LJAC serves as center of expertise about Appalachia and a home-away-from-home for many students. This work would not be possible without the generous support of many people. The endowed funds below support some of our work. Every donor is a member of the LJAC family and we wholeheartedly appreciate your contributions!
Red Foley Memorial Music Award Fund, est. 1970
Supports the the Red Foley Award which recognizes talented Berea students for their musical contribution to the social life of the campus community. It is also intended to help the recipient in a professional music career if he or she so desires and is intended to promote the kind of music associated with Red Foley’s career such as folk, country, bluegrass, gospel and popular music. The award was established in memory of country music star Red Foley who attended the Berea Academy School. It was initiated by E. E. Siman, Jr., Navy V-12 1944, Foley’s longtime friend and manager.
The award is presented at the Student Service Awards Banquet. A cash award and plaque are given to the student winner.
Appalachian Center Traditional Music Celebration Fund est. 1999
Established by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Leming
Partially supports the annual Celebration of Traditional Music, especially recording and preservation of the recordings.
Anne Evans Family Fund, est. 2007
Supports new books & supplies for the Faber Library and purchased many of the hand-crafted regional furniture for the Center.
Class of 1943 Endowment Fund
Established by BC Class of 1943
Supports faculty travel in Appalachia that they might better understand the region and out students.
Eleanore Sturgill Fund, est. 2007
Supports the production of new exhibits, Gallery upkeep, and other programmatic needs. Sturgill was a 1955 Berea Graduate.
Roy N. and Lillie Mae Crouch Walters Memorial Fund
Supports faculty research related to Appalachia.
Roy N. Walters was for many years the Dean of the Berea Foundation School. Walters and his wife, Lillie Mae Crouch Walters, were BC 1927 graduates. Lillie Walters also worked for Berea. She started the The Roy Walters Memorial Fund in 1980. After Lillie Walters’ death in 1995, her name was added to the Fund.
L. Allen Smith Memorial Fund, est. 2009
Supports the study and understanding of traditional Appalachian music by activities including:
- Honoring a traditional musician or group on the Berea College campus each year at an event celebrating traditional music.
- Recording performances and oral histories of the performers for the Berea College Sound Archives.
- Engaging scholars to participate in symposiums of traditional music.