Bereans Achieving Honors
(Published originally in the Winter 2015 issue of Berea College Magazine.)
Dr. Sumit Ganguly, ’77
President Dr. Lyle Roelofs and Dr. Sumit Ganguly
Distinguished Alumnus Award
When Sumit Ganguly arrived at Berea College in 1973, he decided to major in English. However, thanks to the influence of Professor Gary Sykes, he picked political science as a second major, a decision that shaped much of his professional career.
Dr. Robert Mayberry, ’76
President Dr. Lyle Roelofs and Dr. Robert Mayberry
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Robert Mayberry graduated from Berea College in 1976 with a degree in biology and then pursued a master’s of science at Alabama A&M. After earning his master’s degree, Dr. Mayberry pursued a doctorate in epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley, and also earned a master’s degree in public health
Carolyn Castle, ’70
President Dr. Lyle Roelofs and Carolyn Castle
Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit
Carolyn Castle, ’70, a native of Ashland, Kentucky, retired last year from her position as Director of People Services at Berea College, where she had served for 14 years. She graduated from Berea with a bachelor’s degree in English. Carolyn subsequently studied public administration at The University of Kansas and held several teaching positions, including one in Okinawa, Japan.
Melissa Osborne, Hon ’14
Melissa Osborne
Honorary Alumnus Award
Melissa Osborne has been a positive force on Berea’s campus. From 1979 to 2010, Osborne served three Berea College presidents as secretary and senior executive assistant, and two provosts as senior administrative assistant. But her contribution to the college community goes far beyond these positions. As “Berea’s Good Will Ambassador,” a title given to her by Provost Carolyn Newton, Osborne strove to live the values of Berea College, and was always there to lend support or a healing hand in times of crisis.
Burt Boyer, FD ’58
Laurie Roelofs, Burt Boyer and President Dr. Lyle Roelofs
Distinguished Alumnus Award
“Many wonderful things happened to me while at the Berea Foundation School that added to my positive self-concept. I made friends quickly, had wonderful roommates and had teachers who cared,” noted Charles Burton “Burt” Boyer of his time at the Berea Foundation School. These experiences helped prepare him for a lifetime of work with special needs students.
Regina Fugate, ’02
Regina Fugate
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Regina Fugate came to Berea in 1998 after being encouraged to apply by her high school English teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English education from
Berea College in 2002.
Amy Carter Shehee, ’91
Amy Carter Shehee
Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit
A native of Huntington, West Virginia, Amy Carter Shehee graduated from Berea College, summa cum laude, in 1991 with a degree in English. As a student she was president of the Mortar Board national honor society and co-chair of the Women’s History committee.
Gail Wolford
Gail Wolford
Honorary Alumnus Award
Gail Wolford grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in management and organization behavior from Ohio University.