#5- National Public Radio Features Berea College
With a distinctive mission, Berea is no stranger to national media attention, and that will be evident in the remainder of our “Top 10” list. When National Public Radio co-host Noah Adams called about featuring us in a “Hard Times” segment on “All Things Considered” (the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, news radio program in the country), we answered, quickly. According to NPR’s website, “NPR’s ‘Hard Times’ series features stories of economic hardship and also stories of hope. We asked for ideas from listeners, and Emily Nugent of Berea College in Kentucky responded, writing: ‘With a student body composed entirely of students from low socio-economic backgrounds, Berea students know about the challenges Americans are facing.'” This is that story.
#4- Grants Help Berea College and Secondary School Students GEAR UP for College
“Preparing our youth for achieving success in college is an extension of Berea’s commitment to serving our region and preparing students to be engaged citizens and lifelong learners,” says Dreama Gentry, director of Externally Sponsored Programs. This quote was in response to Berea’s receiving two Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling nearly $10.7 million annually to focus teachers, administrators, parents and secondary school students on preparing for success in post-secondary education. The grants fund two programs (GEAR UP Appalachia! and Promise Neighborhood GEAR UP) that serve elementary and middle school students in 17 central and southeastern Kentucky counties, a dozen of which are among the poorest in the nation. And we thought that was the end of the story until (at the time this piece was being put together) President Obama announced on December 19 that Berea was selected as one of only five schools to receive a $30 million Promise Neighborhood grant. We anxiously anticipate these programs’ positive impacts in our region.
#3- Washington Monthly Ranks Berea the #1 Liberal Arts College in the Nation
Don’t let the numbers fool you. At #3 is our #1 ranking. It seems many colleges can claim a high ranking in one publication or another, but Berea College earned a #1 national ranking in Washington Monthly’s College Rankings. Berea was ranked the nation’s #1 liberal arts college because of our success in educating and graduating academically talented, low-income students who become service-oriented leaders in their professions and communities. We believe we’re ranked #1 where it really matters.
#2- President Larry Shinn Announces Retirement / Lyle Roelofs Named Ninth President
Berea College has had eight presidents who have served an average of 18 years. This makes Berea one of Kentucky’s oldest private colleges with the fewest number of presidents. On April 4, 2011, President Larry Shinn announced his retirement effective June 30, 2012. He will have served nearly 18 years… 6,543 days to be exact. His accomplishments are immense: leading us through difficult financial times, moving us to being a more ecologically sustainable institution, improving the physical state of campus, and leading us through deep strategic planning. His legacy will always be remembered. Thank you, Dr. Shinn!
After a nationwide search, the Berea College Board of Trustees named Lyle D. Roelofs as the ninth president of Berea college. He will begin his presidency on July 1, 2012. Dr. Roelofs currently serves as provost and dean of the faculty (on leave), and professor of physics at Colgate University. Welcome, Dr. Roelofs.
>> Read about Dr. Shinn’s retirement
>> Read about Dr. Roelofs’ appointment
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