& TRAUMA MAGAZINE RESILIENCE Being Well

WINTER 2021 Volume 91 Number 3 FEATURES 6 | Tasked to Respond As mental-health concerns rise across the nation, Berea College has chosen to face MAGAZINE the challenges of students’ emotional and mental health head-on by developing a Task Force on Trauma and Resilience. Abbie Tanyhill Darst ‘03, Editor Kim Brown, Associate Vice President for Marketing 8 | Opening the Conversation and Communications Professional development for faculty and staff about recognizing mental-health Chad Berry Hon. ‘20, Vice President for Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy issues and educating them on trauma and resilience became a starting point for Jackie Collier ‘80, Associate Vice President for conversations on creating a campus that can help put students on the path toward Alumni Relations Emily A. Parrish, Senior Graphic Designer optimal health and well-being. Crystal Wylie ‘05, Director of Photography and Digital Engagement 12 | Power Plants JoJo Wray ‘04 Content Contributor With increased stress and feelings of isolation that accompany the COVID-19 global

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: CONTENTS pandemic, tending to lush, green plants is helping people through these challenging Cora Allison ’22, Kim Brown, Abbie Tanyhill Darst ’03, times. Katie Grindstaff ‘15, Jill Gurtatowski, Evan Harrell, Libby Falk Jones, Tim Jordan ’76, Kim Kobersmith 14 | Meeting Them Where They Are CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Whether students come to Counseling Services struggling with anxiety or the effects Gaston Jarju ’23, Brittany Lakes, Jennifer Lance ’20, of extreme trauma in their lives, Berea’s experienced therapists are ready to meet them Justin Skeens, Crystal Wylie ’05 where they are, help them navigate their situation and successfully get them through COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION to graduation. Lyle D. Roelofs, President Jeffrey S. Amburgey Hon. ’10, Vice President for Finance 18 | A Beacon of Help Sylvia Asante, Dean of Labor Channell Barbour ‘91, Vice President for Student Life Senior Willow Rodriguez relates how childhood struggles with her mother’s health Chad Berry Hon. ‘20, Vice President for Alumni, created mental-health issues for her entering college and how she has used Berea’s Communications and Philanthropy Steve Gowler, Interim Associate Provost resources to foster resilience. Phillip Logsdon, Chief Information Officer Dwayne Mack, Vice President for Diversity, 20 | Home Away from Home Equity and Inclusion First-year student Rashana Temple was displaced from her home at the beginning Matthew Saderholm ‘92, Dean of the Faculty Derrick Singleton, Vice President for Operations of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover how coming to Berea has helped her find and Sustainability community in the midst of quarantine. Scott Steele, Interim Provost Teri E. Thompson, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Judge B. Wilson II ‘78, General Counsel and Secretary 22 | Managing the Pain After losing his mother to cancer, junior Obinna Ilochonwu learned how to navigate CORRESPONDENCE AND REPRINTS rising stress from family expectations and future career direction by reaching out to If you have comments, questions or suggestions for the Berea College Magazine or would like Berea’s Counseling Services. information about reprinting any article appearing in the magazine, please contact: 24 | In the Face of Crisis

Editor, Berea College Magazine Berenice Davila’s senior year has been a mixture of challenges and persistence in the Berea College face of unmet expectations. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic rearranging her plans, CPO 2142 Davila has persevered toward successful completion of her last year at Berea. Berea, KY 40404 [email protected] 26 | Living Mindfully AT YOUR SERVICE Courses and programming across campus teach students, faculty and staff how to Web: www.berea.edu Mail: CPO 2142, Berea, KY 40404 cope by practicing mindfulness. Phone: 859.985.3104 Toll free: 1.866.804.3018 29 | Exceptional Students in an Exceptional Time Magazine: https://magazine.berea.edu With a worldwide pandemic affecting so many, Berea’s student chaplains answered Obinna Ilochonwu ’22 is studying to be a nurse anesthetist so he the call of supporting the student body. @bereacollege can help patients with pain management. Ilochonwu is one of 30 | Tackling Trauma Together many Berea students who face stress and anxiety throughout their The student population Berea was founded to serve raises the likelihood students will @bereacollege college careers. In this issue you can read more about Ilochonwu’s have encountered trauma, adverse childhood experiences and other negative impacts story, along with those of other Berea College students who have on their mental, physical and emotional health. Learn how the College is raising @bereacollege made use of College resources to overcome challenges that might awareness for and addressing these issues across campus. have prevented them from graduating. 22

Berea College Magazine (ISSN 1539-7394) is published Crystal Wylie ‘05 34 | Helping Bereans Thrive! quarterly for Berea College alumni and friends by The College’s Thrive! program teaches that wellness involves actively engaging in and the Berea College Marketing and Communications Department. Periodicals postage pending at Berea, KY, nurturing all aspects of the whole person. and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address corrections to the Berea DEPARTMENTS College Office of Alumni Relations, CPO 2203, Berea, KY 40404. 36 | In the News 39 | Class Notes Berea College is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under federal guidelines. 45 | Passages

6 26 34 Crystal Wylie ‘05 Jennifer Lance ‘20

WINTER 2021 3 What Do Berea Students Need to Succeed? LETTER FROM THE EDITOR In many ways, the Berea College student the current Berea College student has are working hard in this area and are Dear Berea experience of today is the same as it was changed. The reasons for the changes are having a great deal of impact. A prime in the past. Learning in the classroom, much debated, but a partial list would indicator of our success is that graduation through the Labor include changes to the nature of rural rates are rising steadily, even as the Alumni and Friends, Program and from poverty from subsistence to dependency; challenges students must overcome have We have finally made it through 2020 and are anxious to start fresh each other are degradation of family support structures also been increasing. with a new year that, I hope, feels very different than the last. Yet, as I hallmarks of the and increased substance abuse; an This issue of Berea College Magazine write this message, the landscape of our nation and the circumstances present experience increasing wealth gap that presents greater offers a close-up, real-life view of the of the global pandemic don’t seem to be easing. The stress, worry and and of the experience challenges to the impoverished than it did current student experience, focusing on uncertainty that permeated 2020 mentally and emotionally fatigued of generations of in earlier decades; and resulting greater student mental health and the support many, bringing to light an uptick in mental-health issues and the shortcomings in recognizing and understanding them. Right at a year Bereans. But today’s pressure to succeed in four short years. the College offers. The theme is especially ago, when Berea’s Task Force on Trauma and Resilience released its students come to Additionally, the rise of social media has significant for these times of COVID-19 findings and recommendations, the idea formed to focus this issue of campus with experi- been shown to be quite toxic to the mental and the related challenges students have the Berea College Magazine on mental and emotional health. Today, ences that require a health of young people. faced and overcome. You will meet several the topic couldn’t be more timely. As you will read in the pages of this sharper focus on their Berea students in 2020, ever as wonderful faculty and staff members publication, mental health among college students is on the decline nationally. And since the COVID-19 pandemic, the issues have only mental health and well-being. deserving of education and opportunity as whose work with our amazing students become more pronounced. A report released by the Centers for Disease It is true that every generation of past generations, are still learning so much is making such an important difference. Control and Prevention in August 2020 about the pandemic’s effect on Berea students has overcome challenges in the classroom, at their jobs and from Our discerning friends and alumni mental health identified that about one-quarter of surveyed 18 to 24 year and learned resilience through them, and one another. But for some, more support will understand that all of our efforts olds had “seriously considered suicide” in the past 30 days. A separate some may think that opportunities for is needed. The challenge is not unique to require College resources. We are grateful, study by the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) consortium found the rate of major depressive disorder among graduate learning, labor and service were sufficient Berea. I do not know of a single college, as always, for your support as we continue and professional students is two times higher compared to 2019. to overcoming obstacles. Alumni accom- regardless of the populations served, that to offer the best education money can’t plishments over time might confirm that, isn’t finding it necessary to offer more buy—and I do mean the best! Because of the population Berea College serves, many of our students tend but it is important to recognize that many mental-health support for its students. to fall into high-risk categories for dealing with mental and emotional health issues. Interviewing our professional therapists for the profile on Bereans in the past did not finish their Fortunately, at Berea, we have Counseling Services you can read on page 14 was incredibly eye-opening degree. Today, a focus on mental health accepted the challenge of figuring out to me. I was unfamiliar with the effects of trauma and adverse childhood improves success and graduation rates. how to meet that need in our students. Lyle D. Roelofs experiences (ACEs), but being a Berea graduate, I keenly understand In many ways, the environment of A number of dedicated, expert Bereans President the background and challenges many of our students have faced. My childhood was thwarted by parental substance abuse and divorce. My mother unsuccessfully attempted to take her life. I was homeless for Trustees and Councils a month in high school, sleeping in a dingy motel while my mom worked nights and searched for a house during the day. These ACEs Lyle D. Roelofs, President dictate the lens through which our minds and bodies react to just about BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tyler S. Thompson ‘83 AEC MEMBERS-AT-LARGE everything. This magazine delves more deeply into ACEs and their effects Robert T. Yahng ‘63, Chairman of the Board Rocky S. Tuan ‘72 Alonzo (Lonnie) Allen, Jr. ’84, Kentucky Stephanie B. Zeigler, Vice Chair of the Board Emmanuel A. Tuffuor ‘88 V. Eldon Ball ’70, Virginia on page 30. Vicki E. Allums ‘79 Diane Artist Wallace ‘80 Dr. Geoffrey Bartlett ’93, New York Celeste P. Armstrong ‘90 Raymond Crenshaw ’12, Washington, D.C. Charlotte F. Beason ‘70 HONORARY TRUSTEES Dr. Donna J. Dean ’69, West Virginia But what I am most excited about in this issue are the stories of resilience Vance Blade ‘82 James T. Bartlett Ethan Hamblin ’14, North Carolina Anne Berry Bonnyman Martin A. Coyle Vallorie Henderson ’79, Kentucky shared by four of our students on pages 18 through 25. Though just Joseph John Bridy Elissa May-Plattner Jane Miller Hutchens ’71, Kentucky a sampling of the human experience, these young people have dealt Stephen Campbell Harold L. Moses ‘58 Dr. Randy Johnson ’91, Kentucky David H. Chow Thomas H. Oliver Zack Johnson ’17, Kentucky with difficulty, stress and pain and yet have risen. They have sought M. Elizabeth Culbreth ‘64 Douglas M. Orr Elle Keys ’18, Kentucky Bill Daugherty ‘76 David S. Swanson Angie Li ’16, Tennessee out resources and relationships to counteract their hardships, and they Samantha S. Earp ‘86 R. Elton White ’65 Elizabeth (Libby) McCord, Esq. ’73, Ohio are learning to thrive. Berea met them where they were, and will John E. Fleming ‘66 Dawneda F. Williams Tran Nguyen ’17, Indiana Michael D. Flowers Robert Phillips ’90, Virginia help them navigate their way to completing their degrees and living Scott M. Jenkins ALUMNI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (AEC) 2020-21 Mahjabeen Rafiuddin ’97, Florida Glenn R. Jennings ‘82 Sherry McCulley-Hall ’81, President, North Carolina Carlos Verdecchia ’91, Kentucky full lives. Shawn C.D. Johnson Joe Saleem ’08, Past-President, Kentucky Ken Koh Dr. Dwayne Compton ’01, President-Elect, Kentucky Nancy “Nana” Lampton Dr. Lyle D. Roelofs, President of Berea College Eugene Y. Lowe Jr. Jackie Collier ’80, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Betty H. Olinger ‘69 Dr. Chad Berry Hon. ’20, Vice President for Alumni, Thomas W. Phillips ‘65 Communications and Philanthropy Miriam “Mim” Pride William B. Richardson ALUMNI TRUSTEES Abbie Tanyhill Darst ’03 Dennis R. Roop ‘69 Celeste Patton Armstrong ’90, Alabama Charles Ward Seabury II Bill Daugherty ’76, Kentucky Editor David E. Shelton ‘69 Dr. Betty Hyatt Olinger ’69, Kentucky David B. Sloan ‘72 Diane Artist Wallace ’80, Kentucky

4 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 5 oncerned with the national resilience; structural or positional played a caregiver role for a grandparent trend in declining mental health changes; and continued oversight, or siblings,” Lakes said. “They are not Tasked to Respond among students entering review and data sharing. With a full list able to provide in ways that they would Ccolleges and universities, President Lyle of recommendations, the task force like, and there are feelings of shame, Facing the challenges of mental Roelofs and then-Academic Vice began conversations about implementa- guilt and frustration that can lead to President and Dean of the Faculty Chad tion. However, as with all facets of disparities in those students.”

and emotional health head-on Berry convened a Task Force on Trauma Berea’s operations, the COVID-19 In addition, the stress levels Berea and Resilience in fall 2018. The task pandemic presented a significant College students report are higher than By Katie Grindstaff ‘15 force was charged with examining Berea challenge. their national peers, as revealed in a 2010 students and their risk factors as well as Some of the recommendations American College HealthDr. Loretta Association Reynolds

making recommendations for taking a were able to gain real traction before National College Health Assessment holistic and proactive approach for staff and students left to work remotely survey. Sixty-six percent of Berea males responding to student trauma and in March 2020, Lakes said. “We’ve and 49 percent of Berea females reported increasing student resilience. implemented a few recommendations “more than average” or “tremendous “Student “ that have had stress” compared nationally to 56 percent trauma and mental Student trauma and mental health positive results, but of males and 42 percent of females. health issues are on issues are on the rise at colleges some of the others “One source of stress is the pressure the rise at colleges and universities across the country. have obviously to succeed at Berea given students’ and universities It’s very well documented and landed on the back limited options for high-quality across the country,” happening at all institutions. At burner,” he said. education that is affordable,” said Sue said Chris Lakes, Berea College, a place where we The College ended Reimondo, director of Counseling director of the in-person instruc- Services. “Because Berea College charges serve students from low-income Office of Student tion in March no tuition, students are encouraged to Success and backgrounds, poverty is one of the 2020 and in fall graduate in four years to enable as many Transition. “It’s “primary indicators of negative 2020 implemented students as possible to receive a degree at very well docu- outcomes in student mental health. a learning environ- the College who may not otherwise have mented and –Chris Lakes ment that includes the opportunity to earn one.” happening at all in-person or Individual recommendations from institutions. At Berea College, a place distance learning as chosen by the the task force are continuing, including where we serve students from low-in- student. what is referred to as “gatekeeper come backgrounds, poverty is one of the One recommendation for faculty training for natural helpers.” The primary indicators of negative outcomes reading groups already has offered training for faculty and staff who in student mental health.” participants insight into challenges facing interact with students on a regular The student population served by Berea students. To date, three different basis will help prepare them for how the College is at risk of higher levels of groups have convened, reading and to support students’ mental health. stress, anxiety and mental fatigue. discussing books that offer guidance on Throughout this issue, the specifics Acknowledging these obstacles, the goal addressing particular challenges Berea’s of many of the task force recommenda- of the task force was to develop a more students face. There also has been a group tions are explored and their impact and comprehensive, cohesive response to the review of a short film related to adverse implementation explained in greater experiences and challenges students childhood experiences. The recommenda- detail. The work of the task force is bring with them into higher education. tion for training faculty and staff on how happening across campus in a number The 16-member task force repre- to respond directly to students who are of areas, with facilitation and coordina- sented various academic departments, experiencing emotional stress also has tion from the wellness program, Student Student Life, the Willis D. Weatherford resulted in helpful conversations. Life and the Office of Student Success Jr. Campus Christian Center, Counsel- Berea students experience similar and Transition, among others. ing Services and Institutional Research issues to students across the country, “Part of my job in the spring,” Lakes and Assessment. It identified 21 recom- but because many are coming out of said, “will be to pull people back together mendations, separated into five broader challenging backgrounds, they struggle and focus on what we have been able to categories: increasing resilience and disproportionately with things like food accomplish during the COVID-19 pan- Many students like Kaela Davis ‘23 found reducing stress on campus; professional insecurity, feeling supported by their demic, and how to get momentum back ways to deal with the added stress COVID-19 development for faculty and staff; family, divorce and separation, and in 2021, when a lot of people will return safety protocols placed on Berea’s residential students by moving outside to study. increasing campus awareness of traumas, housing insecurity. to campus and engage in a world that is

Crystal Wylie ‘05 adverse childhood experiences and “So many of our students have very different since the shutdown.” B

6 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 7 Opening the Conversation Faculty and staff crucial to campus mental well-being

By Kim Kobersmith

or some students, taking tests changed a lot,” she said. “We didn’t even the student, provide insight and support, can evoke fear and anxiety. talk about depression or anxiety. Now and share the experience.” Dr. Monica Kennison, Susan V. we are much more open about it, and Dr. Amanda Wyrick, associate FClayton Nursing Chair at Berea, knows more students are identifying as experi- professor of psychology, helped develop how common and incapacitating test encing it.” a manual for staff on how to walk beside anxiety can be. She developed a strategy Last June, the College offered a students who express feelings of depres- that’s been particularly helpful. Together, training for labor supervisors, a staff sion, anxiety and suicidal ideation. One she and the student enter the computer group that works closely with students. special area of concern for her is bound- testing room, sit in front of a computer The Trauma and Resilience Basics aries for faculty and staff. Part of that and walk through a progressive relax- training was led by Karen Newton, a is knowing when a student needs more ation exercise. She then encourages the Koru mindfulness trainer and adjunct help than a faculty or staff member can student to return to the testing room faculty member at the University of offer. and practice the relaxation alone. This Louisville and the parent of a Berea “I ask myself, ‘Can I maintain my builds a link between the room and a graduate. She introduced the impact of role right now, or am I moving into the sense of calm that the student can draw adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) role of friend or parent?’” she explained. on during testing. on students and the benefits of protec- “The answer to that question provides a This is just one way faculty and staff tive factors. The Centers for Disease clue as to whether my interaction with a at Berea are attuned to the mental Control and Prevention defines ACEs student can remain healthy for the both well-being of their students and actively as potentially traumatic events that of us.” intervene on their behalf. occur in childhood up until the age of “Faculty play a crucial role,” 17. Protective factors such as a caring Kennison said. “It is not unusual for relationship with a parent or caregiver A resilience toolkit students to confide in us because we can shield children from ACEs. Campus-wide, there is an emphasis on work so closely with them. We often Understanding these concepts not just handling crises but creating are cognizant of subtle changes in helped participants shift mindsets from opportunities to nurture students’ student behavior and can initiate a “what is wrong with you?” to “what resilience. This is of particular concern conversation.” happened to you?” This broader context for Kennison. “Nationally, there is a fosters empathy when working with silent but real problem of an increased students who are struggling with incidence of suicide among nurses Walk beside work-performance issues. The training compared to the general population,” In recognition of this crucial role, one of also included a reminder that all people she explained. “Nurses are the largest the emerging themes of the Task Force have healing potential. healthcare workforce on the front lines on Trauma and Resilience, convened in “As a faculty member, it is import- of caring for individuals who are fall 2018, was professional development ant for me to be aware of potential violently injured. Students need a for faculty and staff who work directly trauma students have experienced, like resilience toolkit.” with students. Dr. Stephanie Woodie, the long-term impacts of [racism] and Kennison and the rest of the nursing associate professor of health and human poverty,” Woodie said. “We can learn to department have made this toolkit a performance, sees its importance. “I see ourselves, not as a person who can fix top priority. The Martha Fox Memorial began teaching in 1988, and things have it, but as someone who can walk beside Psychiatric Nursing Lecture series

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sponsored a virtual seminar about school year on sabbatical. Her research communities. One text was “The Upside mental health for nurses and students in topic emerged from her work with the of Stress,” by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., October. Dr. Susan Painter and Dr. task force; she is exploring creating a which focuses on strategies for embrac- Berea’s Students Karen Cheeseman from Case Western learning community focused on faculty ing the benefits of this much-maligned Reserve University shared about risk and staff resilience.“ The first component aspect of human experience. The impact factors, coping and self-care strategies, will be grounded in psychoeducation of stress depends on the mindset we Need You and Your and the importance as members explore have about it, according to McGonigal, of creating support- aspects of burn-out and we can use it to actually increase our ive dialogue among My vision is to establish a and stress. The resilience. Generous Support colleagues. space of safe connection where second element will Participants recognized the material The nursing individuals can risk vulnerability. focus on building was not just about students, but for their More Than Ever faculty incorporate I want to encourage our campus resilience. own well-being. “Book groups were a other practices for “The goal is start to building a really great connec- community to slow down and well-being. They not a list of things tion with faculty and staff,” Wyrick said. serve healthy snacks listen to each other. to do, which can Woodie, Kennison and Wyrick during finals week. –Dr. Amanda Wyrick be guilt-inducing,” have helped lay the groundwork for a They practice Dr. she said. “It will be healthier Berea College campus commu- Amy Cuddy’s “ about tools we can nity. “The work of the task force makes “power pose” with students. Cuddy, a practice together in community.” Berea more proactive, with a self-care social psychologist, says standing for two The final component focuses on and resiliency mindset,” Kennison said. minutes with your feet apart and your the community aspect of the experience. “It opens the conversation, decreases hands on your hips (think the famous “My vision is to establish a space of the stigma around mental health and Wonder Woman stance) is linked to safe connection where individuals can leverages students’ strengths. During improved confidence and performance risk vulnerability,” she added. “I want COVID-19, we have been focused on in stressful situations, as well as de- to encourage our campus community physical well-being, but the pandemic creased stress. They introduce a struc- to slow down and listen to each other.” is exacerbating mental-health concerns. tured mindful pause, which in some Wyrick says book studies that The work of the task force has proven clinical situations is linked to fewer emerged from task force recommenda- to be relevant, timely and essential.” B errors in practice. It is all in the pursuit tions gave a taste of these kinds of of instilling resilience tools and improv- The pandemic continues to loom large, particularly ing mental health in their future nurses. on low-income households—exactly the population Berea serves. A space of safe connection In addition to their economic status, the pandemic While there is a growing national recognition of the mental-health needs has been another challenge in our students’ lives. of college students, Wyrick is concen- Now more than ever, the promise of a high-quality trating her work on a less-discussed education without the burden of student debt topic: how schools like Berea are is needed. Without the No-Tuition Promise handling compassion fatigue and Scholarship that Berea awards to each one of its burn-out of the staff and faculty who admitted students, they would have few higher work with students. educational options that match the quality of a “We can’t just focus on wellness of students without faculty and staff,” Berea degree. she said. “Other institutions are dealing with heightened stress in students, but Please make your gift at www.berea.edu/give, or not a lot of colleagues tell me they are by sending a check in the enclosed envelope. Amber ’23 getting support for their well-being. Berea College has said we believe this is Photo by Desiree Dunn ‘20 important, and there is a lot of support for the task force work.” Wyrick is spending the 2020-21

CPO 2216 • Berea, KY 40404 • 800-457-9846 • www.berea.edu/give 10 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 11 Power Plants By Kim Brown

educed stress levels. Cleaner air. guidelines and rules established by Sir “Plants have kept me (mostly) sane Sharpened attentiveness. In- Isaac Newton in 1666 and applied by throughout 2020,” said Brittany “Bee” creased productivity. A number designers to communicate through the Lakes, social media coordinator at Berea Rof university and medical studies show use of color—green is associated with College. “My collection definitely grew that a simple element found in many tranquility, growth, renewal and com- during this time, likely because we have homes and offices produces these bene- passion. Designers use a color wheel and been unable to go anywhere, which led fits: plants. With increased stress and research that connects color to mood, to more online plant shopping. I enjoy feelings of isolation that accompany the emotion and feelings, and throughout caring for my plants; watching them COVID-19 global pandemic, tending to the pandemic Kentucky Gov. Andy grow and thrive is very rewarding and lush, green plants is helping people Beshear encouraged residents to light allows me to focus on something through these challenging times. their homes in green to show support positive rather than being weighed down In color theory—a collection of to those who have suffered losses. by the challenges of 2020.” Lakes, whose collection of house- plants stands at 75, said she used the months of isolation to connect with other “plant people” online through Instagram. She has made friends with plant lovers in neighboring Lexington, Ky., and as far away as Sweden, with whom she chats almost daily. Crystal Wylie ‘05 These online friendships started by Dr. Dawn Anderson, Berea biology professor, describes her office as a little ecosystem. It is filled with plants she has added throughout her 28 years at Berea, sharing plant photos, discussing plant some of which are orphaned plants that were rescued and given to her. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anderson says her plants have helped “soothe and care, giving advice and sending one calm [her] jangled nerves.” another interesting products, Lakes recalls. Over time, those online connec- them for their majors (nursing, biology tions with new friends have evolved into and chemistry-biochemistry concentra- meaningful relationships. tion).” Anderson, in her 28th year “We now ask how the other person teaching at Berea, took a course redesign is coping with all the stresses of 2020 workshop in May offered by the Col- and have worthwhile conversations,” she lege’s Center for Teaching and Learning explains. “Building these connections that guided her in redesigning her three through social media has meant a lot to courses to an online format. “Huge me throughout the pandemic, and I change. Huge amount of work, but I know [it] has been impactful for them as wanted all students who needed my well, especially those who live alone.” courses to be able to take them,” Childhood weekends spent tending Anderson said.

a vegetable garden with her paternal Anderson, whose research focuses Crystal Wylie ‘05 grandparents had a lasting impact on on infectious disease and antibiotic In mid-March 2020, just after the campus closed to in-person instruction due to COVID-19, Berea’s Dr. Dawn Anderson, instilling in her a resistance in bacteria, said the drastic greenhouse workers continued tending to campus greenery. In the spring and summer months, plant sales increased as people turned to plants as a stress reliever during quarantine. life-long love of plants. A professor in change in her approach to teaching left the Biology department at Berea, her feeling frazzled. She found relief in Anderson says plants have always played the 22 plants in her office. on with the pandemic and how it has a great coping strategy for Lakes and a big part in her life. Their role became “During this COVID pandemic, really upended everyone’s life. I find Anderson. The benefits derived from their more significant during the pandemic. I think all my plants have done much comfort from the plants in my office, potted friends confirm the color theory Brittany Lakes Brittany Lakes Bee Lakes has more than 75 potted plants in her home. Her collection helped her cope with the “The pandemic totally shifted my to soothe and calm my jangled nerves,” which would be a very sterile and association of green with tranquility, challenges of 2020 while allowing her to connect to other plant lovers around the world through teaching,” she said. “I am doing all my she said. “It is easy to get anxious and soul-deadening place without them.” growth and renewal—feelings each hopes social media. courses online as many students need depressed with all that has been going Caring for plants has proven to be to find on the other side of this pandemic. B

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“Berea’s students are unique because up and continuing on to graduation. Athletics, Disability and Accessibility Berea College itself is unique with the “Meeting them where they are is Services and academic departments such Meeting Them demands our students are under,” Berea important,” Reimondo said. “It is a real as Child and Family Studies, Women’s counselor Tricia Isenstein said. “Sched- dance; they have to function, so we don’t and Gender Studies, and Sociology,

ules at Berea are very rigid with the addi- want them to move too quickly in allows counseling to be holistic and tion of labor, and students often are dealing with painful issues because it touch all the areas that make up a committed from before 8 a.m. into the may interfere with their ability to go to student’s experience. Where They Are late evening. Berea students put high class and labor or meet other obliga- “It’s helpful to have experts in all expectations on “ tions. So, it is OK areas because I’m not an expert in Berea College Counseling Services themselves, often Berea students put high if they come in everything,” Johnston said. “So, we refer prioritizing aca- expectations on themselves, wanting help in to these experts to utilize resources to demics over their often prioritizing academics addressing an help students make those connections.” By Abbie Tanyhill Darst ’03 own well-being. In over their own well-being. In immediate prob- “I really value our colleagues in all addition, many are lem but aren’t yet those areas,” Reimondo added. “Some- addition, many are dealing with dealing with a ready or wanting times when practical issues come up, ver the past decade, rates of pandemic caused the institution to end see us in everyday settings…it normaliz- background of a background of trauma or to address deeper I can just pick up the phone and work anxiety, depression and suicidal in-person instruction and send students es us and shows we are warm, compas- trauma or adverse adverse childhood experiences, issues. We meet together with a colleague to resolve a thoughts among college home last March. On average, counsel- sionate and approachable. childhood experi- leading one to be prone to them where they problem that is causing a student Ostudents have risen significantly, leading ing services at colleges with populations “Counseling is different than talking ences, leading one “anxiety, depression and even are.” distress. And, we work hard not to over more students to seek help at counseling similar to Berea’s only see 17.4 percent to an aunt, grandma or mom,” Reimon- to be prone to PTSD. –Tricia Isenstein “Some stu- program or duplicate services. I think we centers. Intense pressure to perform of the student population, according to do continued. “We have no agenda, we anxiety, depression dents wait until get better every year at understanding academically, social media expectations the 2018 survey of Association for are not vested in the choices they make and even PTSD.” their last term in college to seek counsel- how to use our partnerships to create the and influence, and home and environ- University and College Counseling in the same way a family member might “When I ask students why they ing services,” Isenstein added. “They’ll best outcomes for the students we serve.” mental issues contribute significantly to Center Directors. be, so we can be objective. The student came to Berea, nine out of 10 say say, ‘I have been putting this off, and I At the core of everything Berea’s this rise. Berea College Counseling “Our student usage is super high,” is the expert in their life, and we offer because it was free,” added counselor have one more semester.’ They begin to counseling team does is the desire to see Services saw 551 students in the 2019- said Sue Reimondo, director of Counsel- them expertise and skills to get through Josh Johnston. “So students feel internal realize the value of therapy and mental Berea’s students succeed. Therapy reso- 20 academic year—35 percent of the ing Services. “We do a lot of outreach, their stuck points.” pressure to take advantage of this health. Other students may be seen nates in relationship and understanding student body—before the COVID-19 so students get to know us. When they In the 18 years Reimondo has opportunity, which is going to increase consistently throughout their years at people in general, Johnston said. Listen- directed Berea’s Counseling Services their anxiety. They feel family pressures Berea College. Progress can look differ- ing to students, building rapport with office, the staff has grown considerably. because they are the first to go to college ent for each student. Some are able to them, and helping them discover and When she came to Berea, the counseling or they need to send money back home. process their trauma effectively in increase their resilience allows counselors department consisted of her and one Plus, with the time demands of being therapy, while others work on develop- to find fulfilment in their roles. part-time therapist. Today, the staff has a student, having a labor position, ing skills needed to tolerate the present “When I think of resilience and how grown to include one part-time and four convocations and clubs—because they moment. Both represent significant it emanates in my sessions with clients, I full-time therapists, in addition to like to be involved—they are piling healing.” often try to reassure our students, ‘You Reimondo, who carries a sizeable client all these stressors on top of what they In seeking to meet each student’s are not what happened; you are not load as well as serving as director. were already bringing in from their needs, Counseling Services partners with anything you have done,’” counselor Joel This enlarged staff stays busy serving past experiences. What made them other campus resources and entities to Wilson said. “Then I affirm them to Berea’s unique student body. Often, the really resilient and remarkable students ensure a well-rounded approach. know that who and or what they are is factors that make Berea students perfect in high school also adds to their stress “It is important to me to build indescribable. Words fail to truly candidates for acceptance—strong while they’re in college because they collaboration because I want Counseling articulate who we are at our core, in our academic performance and high financial are trying to excel.” Services to be embedded in the College soul and spirit. Every time you overcome need—add to their challenges in adapting Whether a student comes to and be part of the educational mission,” a challenge, you affirm for yourself that to college life. Reimondo notes that many Counseling Services struggling with Reimondo said. “We want to support you’re braver than you think.” Berea students have overcome significant anxiety and looking for coping mecha- students succeeding here and becoming “Students have a longing to be obstacles prior to arriving at Berea nisms or because they are troubled by their personal best while they experience heard, understood, appreciated and College, and many arrive with unmet the continuing effects of extreme, all the developmental milestones accepted,” Reimondo added. “Our psychosocial needs. Families with limited unacknowledged trauma in their lives, students go through in their college students are remarkably resilient. And financial resources often lack access to Berea’s experienced and caring therapists careers.” I have stayed [at Berea] a long time

Jennifer Lance ’20 services that help to address psychosocial are there for them. They meet the Collaboration with the Willis D. because of the students. You feel like Sue Reimondo (left), director of Counseling Services, and Elaine Adams, Ecovillage coordinator, handed and health crises due to limited transpor- students where they are and help them Weatherford Jr. Campus Christian you make a difference and that what you out candy to attendees at the Fall Festival in October 2020. Events like this help make Counseling tation, limited funds and communities navigate their situation, sometimes Center, various other centers on campus, do matters.” B Services more visible and approachable for students. that lack sufficient resources. making the difference between giving Student Life, Academic Services,

14 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 15 Sue Reimondo substance abuse, trauma and couples counsel- Josh Johnston body and spirit. She has been at Berea College HEALTHY MINDS STUDY FINDINGS* Director and Therapist ing. She has been at Berea since February 2019 Therapist for four years, and she says she has never B.S. in Business Administration, and says she is inspired by the culture of the B.S. in Psychology, Purdue University worked in a therapist position where students The Healthy Minds Study (HMS) is an annual web-based survey examining mental Rochester Institute of Technology College and thoroughly enjoys working with M.S. in Family Studies with a concen- were as receptive and hungry for knowledge as health, service utilization and related issues among undergraduate and graduate M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher the students, faculty and staff. Horton believes tration in Marriage and Family Therapy, Berea’s students. students nationally. HMS is approved by the Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences Education, Colorado State University therapy is a collaborative process with the goal University of Kentucky Institutional Review Board at the University of Michigan and provides a detailed picture Ph.D. in Counseling and Career being for people to experience the maximum Johnston began his of mental health and related issues in college student populations. Development, Colorado State University benefits within the least amount of time. career working in Joel Wilson ’02 community mental Psychotherapist Reimondo began her Selected Measures Percentage career working for health before earning B.S. in Industrial Technology of Students IBM in the Federal Tricia Isenstein his independent licen- Management, Berea College Systems Division. Therapist sure in Kentucky as a M.A. in Professional Counseling, Major depression After 12 years, she B.A. in Political Science and English, marriage and family University of the Cumberlands 18% chose to further her University of Kentucky therapist. Johnston’s in- M.A. in Addictions Counseling, Depression overall, including major and moderate education so she M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from quisitive and analytical University of the Cumberlands 36% could engage in Eastern Kentucky University nature, combined with Wilson began his career as a carpenter and work she found more Isenstein began her career working with his training in family a substitute teacher. After he and his four Elevated level of depression meaningful. While student services at the University of Kentucky. systems frameworks, Crystal Wylie ‘05 children experienced a 28% working directly While there, she began volunteering at the serves as the basis of life-changing event in with students as a then-YWCA Spouse Abuse Center, where she his therapeutic work. His innate desire to help 2010, Wilson decided Anxiety disorder residence hall super- became a crisis counselor and family advocate, people is accompanied by a deep interest in to further his educa- 31%

Crystal Wylie ‘05 visor and later as a discovered her understanding them fully. He has been at Berea tion and seek a career graduate assistant, calling to work College for nine years and is helping develop helping others deal with Elevated level of generalized anxiety 31% she decided she wanted to work as a counselor. as a profession- substance-abuse programming on campus and suffering and ultimately In 2002, Reimondo was hired as the director of al counselor partnering with the Athletics department to find healing. He has Counseling Services at Berea College. She says and decided to bring mental-health awareness, advocacy and worked in college Eating disorder 10% she always has been fascinated by psychology pursue a degree resources to student athletes. He said he firmly counseling and as a and why people do the things they do. In her in mental health believes that influencing the life of one student substance-abuse Elevated level of eating concerns early 20s, she began working with a therapist counseling. can subsequently impact multiple generations Crystal Wylie ‘05 counselor, as well as run 34% and found it tremendously helpful—an experi- Since then, she of a family system through the intergeneration- his own private coun- ence she says led to her career change from the has worked for al transmission of values and beliefs. seling practice, Fresh Start Therapy, LLC. Wilson corporate world to counseling. She has earned Greenhouse 17, is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Non-suicidal self-injury (past year) 24% certifications as a cognitive behavioral therapist The Nest—Cen- and in African American multigenerational Crystal Wylie ‘05 and is both a yoga and Pilates instructor. ter for Women, Julie LeBrun trauma. He has been at Berea College since Reimondo says her work at Berea College has Children and Therapist 2019, and his clinical focus areas are trau- Suicidal ideation (past year) 14% been tremendously satisfying, and the students Families in Lexington and as the only ther- M.A., Eastern Kentucky University ma, psychosomatic therapy, anxiety, children have taught her much about resiliency and the apist at Kentucky State University. She also Licensed professional clinical counselor with behavioral issues, families with domestic strength of the human spirit. has maintained a solo private practice since (LPCC) violence, substance abuse, medical assisted Lifetime diagnoses of mental disorders 37% 2011. Isenstein has been at Berea since 2015. LeBrun began her career working with children, treatment, test anxiety and suicidal ideation. She has focused the majority of continuing adolescents and adults in the nonprofit sector. Kathryn Horton education and professional development on the She has been trained Psychiatric medication (past year) Therapist treatment of trauma. She began Healing Circle, in trauma-focused Angela Taylor 24% B.S.W. in Social Work, a support group for Berea students, along with cognitive behavioral Administrative Assistant Ohio University many other creative programs. She says she is therapy, parent-child Taylor worked in the Mental health therapy/counseling (past year) M.S. in Social Work, most proud of being part of the journey toward interaction therapy, education field for 12 30% University of healing for her clients. and Eye Movement years, most recently in Cincinnati Desensitization and early childhood educa- Any mental-health therapy/counseling and/or psychiatric Horton began her Reprocessing (EMDR) tion. She has been with medication among students with positive depression or anxiety screens (past year) career as an out- therapy. At Berea, she Berea College Counsel- 56% patient therapist in works collaboratively ing Services since 2013. therapeutic foster with students and staff In 2017, she was award- Personal stigma: agrees with “I would think less of someone care and community to develop programs ed Berea’s Staff Member who has received mental-health treatment.” 6% mental health. She is a in substance abuse, of the Year award. She Crystal Wylie ‘05 licensed clinical social groups for anxiety, says she loves meet- Perceived public stigma: agrees with “Most people would think worker (LCSW) with and suicide prevention. ing and working with less of someone who has received mental-health treatment.” professional interest LeBrun promotes an integrative approach to Crystal Wylie ‘05 Berea’s students. 47%

Crystal Wylie ‘05 in anxiety, depression, mental health wellness that includes the mind, *2018-19

16 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 17 A Beacon of Help: Willow Rodriguez ’21 By Kim Kobersmith

enior Willow Rodriguez had a influence. Her mother was not very sense of self and my independence,” she rough time as a teen, and she present to Rodriguez in those childhood said. brought those challenges with her years, and they did not have much of a Rodriguez is a team leader and Swhen she came to college. “I knew about connection or relationship. “I had to works directly with six other students. depression and anxiety and PTSD but navigate a lot of things on my own,” she It is a role she takes seriously. At first, didn’t see them working in my own life,” added. she said it was nerve-wracking. Because she said. “They very much were.” Looking back, Rodriguez realizes of her past, she doubted her ability to Rodriguez is the only child of a she didn’t have healthy coping mecha- make solid decisions. single mom. One thing she feels shaped nisms as a teen. “I was trying to take “The job forced me to be smart her life the most was a misdiagnosis her care of myself and my mom and be there about how I do things,” she said. “I mother received when Rodriguez was 6 for her emotionally,” Rodriguez said. really want to open myself up and be years old. Her mother had a thyroid “I wanted to fix her and make it better. there for my students, offer a beacon of tumor; doctors determined she had My issues grew from that.” help and make sure I do the job with the bipolar disorder. That diagnosis meant That reality hit her when she arrived best interest of everybody at heart.” prescriptions for seven different psychi- at college. At a talk during orientation, An integral part of being a beacon atric medications. aspects of the conversation triggered of help involves modeling her own well- “The meds took a toll,” Rodriguez some of the trauma of her past. Berea being. She supervises mostly first-year remembered, noting how challenging it College counselor Josh Johnston was students, and she knows how important was for her mother to be a single parent there and encouraged her to seek it is for them to incorporate self-care. and go to work and school under their therapy. She met with him for a month “I strive to be more transparent or two. about my mental health and encourage “Speaking with him was the first my students to be,” she said. “If neces- time I was super open with a counselor,” sary, I can take my own experiences to she said. “I felt very comfortable.” help others figure out next steps.” Rodriguez found those conversa- Rodriguez is poised to graduate in tions helpful, and she followed up with 2021 with a psychology degree and additional counseling a year later with plans to continue this mental wellness counselor Tricia Isenstein. With the staff advocacy work in her career. “Doing at Counseling Services, Rodriguez found something where I am able to help she was able to open up about things people and be a resource for them, that that had been really difficult to talk is really my goal,” she said. about before. Right now she is drawn to neurolo- Her labor position in Student Life gy and how brain science can illuminate was another important piece of her the causes of depression and anxiety. journey toward emotional wholeness. No matter where she ends up in her Rodriguez has worked as a facilities career, there is a piece of her college assistant for four years and feels like she experience that Rodriguez wants to take is part of a family. The staff are encour- with her. “The spirit of community that Jennifer Lance ‘20 aging and have been positive role Berea gives to students and staff made a Willow Rodriguez ’21 carving a pumpkin during models. difference,” she said. “It’s the idea that we Berea’s Fall Festival. The socially-distanced event allowed students to enjoy some fun and down “The team provides a support are all in this together, that I will help you time in an otherwise hectic fall schedule. system that has definitely nurtured my if I can or help you find who can help.” B Crystal Wylie ‘05

18 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 19 Home Away from Home: Rashana Temple ’24 By Cora Allison ’22

cross the world this past spring, people’s lives were thrown into disarray as they were asked or forcedA to quarantine in their homes at the onset of a global pandemic. Rashana Temple ’24, however, was faced with a particularly unique obstacle: home was no longer an option. Temple’s experience at home in Louisville had been really tough, and at the beginning of 2020, she moved into a domestic violence shelter for women and children in eastern Kentucky. While states across the country began to close down,

she continued working long shifts at the Gaston ‘23 Jarju local Walmart and acting as a tutor for Relaxing outside while doing Sudoku and crossword puzzles helps Rashana Temple ’24 to unwind from the children at the shelter. the busyness of college life. It is just one way she keeps her mental health in balance. “My days were long,” Temple said, “but I didn’t mind.” Temple kept her pending acceptance she works remotely with the Bonner by online classes and virtual resources, to Berea College in the back of her mind Scholars program to implement enrich- it also has proven to be very difficult and looked forward to being on campus ment programs for middle school for her existing health conditions. She in fall 2020. She remembers receiving students in Madison County. experiences seizures that often are her acceptance letter at the post office Temple admits wearing a mask and triggered by too much screen time. with her mom. staying socially distant all the time can “It’s challenging, but I have confi- “As soon as I saw the envelope feel isolating, which makes it easy to lose dence it will get better one way or with the Berea College stamp, I started focus on her goals, but there still is another,” Temple said. crying,” she recalled. “I’d been blessed community to be found at Berea, even Temple intends to continue to chip to get this chance.” in quarantine. Living in a residence hall away at her double major in psychology The transition from the shelter to and sharing a room with another and computer science, and she hopes to the College residence hall went smoothly, student has certainly created social implement her studies in the military. and Temple thinks the worst mental- opportunity. She also regularly attends a “I want to use [artificial intelligence] to health challenges of the pandemic are healing circle facilitated by counseling design programs to support veterans behind her, deliberately left behind at services, which provides a safe space for with post-traumatic stress disorder the shelter. “I got really depressed and students with adverse childhood experi- (PTSD) and other disorders,” she said. angry at the beginning,” she said. “I had ences. Like everyone else, Temple doesn’t to remind myself that it’s not forever.” “It’s nice to know I’m not the only know when or if things will go back to Rather than feeling isolated on one suffering from past experiences and normal, but she no longer feels intimi- campus, Temple says she feels like she is that not everyone wants to stay on the dated by that. “I’ve adapted to it,” she gaining extra time to focus and reflect same level,” she said. “They want to said. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come. on herself more deeply. She is taking a grow.” I’m in a great place, along with my mix of classes in person and online, and While Temple has been supported peers.” B Gaston ‘23 Jarju

20 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 21 Managing the Pain: Obinna Ilochonwu ’22 By Evan Harrell

rowing up in Nnewi in the stressful for Ilochonwu, but not for the mom’s passing took a toll. Then he south of Nigeria, Obinna same reasons it might be for other received an email from Berea College Ilochonwu ’22 says his life was students. He attended a boarding high therapist Tricia Isenstein for a workshop Grelatively normal. His mother, father and school in Nigeria for six years, from the about adverse childhood experiences. three brothers didn’t have much money, age of 10. “At that age,” he said, “I The workshop was so helpful that he but their life was simple, and they were already knew how to be on my own and made an appointment with Isenstein. happy. make food, live alone, make friends This time, he didn’t expect to find all the Things changed, however, when his outside of school and only go home on answers. This session was about having mother was diagnosed with cancer. The breaks.” somebody to talk to and being open to family spent more money than it had For Ilochonwu, it was the loneliness whatever she had to say. on her treatments, sacrificing the money that caused his stress, and subsequently In addition to on-campus resources, needed to pay for the boarding school some physical ailments. “When you get Ilochonwu says spending time with Ilochonwu attended. He remembers really stressed, it’s not just your immune family members who live in Georgia is a calling relatives and asking for help system that goes down, your mental form of therapy of its own. In fact, it paying for school, medical bills and defenses go down,” he explained. “If was a cousin who helped him realize he other necessities. there is any unresolved emotion that you was making his situation more compli- When his mother passed away, haven’t dealt with, it tends to come at cated than it needed to be. She encour- Ilochonwu knew his way of life had you.” aged him to let nursing be enough for changed forever. “The day she died, I In addition, Ilochonwu felt pressure now, and if he wanted to become a knew I had to take care of the boys,” he to become a physician. Family and doctor later, he could still choose that said. “I felt like I had to be there for friends told him he had to become a path. He recalls her words: “Just stay in them the whole time so that if my mom doctor or an engineer if he wanted to live the present and be happy now instead of could see us, she would know they a good life and provide for his family. making yourself unhappy with what you turned out fine.” Ilochonwu knew he wanted to enter the should be in the future.” Transitioning to college life was medical profession, but being on his own Ilochonwu plans to become a nurse away from the input of family and anesthetist, in part because of the tough friends, he had the opportunity to explore battle he saw his mom face with cancer. other areas in healthcare. But with more He remembers her crying from the pain, options came even more anxiety. saying it was as if the pain was worse He ultimately chose to take than the cancer itself. That is something pre-nursing classes. Yet, the stress he hopes to alleviate for others. continued, and Ilochonwu finally sought “As a nurse anesthetist, I am going help through counseling. It wasn’t to literally be able to take away people’s effective at first, but only because he was pains as much as I can,” he said. looking for a quick solution. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has “I think I had different expectations restricted his ability to see his Georgia of how therapy ‘fixes’ people,” he said. family, Ilochonwu says he manages stress “When I wasn’t ‘fixed,’ I thought by riding his bike and admiring the therapy didn’t work.” beautiful views around campus. His sophomore year, classes became “I think one of the mental things Gaston ‘23 Jarju Obinna Ilochonwu ’22 manages his stress by riding more difficult, the pressure of choosing a that helps me is knowing that it’s not his bike through Berea’s scenic campus. major continued and memories of his going to last forever,” he said. B Crystal Wylie ‘05

22 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 23 In the Face of Crisis: Berenice Davila ’21 By Cora Allison ’22

olitical Science major Berenice late B.A. Rudolph, a public servant who on-campus students, although she Davila ’21 had certain expectations worked for Bill Clinton when he was recognized them as necessary. Maintain- for her senior year at Berea, but the governor of Arkansas and later elected as ing mental health during this time is a PCOVID-19 pandemic had other plans. president of the United States. difficulty many are facing, Davila said. Despite receiving an email from Although she was able to complete But Berea offered many resources President Lyle Roelofs in March 2020 her coursework and squeeze in an and events geared toward support for notifying students, faculty and staff that internship, Davila shared that the students during this difficult time. One Berea College campus would be closing transition from living independently to of her favorite things is the bike program. to in-person classes, Davila admits she quarantining at home was challenging. “I loved riding my bike down the severely underestimated the effects of “Suddenly I couldn’t leave home at street every Saturday and getting a bagel; COVID-19. all,” she said. “Berea is small, but I could it became a ritual of sorts,” Davila said. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow! How at least walk down the street to take a “It was a great way to get exercise and to cool that we get to go home for two break. There were so many tourists at safely spend time with my friends.” weeks,’” she said. At that point, Davila home who didn’t respect the coronavirus The combination of the bike pro- was only aware of one other university, restrictions that it was dangerous to be gram and the support of her professors Harvard, which had closed due to outside.” also made a lasting impression. “I hope COVID-19 precautions. Staying at home was tough, but they are showing themselves the same Davila went to join her mom, Davila was thankful for the extra time grace they’ve extended to us,” she said. brother and sister-in-law in Galveston with her family. Living so far away, she “They have gone above and beyond.” B Island, Texas, a place that would quickly hadn’t expected to spend become a COVID-19 hotspot. She so much time with remembers there were subtle changes them. She was happy to that didn’t really impact their way of life. be there with her mom, “My brother was still going to the who worked as a domes- grocery store without a mask shortly after tic housekeeper. Davila’s I came home,” Davila said. “And I mom would have been thought, ‘Oh, I guess it’s not that serious.’ put at high-risk because But the more it went on, I realized how of her age and pre-exist- abnormal it is to live like this.” ing conditions, but When the number of cases in- fortunately she was creased, Davila realized there was no granted paid leave from “going back to normal” and that it her employers. would be necessary to make other plans “My mom said it for her summer internship in Washing- was a blessing, but she’s ton, D.C. Fortunately, she was able to also a realist and told us, make the best out of a tough situation ‘This is our new normal and worked remotely with EmpowHER, now,’” Davila said. an initiative of the BA Women’s Davila transitioned Crystal Wylie ‘05 Alliance, which provided her with back to campus for the professional experience and networking Spending time in the Latinx Cultural Center allows Berenice Davila ’21, fall term and found it whose family is from Mexico, to connect to her roots and other students opportunities in political science. The taxing to follow all the on campus. The welcoming space is the perfect place for her to study or nonprofit organization is named for the rules required for just relax with friends. Crystal Wylie ‘05

24 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 25 tudents who come to Berea stress reduction program created by Through fall 2019, the College College are offered many blessings psychologist Jon Kabat-Zinn and author offered two or three Koru sessions each Living Mindfully and opportunities,” said Corey of the very influential book, “Wherever term. Last spring, after the College “SCarroll, a senior economics major from You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness ended in-person instruction in response College Station, Texas. “But often they Meditation in Everyday Life.” to the COVID-19 pandemic, Richey By Libby Falk Jones don’t know how to cope with the emailed students about the opportunity changes college brings.” to enroll in a free online Koru course Carroll has learned that one way to Koru at Berea offered by Duke University. To date, cope is through practicing mindfulness. Dr. Martha Beagle, retired professor of more than 100 students have completed As a student in Dr. Penelope Wong’s HHP, brought Koru to Berea in 2014 a Koru program. Adolescent Development class his as a pilot program with the potential to Dominique Jenkins ’20, an Asian sophomore year, he engaged regularly in contribute to dimensions of emotional Studies major from Louisville, said he a “mindful moment” to begin class— and spiritual health. Support from the benefitted from the Koru class. He taking a minute to breathe silently, Academic Vice President’s office has made use of dynamic breathing—“it bringing awareness to the present. enabled 10 faculty and staff members to wakes you up,” he said—and body scans “Encouraging mindfulness is an import- attend workshops and train to lead that allow him to feel an emotion arising ant skill for teachers,” said Wong, classes. and then decide how to respond. “I’ve associate professor of education studies. At Berea, teaching the Koru class gotten better at thinking collectedly,” he “Students who are stressed are not is a volunteer activity. “I enjoy doing it,” said. capable of taking in information.” Wong said. “It gives me a chance to Koru can help students “make Beginning class with a mindful decompress.” friends with their minds,” said Jim moment works to relax students, Wong Dr. Jeff Richey, professor of Asian Strand, executive administrative assistant says. The practice can be used outside Studies, notes the importance of helping to the academic vice president. He class as well. students learn to care for themselves. “Is co-taught his first Koru class in 2019. Dr. Shannon Phelps, assistant Berea producing whole healthy people “Attention to breathing as a way to professor of health and human perfor- who will go into the world making it redirect the mind is a central piece in mance (HHP), invites a mindful whole and healthy?” he asked. “Students Koru,” he said. “You can become more moment during class when she senses need this care and will use it. They are creative if you can move past reacting to students need to be more engaged. hungry for mindfulness.” responding.” “Their body language shows they appreciate these moments,” she said. “They sit more upright.” Mindful moments can build into a meditation practice, some students and faculty have found. In her senior year, Palkyi ’20, began inviting friends to join her in a weekly short meditation, usually outdoors. “So many things distracted me,” Palkyi said. “Meditation is useful in controlling the mind.” As a nursing major, Palkyi also saw opportunities to use mindfulness techniques to give patients a non-pharmacological way to control pain. Though Palkyi learned mindfulness techniques in her home country of Tibet before coming to Berea, other students have learned them through taking Koru, a four-week, non-credit class offered on campus since 2015. Koru was developed Crystal Wylie ‘05

Jennifer Lance ‘20 at Duke Counseling and Psychological Students in Health and Human Performance (HHP) 223, a quarter-credit activity class, learned fencing This past fall semester, students participated in yoga classes outdoors on the rooftop of Dana Residence Hall. Led by Counseling Services Director Sue Services at Duke University as a com- this past fall. Participants in HHP Assistant Professor Michelle Thornton Adler’s course learned the sport Reimondo, the classes allowed students to decompress and focus on mindfulness. pressed course in the mindfulness-based outdoors to allow for proper social distancing.

26 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 27

Leading campus leaders Koru instructors often incorporate In addition to serving students, mind- mindfulness approaches into their other fulness education has been offered to classes and work. Exceptional Students faculty and staff. A fall 2015 dean’s Phelps teaches mindfulness in reading group explored essays on higher wellness and stress management classes. education contemplative practices, with Woodie brings mindfulness to her discussions continuing into the follow- wellness and yoga classes, including “ in an Exceptional Time ing spring. Two faculty and staff Koru those conducted remotely. In wellness classes have been offered, one in spring courses, she helps students understand Crystal Wylie ‘05 By Abbie Tanyhill Darst ’03 2017, led by Phelps and Dr. Sue the importance of reflection and under- Shania Smith ’22, a student in Professor Stepha- Reimondo, director of Counseling standing. nie Woodie’s Dance in Healing and Therapy class taught in fall 2020, shares her mask creation with Services, and “They need to the class for a mask-dance project. ach year, the Willis another in fall learn to be OK with D. Weatherford Jr. They need to learn to be OK 2019, led by not being OK—with ties for joy help us to change the Campus Christian Richey and with not being OK—with being being uncertain,” she narrative by which we run our lives.” ECenter (CCC) trains its Stephanie Wood- uncertain. It’s a skill that’s said. “It’s a skill that’s student chaplains to serve ie, associate important to emotional health. important to emotion- the student body. Typically, professor of –Stephanie Woodie al health.” Practicing gratitude this in-person, on-campus health and human In yoga, a physical Koru students and others on campus training prepares them to performance. activity HHP class, have also benefitted from the mindfulness navigate their chaplain “The biggest impact of that class and in her Dance in Healing and practice of expressing gratitude. In fall work positions and teaches was learning to live “in the moment,” Therapy class taught in fall 2020, 2018, Dr. Jill Bouma, professor and chair them to build healthy said Dr. Mary Robert Garrett, associate Woodie stresses body awareness. “We of sociology, partnered with Judith relationships with students professor of organic chemistry, a spring live our lives in our bodies, not our Weckman, director of Institutional who represent a wide 2017 participant. At work and home, heads,” she explained. “The body is an Research and Assessment, to study the variety of backgrounds and she tells herself that what she’s doing important teacher.” effects of expressing gratitude among needs. now is the most important thing. Reimondo agrees. In her counseling Berea College employees. About 100 staff “They are peer counsel- “Mindfulness helps us get out of work, she urges students to use the Koru members participated in the three-week ors, spiritual guides, ruts,” she said. “So many of us need technique of meditative walking. That program. Students in Bouma’s senior emotional empathizers, a new lens.” practice can bring about moments of sociology seminar analyzed pre- and Bible-study leaders, grief As Berea’s coordinator of advising, joy, she says. post-surveys and interviews. Results supporters, selfless servers, The 2020-21 student chaplains are: Mattie Jenkins, coordinator; K.C. Jones, team leader; Stephanie Itumba; Sabrina Garrett hopes to find ways to help “Life is made out of ordinary showed participants experienced benefits worship creators, Acheampong; William Woelki; Elaine Doyle; Collins Kandongwe; Noé Guevara, coordinator; Kyle Seghers, team leader; advisors see the benefits of mindfulness moments—extraordinary if you pay in daily health and felt a stronger sense of social-justice activists, Sean Mack; Matthew Woodard; A-Nya “Thena” Badger; Brianna Mobley; and Abigail “Abby” Camp. for themselves and their students. attention,” Reimondo said. “Opportuni- community. Learning-training coordina- residence-hall staff team tor Mark Nigro included these results in a members—and they also are staff development workshop, “Effectively college students, exceptional college to suit the new virtual reality. “During a time when a worldwide

Expressing Appreciation in Challenging students,” said Rev. Jake Hofmeister, one During the summer training, the pandemic is deeply affecting so many of Times,” offered twice in the past two of Berea’s chaplains. 14 student chaplains and CCC staff us, during a time when racial injustice is years. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic discussed how difficult times facing the so clear and so egregious, during a time “Effectively expressing appreciation forced student-chaplain training to an country and campus could generate when millions are suffering economical- benefits the receiver, the giver and the online platform, and the chaplains were complexities and fear, but it also could “ ly, our student chaplains spent 10 to 12 whole workplace environment,” Nigro concerned about the limitations of a serve as an opportunity. Thriving and hours each day training and learning said. virtual-only environment. They rein- serving even in a time of multiple crises how to support the Berea College The simplicity and brevity of vented many aspects of training, and the becomes possible only through support- student body—their peers and class- mindfulness practices are a strength, say student chaplain leadership team created ing one another to rise to the occasion. mates,” Hofmeister said. “During a time those who work with them. The breath content and invented creative solutions And rise they did, Hofmeister said. when it is so easy to be concerned about is a powerful tool for altering conscious- one’s self and one’s own anxiety and ness and can make our lives more hardships, these students were engaged, During a time when it is so easy to be concerned about one’s self and one’s manageable, Richey noted. passionate and selflessly focused on how own anxiety and hardships, these students were engaged, passionate and Woodie agrees. “You can experience to be there for others.” B selflessly focused on how to be there for others. –Rev. Jake Hofmeister Health and Human Performance Assistant Professor Shannon Phelps led a weekly power yoga hour moments of serenity and peace regard- via Zoom throughout the fall 2020 semester. The online class gave students, faculty and staff a way to less of your circumstances,” she said. mindfully reconnect with their bodies at the end of each week. “Serenity is a choice.” B 28 WINTER 2021 “ WINTER 2021 29 By Abbie Tanyhill Darst ’03 magine you’re walking in the forest and you see a bear,” said Nadine Tackling Trauma Burke-Harris, a Canadian-American pediatrician, during a 2014 TEDMed talk. “Your heart starts to pound, your pupils dilate, your “Iairways open up, and you are ready to either fight that bear or run from it. And that is wonderful if you’re in a forest and there’s a bear. But what Together happens when the bear comes home every night, and this system is activated over and over and over again?”

30 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 31 Burke-Harris, known for linking working with domestic violence victims and high school counselors have done alcohol, and other topics. This recom- common health issues. The task force to become more resilient. adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in shelters, and much of her work and for our students—driven eight hours mendation was realized this past summer believes raising the campus community’s For Isenstein, the goal of these and and toxic stress with harmful health continuing education have centered on and put them up overnight to get to with the creation of the Student awareness about ACEs will provide the other task force recommendations effects later in life, uses this bear analogy trauma treatment. their College interview, housed them, Resilience Project and its website, much-needed background information to would eventually lead to Berea being to explain how ACEs affect children “What our students have experi- bought them clothes and shoes. Before resilient.berea.edu. The Student those interested in meeting the needs of a trauma-informed campus where all and continue to distress them into adult- enced feels higher than with those I they came to Berea, they either had Resilience Project is a web-based, students who struggle with these issues. students feel safe, welcomed and hood. Whether the “bear” is living with worked with in the shelters,” Isenstein someone like that or not, but it makes research-informed toolkit developed to A third recommendation would supported, and where addressing a parent with mental illness or substance said. “It is unbelievable what students a huge difference if they did.” encourage students’ wellness by helping invite nationally recognized leaders with trauma’s impact on learning on a abuse issues, suffering through physical have survived. It speaks to the resilience Positive relationships that build them learn to manage stress in healthy expertise in the areas of trauma and resil- campus-wide basis is an intrinsic facet or emotional abuse or not knowing of our students. Often, we are the first trust and rapport and engaging in ways and increase their sense of belong- ience to campus as part of the convoca- of its educational mission. day-to-day where one’s next meal will person they tell about some of the most psychoeducation, which gives individu- ing. The website features videos; tion series or for other special events. “Resilience is a message of hope,” come from, Burke-Harris says this horrific things you could imagine.” als a stronger base of knowledge for skill-building activities; resources and Though the current pandemic has said Debbie Alleyne, a child welfare reoccurring physical response to stress Students are asked to fill out an knowing ways to cope and thrive, can information, including podcasts by postponed the implementation of this specialist at the Center for Resilient goes from being adaptive or life-saving, ACEs questionnaire when they first empower trauma survivors and act as a campus experts. The website was made recommendation, the task force believes Children at Devereux Advanced to maladaptive or health-damaging. come to Counseling Services. An ACE catalyst to their natural resilience. It may available to students in fall 2020. bringing some of the top researchers, Behavioral Health in Villanova, Pa. The term ACEs originated in a 1995 score of just two can put students at risk also mitigate the long-term effects of Another recommendation, creating a speakers and activists to teach the most “It is important for everyone to know study conducted by the Centers for for health issues, and every additional early trauma, psychologists say. visual campaign to increase awareness, current research and share best practices that no matter their experience, there Disease Control and Prevention and the point increases their chance of an “It is not enough to say ‘You’re so encourages placing posters throughout about intervention will inspire the Berea is always hope for a positive outcome. Kaiser Permanente health care organiza- autoimmune disease, according to an resilient,’” said Counselor Julie LeBrun. campus defining ACEs and their link to College community to develop strategies Risk does not define destiny.” B tion in California. According to the article published in Psychosomatic “That means nothing to someone in Center on the Developing Child at Medicine: Journal of Behavioral Medicine. pain. It is about helping them under- BEREA COLLEGE FIRST-YEAR AND NEW TRANSFER VOICES Harvard University, dozens of studies “A lot of students present with stand themselves and the ability and using the original ACEs data show, first, adjustment issues, much of which is skills they already have used to get where Selected results to a COVID-19 survey of entering Berea students asked to rate the extent to which ACEs are quite common, even among a rooted in traumatic experiences,” said they are now. They can build on that each of the following has been a source of stress since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. middle-class population, with more than Counselor Joel Wilson. “Not being emo- strength. Being resilient is looking back Results based on 232 respondents (71 percent). two-thirds of the population experienc- tionally supported at home or living in a and saying, ‘I did this and this to get ing one ACE. Second, there is a power- toxic environment makes it difficult to here, now how can I go forward?’” Percentage that rated clear agreement (4 or 5 on a 5-point scale) ful, persistent correlation between the adjust to being a first-year student in Recommendations from the number of ACEs experienced and a college. They come into [counseling] to College’s Task Force on Trauma and greater chance of poor outcomes later in start talking about anxiety, but the more Resilience included increasing campus Uncertainty about the status life, including increased risk of heart they talk, we realize how at-risk they are. awareness of trauma, ACEs and of instruction at my institution Preparing for the % transition to college % for the Fall 2020 term 44 44 disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, What they thought was just a stomach resilience. The work of responding to The extent to which others adhere Not being able to socialize substance abuse, poor academic achieve- or back ache is actually rooted in this students’ past traumas and increasing to social/physical distancing or hang out with my friends ment, time out of work and early death. trauma.” their resilience to persist through 46% guidelines while out in public 44% in person What does this mean for Berea challenges is complex and multifaceted, College students? “Given the population and the task force report only begins Berea was founded to serve—primarily What can be done? that very important conversation. Developing skills in college students from Appalachia with limited Dr. Robert Block, the former president “However, we believe that with a that will make me Health of loved ones employable in any economic financial resources—the College can of the American Academy of Pediatrics, commitment from the community, Berea 30% condition expect to serve a population of students referred to ACEs as “the single greatest College can truly transform the experi- 38% Being academically prepared with a plethora of ACEs,” said Sue unaddressed public health threat facing ences of these students and provide them Mental health for college due to an 41% abbreviated final year of Reimondo, director of Counseling our nation today.” The scope and scale the kind of support they need to be % 35 high school Services. “ACEs are common regardless of the problem seems so large that it can successful,” task force members stated in of socio-economic status or educational feel overwhelming to think about how the report’s recommendations. attainment within the family, but the to approach it. But what ACE scores The task force made several recom- Household members Funds to purchase literature suggests that the chronic don’t account for are the positive mendations regarding increasing campus I am or was with during basic necessities stresses of poverty increase the potential experiences in early life that can help awareness of trauma, ACEs and resilience. “stay-at-home” orders 23% (e.g., food) 14% Physical health for ACEs and the emotional scarring build resilience and protect a child from One recommendation is to create an Access to internet that accompanies such experiences.” the effects of trauma. online resilience module for incoming Counselor Tricia Isenstein said she “Some students have identified a students. The website would act as a 24% 18% was astonished when she came to Berea safe person in their life, like a high toolkit to support students with issues and learned the extent of trauma many school teacher or counselor,” Isenstein related to college stress, burnout, home- From the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment | www.berea.edu/ira students have faced. Isenstein spent years explained. “It amazes me what teachers sickness, decisions about drugs and

32 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 33 Helping Bereans

By Jill Gurtatowski, director of Health and Wellness

any people connect physical The Million Step Challenge allows last summer was Virtual Water Cooler activity to body composition for a sense of belonging through partici- chats. These chats, held via Zoom, and performance goals, but pation in a campus-wide program, provided a time for employees to come Mfor others, it is about mental health. which is especially important right now together online to talk about anything Physical activity has for students who are and everything—as long as it was not many proven learning remotely. work related—like you do when you mental-health The program bump into colleagues at the water cooler benefits including encourages social on campus. Much of the focus was improved mood, connections by directed to students who were disrupted Thrive! student worker, Mikayla, rides on a bike The Thrive! Wellness program has set up educational booths at various campus events to educate decreased allowing users to when the College moved to online outfitted with a smoothie maker to demonstrate students. Student worker, Sierra (seated), is facilitating this booth about ways to deal with adversity. symptoms of create their own instruction in March. Employees, healthy options for students. depression and mini-challenges with however, were also impacted, as many anxiety, lower their friends, to transitioned to remote work. So when stress, increased chime in on the chat employees reported feeling disconnected self-esteem and feature to answer as a result, these virtual chats gave them self-confidence, and trivia questions and an opportunity to reconnect with improved sleep. to help guide a coworkers, increase engagement and The College’s monthly challenge reduce feelings of isolation. Thrive! program storyline. Each week Additionally, the Thrive! team teaches that well- Brittany Lakes in October, partici- created Facebook and Instagram pages ness involves Jill Gurtatowski pants voted on how for Healthy Tenets—five health behav- actively engaging in a storyline would iors that are linked to positive health and nurturing all unfold in a spooky outcomes. Posts focus on a different aspects of the whole Halloween- tenet each day with quick tips or person. Implemented in 2014, the themed challenge. Step challenges also inspirational quotes. This initiative grew program aims to create and sustain a promote being outdoors in nature, from the team’s desire to find ways to campus culture of wellness that edu- which has many benefits. engage students and employees in A Berea student celebrates completing her This group of Berea faculty, staff and students was the first Couch-to-5K group to participate in the cates, motivates and empowers members Couch to 5K (C25K) is a very healthy behaviors. A pandemic affects wellness check during an on-campus, pre-COVID town’s Jingle Bell run in December 2016. screening event hosted by Thrive! of the Berea College community to popular program offered to the campus people in complicated ways: some get adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle community, and even in the midst of distracted from their commitments to behaviors. the COVID-19 pandemic, a session was physical activity and nutrition by the To help students and employees offered for students in the fall semester. larger worries being faced. Or, they maintain or increase their activity levels, The C25K program brings together wallow in things they can’t control—the Thrive! offers discounted fitness trackers people from across campus who might election, COVID-19, endless Zoom to students at the beginning of each not normally interact. There is some- calls, disruption of family support academic year. With the device, students thing inspiring about achieving a goal systems—but what benefit does such are expected to participate in the together, and countless friendships have behavior bring? The Health and Well- Million Step Challenge, an annual event developed through this program. Last ness team works to get participants back that invites students and employees to year, wellness staff started assessing to the basics by focusing on what they accumulate 1 million steps or more mood and energy level pre- and post- can control in their life: what they eat, during the academic year. Last year, run and demonstrated that participating how often they exercise, how much sleep participants logged more than 364 in C25K had a positive impact on they get and the quality of their relation- million steps. Employees also can obtain spring participants’ overall mood and ships. The message: choose to be Berea employees Tevin Shouse ’16 (left) and Five of the 21 participants in the fall 2019 Couch-to-5K group earned medals at the Reindeer Ramble B discounted fitness trackers through the energy levels. mindful and thrive. Jacqueline Corum near the finish line of the 2019 held at Keeneland in December 2019. College’s wellness and rewards platform. A new program that Thrive! offered Reindeer Ramble 5K.

34 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 35 IN THE NEWS

Smithsonian Magazine Features 100 Years Berea College’s Berea College Featured Berea College Ranked No. 1 “Best Value College” of Berea College Brooms Nursing Program in The Princeton Review by The Wall Street Journal/THE Ranked No. 8 Guide to Green Colleges Berea College once again tops the list of “Best Value Colleges” in the nation in The Wall Street in the Southeast 2021 Edition Journal/Times Higher Education (THE) 2021 College Rankings. Berea’s no-tuition model Nursing Process ranked Berea College’s Berea College is one contributed to its No. 1 best-value ranking. nursing program No. 8 out of of the nation’s most To determine the best value among the top 250 schools, WSJ/THE divided each institution’s 731 schools offering nursing environmentally overall score by its net price, which includes the total cost of attending a school, such as tuition, programs in the southeastern responsible colleges, fees, room and board, books and supplies, minus federal or institutional financial aid that United States in 2020. Nursing according to The doesn’t have to be repaid. Students who don’t receive any aid aren’t included in the calculation. Process, a national organization Princeton Review’s The College ranked No. 144 overall, climbing from 155 last year. that provides nursing students 11th annual Guide to “We are thrilled to be ranked at the top of the WSJ/THE Best Value list of colleges and with education and career information, Green Colleges. The universities,” said Berea College President Lyle Roelofs. “Our no-tuition policy allows us to ranked programs that offer Bachelor of guide, which profiles provide talented students who might not otherwise be able to afford it, access to a high-quality Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. 416 colleges, is a liberal arts education and transformative experiences and enables them to graduate with little To determine the best BSN programs in resource college or no debt. We like to describe this as ‘the best education money can’t buy.’” the Southeast, Nursing Process reviewed four applicants can use to key factors: NCLEX-RN pass rates for the past identify schools with four years, academic quality, the nursing exemplary commitments to the environment school’s reputation and affordability. Nursing and sustainability. Process is not affiliated with any college or “We strongly recommend Berea College university to ensure the information provided is to students who want to study and live at a completely unbiased, accurate and backed by green college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton extensive research. Review’s editor-in-chief. “The colleges in this “We are honored to receive this recogni- guide offer excellent academics and exemplary tion and be among such an elite group of evidence of environmental commitment.” Justin Skeens nursing programs educating the nursing Sustainability is central to Berea College, The Berea College Broomcraft program—which marked its centennial anniversary in 2020— workforce of tomorrow,” said Monica Kennison, which has Kentucky’s first LEED-certified was highlighted in an online feature article in the Smithsonian magazine. While Berea is a chair of Berea College’s Nursing program. building (Lincoln Hall), first gold LEED-certified liberal arts college—not a craft or art school—it is home to the country’s longest continuously hotel (Boone Tavern) and first ecovillage to operating broomcraft workshop and carries on an American craft tradition that’s rarely practiced house students and families in an eco-con- today. In the article, Aaron Beale, director of student craft at Berea, reflected on the nostalgic scious environment. Berea’s campus also is and wholesome aspect of carrying on the broomcraft tradition, which is “rich with meaning home to the world’s first certified student beyond its practical purpose,” he said. According to Beale, the College’s broomcraft workshop is residence hall (Deep Green) to be Petal the only one in the country to dye significant quantities of broomcorn, which requires a lot of Certified through the Living Building Challenge. time. And the brooms often sell out quickly. The Broomcraft program, which typically has 10 “Berea College is proud to be listed in The student workers, is one of about 120 departments on Berea’s campus that employ students as Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges part of the College’s labor program. Read more: http://ow.ly/KC8t50CIYZw. with so many other institutions working to make a tangible difference when it comes to combating the impacts of climate change,” said Joan Pauly, sustainability coordinator at Berea Berea Ranked No. 1 Best Bang for the Buck College. and No. 3 Best Liberal Arts College Washington Monthly ranked Berea College No. 1 Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the South in its 2020 college Madison County Historical Society Recognizes Berea College Faculty and Staff rankings guide. Berea also was named the nation’s No. 3 top The Madison County Historical Society recently awarded certificates of recognition to Dr. Jacqueline liberal arts college. No other college in Kentucky was in the Grisby Burnside ‘74 and staff members of the Berea College Special Collections and Archives. top 50. Such recognition for Berea comes from its success in Sharon Graves, president of the historical society, presented preservation awards at a brief outdoor educating and graduating academically talented, low-income ceremony on the steps of Berea’s Hutchins Library. students who become service-oriented leaders in their Burnside, a Berea College sociology professor, was recognized for her contributions to Madison professions and communities. Last year, Berea held the No. 1 County history as an author. Her book, “Berea and Madison County, Kentucky” (part of the Blacks in and No. 4 spots, respectively. America Series), is a nearly four-decade collection of photographs and stories related to Black communi- Berea College was recognized by Washington Monthly ties in Madison County, Ky., including Peytontown, Farristown, Middletown, Bobtown and Richmond. author Robert Kelchen for maintaining “consistently high The Berea College Special Collections and Archives was recognized for its significant contributions rankings thanks to their economic diversity, relatively strong graduation rates and commit- and long-standing efforts to collect, maintain and share its vision of “oneness” of the Southern ment to meeting students’ financial need.” Appalachian Region, particularly Berea College and the City of Berea.

36 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 37 IN THE NEWS CLASS NOTES

Alumna Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship The Berea College Alumni Association enjoys hearing from Bereans from all over 1959 the world. The “Class Notes” section of Berea College Magazine reports verifiable William Ross (Fd. ’55) published a book about Jennifer Bentz ‘20, a Berea College alumna from Maryville, Tenn., news you wish to share with your alumni friends and associates: careers, weddings, Berea College Professor Dr. George S. Noss, who was also a master knife maker. Dr. Noss gave received a fellowship worth $8,500 from the Honor Society of Phi retirements, births, and other items of importance to our alumni. Please include away all his knives to Berea people and others. your class year and name used while attending Berea. Notes may be edited for style Kappa Phi (PKP)—the nation’s oldest collegiate honor society for With this book, Ross hopes to give Noss a better all academic disciplines. Bentz is one of 58 recipients nationwide and length. While we will make every effort to put your information into the next place in history and to provide a provenance for to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. issue of BCM, some delays may occur. We appreciate your understanding. his knives. The book may be ordered for $70, Bentz received to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from postpaid. Orders can be made via mail to 791 Submit class notes and photographs at www.berea.edu/alumni/classnote Berea College in 2020. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, she will pursue a Baker Brook Rd., Danby, VT 05739, by telephone at (802) 446-2050 or by email to pursebox@ Doctor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in vemontel.net. St. Louis. 1928 1950 “I am so honored and grateful to have been awarded this Frank Allen Spear’s granddaughter, Dr. Mary Wanda Irwin Auerbach (1927-2012) is being fellowship,” Bentz said. “I knew when I chose to pursue a medical Prentice, recently was named the Alexander memorialized for her generosity, grace and degree that it would entail both hard work and some significant Hamilton Society faculty advisor of the year. inspiring journey out of poverty through an financial burdens, and I really appreciate that this fellowship Prentice is an associate professor in the Liberty endowed distinguished chair established at the rewards the first and lessens the second.” University Helms School of Government. She University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Wanda reflects on her grandfather’s story of traveling Auerbach Distinguished Odyssey Chair will barefoot to Berea College (300 miles) as support the UW Odyssey Project (profiled in the Berea Recognizes Mid-Year Graduates motivation for her career. Read more: Winter 2016 issue of Berea College Magazine), http://ow.ly/eF2I50BYYMr a transformative humanities program now in In December, Berea College’s virtual mid-year Yahng served 17 years as the chairman of the YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/Gyfud its 18th year of empowering families to break Senior Celebration honored 64 seniors who board of the pre-eminent civil engineering and Qmb45A or scan this QR code with your a cycle of generational poverty. Read more: completed their degree requirements at the construction company, American Bridge, and smart device. 1949 http://ow.ly/HH1Z50CFVoq Franklin Parker and Betty J. Parker ’50 1960 end of the fall 2020 term. Robert Yahng ’63, taught and served on the board at Salesian celebrated birthdays in early June 2020. Franklin Sylvia Barnett Johnson and Charles Johnson chairman of Berea’s Board of Trustees, served College Preparatory in Richmond, Calif. He is a Parker turned 99 and Betty J. Parker turned 91. 1954 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on as guest speaker. After graduating from Berea member of both the Kentucky and California They continue to swim and walk daily at Uplands Kenny Gwinn and Lynette Gwinn had planned Aug. 28, 2020 in Detroit, Mich. She has one in 1963, Yahng earned a J.D. degree from the Bar Associations. Village Pleasant Hill in Tennessee, their home for to visit their grandson who works in the U.S. daughter and one grandchild. University of Kentucky College of Law in 1967. To view the Senior Celebration tribute on 26 years. Married in 1950, they marked their 70th Embassy in Slovakia, but the coronavirus scare wedding anniversary on June 12, 2020. The two canceled their trip. Otherwise, they are well and met at Berea just after the war in 1946. Both have spent time clearing clutter. They enjoyed majored in English with a minor in history. Their Kenny’s 65th Berea College reunion in 2019 and What’s Hot on Social graduate study was at Peabody College in hope to see friends at his 70th in 2024. Nashville, now a part of Vanderbilt University. Franklin earned a master’s degree from the 37.4K reach, 3.4K engagement 11.6K impressions 13.7K impressions University of Illinois and a doctorate from Peabody 1955 College. Betty earned her master’s degree at Billy Edd Wheeler was paid tribute by the Peabody. They both loved teaching—she at the West Virginia Music Hall with a new CD. The high school level and he at the university level. album, titled “Courting the Muse,” features Franklin retired after 20 years at West Virginia various West Virginian musicians. Read more: University as the Claude W. Benedum Professor http://ow.ly/RMnl50BYYQY of Education. Both Betty and Franklin love “their” Berea College and they love Uplands. They found 1958 Joyce McEntire Ellis has been married for 62 Uplands Village because two others from Berea George Ellis, M.D., earned his BA in Chemistry. years, has six children who are all married and 20 College preceded them. The Uplands community After graduating from Berea, he attended the grandchildren, and she has had life experiences recently joined in celebrating their milestone 70th University of Louisville and graduated with a over the moon! She still has much love for and anniversary with a parade throughout every degree in medicine in 1962. He practiced many happy memories of her Berea friends. neighborhood in the village. Betty and Franklin medicine in family practice for 47 years. can be contacted at [email protected]. Carol Schroedel Gillilan wrote a story for the Elizabeth Hensley Hibbard is retired after Island Gazette about her childhood and how she teaching piano and playing piano and organ for came to Berea College, became a nurse and met her future husband, Ron. Ron practiced medicine AERIAL TOUR OF CAMPUS NORMAN ORNSTEIN CONVOCATION BEREA COLLEGE’S NURSING PROGRAM church, weddings, funerals, high school dramas, etc. She is living in St. Andrews Retirement for 20 years in the U.S. Public Health Service and We know it’s not the same as actually Please join us this Thurs., Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. We are proud to announce that Berea Community in Richmond, Ky., and attends church had a second career in the cardiology division at being on campus, but we hope you take this EST and listen to @NormOrnstein, a College’s nursing program has been ranked at Union Church in Berea. St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Together they opportunity to see Berea like you’ve never political scientist and resident scholar at No. 8 in the Southeast. “We are honored to raised two sons, Richard and Steven. Richard is a seen it before! We’re touring a few of our @AEI, talk about politics, elections and receive this recognition and be among such scientist with a Ph.D., who works for Cornell favorite spots, showing off some new democracy in an age of tribalism and an elite group of nursing programs educating University, and Steven is a filmmaker who, in 2017, began working on the gripping documenta- construction and exploring the beauty of pandemic. (Posted 10/20/20.) the nursing workforce of tomorrow,” said ry/thriller series “Designed to Kill.” Grandson Max our #BereaBeloved in this virtual tour. Monica Kennison, chair of the Berea College is currently working as an internet technologist in #virtuallyBerea nursing program. #BereaProud #nursing Austin, Texas. (Posted on 11/7/20.) #healthcare (Posted on 10/6/20.)

38 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 39 CLASS NOTES

Ollie J. Lee is emeritus professor of sociology at John (Jack) B. 1969 Ron Carl Dockery 1973 Joanne Strano says Lee University. Walters has been Dr. Joyce Wooten Hamberg was appointed to officially began Sally Fraley Robinson began a writing career she’s living the dream in living at On Top Of the Board of Directors for the Baptist Life serving as after teaching for 39 years in the public school Charleston, S.C. She Gloria Calfee Martin writes that she and the World in Ocala, Communities of northern Kentucky to begin a the pre-eminent systems of Virginia and Kentucky. Her first book retired in 2018 and is husband, Everett, are doing well. Fla., since 2007. three-year term in January 2021. governor for the “Belle’s Special Assignment,” is a children’s book. eagerly looking forward He just published West Kentucky York Belle, a smart and friendly little beagle, is selected to her 45th reunion at his third book Jerry Kidd just Rite College No. to be a companion dog for “Dad,” who is in Summer Reunion. She 1961 called “It’s Time to published his father’s 157, York Rite declining health. Belle is not sure what a enjoys gardening, the Mrs. Cora Biddix Markford’s only daughter Make Aliyah” in book about his Sovereign College of companion dog is, but she is sure that she loves beach and working to died in 2015. Her husband of nearly 57 years, January 2020. It experiences in World North America on this man and would do anything for him. You will elect democratic Jack, died in April 2019. She has one son and two encourages Jewish War II, titled Aug. 15, 2020. be delighted by this sweet pup who speaks candidates in federal, grandsons who live in Florida. She would love to people to move to “American Warrior.” Ron and Charlotte live in Greenville, Ky. Email: “human” as she tells you her story. The book is state and local elections. have the current address of, or hear from her Israel and become Some critics compare [email protected] available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. She would love to hear from you. former roommate, Judy Naylor Tate ’61. Israeli citizens. His it to “Red Badge of Robinson lives in Berea, Ky. [email protected] other two books are Courage” and “All Hannah Kern Guinn is missing seeing class- on tithing. All are available for purchase on Quiet on the Western mates and celebrating their 50th reunion for the 1962 Amazon. His wife, Connie, went to be with the Front.” The book is Class of 1970. Right now, she and husband, 1974 1981 Eleanor Gibson Gay Fd. ’58 shared Jack Lord in July 2015. He now lives with his two available on Amazon. Edwin, are just staying home, keeping safe. Jacqueline Grisby Burnside was appointed by Steve Ridder was featured in a Northern Moore Gay passed away suddenly Feb. 20, 2020. step-children and son-in-law who take good care Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Tribune article about his career in For 57 years, until his death, Jack was married to of him. Rebecca Hollen Lewis retired Jan. 1, 2020, Kentucky Standards and Assessments Process coaching. In the article, he shares many career Eleanor. Eleanor and Jack resided at the Gay Paul Lyda recently moved to a senior living from Grandview Medical Center Department of Review Committee. Read more: successes, but says he’ll never forget his roots. family farm in Pocahontas County, W.Va., where facility in Asheville, N.C. He has several age- Education. She has moved to the Chicago area http://ow.ly/EtkS50BZ2eK He reflects on the influence of Berea College in Eleanor still lives. 1966 related illnesses and would like to hear from to be closer to home and family. his coaching career and shares many wonderful Russell England wrote a book titled “Gross Berea friends. He may be reached at memories and anecdotes. Read more: Mary Lu Carhart George moved to an Deceptive Product: An Ecological Perspective on [email protected]. Shirley Snider Mustard and George T. 1975 http://ow.ly/Im1g50BZ2LS independent apartment in a continuing care the Economy.” It is a non-fiction book that deals Mustard ’72 moved to Stone Mountain, Ga., Fentress C. Horner recently published his first community in a Masonic Village in May 2019. with the topic of sustainability in a unique way. Dr. Patricia Graham to be near their youngest daughter. They have book “The Biblical History of the Liberal, and of Her address is 902 Jacksonville Rd, Apt. 2450, The book is available for purchase on Amazon. Murphree retired two daughters, five grandchildren and four great Conservatism.” The book is published by Page 1984 Burlington, NJ 08016. Harry W. George Jr. ’60 from Lincoln grandchildren. They are active in the Healing Publishing and is available on Amazon. Mona Body Baker, died on Oct. 7, 2019. He was diagnosed with Rosemary Evans Stinson’s granddaughter, Memorial University Grace Community of St. Luke, a non-denomina- a retired preschool Parkinson’s disease in 2017. Harry taught high April Stinson, is attending the University of in Harrogate, Tenn., tional community of healing ministry. Wanda Cain Manhanke retired from the St. coordinator for Fayette school business for 25 years and then formed a Louisville on a on July 31, 2020, Louis VA Medical Center in November 2019. She County Public Schools, private tax business for 15 years. scholarship and after a 20-year tenure Dr. Ronald D. Spangler is retired and living was a specialist in microbiology. Her husband of has been appointed to majoring in as a professor of in Somerset, Ky. 32 years, Michael, died in August 2019. She can serve a one-year Dr. Celia Hooper Miles published her 10th computer science. graduate education in be reached at 676 Smiley Ave. St. Louis, MO commitment on Christian novel this fall. “The She also is part of the Carter and Moyers 63139. Appalachian Project’s Skeleton at the Old the marching band. School of Education. 1971 Board of Directors. Baker Painted Mill: A She plays French Prior to joining LMU, Bill Bowles has retired after 41 years of Rose Weaver was recognized for her work and grew up in Harlan Marcy Dehanne horn, piano and Pat enjoyed a 30-year dedicated service as a forensic scientist leadership of the 65th anniversary committee County, Ky., so she Grist Mill Mystery” guitar. April won a career in Kentucky, Alabama and Virginia public for Indiana State Police. Read more: of the desegregation of Oak Ridge Schools in knows and understands is the third in a cozy car from Bill Cole education as a classroom teacher, counselor and http://ow.ly/sNfA50BZ20E Tennessee. Read more: the people and culture mystery series in Ashland, Ky., for administrator. Her husband, Lynn Murphree http://ow.ly/IRbd50BZ2B1 of eastern Kentucky. She also brings a wealth of featuring a college being an “all- ’67, passed away in 2016 after a stellar career in knowledge and experience in many areas of instructor turned around” student. Berea College admissions. They had been married 1972 educating young people. Baker said CAP’s mission grist mill restoring 47 years at the time of Lynn’s passing. Pat resides Donna Griffith Hornsby graduated from 1976 statement of building hope, transforming lives consultant, set in in Church Hill, Tenn., and welcomes calls, emails, Peabody College in 1975 with a master’s degree Lula Nicholson and sharing Christ’s love through service not only western North 1968 texts and visits from Berea friends. in education. She earned an MBA in information Ford has been aligns with how she was raised, but how she lives Carolina. Learn Frederick Hatcher and wife, June’s daughter, from DeVry University in 2000. She retired from appointed to her life now. She has spent several years working more at www. Kimberly Hatcher Harrison, passed away on Aug. Georgia state government in 2009 and moved to a one-year term on in nonprofits, such as Head Start, and ended her celiamiles.com 7, 2020. She was a high school teacher. She 1970 Virginia to be with her parents. Hornsby studied Christian Appala- career working for the school system in a program earned a bachelor’s degree from Concord College John Buckles is living in Abingdon, Va. He retired for a new career in ministry and was licensed in chian Project’s that enrolled low-income students and spe- and master’s degrees in history and geography in 2001 from Pinellas Co. Schools in St. Peters- 2018 in the Church of the Brethren. Board of Directors. cial-needs students. Baker earned a bachelor’s from Marshall University. She is survived by her burg, Fla., and enjoys fishing and visiting with his Read more: degree in early childhood education and a 1963 husband, Kevin, and daughter, Erin. Erin is a children and grandchildren. Linda Gail Knox writes, “Hello to everyone.” http://ow.ly/7 master’s degree in special education from Clint Layne sold his garden shop in Nashville, respiratory therapy student at Southern West She would like to hear from classmates of 1970 to Scb50CfZdF Georgetown College. She lives in Lexington and Tenn., after 22 years in business. He has retired Virginia Community College. 1972. Linda is retired. Her granddaughter, Dallas has nearly 30 years of experience in early (again) and would enjoy seeing any Bereans who Gabriel Alexander, graduated from high school Douglas Jackson started a business called childhood education. are visiting Nashville. Bonnie Johnson Potz is happily and mostly this year and is attending Tri County Tech to begin Kikstart after attending a church with his wife in retired from teaching art in West Hartford, Conn. her degree in nursing. Arizona that did not have a lunch program. An Timothy Setters retired She has clay murals on display and published in Alabama native, Jackson returned home and from Verizon Wireless in various places, including a large mural in David Sloan was selected by Kentucky Bar brought the program with him. Kikstart prepares November 2019 and has fired-permanent clay at the University of Association President J. Stephen Smith to receive and serves approximately 14,000 meals a day in lived in Riverside, Md., for Connecticut Health Center. Her husband, Stephen KBA’s 2020 President’s Special Service award. He its after-school and summer feeding programs. the last 30 years. Potz, is retried and enjoying good health. The two recently was featured in the July/August issue of Read more: http://ow.ly/ccpu50BZ2CY are very happy! “Bench & Bar,” published by the KBA. Read more: http://ow.ly/quie50CfYSH

40 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 41 CLASS NOTES

Cara Stewart began a new position as director BIRTH: a daughter, Fiona Josephine Louise, to 2015 2019 1986 1994 of policy advocacy at Kentucky Voices for Health. Michael (Mike) Jason Cody is teaching as an adjunct professor Jessica Belcher Cannoy and husband, Bryan, Kyle Godbey successfully defended his Ph.D., Kaitlin Morris reflects on her first year as an Read more: http://ow.ly/cFhE50BZ5Bo Coleman is in the Department of Economics and Finance at on May 26, 2020. She joins big brother, Zeke. titled “Low Energy Nuclear Reactions Using alumna as a Newman’s Own Foundation Fellow currently vice East Tennessee State University. Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory,” at working at Propeller in New Orleans. She shares president and Vanderbilt after having to adapt to the distance how the things that weren’t supposed to happen chief information 2005 learning imposed by the pandemic. Kyle spoke helped to shape her as a person. Read more: Jesse Morrison was awarded the Early Career officer at the about the challenges he faced in moving to an http://ow.ly/jRoF50BZ9Xp 1995 award, a major national honor from the American Electric Power Phillip Michael-John Williams-Cooke was online format and how he adapted and utilized Forage and Grassland Council. Morrison is an Research Institute a panelist for Mount Sinai Health System’s his expertise to defend successfully. Read more: assistant research professor at Mississippi State in Palo Alto, Calif. celebration of Disability Awareness Month. http://ow.ly/YnIq50BZ9Vh 2020 University. The award honors an individual under Read More: The topic of his talk was “My LGBTQ+ Identity Riziki Aloyce speaks about his excitement to the age of 40 who has made a significant http://ow.ly/L6YW50BZ4hn and Living with Mental Health Challenges in join Campbell University as an incoming Doctor contribution to the forage and grassland industry. the Age of COVID-19.” He also served as one 2017 of Pharmacy student. Read more: Read more: http://ow.ly/Oewf50BZ5EL of four panelists for a “Surviving Race 2020” Kentucky nurse, Trinity Goodman, was featured http://ow.ly/Un9l50BZa0D panel discussion. Watch here: in May on LEX 18 news as she was called back to 1987 DeJuana Thompson was appointed to the LaRue Rogers http://ow.ly/zhDi50Cg4W3 New York City to help with COVID-19 patients. Jennifer Bentz from Maryville, Tenn., received Housing Authority of Birmingham District’s Board Neilson’s son, After spending a five-week stint at a Bronx a Fellowship worth $8,500 by the Honor Society of Commissioners by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin in Hayes, had a bone Sean Hennessey, his wife, Jessica, and their son, hospital working in the ICU, she was unexpectedly of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest collegiate August. Read more: http://ow.ly/d0O950BZ9Sf marrow transplant Atlas, reside in Seattle, Wash. released. Her disappointment was short lived. She honor society for all academic disciplines. Bentz at Duke University was promptly called back to the hospital days is one of 58 recipients nationwide to receive a later. Read more: http://ow.ly/gXCI50BZ9Wp Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. Read more: in 2019. Her 2006 daughter, Keaton, http://ow.ly/Fx4G50BZa1B 1998 Kelvin Galloway and Mary Rush Galloway graduated from Chris Lakes earned 2012 ‘07 recently completed their graduate studies. In MARRIED: Rebekah Gilley to Breda Waite on the University of his doctorate in 2018 Ricardo Santos Estrada was accepted to the 2019, Kelvin earned his MBA from the University May 2, 2020, in a private ceremony in their Alabama with a educational leader- MARRIED: Angel Joannah Henderson to University of Connecticut with a full-tuition of the Cumberlands. He is a portfolio manager backyard. Due to the COVID-19 virus, only six degree in ship from the Christopher T. Johnson. The two were together for scholarship plus stipend offer to pursue a Ph.D. in for Humana. In 2020, Mary earned her MA in guests were present. Rebekah and Breda international University of Kentucky almost five years and finally were able to get physics. He is not certain what focus he will take, organizational leadership with a certificate in postponed their wedding celebration to August. relations. She will in May 2020. Chris is married. They were hoping for May or June of but he is interested in experimental particle nonprofit administration from Western Kentucky Rebekah uses her degree in business administra- be attending UNC-Charlotte in the fall seeking a director of the Office 2020, but COVID-19 pushed their plans back. physics and did undergraduate summer research University. She is the director of Major Giving at tion to run her own business, and Breda is a master’s degree in criminal justice and will be a of Student Success They had a small wedding outside. She picked out analyzing data from CERN (via UT-Knoxville) in Berea College. The couple resides in Berea, Ky. mental health therapist. They live in Tacoma, teaching assistant in the program. Neilson and Transition at a beautiful spot with nicely spaced trees and 2018 and constructing instrumentation for Wash. graduated in August 2020 from Wake Forest Berea College. He and beautiful grass. They had invited a handful of measuring the electric dipole moment of a Tristan Lee Riven and his Korean collaborator, University with a master’s degree in counseling. his wife, Stephanie friends and family. They kept the pandemic in neutron at Oak Ridge National Labs in 2019. artist Kim Minho, recently were honored at the Hannah Lakes ’03, live in Berea with their three mind and had their attendees wear masks. They 2020 Taipei Game Show in Taiwan. Riven is a children, Davis, Dawson and Hannah. had a fabulous time with a small non-traditional Alona Norwood, who ran as a candidate for video game designer and entrepreneur. Their wedding and reception. Johnson City commission, discusses her candidacy 1988 company, South Korea-based Devespresso Games, in terms of inclusion and representation. Read Joe David Waters is a dual-credit history Laurie Bradshaw Rowland received tenure at won the “Best Narration” and “Grand Prix” more: http://ow.ly/sAF550BZa2A instructor and assistant boys’ basketball coach at Cleveland State Community College. Read more: awards for its game “The Coma 2: Vicious McCreary Central High School. His wife, Joy, http://ow.ly/VUZl50BZ4Gp Sisters.” A total of 141 game titles from 17 Daniela Olivera Velarde chose to attend the teaches seventh grade science and has completed countries were entered in this year’s competition, University of Chicago Medical Physics Ph.D. her National Board Teaching certification. They of which only 30 games were nominated to program after being accepted to about five currently live in Stearns, Ky. 2002 compete for awards. different medical physics masters and Ph.D. Jonathan McClintock earned an MA in history programs. Additionally, she received notification from Emporia State University in Kansas. He is from the American Association of Physicists in 1991 an educator at Tucson High Magnet School, 2009 Medicine that she is the sole recipient of its Jeffrey Reddick, mastermind behind the “Final where he teaches African American history and Debra Bulluck was recommended by the fellowship for graduate study in medical physics, Destination” series, was featured in a Fansided dual-enrollment U.S. history. Minnesota Board of Law Examiners for admission which awards $18,000/year for two years. This is article where he discussed his upcoming to the Minnesota State Bar. On Dec. 6, 2019, a on top of a full-tuition offer from University of directorial debut of the film “Don’t Look Back.” private swearing in ceremony for Attorney Bulluck 2013 Chicago. Read more: http://ow.ly/ByYc50C7mR0 2003 was held at the Fourth Judicial District, Hennepin BIRTH: a daughter, Riley Oluchi Oleka, to Jamie Steven Goodpaster, MAI, MRE continues his County Family Justice Center in Minneapolis, Nunnery Oleka and husband, O. J., on May 11, work in volunteerism. Having finished his tenure Minn. Upon completion of her judicial clerkship, 2020. 1992 as chair of Enhance Powell, he will begin his new Bulluck will pursue family law in the Twin Cities. Dr. Kathy Walsh Burkhardt, began a new role as the president of the Tennessee Chapter of Currently, she serves as secretary of the Hennepin position as the senior director of NaviGo College the Appraisal Institute. Read more: County Bar Association Family Law Section and and Career Prep in northern Kentucky. NaviGo http://ow.ly/IstZ50BZ4OZ volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. College and Career Prep provides research-based individual and small group coaching to middle Dr. Maggie Lee Stevens Lawentmann has school and high school students. She recently moved to a new position at St. Mary’s Family retired as the superintendent of the Erlanger- Care-Ironton. She received her doctoral degree in Elsmere School District. Read more: osteopathic medicine from the West Virginia http://ow.ly/Kp4Z50BZ4vN School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg and completed her residency in family medicine at St. Vincent’s Family Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawentmann is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. Read more: http://ow.ly/CkJD50BZ53X

42 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 43 ENDOWING the PASSAGES Staff & Faculty Colette Rieben Charig ’47 Juanita Simons Baird Fd. ’55 Dr. Cleophus Charles Hon. ’95 Dec. 11, 2019 April 12, 2020 Initiated Black Studies, Professor Emeritus of History (1973- 2000) Elizabeth Crumbley Losee ’47 John Colin Chalmers Fd. ’55 Aug. 23, 2020 May 17, 2020 Sept. 10, 2020

Dr. Stephen Pulsford Helen Smith Brown Acad. ’44, ‘48 James L. Harris ’55 Associate Professor of English and General Feb. 9, 2020 June 22, 2020 Studies (1995-2020) Aug. 15, 2020 Clinton O. Clay ’48 Joni W. Hyder Jan. 19, 2020 Wife of James Edward Hyder ’55 Jessie Sue Allen Shugars April 1, 2020 Hutchins Library (1977-1995) Mary Lou Baker Henjum ’48 July 23, 2020 Nov. 11, 2019 James Wing Husband of Dorothy Lee Wing ’55 Margaret Southard Perkins ’48 April 21, 2016 1930s April 27, 2020 Gertrude Faulkner Luke ’34 Letty Hunt Biggerstaff ’56 Nov. 25, 2003 Romulus Jolley Duncan ’49 Dec. 25, 2017 Feb. 17, 2020 Dr. Frances Joan Brannon ’56 1940s July 5, 2020 Dr. Emmett U. Dillard ’40 1950s June 22, 2019 Betty Partin Hurst ’50 R. Jack Brown ’56 July 16, 2020 June 7, 2020 Elsie Cairns Morgan ’40 Future March 25, 2020 Dr. John Alden Auxier ’51 Omer M. McGlone ’56 Aug. 27, 2020 March 17, 2020 Grace Roberts Scott ’40 March 21, 2020 Gertrude Bremer Crites ’51 Harry K. Mustard ’56 April 20, 2020 Obituary Unavailable 100 YEARS AGO, Philip Burns Harrison Acad. ’37, ’41 May 29, 2020 Louise Archer Davidson ’51 Dr. Wayne C. Spiggle Jr. ’56 Berea College designated all Sept. 22, 2020 July 31, 2020 unrestricted bequest gifts to its Nadeane Sears Newell ’44 Sept. 7, 2020 Maude Brewer Jones ’51 Carl B. Thompson permanent endowment. Thanks Obituary Unavailable Husband of Christine Greene Thompson to this bold decision, generations Lucille Turner Ouzts ’44 ’56 June 4, 2020 Rubye R. Teague ’51 June 29, 2020 of college dreams have come Aug. 30, 2020 true because of the generosity of William Wesley Peavyhouse Navy V-12 ’44 Dr. Emel L. Atkins Fd ’53, ’57 Feb. 9, 2016 Carolyn Thurmond Bostic ’53 May 1, 2020 others. April 17, 2020 Ralph Eugene Ternes Navy V-12 ’44 Mr. O. Dean Cornett April 10, 2020 Wayne Oscar Hymer Fd. ’49, ’53 Husband of Sarah Kincer Hagen ‘57 100 YEARS FROM NOW, July 8, 2020 Obituary Unavailable your name could be among the Richard Otto Troll Navy V-12 ’44 March 4, 2020 Jean M. Mitchell ’53 Rev. Richard C. Donnelly ’57 100 people this year who made Dec. 1, 2019 Aug. 25, 2019 June Brice Cawthon ’45 college a possibility for the next Jan. 28, 2020 Jeanne Riddle Parker ’53 Shirley Wisecup Elkins ’57 generation of students. Obituary Unavailable July 29, 2020 Margie Mantooth Linnartz ’45 June 1, 2020 Rev. Don Reece ’53 Shirley Osborne Gibbs ’57 1 YEAR, 100 NEW Aug. 22, 2020 June 11, 2020 Robert J. Stradling Navy V-12 ’45 BEQUEST INTENTIONS Jan. 7, 2020 Jessie Ruth Meeks Bringman ’54 Mary Atkins Johnson ’57 Call us today to name Berea April 27, 2020 Aug. 18, 2020 Glenna Smith Lett ’46 College in your estate. July 8, 2020 Betty Howard Mills ’54 Ruth Alexander McDonald ’57 April 19, 2020 July 20, 2020 Jimmie Burton Parris Fd. ’46 Feb. 9, 2020 Wayne C. Morris ’54 Joseph R. Harner July 13, 2020 Husband of Florence Davis Harner ’58 Walter H. Power ’46 Nov. 5, 2018 Obituary Unavailable Dr. Philip F. Thornton ’54 July 31, 2020 Dr. Jerry Paul Perry ’58 Aileen Saylor Williams Fd. ’46 March 24, 2020 Sept. 27, 2020 David Udine Allen ’55 Oct. 9, 2019 Roy N. Walters Jr. Fd. ’49 ’58 CALL 800-457-9846 • EMAIL [email protected] • ONLINE berea.giftlegacy.com Feb. 18, 2020

WINTER 2021 45 PASSAGES

Robert L. Allen Fd. ’59 William E. Druell Jr. ’64 Kenneth Lane White Fd. ’68, ’72 Oct. 8, 2015 Sept. 1, 2020 June 6, 2020

Pat Pruitt Dash ’59 Kollen Karr ’64 Marshall Thomas McFee ’76 May 7, 2020 May 14, 2011 July 30, 2020

Velda Sparks Potts ’59 Doris Reece Smith Leissing ’64 Thomas M. Philyaw ’77 May 14, 2020 July 15, 2020 July 10, 2020

Raymond F. Spivey ’59 Tonita Booher Preston ’64 Randall Pridemore ’77 Aug. 13, 2020 Aug. 2, 2020 June 2, 2020

Gilbert M. Chard Marvin “Bo” Renfro ’77 1960s Husband of June Cleek Chard ’65 June 9, 2020 Dr. S. Manuchehr Alavi ’60 March 10, 2019 Sept. 17, 2020 Kelva Thomas Nelson ’79 Edward Seldon Sears ’65 June 19, 2020 Harry W. George Jr. ’60 Sept. 1, 2020 Join the Oct. 7, 2019 Carol Meadows Wilcox ’65 1980s Joseph Jerry Klich Feb. 1, 2019 Vickie Smith Arrington ’80 Husband of Thelma Miller Klich ’60 Obituary Unavailable July 8, 2019 Henry Lair Husband of Ruth Lyons Lair ’66 Jeffrey Paul Lorenzen ’87 Marshall Roy Bailey Feb. 8, 1998 May 24, 2020 Husband of Ruth Napier Bailey ’61 Nov. 20, 2017 James Irvine Wright ’66 Lisa Ann Ashby ’89 Jan. 15, 2019 Obituary Unavailable From its founding in 1855 to today, E. L. Harlow Husband of Sandra Hamrick Harlow ’61 Elaine Hampton Carrig ‘67 Charles William “Bill” Salyer ’89 Berea has always depended on the April 30, 2013 Obituary Unavailable Sept. 10, 2020 generosity of our alumni and friends

Carlos D. Lainhart Jr. Fd. ’57, ’61 Nancy Nickell Wiles ’67 Edna Amparo Viruell ’89 to make our mission possible. By Obituary Unavailable May 6, 2020 Aug. 23, 2020 becoming a member of the 1855 Club, you help ensure that all students have Minnie Sue Martin Ripy ’61 Paul Wallace Chappell ’68 Nov. 10, 2019 Obituary Unavailable 1990s the chance to realize their dreams. Anthony Wade Girod ’91 DeWitt F. VanArsdale Fd. ’57, ’61 Cum Paul Mutiva ’68 Feb. 26, 2020 May 27, 2020 May 10, 2020 Platinum Level $25,000+ E. Doug Duerson ’93 Wallace Cantrell Jr. ’62 Virginia Pugh Owens ’68 June 29, 2018 Aug. 15, 2020 June 8, 2017 Gold Level $15,000–$24,999 Justin Will Robinson ’98 Jack M. Gay Deborah Ann Trusty Rumble ’68 March 14, 2020 Husband of Eleanor Gibson Gay ’62 Oct. 17, 2020 Feb. 20, 2020 Amanda Faye Robbins-Green ’99 Silver Level $10,000–$14,999 Rev. Wayne Edward Sova ’68 July 2, 2018 C. Edwin Matheson ’62 June 10, 2020 April 23, 2020 Bronze Level $5,000–$9,999 Homer D. Gassett ’69 2000s Sandra Jeanne Wayman ’62 June 6, 2020 Ravin Denise Raleigh ’04 July 26, 2020 June 10, 2020 Michael Douglas Hassler ’69 Ahmad Baharestan ’63 Aug. 18, 2020 Kimberley Denise Morrison Wilson ’04 Ugo ’22 Aug. 3, 2020 July 1, 2020

Phillip Haney ’63 1970s Paula R. Wilson Montgomery ’05 Sept. 22, 2020 Wayne Honaker ’70 July 3, 2020 June 17, 2020 Mary Tudor Pennycuff ’63 Sept. 2, 2020 Donald Paul Slatkin ’70 2010s July 7, 2019 Vicki Leibeck-Owsley ’12 Ruth Hygema Wilson ’63 Sept. 16, 2020 June 19, 2019 Wayne R. Jones Husband of Sue Hairston Jones ’71 Photo by Oluwatobi Adejumo ‘20 Judith Sharon Bussey ’64 July 1, 2008 Read full obituaries on our website at Dec. 17, 2019 Edith Combs McCreary ’72 https://magazine.berea.edu Thomas Coomer Fd. ’60, ’64 May 15, 2020 Sept. 6, 2020 CPO 2216 • Berea, KY 40404 • 800-457-9846 • www.berea.edu/give 46 WINTER 2021 WINTER 2021 47 Periodical postage paid at Berea, KY and additional mailing offices. Send address changes to Berea College Magazine, c/o Berea College Alumni Association, CPO Box 2203, Berea, KY 40404.

Our campus has so much to share. Never before have we threaded together everything we offer. Today, we welcome you to the Berea College Trace. It’s the thread that weaves together our history and our future and enables us to share our gifts with old friends and new. We invite you to come shop, explore, eat and stay!

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