I couldn’t walk into an empty building without visualizing one. I even walked away from a salaried job to do what I was passionate about.” In 2012, Heileman and his wife opened Treadstone, and the couple has been reaching for new heights ever since. In addition to planning for new facilities, he hopes to spend more time on his own climbing career and is looking for ways to expand his role as a consultant: He currently does significant work as a leadership-training consultant for Chick-fil-A operators, a role that brings him full-circle to his first climbing job for WinShape, an organization created by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy and his wife, Jeannette. But Heileman’s first priority always is to spread the joy that climbing has given him. “At Treadstone, we’ve got a Christcentered mission to help people written into the business plan,” he said. “But we also want to give people the confidence that comes from achieving a goal. Sharing that sense of capability through Treadstone has been a great experience. I’m more excited about climbing now than the day I started.” B Editor’s note: Now an alumna, Maxine Donnelly wrote this feature while serving as a student writer for Berry magazine.
Campaign Priorities Expand opportunities for students to invest in their own success Develop leaders and entrepreneurs with character and compassion Create places and spaces that spur student achievement Meet current needs and fund future opportunities
supports Berry? Who Chet Diercks Jr. Roswell, Ga.
No penny pinching for this group! ANYONE WHO HAS EVER PARTICIPATED IN THE MOUNTAIN DAY GRAND MARCH can tell you
about the basket at the bottom of the hill into which generations of students have dropped gifts of pennies in honor of Martha Berry’s birthday. Last fall, alumni and friends joined in the fun through “Pennies for Martha,” Berry’s new day-of-giving campaign. Volunteers wearing unmistakable red t-shirts spread the word up and down the slopes of Lavender Mountain as well as on social media, reminding all that gifts of any size – even pennies! – can make a difference in the lives of students. Alumni and friends responded generously with 2,316 individual gifts totaling more than $20,000 for student work and scholarships. Thank you for helping to send a strong message that Berry is worthy of support!
• Husband of Elaine, whom he married in 1992 • Father of two and grandfather of four who recently celebrated his 90th birthday • Retired president and CEO, Utility Power Corp. and Siemens-Allis Inc. • Berry trustee emeritus, who also served for nine years on the Board of Visitors • Graduate of Iowa State University with a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Recipient of Iowa State’s prestigious Marston Medal for achievement in the engineering profession
student photographer Jacob Bushey
WHO HE IS:
WHAT HE SUPPORTS:
• Following the death of first wife Marie, created the Marie L. Diercks Endowed Scholarship for animal science majors, which has been awarded more than 100 times (Marie loved animals – particularly horses – and those who care for them.) • In partnership with Elaine, continues to add to the scholarship, including two charitable remainder trusts that are estimated to eventually triple its endowment
“
HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH BERRY:
“She never gave up,” he said of late Berry President Gloria Shatto and her invitation for him to join the Board of Visitors after the two were introduced by one of his work colleagues. He and Marie then met Berry students firsthand and became impressed with the animal science program, and the deal was sealed on their belief in Berry. His involvement remains a family affair; Elaine also has fallen in love with the college and its students, and the duo has enjoyed personally meeting almost every one of their scholarship recipients.
ON BERRY:
”
“The students at Berry are not just ordinary students at a college – there just to have fun or even just to get an education. Berry becomes part of them, and they become part of Berry. That is unusual in today’s schools. The quality of the school and the quality of the students are a major attraction to us.”
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
21
Creating places and spaces that spur student achievement
Animal Science Building adjacent to McAllister Hall Already Berry’s largest major, animal science is powerfully positioned to become our most distinctive. WHEN OUR NATION’S 30 SCHOOLS OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SEEK
Lauren Neumann (16C)
STRONG CANDIDATES, many look directly at animal science majors of Berry College. Nearly 90 percent of Berry students applying for vet school admission typically are accepted, a rate twice the national average; 12 graduates from the 2016 class alone were accepted to 11 different veterinary medicine programs. Animal science majors pursuing graduate degrees in other fields have experienced equally high rates of success, while dozens have headed directly into careers in animal-related industries. Fueled by student success, Berry’s animal science program has more than tripled in size over the last 15 years, a pace of growth that has led to both opportunities and challenges. In recent years, the number of faculty has been increased and the academic curriculum
enhanced. A new Animal Science Research Laboratory just opened at the Rollins Center is taking Berry’s capabilities for animal science research to a new level, providing space for hands-on teaching labs, and making it possible for more students to work in research. Now, we are focused on relocating the program out of the 60-year-old Westcott Building and into a major new facility that will adjoin the McAllister Hall science center. This building will allow us to meet the urgent space needs generated by the program’s success. More importantly, it will expand capacity for our students to participate in research and experience firsthand what they have heard in lectures or read in textbooks, helping us provide the type of animal science education few can get elsewhere as undergraduates. Tentative Rendering
WHAT’S PLANNED?
n Estimated 23,000 square-foot structure that connects to the west side of McAllister Hall n Classrooms: • Two “Technology Enabled Active Learning” classrooms • One lecture-style classroom n Teaching labs: • General animal science bench laboratory • Nutrition and physiology bench laboratory • Microbiology lab • Easy-to-clean “flex lab” for dissection and necropsy n Research labs: • Large shared laboratory for use by all faculty members and their student assistants • Three smaller labs assigned to faculty members as needed for special research projects n Office spaces: • Offices for 10 faculty members, the office manager, and the director of agriculture operations and sustainability • Work spaces for 10 or more students n Common area for interaction among faculty, staff and students
22
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
This building is a priority of LifeReady: The Berry College Campaign for Opportunity. Many naming opportunities are available. To make a gift, please go to www.berry.edu/gift, use the envelope in this magazine, or contact Scott Breithaupt (91C, 96G), assistant vice president for campaign and leadership giving, at 706-238-5897 or sbreithaupt@berry.edu. For more information, visit www.berry.edu/lifeready/animalsci.
photos by Alan Storey and Jason Jones
Powerfully positioned: Animal Science at Berry College • Incomparable 27,000-acre campus teeming with wildlife • Exceptional animal-related work experience for more than 140 students each semester • Faculty who distinguish themselves as both teachers and scientists • Innovative curriculum for two areas of student focus: graduate/vet school and animal industries • Large flock of Katahdin sheep and outstanding herds of Jersey and Angus beef cattle, commercial beef cattle, and horses • Gold Standard dairy • Equine center home to an equestrian team with three national titles
Tentative Rendering
Zane Cochran
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
23
Helping students become LifeReady
24
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, $40,000 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall WinShape Foundation, $262,524 to fund the WinShape Scholarship Harry (57H) and Ginna Wise, $20,000 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall. William B. Wright (01c), $14,000 for the Animal Science Laboratory at Rollins BEQUESTS The estate of Helen S. Drummond, $141,950 unrestricted bequest The estate of Henry H. Drummond (35H), $51,500 unrestricted bequest The estate of David E. Gordon (52C), $17,000 unrestricted bequest The estate of Margaret G. Kincaid, $16,500 unrestricted bequest The estate of Keith Albert Slayton, $24,350 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall
BERRYfunder Lauren Neumann (16C)
These generous alumni and friends made LifeReady Campaign gifts, pledges, bequests and estate commitments of $10,000 or more from May 16 to Oct. 7, 2016. We offer sincere thanks to them and all who make a gift of any size to Berry. It is our privilege to recognize all donors annually in the online Berry College Honor Roll of Donors (www.berry.edu/honorroll). Anonymous, $200,000 for the Animal Science Laboratory at Rollins Anonymous, $66,260 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall Callaway Foundation, $31,136 to support the F.E. Callaway Professorship Wendy Davis (87C), $10,000 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall Chester W. Diercks Jr. and Elaine Diercks, $87,703 for the Marie L. Diercks Endowed Scholarship Georgia Independent College Association, $25,306 for the general fund Georgia Power Foundation, $15,000 for the South Rome Early Learning Center Peter (53H, 57C) and Emmaline Beard (55H, 59C) Henriksen, $18,154 for the Henry and Jessie Henriksen Endowed Scholarship Henry and Norma Kummer, $30,000 charitable gift annuity that ultimately will become an unrestricted gift Roger W. Lusby III (79C) and Candy Caudill Lusby (82c), $10,000 for the Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Lusby III Endowed Scholarship Paul C. and Velma Smith Maddox Foundation, $15,500 to support the Paul C. and Velma Smith Maddox Scholarship Ruby Vestal Mills (61C), $10,000 for student scholarships National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, $28,000, with $18,000 funding NSDAR Gate of Opportunity Scholarships and $10,000 supporting the Cabin in the Pines restoration National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Junior Membership Committee, $25,000, with $6,000 funding the NSDAR Junior Membership Committee Gate of Opportunity Scholarship, $10,000 funding the Berry College Chapel’s new carillon and sound system, and $9,000 supporting the Cabin in the Pines restoration J.M. (60C) and Nona Sparks (58C) Patterson, $50,000 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall Donald R. Slater (77C) and Deborah E. Poss (78C), $10,000 for the new theatre and Blackstone Hall The William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, $10,000 for the William B. Stokely Jr. Scholarship Virgil P. Warren Foundation, $24,000 for the Eugene Gunby Equine Center
The crowdfunding portal for Berry College
Join the crowd THE GROWING POPULARITY OF “CROWDFUNDING” HAS FOUND ITS WAY TO BERRY’S CAMPUS, making it possible for faculty, staff and
students to seek support from alumni and friends for initiatives about which they are passionate. BerryFunder (www.berry.edu/funder) was launched last summer with two pilot projects: a new Kindermusik program at the South Rome Early Learning Center championed by Kathryn Nobles, adjunct instructor of piano and Kindermusik director; and state-of-the-art equipment for HackBerry Lab, championed by Dr. John Grout, Garrett professor of business and creative technologies chair. With these project champions and others actively soliciting contacts and friends via email and social media, both initiatives found success. Eighteen SRELC students are benefitting from Kindermusik, and HackBerry Lab has taken delivery of a CNC router (a large-format laser cutter is on the way). Building on that experience, new projects have been added supporting such efforts as coyote research and the student emergency fund.
News from you CLASS NOTES – THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL MEDIA
1940s Martha Louise Rooks Wood Jones (43c) recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by more than 100 friends and family members in Atlanta. The retired homemaker remains active in her community, singing in the Martha Louise Rooks church choir well Wood Jones and into her 80s and son Mike Wood continuing to lend her talents as pianist when needed. She also enjoys sharing memories of Berry, where she met late husband Wallace Eugene Wood (43c) and served as a personal maid and reader for Martha Berry.
1960s Joe Elder (63C) has been appointed to the Advisory Panel on Nonionizing Radiation of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, an organization chartered by the U.S. Congress to support radiation protection by providing independent scientific analysis, information and recommendations that represent the consensus of leading scientists. Stan Aldridge (65C) is a 2016 inductee into the collegiate Peach Belt Conference Hall of Fame. He served as athletic director at Georgia College for 17 years, setting the framework for the college’s move to Stan Aldridge NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference. Ben Cason (67C) is a former U.S. Air Force pilot who now volunteers as an Angel Flight pilot.
1970s Clarence J. Hunter, M.D., F.A.A.P (74C) and Jane Ramsey Hunter (73C) are married and live in Fitzgerald, Ga. Jane owns Super Kids Child Care Center in Statesboro, which is in its 15th year
of operation. Clarence is medical director of South Central Primary Care, which has centers in the Georgia cities of Fitzgerald, Douglas, Pearson, Ocilla and Nashville.
CLASS YEARS are followed by a letter that indicates Berry status. Uppercase letters denote graduates; lowercase letters denote attended/attending and anticipated year of graduation.
C,c College G,g Graduate school A,a Academy H,h High school SEND YOUR PERSONAL NEWS, which is subject to editing, to: alumni@berry.edu. Photos of sufficient quality will be used at the discretion of the magazine staff. News in this issue was received May 16 – Oct. 7, 2016.
Clarence and Jane Ramsey Hunter
Francy Geiger (78C) celebrated five years with Kedrion Biopharma, an international company that develops, produces and distributes human plasma-derived therapies for treatment of severe, debilitating conditions. She recently was named Top Territory Manager, winning a trip to Italy. Angela R. Dickey (79C) received a master’s certificate in conflict transformation from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. She has been training others in the field of trauma and resilience and has published an article on the subject in The Foreign Service Journal.
1980s Dr. Jeanne Thompson Walker (81C) is principal of Campbell High School in Smyrna, Ga., leading a team of talented educators whose work was featured in the Marietta Daily Journal and CobbCast blog. She resides in Smyrna with husband Doug and children Jessica and Davis. Tina DeNicole (85C) has been appointed CFO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz.
Tina DeNicole
Eddie Gammill (86C) earned a doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in August 2016. He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.
1990s Holly Griswold Currier (93c) works as a branch office administra tor with Edward Jones in Athens, Tenn. Amy Durham Mendes (94C) earned Top Faculty Paper honors at the Alabama Communication Association’s annual conference. She is a lecturer in the communication department at Dalton State College and resides in Rome with husband Vincent Mendes, D.C. (93C) and daughters Cate, Emma and Claire. Drew Arrington (98C) serves as a chaplain and major in the U.S. Army and is responsible for developing the educational content of the Army’s Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course. He and wife Allison reside in Columbia, S.C., with daughters Anna, Lizzy and Kate. Quincy Bailey Nation (99C, 02G) graduated in July from Piedmont College with an Education Specialist degree in curriculum and instruction.
2000s Paul Johnson (00C) and Tara DeFreitas Johnson (01C) announce the Dec. 18, 2015, birth of daughter Caroline Marie. She joined sisters Lynn (8) and Jillian (2) at the family home in Fort Payne, Ala.
Lauren Hayes Roberts (01C) and husband Brian announce the March 2016 birth of second son Luke, who joined big brother Joshua at the family’s Shreveport, La., home. Brian is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Beth Novian Hughes (02C) earned a Master of Science degree in yoga therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health and was a member of the first cohort nationwide for this new terminal degree. Beth is owner of Breathe Yoga Therapy at the Healing Arts Center of Rome. Christopher Reardon (02C) earned a doctorate in computer science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in May. Jeremy Etress (03C) and wife Carrie announce the June 26, 2016, birth of their second daughter, Ellison Kate. She joined 2-year-old sister Delaney Leigh in the family’s Newnan, Ga., Delaney Leigh and Ellison Kate home. Jeremy Etress, children of Jeremy and works as a Carrie Etress fraud analyst at SunTrust, and Carrie is a teacher at Crossroads Weekday Preschool. Aitana Vargas (03C) placed first for best online hard news piece in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 58th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards competition.
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
25
NEWS FROM YOU
photo courtesy of Bob Williams (62H)
A FULL 58 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION, the school spirit of the Berry College class of 1958 is as strong as ever. At their 2016
reunion in Gatlinburg, Tenn., the classmates proudly demonstrated their Viking fever in football jerseys provided by Bob (62H) and Kay Williams. GO VIKINGS!
Sarah Dubois (05C) and husband Sean announce the Feb. 1, 2016, birth of daughter Raelyn Elizabeth. Thomas Layfield (05C) earned an Education Specialist degree in middle grades education from Georgia Southern University. He is the instructional technology coach at East Jackson Middle School in Ashley Kramer and Commerce, Ga. Jeremy Kinnard Jennifer Carman Sova (05C) and husband Anton announce the July Ashley Kramer (07C) and Jeremy 13, 2016, birth of son Edmund Luke, Kinnard were married July 9, 2016, who joined brothers Gavin and at The Wimbish House in Atlanta Owen at the family home in and now reside in the city. The Douglasville, Ga. wedding party included Kelli Kramer Jeff Jahn (07C) was one of three (14C) and Melba Thomas (07C). finalists in the Katie Edenfield Price, M.D. “experienced entrepre (07C) has been selected as a 2016-17 neur” category for assistant chief of Atlanta Business medicine for the Chronicle Small internal Business Person of the medicine Year. Jeff is founder of department at DynamiX Web Design, Wake Forest an award-winning University website-development Baptist Medical firm based in Jeff Jahn Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He was Winston-Salem, the 2015 recipient of Berry’s Katie Edenfield Price N.C. Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
26
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Whitney Williams Meadows (08C) and Duncan Meadows (08C) announce the June 10, 2016, birth of son Silas Nash Meadows in Charleston, S.C. Whitney works as a realtor, and Duncan is director of youth and children’s ministry at James Island Presbyterian Church. Lyndsay Ricketson Brown (09C) received the Woodie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical for her role in Kiss Me, Kate. She performs at the Stage Door Players theater in Atlanta.
2010s
Levi James Russell, son of Dan and Meredith Briggs Russell Meredith Briggs Russell (11C) and Daniel Russell (11C) welcomed son Levi James on July 13, 2016,
weighing 6.2 pounds and measuring 18.75 inches. The family resides in Chattanooga, Tenn. Levi James is the first grandchild of Berry President Steve Briggs and his wife, Brenda. Kate Farrar (14C) serves as director of public affairs, Northeast and Southeast regions, for Christian Union. Andrew Kurila (14C) is a fireman in Port Orange, Fla. He also serves as a high school lacrosse strength coach. Emily Tedesco (14C) works at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., as a foreign affairs officer focused on Africa in the areas of intellectual property rights, access to safe medicines, and combating illicit trade. She represented the United States at the 14th meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Emily Tedesco
NEWS FROM YOU
Making a difference WHEN NAING K. OO (13C) AND HIS FAMILY FLED BURMA
(a nation now known as
Myanmar), they settled in Atlanta, and he became involved in an International Rescue Committee refugee youth group. After graduating from Berry and spending two years with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, Oo now has come full circle. He is the career readiness specialist in the IRC’s new Connect to Success pilot youth program aimed at helping refugees ages 16 to 24 gain the skills and direction needed to meet their educational and career goals. Oo was one of the “charter” Gate of Opportunity Scholars at Berry, as well as one of a very special group of seven refugee students from war-torn nations who graduated in 2013 despite challenging and often harrowing personal backgrounds. Another of the refugee students, Fakhria Hussain (13C) recently joined the UNICEF-USA Congressional Act Team, an advocacy group working to engage members of Congress on issues related to runaway, homeless, and trafficked youth and child marriage. In this role, she is learning about the work UNICEF does in developing nations such as Syria, Nepal and her native Afghanistan. “I’m passionate about helping children,” Hussain exclaimed, “and I want to thank UNICEF for giving me the opportunity to
Highlighting history DR. JENNIFER W. DICKEY (77A, 80C) collaborated with Kennesaw State University colleague Dr. Catherine M. Lewis and Georgia First Lady Sandra D. Deal in writing Memories of the Mansion: The Story of Georgia’s Governor’s Mansion. The awardwinning book shares the history of the Greek Revival structure that has been home to eight first families, as well as behind-thescenes stories of the people who have lived and worked there. The book was named one of 10 books all Georgians should read in 2016 by the Georgia Center for the Book and awarded a Presidential Citation from the Georgia Historical Society. It also received the Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia’s History from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council and Author-of-the-Year honors from the Georgia Writers Association. At KSU, Dickey is coordinator of public history and associate professor of history, while Lewis is assistant vice president of museums, archives and rare books and professor of history. Dickey also serves as Berry’s campus preservationist.
AlumniAuthors Berry magazine has been notified about the following new alumni-authored books since our last listing. Congratulations! Information for all titles is available through a variety of booksellers online. n Jennifer
McCoy Blaske (91C), Confessions of a Wedding Musician Mom, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, August 2016. n Mark Wallace Maguire (95C), Alexandria Rising: A Novel, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, October 2016. If you have a newly published book (2016-2017) you’d like us to include, please send your name and class year, book title, publisher, publication date, and a web address for a synopsis and/ or order information to jkenyon@berry.edu with the subject line “Berry Alumni Authors.”
advocate for children around the world!”
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
27
e dates! h t e v Sa
BERRY ALUMNI
don't forget to send your photos
WEEKEND &WORK WEEK May 19-21, 2017
student photographer Sara Leimbach
The next time you’re typing a status update or tweet, be sure to share with us as well. Send your news (and photos!) to alumni@berry.edu for inclusion in News from You. Be sure to include your class year. If you’d rather put pen to paper, simply mail to the Berry College Alumni Office, P.O. Box 495018, Mount Berry, Ga., 30149.
May 22-26, 2017
Condolences
REUNIONS: High School classes of 1952, 1957, 1962 • College classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967 Academy class of 1967 Watch www.berry.edu/alumni and the Alumni Accent e-newsletter for more details.
BERRY COLLEGE EXTENDS SINCERE CONDOLENCES to family and friends of the following alumni and former faculty/staff. This list includes
notices received May 16 – Oct. 7, 2016.
1930s
1950s
Betty Shropshire Glover (38c) of Burke, Va., May 21, 2016. Lucy Thornton Gilman (39H) of Union City, Ga., June 3, 2016.
Reginald Denny Coggin (50C) of Newnan, Ga., Aug. 7, 2016. Lamar Moore (50H, 54C) of Trenton, Ga., June 23, 2016. Robert L. Huff (51C) of Columbus, Ga., May 22, 2016. Delores Billue Jackson (51C) of Toomsboro, Ga., June 8, 2016. Sarah Willis Vickers (52C) of Nashville, Ga., Aug. 23, 2016. C.F. Green (53H) of Marietta, Ga., Aug. 18, 2016. Marion A. Sanders (53C) of Santa Barbara, Calif., Aug. 24, 2016. Betty Jo Williams Evans (54H) of Greensboro, Ga., Sept. 4, 2016. Betty Bush Haskins (54H) of Gray, Ga., May 27, 2016. Edwin A. Barber Sr. (55C) of El Paso, Texas, May 20, 2016. Cynthia Higgins McMinn (55C) of Douglasville, Ga., Aug. 19, 2016. K. Janelle Gay Anderson (56C) of Twin City, Ga., Oct. 3, 2016.
1940s Thomas I. Redd (44H) of Lilburn, Ga., July 16, 2016. Irene Uptain Christian (45H) of Houston, Aug. 14, 2016. Delia Swain Acuff (46c) of Greeneville, Tenn., March 31, 2016. F. Ann Keyes Forehand (46H) of Summerville, S.C., Sept. 7, 2014. Mildred Carroll Crunkleton (48H) of Turin, Ga., March 8, 2016. Martha Durham Hoke (48H, 52c) of Beaufort, S.C., Sept. 5, 2016. Lorena McDonald Lee (48c) of Athens, Ga., Dec. 25, 2015. Kathryn W. Rowden (49c) of Decatur, Ga., Feb. 28, 2014. Phillip B. Seymour (49C) of Monroe, Ga., Nov. 29, 2015.
28
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Hyland F. Clark (56H) of Garfield, Ga., Oct. 11, 2014. Pauline Stewart Posey (56C) of West Lafayette, Ind., June 28, 2016. Jack A. Jones (57C) of Asheville, N.C., Sept. 28, 2016. Billie Saylors Williams (57C) of Dalton, Ga., July 22, 2016.
1960s Patricia Davis Hendrix (61C) of Clermont, Ga., April 15, 2015. Nancy Bailey Watson (61C) of Roswell, Ga., Aug. 25, 2013. Vernon Lee Gibbs (62h) of Ellijay, Ga., May 25, 2016. Dana Braddy Herrman (62C) of Hendersonville, N.C., June 21, 2016. Russell Franklin Dickey (64C) of Dallas, Ga., Sept. 14, 2016. William D. “Buddy” O’Kelley (64C) of Rutledge, Ga., May 17, 2016. James L. Tuten (66C) of Cairo, Ga., April 28, 2016.
William H. Maine (67c) of Warner Robins, Ga., March 6, 2016. Daniel B. Oswald (69c) of Armuchee, Ga., July 7, 2016. Jerry Michael Robinson (69C) of Rome, Aug. 7, 2016.
1970s Edwin F. Baxley (71A) of Little Rock, Ark., March 10, 2013. Frank Warren Garmon (72C) of Centreville, Va., May 18, 2016. Stephen Jack Lemley (73c) of Merritt Island, Fla., July 16, 2016. Joanne Dillard Addison (75G) of Atlanta, Sept. 14, 2016. Larry Paul Lloyd (77c) of Silver Creek, Ga., June 3, 2016. Douglas Evert Frank (78A, 83C) of Guilford, Vt., June 25, 2016. Joseph Glover Meeks (79C) of Rome, Sept. 14, 2016.
1980s Kathy Vannerson Lykins (81C, FFS) of Mount Berry, Sept. 10, 2016.
CONDOLENCES CONTINUED
1990s Christopher N. Holcombe (91C) of Conyers, Ga., Sept. 4, 2016. Mary Katharine Miller (95C) of Shirley, Ill., June 13, 2013.
2000s Amber Leigh Godfrey-Selman (04G) of Rome, Nov. 2, 2014. Jessica Rae Yates (09C, FS) of Summerville, Ga., Nov. 18, 2016.
2010s Jordan Michael Coleman (10c) of Ringgold, Ga., April 27, 2014. Caroline Trine Michelle Lathrop (10c) of Waynesville, N.C., April 19, 2016.
In memoriam The Berry community mourns the Nov. 1, 2016, death of A. Milton Chambers (49C), who served his alma mater with distinction for nearly a halfcentury, first as assistant registrar and later as instructor, assistant professor and associate professor of business administration. Upon retirement in 1995, A. Milton Chambers he was granted the title of associate professor of business administration emeritus by the Berry College Board of Trustees in recognition of his service. Chambers was preceded in death by wife Jo Ann White Chambers (51H, 75G), who retired from Berry after 20 years as director of the Child Development Center. The couple raised three children on campus, all of whom earned Berry degrees: Susan (77C); Allyson (80C, 84G) and Milton (78A, 82C). Allyson now serves as the lead teacher for the South Rome Early Learning Center, while Milton is operations manager for Berry’s studentoperated enterprises program.
Paul O’Mara
Brian James Thomas (86C) of Liberty Township, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2013.
Berry students, faculty and staff lost a loyal, loving friend with the Dec. 3, 2016, passing of Virginia Webb (44c). A steadfast supporter of Berry whose name graces the college president’s home, Webb overcame difficult childhood circumstances to become a trailblazer as a woman practicing Virginia Webb law in her hometown of Columbus, Ga. She credited her experiences as a Berry student in the 1940s with shaping her future success and made it her mission to provide similar opportunities for others by generously giving to scholarships, the Cage Center and other initiatives. Equally generous with her time, Webb was the 1994 recipient of Berry’s Distinguished Service Award, a familiar face at Alumni Work Week and one of only five lifetime appointees to the Alumni Council. When the Alumni Association established a new award in 2012 honoring those who go above and beyond in their service to Berry, it was named for her.
Thank you
Former Faculty/Staff
Richard V. Concilio of Marietta, Ga., July 29, 2016.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR: Memory and Honor Gifts and Gifts to Named Scholarships and Work Endowments. The following gifts were made in memory or honor of an individual and/or to named scholarships or work endowments May 16 – Oct. 7, 2016. MEMORY GIFTS
Mr. George H. Bedwell Paul Clark (88G) Mr. Henry Chaney Berry Berry Perkins Dr. and Mrs. John R. Bertrand David (66C) and Diana Bertrand (68C) Williams Mrs. Shannon Gregory Burgess Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rush Gibbons Dr. N. Gordon Carper Paul (86C) and Anne Selman (85C) Raybon Mrs. Sara Worley Clayton Bill (54C) and Janet Tate (55C) Waters Mr. Jordan Michael Coleman Stephanie Carter (10C) Mrs. Sallie Ann Davenport Beverly Haley
Dr. Garland M. Dickey Charles (76C) and Terri Albright (77c) Wilkie Mr. Ralph E. Farmer Neil Gentry (53C) Mr. Robert E. Fleming Kaye Fleming Mr. Douglas Evert Frank Charles Downey (64A) Mr. Frank Warren Garmon Mrs. Martha Ott Garmon Mr. Hugh Eugene Harkness Eileen Barber Mrs. Maxine Kirby Harman Henry Harman Mrs. Anne Sims Hawkins Jim Hawkins (49H, 53C) Mrs. Dana Braddy Herrman Mr. and Mrs. Alan Graham Kathleen Harris
Mr. and Mrs. Terry D. Knight Pamela E. Watson Mr. Robert L. Huff Billy Blocker (52C) Mr. Henry Aaron Hutcheson Nicki W. Dunn Dr. Amy Jo Johnson Aaron (01C) and Molly Prahst (01C) Brittain Mr. Jack A. Jones Mary Alice Ivey Blanton (58C) Harlan (58C) and Doris Reynolds (57C) Chapman Ms. Caroline Trine Michelle Lathrop Stephanie Carter (10C) Mr. Jim McCranie Evelyn R. Hammond Dr. John W. McDowell Cynthia Stager McCormick (73C)
Mr. Luther D. Miller Cheri Bradford Hayes (83C) Mrs. Kelly S. Moore Victor Moore Mr. William D. “Buddy” O’Kelley Penny Vaughn (64C) Mr. Joe B. Pharr Kevin Pharr (87C) Mr. Willis Pirkle Cynthia Stager McCormick (73C) Mr. Frank Poydence Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Bassett Martha J. Hartley Mr. A.E. “Art” Pugh Dorothy Eldredge Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Marshall Russ (49H, 53c) and Janet Mullennix (50H) Payne Betty Hawkins Pugh (55c) East Tennessee Berry Alumni Chapter
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
29
THANK YOU Mr. Bryan A. Rainey Roger Tutterow (84C) Dr. and Mrs. William Harden Robison III Sheilah Robison Shealy (80C, 84G) Dr. Marion A. Sanders Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution Dr. R. Allen Scott Cheri Bradford Hayes (83C) Jessica Higdon Mr. and Mrs. John K. Price Mrs. Laura Sexton Elaine Foster Dr. Joe Stone Jr. Ouida Word Dickey (50C) Mr. and Mrs. Joe Stone Sr. Ouida Word Dickey (50C) Mrs. Elbia K. Tutterow Roger Tutterow (84C) Mrs. Pearl Kell Vonderhaar Virginia Kell Franklin (63C) Mr. J. Lee Waller Eula M. Connell Malcolm (58C) and Yvonne Jackson (59C) Quick Mr. Robert Marshall Weakley Duncan Stoddard (64A) John A. Shahan (64A, 69C) Dr. Herman T. Williams Matt (97C) and Karen Carter (97C) Williams
MEMORY GIFTS TO NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
A. Milton and Jo Ann Chambers Endowed Scholarship Starr Wright Boylan (93C) Allyson Chambers (80C, 84G) Jorge A. and Ondina S. Gonzalez Family Endowed Scholarship Georgette deFriesse Carlos (79A) and Marilyn Gonzalez Larry A. Green Memorial Scholarship Janna Johnson (81C) Melanie Green Jones Lewis A. Hopkins Endowed Scholarship Steve and Linda Hawkins Ruby Hopkins Outstanding Student Teacher Award Steve and Linda Hawkins Percy Marchman Scholarship Emily Marchman (75C) Frank Miller Memorial Scholarship Omnova Solutions Alexander Whyte Whitaker III Endowed Scholarship Whit (81C) and Maria Crego (85c) Whitaker Nell Gilreath Williams Scholarship Betsy Awsumb Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Baker Angela D. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Cates Gayland Cooper Ouida Word Dickey (50C) John S. Gaines Jr. Edith B. Gray Barbara Leach Mr. and Mrs. James S. Moore Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bennie W. Reed Judy Ruland Roebuck (99G) Harold Storey Hildred Thompson Angela R. Yancey Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
30
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Jeff Wingo Memorial Scholarship Aaron and Amy Britt Lynette Crowley (93C) Janna Johnson (81C) Kay Wingo Craig Allyn Wofford Scholarship Ron Dean Elaine Foster Equifax
HONOR GIFTS
Mr. Daniel Mimbs Alligood Steven and Patricia Alligood Ms. Latoyah NaShay Austin Jonathan (85C) and Crystal Purser Mr. Joshua Mitchell Baker Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Lee Baker Ms. Hannah Ruth Billiard Mr. and Mrs. William Billiard Mr. Jacob Lee Birdsong Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Whiteside Mr. Robert Keith Brooks Stephanie Carter (10C) Mrs. Joyce B. Carper Elizabeth Owings Dulson (76C) Mr. James Preston Caswell Mr. and Mrs. James Caswell Mr. John Alec Cody Mr. and Mrs. Brian Cody Ms. Marie Elizabeth Collop Thomas and Nancy Collop Ms. Amy Ann Cornelius Carol Waddell (72C) Ms. Emily Millicent Cornell Mr. and Mrs. Clayton M. Cornell Mrs. Shawn C. Darling Elaine Carroll Dr. William T. Davin Jr. Josh Stevenson (11C) Ms. Wendy Davis Jeff Horn (87C) Equestrian Team Debbie Heida Ms. Lauren Nicole Evans Mr. and Mrs. Joe Douglas Evans Mr. Jonathan W.T. Fisher Celia Denise Fisher Mr. William Rush Gibbons John Beaube Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rush Gibbons Dr. Martin R. Goldberg Mark Piecoro (90C) Dr. Randolph B. Green Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Green Dr. Vincent M.L. Gregoire Gabriela Elias Broome (04C) Ms. Whitney Marie Gribble Mr. and Mrs. David Scott Gribble Ms. Emily Lynne Hancock Nancy Camposano Dr. Janna S. Johnson Melanie Green Jones Mr. William Lowes Kenworthy Mr. and Mrs. Randall David Kenworthy Mr. and Mrs. Harold D. Kilpatrick Sr. Roger Tutterow (84C) Dr. Peter A. Lawler Becky Moore White (82C) Mr. Ross A. Magoulas Malcolm (62C) and Jean Vaughn (63C) McDonald Mr. Bailey Lemmon Martin Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Lemmon Mr. W. Rufus Massey Jr. Bonnie Massey Padgett (01C) Mrs. Mary F. Niedrach Mr. and Mrs. Mark Alan Borman Brad and Kimberly Bushnell Cliff (12G) and Ashley Goddard (99C) Flagello
Mr. and Mrs. David Hale Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicholas Styperek Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Partridge Rani Partridge Woodrow (88C) Dr. Robert W. Pearson Michele Kelmer (95C) Dr. Stanley R. Pethel Debbie Heida Mrs. Dee Pettus Nicole Pettus (08C) Ms. Sara Marie Priest Mark and Kathleen Priest Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson Brian (97C) and Susan Wells (97C) Brodrick Chip Hall (95C) Bettyann O’Neill Ms. Katlin Lurline Seger John Fitchjarrell Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Seger III Dr. Beverly Ann Smith Vince Griffith (81C) Kim Terrell Melton (04C, 06G) Dean and Laura Smith Mr. Alan Storey Debbie Heida Mr. Luke W. Syverson Carol Waddell (72C) Mr. Timothy H. Tarpley Jeff Horn (87C) Mr. Derek A. Taylor Carol Waddell (72C) Mrs. Deborah R. Teal Melanie Green Jones Mrs. Katherine C. Williams Tom Butler (65A) Jack Pigott (69A) Mr. and Mrs. Carl Woodall Rick Woodall (93C) Mr. William L. Yeomans Vince Griffith (81C) Ms. Madison Abigail Young Mr. and Mrs. David Hilsenbeck
HONOR GIFTS TO NAMED SCHOLARSHIP
Julie Ann Bumpus Endowed Scholarship Kevin and Jenny Kleine Marcia Rary McConnell (83C) Laura Phillips Katherine Powell Jordan Shivers (05C) Carol Story Dr. Robert L. Frank Legacy Scholarship Caitlyn Barron (11C) Steven Hames Marcie Hinton Kevin and Jenny Kleine Genyth Travis (96C) Allstate Foundation Jerry Shelton Endowed Scholarship funded by the Class of 1958C Fred Beazley (65A) Tom Butler (65A) Robert M. Skelton WinShape Scholarship Brent (88C) and Gigi Ragsdale Holly Brown West (88C)
OTHER GIFTS TO NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS AND ENDOWED WORK POSITIONS
Dr. Frank and Kathryn Adams Endowed Scholarship Frank (54H, 58C) and Kathy Adams Tina Bucher Jim Watkins
Agriculture Alumni Endowed Scholarship Ben Willingham (66C) Pat Alderman Scholarship Pat Alderman Leo W. Anglin Memorial Scholarship Wade and Sara Carpenter Karen Kurz Jacqueline McDowell AT&T Bonner Endowed Scholarship Larry (55C) and Dixie W. Schoolar Atlanta Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Barbara Ballanger Hughes (71C) Alva Sanders Bennett Endowed Scholarship Mary Lewis Berry High Schools and Academy Work Scholarship James Kinney (51H) George McLean (64A) Ron (64A, 68C) and Judy Senger Gary Sweatt (64A) State Farm Companies Foundation John R. and Annabel Hodges Bertrand Endowed Scholarship Frederick and J’May Rivara Dan Biggers Distinguished Actor Award Shannon Walburn Biggers (81C) Board of Visitors Endowed Internship Scholarship Brad (96C) and Nicole Alexander Peter and Nancy Capponi N. Gordon Carper Endowed History Scholarship Kathryn Roseen (76C) Carpet Capital Chapter Scholarship Bernice Arnold Holcomb (56H) Bernice Ogle Whaley (53H) Carpet Capital Chapter Alumni Judge Thomas A. Clark Endowed Scholarship Evelyn R. Hammond Class of 1951C Memorial Endowed Scholarship Reg (51C) and Maxine Strickland Class of 1954C Endowed Scholarship Jean Mitchell Sheffield (54C) and the late Dewitt Sheffield (54c) Lois Eason Woodcock (54C) Class of 1955C Scholarship Fred (55C) and Pat Brooks (59C) Maddox Lynn Thurman Mazzucchi (55C) Martin (54C) and Barbara Camp (55C) McElyea Class of 1956C Endowed Scholarship Kenneth (56C) and LaDonna Smitherman (56C) Strickland Norfolk Southern Foundation Class of 1957C Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Harlan (58C) and Doris Reynolds (57C) Chapman Ellen May Partridge (57C) Bill (68C) and Avis Cordle (57C) Thornton Class of 1960C Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Peter (60C) and Ernestine Davis (61C) Hoffmann Larry (60C) and Clara Hall (60C) McRae W.C. (60C) and Sylvia Davis (60C) Rowland Class of 1961C Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Peter (60C) and Ernestine Davis (61C) Hoffmann Class of 1962C Dairy Milk Quality Manager Endowed Work Position Glenn (62C) and Jenna Cornell Steve (63C) and Nancy Harkness (62C) Kelly
THANK YOU Class of 1963C Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Loretta Hamby (63C) Bettie Hester McClain (63C) Mary Crawford Wynn (63C) Class of 1965C Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Charles Collins (65C) Jim (65C) and Lottie Snow (65C) Finney Dallas (65C) and Judi Reynolds Ralph Rodgers (65C) Billy (62H, 66C) and Marvalee Lord (65C) Townsend Koji (65C) and Reba Nichols (67C) Yoda Class of 1966C Assistant Gardener Endowed Work Position Madie Eanes (66C) Lois McAllister Hatler (66C) Phil Lane (66C) Melvin (64C, 76G) and Anita Wray (66C) Merrill John Provine (66C) Jeanette Ballard Thomas (66C) Billy (62H, 66C) and Marvalee Lord (65C) Townsend Class of 1967C Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Billy (67C) and Shirene Mulford (67C) Daniell Jerrie Walker Fowler (67C, 81G) Carl Franklin (67C) June Bass Hardy (67C) Irene Gunter Hawley (67C) Jean Benoy Lacey (67C) Judy Longshore (67C) George McKnight (67C) Eileen Wages Newman (67C) Marti Sheats Perkins (67C) Kay Salmon Shahan (67C) Koji (65C) and Reba Nichols (67C) Yoda State Farm Companies Foundation Class of 1969C Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship William (69C) and Sally Schwartz (69C) Epps John Shahan (64A, 69C) Ray Tucker (69C) Class of 1972C Work Scholarship Jack Allen (72C) Class of 1979C Internship Scholarship Kathy Langford Russell (79C, 82G) Class of 1994C Scholarship Alison Lounsbury Ritter (94C) Dr. J. Scott Colley Endowed Scholarship Karen Holley Horrell (74C) Dames of the Court of Honor Expendable Scholarship DAR – Georgia State Society Deberdt-Naidenko Award George Donigian (74C) Dr. Ouida W. Dickey Endowed Scholarship Jennifer Dickey (77A, 80C) Marie L. Diercks Endowed Scholarship Chet and Elaine Diercks Edwards Endowed Scholarship Randy Edwards (66C) J. Mitchell and Cleone Elrod Scholarship Mitch (37H, 41C) and Cleone Elrod Jimmy R. Fletcher Memorial Endowed Scholarship Patsy Grindle Bryan (68C) John A. Shahan (64A, 69C) Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Johnnie Smith Curry (52H, 55C) Susan Schellenger Marino (67C) Georgia DAR Student Teaching Award DAR – Georgia State Society Gail Howard Gibson Endowed Scholarship Gail Howard Gibson (82C)
Ed and Gayle Graviett Gmyrek Scholarship Gayle Graviett Gmyrek (67C) Hamilton/Smith Scholarship Evelyn Hamilton (68C) Hamrick Family/Aunt Martha Freeman Scholarship Karen Kurz Jonathan Randall Hardin Endowed Scholarship Fund Bobby and Robbie (94C) Abrams Jonathan Baggett Dan (94C) and Christel Harris Boyd Daniel Carpenter Lee Carter (76c) Laurie Hattaway Chandler (95C) Donna Childres Amanda Cromer (12C, 16G) Sherry Dotson Penny Evans-Plants (90C) Cindy Gillespie Marvin Howlett (72C) and Annette Axley James Pruitt Jeff Smith Monica Willingham Heneisen Service Award Laurie Hattaway Chandler (95C) Henry and Jessie Henriksen Endowed Scholarship Peter (53H, 57C) and Emmaline Beard (55H, 59C) Henriksen LeBron and Kay Holden Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship GE Foundation Ruby Hopkins Outstanding Student Teacher Award Steve and Linda Hawkins Tim and Odetta Howard Endowed Scholarship Faye Junkins Gibbons (61C) Tim Howard (82C) Barbara Ballanger Hughes Scholarship Barbara Ballanger Hughes (71C) Stacey Spillers Mendel D. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Joan Fulghum H.I. “Ish” Jones Endowed Agriculture Scholarship Ish (49C) and Frances Jones Kappa Delta Pi Endowed Award Mary Clement R.F. Knox Company Scholarship R.F. Knox Co. Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation Dr. Peter A. Lawler Endowed Scholarship Ryan (99C) and LaNell Anderson (98C, 02G) Rakness Ray M. and Mary Elizabeth Lee Scholarship The Ray M. and Mary Elizabeth Lee Foundation Fred H. and Mary Loveday Endowed Scholarship Richard Barley (49H) Bob Campbell (60H) The late Bill Segrest (48H, 51c) Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Lusby III Endowed Scholarship Roger (79C) and Candy Caudill (82c) Lusby Frazier and Deeter Foundation Paul C. and Velma Smith Maddox Scholarship Paul C. and Velma Smith Maddox Foundation Ross Magoulas Endowed Scholarship Betsy Leadbetter Craig (71c) Michael (66C) and Nancy Cagle (68C) Holland
Dr. Charles Scott Markle Award Dale Ash Cindy Colville Hooper and Diann Matthews Brooks Memorial Baptist Church Willisa H. Marsh Future Educator Scholarship Fund LPL Financial Willisa H. Marsh Scholarship Fund LPL Financial Martha! Centennial Scholarship Reg (51C) and Maxine Strickland Dr. L. Doyle Mathis Endowed Scholarship funded by the Class of 1958C Shirley Randle Boggs (58c) Harlan (58C) and Doris Reynolds (57C) Chapman Bobby Johnson (58C) Doyle (58C) and Rheba Burch (57C) Mathis Roy (57C) and Ileen Mobley (57C) Stuart C.L. (57C) and Doris Little (57C) Tate Bill (68C) and Avis Cordle (57C) Thornton Bill (57C) and Mary Charles Lambert (58C) Traynham Gene (58C) and Mary Warren Frank Windham (57c) Jerry Young (57C) Typhnes Fish and Donald Midkiff Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Donald (57C) and Typhnes Fish (57C) Midkiff Amos Montgomery Scholarship J.C. Albritton (15C) Iris Kinnebrew (72C) Juanita Scurry (97C) Beverly Philpot Smith (69C) Tasha Toy Lee-Anda Hutchens Uter (92C) Mary and Al Nadassy English Scholarship Tina Bucher Mark Taylor Jim Watkins Lara Whelan Mary Finley Niedrach Endowed Scholarship Julia Barnes Mary Finley Niedrach (75A, 97G) Diana Sands NSDAR Gate of Opportunity Scholarship NSDAR NSDAR Junior Membership Committee Gate of Opportunity Scholarship NSDAR Junior Membership Committee NSDAR Scholarship DAR – Florida State Society DAR – Franklin County Chapter DAR – Grinnell Chapter DAR – Lady Washington Chapter DAR – Lucy Knox Chapter DAR – Major George Gibson Chapter DAR – Sam Houston Chapter DAR – Monguagon Chapter Michigan NSDAR Bobby Patrick Endowed Scholarship Mary Camp Patrick (69C) Dr. Bob Pearson Scholarship Scott and Fay Neal Pollard Family Worship Coordinator Expendable Work Position Kathy Pollard Kelley Bennett Poydence Endowed Scholarship Dan and Kelley Poydence Amber T. Prince Memorial Scholarship Janna Johnson (81C) Jamie (97C) and Elisha Wright (98C, 04G) Lindner
Bernard and Doris Rowland Scholarship Doris Rowland Community and Southern Bank Vesta Salmon Service Scholarship Angie Reynolds Friends of Alfred and Martha Shorter Scholarship Friends of Alfred and Martha Shorter Silver & Blue Save a Student Scholarship A total of 278 current students and recent graduates contributed to this scholarship through Berry’s Silver & Blue student philanthropy program. Visit berry.edu/silverandblue/donors to see their names. Ranjit and Anjani Singh Endowed Award for Christian Ministry Chaitram Singh Robert Earl Stafford Scholarship Myra Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust William B. Stokely Jr. Scholarship The William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation William B. Stokely Jr. Scholarship in Memory of Pamela Collins The William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation Maxine Strickland Endowed Nursing Scholarship Deborah Hill Reg (51C) and Maxine Strickland Maxine Strickland Expendable Nursing Scholarship Deborah Hill Reg (51C) and Maxine Strickland Student Scholarships Emily Bagwell (07C) Leigh Saunders Barrell (88C) Tayler Boswell (15C) Kristen Diliberto-Macaluso Kay Davis Dunn (57C) Sheila McCoy Ruby Vestal Mills (61C) Julie Patrick Nunnelly (88C, 00G) Matt Ragan (98C) and Shelly (96C) Driskell-Ragan Sharlene Kinser Stephens (57C) Study Abroad Award Sarah Egerer (05G) Vincent Gregoire Larry and Betty Jane Taylor Endowed Scholarship Larry and Betty Jane Taylor Grace and Maurice Thompson Scholarship Maurice Thompson (40c) The Trey Tidwell Experience: A Scholarship for Musical Discovery Mandy Tidwell (93C) Microsoft Corp. Ted Touchstone Endowed Work Position Beth Collins Earnst (93C) Troy/Gardner Endowed Art History Award Virginia Troy Courtney M. Urquhart Endowed Communication Scholarship Randy Urquhart James Van Meerten Study Abroad Scholarship Jim Van Meerten (70C) James E. and Dorris Waters Endowed Scholarship Gary (80C, 89G) and Bambi Estill (79c) Waters Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars Fund Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation WinShape Scholarship WinShape Foundation Work Week Endowed Service Award Larry Posey (54H)
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
31
u t n n o i a MDaY 2016 i t i on d a r t r r e AB Y
Grand March and Picnic
32
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
Photos by PAUL O’MARA, ALAN STOREY (FFS), LAUREN NEUMANN (16C) and student photographers SARA LEIMBACH and JACOB BUSHEY
Marthapalooza
Ho
ur
Dreams ’ o T e o s u
Olympics
Talent Show
Alumni Reunions
Convocation
BERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2016-17
33
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA 30304 PERMIT NO. 2552
Berry magazine P.O. Box 495018 Mount Berry, GA 30149-5018
We all row! Members of Berry’s club rowing team took the school’s Viking chant of “We all row!” to heart, winning the 5,000-meter “mixed open” event at the Head of the South Regatta hosted by the Augusta (Ga.) Rowing Club. Afterward, senior varsity rowers Sidney Elston, Rachel Muehlfeld, Nathan Thacker and Kyle Rubin hoisted coxswain Elizabeth Blakely (16C) aloft in celebration. Photo courtesy of Kyle Rubin