NINTH PRESIDENT

FALL 2020 • VOLUME 20

BY HOPE YOUNG

NINTH PRESIDENT DR. RONALD BERRY

If you tell a shy, quiet boy from the rural reaches of Northeast Louisiana that where he is, is where he will always be, that boy could very well accept that prediction.

However, if you tell that boy he is destined for something bigger and better, he could just as easily believe that instead.

University of Louisiana Monroe President Dr. Ronald Berry's early life mirrors so many in the region; he and his older brother, Richard, were reared by a single mother who worked minimum-wage jobs, with the wolf of poverty clawing at the door. How did the Berry brothers, Ronald, in this story, escape the destiny of decline that still plagues the region?

Examples, effort, and encouragement

“Growing up, my mom was the role model for me. We didn't have much, but my mom showed us we could always do for others,” Berry said.

He recalls that before sitting down to holiday meals, his mother prepared plates of food they would first take to elderly neighbors and friends. His mother instilled in her sons that no matter how little they had, there was always enough to share.

“In terms of looking at someone who worked extremely hard and cared for others, I could not have asked for a better role model,” Berry said. “She was extremely loving and supportive. She was involved in all parts of our lives. She was one of the most positive people I've ever known.”

Today, after a quarter of a century at ULM, Berry became the ninth president on Sept. 3, 2020.

But, he wasn't supposed to stay this long. At least, that's what someone told him.

In 1995, three pivotal events occurred in Berry's life: he earned a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), majoring in information systems; his beloved mother became gravely ill; and he was hired for the first time at ULM.

In 1928, Louisiana Gov. O.K. Allen sat in this chair at this desk and signed the legislative act that established what is now the University of Louisiana Monroe. Ninety-two years later, the ninth president of ULM, Dr. Ronald Berry, sits for his first official portrait where ULM's history began. The desk and chair are part of the ULM Special Collections and Archives at the ULM Library.

Photo by Siddharth Gaulee

“I was in North Carolina in my first teaching position when my mom had a stroke,” Berry said.

He needed and wanted to come home to help care for her. He started looking for a job and found one at then-Northeast Louisiana University in the College of Business Administration.

“There was a one-year visiting appointment here,” said Berry, “and they told me there was no way this would turn into anything else. And here I am, president, 25 years later.”

Temporary didn't matter, and Berry took the position.

“Just being able to be here for her and to see her recover from the stroke was phenomenal,” he said.

Sadly, Berry lost his mother 16 years ago, but he's never lost the foundation for life she gave him. Berry once had a painting, now misplaced or lost, that put into words his mother's legacy.

It read, “There's no better exercise for the heart than lifting others up.”

“It's ingrained in me to serve others, to help others. That has helped me tremendously as a person,” he said.

The power of education

In the mid-1980s, Berry attended Winnsboro High School, now Franklin Parish High School. Berry describes himself as “… the nerd who made all A's.” An academic and athletic standout, Berry lettered four years in baseball and was a Beta Club member.

When his English teacher asked what he wanted to be, Berry said, “a high school math teacher.” To which she replied, “You are too smart to starve.”

After giving his speech as co-valedictorian of his graduating class, the world opened its arms to Berry, and he headed to Monroe.

With a knack for numbers, Berry majored in accounting. Intrigued by technology, he took “every computer course offered, just for fun.” In 1988, he graduated with honors with a B.B.A. Berry continued at ULM, and in 1990 earned an M.B.A. in business administration.

Berry went to work as an accountant, only to discover it was not his calling. He wanted to be an educator. Berry went to Mississippi State University for his doctorate. As noted earlier, when he completed his final degree, circumstances brought him back to ULM.

Familiar to many on campus, “Dr. Berry” or simply “Ron” became an assistant professor in 1995; director of technology in the then College of Business Administration (CBA) in 1998, associate professor and head of

Computer Information Systems in 2000, interim dean of the CBA in 2004, professor and dean of the CBA in 2005 and continued as dean of the reorganized and renamed College of Business and Social Sciences in 2013.

As dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, Dr. Ronald Berry congratulates a graduate during a ULM commencement exercise.

Photo by Emerald McIntyre

Warhawk family

Berry and his wife, Christine Berry Ph.D., professor and program coordinator of Risk Management and Insurance in the College of Business and Social Sciences, are the parents of Michael, 20, who will graduate from ULM in May 2021 with double degrees in math and finance, and Alea, 16, a sophomore at River Oaks. They are now making their home at Bon Aire, the president's residence on campus.

President Berry juggles a schedule filled from early in the morning until late at night. It's all part of the first few months of settling in as leader of the university. Was becoming president carefully detailed in his life plan? Maybe.

“It wasn't in my early life planning process. When I first met Christine, she asked me what my life goals were, and it didn't include being president,” he said.

“I have been someone who has just worked hard. When I became department head, it was because I was asked.” It was the same situation for interim dean.

“So those positions weren't something that I aspired to obtain. I had worked hard and been very productive in areas most people would think was needed to be those positions,” he said.

The seed of thought to become president was planted by a friend and watered by Christine.

President Dr. Ronald Berry with his family, from left, son Michael, 20, a ULM senior, daughter Alea, 16, a high school sophomore, and his wife, First Lady Dr. Christine Berry.

Photo by Siddharth Gaulee

I've always tried to do what I could to help others, and certainly the president's position at a university allows for that to happen, to have a huge impact on a region and students' lives, and to transform their futures. That's how I see it, as an opportunity to make a bigger difference for others.

“I remember very clearly playing golf with a friend years ago, and he mentioned in passing, 'You know, you should consider being president one day,'” said Berry.

With that comment and Christine's encouragement, Berry began thinking about his future.

“I've always tried to do what I could to help others, and certainly the president's position at a university allows for that to happen, to have a huge impact on a region and students' lives, and to transform their futures. That's how I see it, as an opportunity to make a bigger difference for others,” he said.

Goals for the near future

Looking beyond society's challenges by the coronavirus, Berry has several goals that he has already put in motion. Foremost is getting more students to ULM.

“Enrollment has to be our number one focus. To me, that is bringing people to campus to take advantage of the unbelievable opportunities we provide. We need to share those opportunities with more students,” he said.

Examining existing and missing programs is a start, meeting the ever-changing workforce needs of today. Other questions are on the table. What do students, faculty, and staff want? What problems need to be solved? How can ULM be a place of inclusion and empowerment?

“I want to improve the culture on campus, especially for faculty and staff. To create an environment where people feel comfortable and where we all want to come to work and share our ideas,” he said.

His first act as president was the ULM Opportunity Fund, established by Berry and his wife. The Berrys started the fund with a $100,000 gift.

“One reason Christine and I created the ULM Opportunity Fund is to remove barriers in the way of opportunities for everyone on campus.”

As an example, funding leadership opportunities for women and students.

“It's going to be wide open. We're going to ask a group of people to serve on an oversight board to be as creative as possible to invest the money to provide as many opportunities as possible.”

Opportunities may be the keyword in President Berry's life and career. He's prepared for them, he has taken them, and at ULM, he is determined to make them. It is not for himself, but for everyone who aspires to be on this campus and those already here. ■