The annual Berea College Summer Reunion will take place June 10–12, 2016. Alumni celebrating special reunions include the classes of 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981 and 1986.
Three individuals will be recognized with special awards at a ceremony on Saturday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Baird Lounge in the Alumni Building. Dr. Miles Hayes ’57 will be presented the Distinguished Alumni Award. Janie Adams Frazier ’72 will receive the Alumni Loyalty Award, and Fred Baker will be presented with an Honorary Alumnus Award. The award presentations will be preceded by a “State of the College” address by President Lyle Roelofs.
Dr. Hayes, originally from western North Carolina, graduated from Berea College in 1957 with a degree in geology. He went on to earn a master’s degree in geology from Washington University at St. Louis and a Ph.D. in geology and marine science from the University of Texas. Throughout his career, Dr. Hayes has received numerous awards, including the Francis P. Shepard Marine Geology award by the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists. He also was named one of the four Legends of Sedimentology by the Houston Geological Society. In 1977, Dr. Hayes founded Research Planning Inc., which serves as a research leader in coastal science and technology. He has participated in over 100 scientific expeditions on all seven continents, published over 250 scientific papers, published and presented over 100 abstracts at professional meetings, has authored six books plus three that are currently in press, and has created Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) atlases for 24 coastal regions around the globe.
Janie Adams Frazier grew up in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Encouraged to attend Berea College by a high school biology teacher, she entered Berea in 1968 and graduated in the top 10% in 1972 with a degree in history and secondary education. During her time at Berea, Frazier received an award for senior female citizenship, was a member of Pi Kappa Pi and Pi Gamma Mu, and served as a campus tour guide for four years. She went on to complete a master’s degree in secondary education from Morehead State University. Frazier has had a 40-year career with the Social Security Administration, where she received many awards including the Commissioner’s Citation, which is granted to individual employees who have made a superior contribution to the Social Security Administration. Throughout the years, she has remained involved with Berea College by serving as a member of the Alumni Executive Council, as Reunion Giving Chair for her class, hosting Berea College Presidents in Whitesburg, and assisting the Admissions Department with College nights at the local high schools.
Fred Baker, better known as “Mr. Fred”, grew up in Winchester, Kentucky. He attended George Roger Clark High School He began working for IBM/Lexmark in 1978 and retired after 30 years. During his time at IBM/Lexmark, Baker worked on the IBM Selectric Typewriter, in the distribution area and in the inkjet clean room burning images on chips for the printers. After retiring in 2008, he began working at Boone Tavern as an ambassador. Baker has touched many lives through his work at Boone Tavern and has educated visitors about Berea College’s distinctive mission. He has spent his time assisting Berea College students and received the “International Friendship Award” from Berea College’s Center for International Education. The award is given to individuals who befriend international students and support global diversity and kinship. Baker was nominated for this award by the international students at the College. In 2015, he also received a Stars of Industry Award for Guest Service Excellence at the Front Desk. Baker has made a great impact on many at Berea College and the wider community. His philosophy is “everybody is somebody to Mr. Fred.”