Mid-year recognition event
Joseph Seo from Saipan was one of the 77 proud individuals who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Berea College on December 20, 2023. The mid-year recognition event honored the achievements of these students, who came from 21 different states and three countries. Joseph Seo, along with his fellow graduates, showcased the rich diversity and immense talent that the institution takes pride in nurturing. Berea College’s commitment to providing high-quality education to students from various backgrounds has been further solidified by these recent graduates’ outstanding accomplishments.
Keynote address by Dr. Betty Hyatt Olinger
Dr. Betty Hyatt Olinger, an esteemed Berea alumna, presented the keynote address at the occasion, imparting her insight and guidance to the graduates. Her motivational words, stressing the significance of education and determination, held the audience’s attention. Throughout her speech, Dr. Olinger highlighted various personal experiences that showcased the impact of continuous learning and perseverance, effectively inspiring the crowd. She urged the students to apply these principles to their own lives, emphasizing that improved communities and meaningful personal growth were both achievable through dedication to knowledge and unwavering persistence.
Berea College’s unique mission
Berea College, founded as the first coeducational and interracial institution in the southern United States, upholds a distinct mission of offering learning, labor, and service experiences to its attendees. These unique experiences promote a strong sense of community and egalitarian values, ensuring that education remains accessible to students of all economic backgrounds. By combining work and education, Berea College students gain not only a solid academic foundation but also acquire important life skills and a well-rounded perspective on social responsibility.
Focus on enrolling academically talented students
The college’s primary focus is on enrolling academically talented students who face financial constraints, particularly those from Kentucky and the Appalachian region. It also takes pride in a diverse student population, with attendees hailing from 45 states and 70 nations. This allows the institution to foster an inclusive and supportive environment, where individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives can challenge and learn from one another. By providing these opportunities and resources, the college strives to empower its students to achieve academic success and forge meaningful connections within an increasingly interconnected world.
Tuition Promise Scholarship
All students at Berea College are awarded a Tuition Promise Scholarship, guaranteeing that no one faces tuition expenses. This unique approach ensures equal educational opportunities for all admitted students, regardless of their financial background. As a result, a diverse community of learners can access high-quality education at Berea College without the burden of unmanageable debt.
Merit-based scholarship
This merit-based scholarship showcases the college’s dedication to affordability and access, providing students from various backgrounds the opportunity to obtain higher education. By offering financial support to those who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills, and community involvement, the scholarship aims to level the playing field for students who may otherwise struggle with the costs of tuition. This initiative not only empowers deserving students to pursue their dreams, but also promotes diverse perspectives and a more inclusive campus environment.
Berea’s work college program
Berea is one of nine federally acknowledged work colleges and stands out by mandating that each student works at least 10 hours a week. As a result of this work requirement, students gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to their college community. Additionally, this unique model allows students to reduce their student loan debt, as they earn money through their on-campus jobs.
Earning money and gaining work experience
This arrangement allows students to earn money for their books, accommodation, and meals throughout their college years. In addition to easing the financial burden, it also enables students to gain valuable work experience relevant to their fields of study. By participating in such programs, students enhance their employability skills and forge connections within their industry, thus setting the stage for a successful career after graduation.
Acquiring valuable work experience and skills
The unique structure gives students the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience and skills while also nurturing a strong sense of accountability and self-reliance. This hands-on approach to learning allows students to actively engage with real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. In turn, this cultivates well-rounded individuals who are better equipped to tackle challenges and excel in their chosen career paths.
First Reported on: saipantribune.com
FAQs
What was the mid-year recognition event?
The mid-year recognition event was a celebration held by Berea College, honoring the achievements of 77 students who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on December 20, 2023. These students came from 21 different states and three countries, showcasing the institution’s rich diversity and commitment to providing high-quality education to various backgrounds.
Who gave the keynote address at the event?
Dr. Betty Hyatt Olinger, an esteemed Berea alumna, presented the keynote address at the mid-year recognition event. She shared her insights on the importance of education, determination, continuous learning, and perseverance to inspire the graduates to apply these principles in their lives.
What is Berea College’s unique mission?
Berea College’s unique mission is to offer learning, labor, and service experiences to its students, promoting a strong sense of community and egalitarian values. The institution emphasizes accessibility to students of all economic backgrounds, combining work and education to provide a comprehensive educational approach and foster social responsibility.
What is the Tuition Promise Scholarship?
The Tuition Promise Scholarship is awarded to all students at Berea College, guaranteeing that they will not face tuition expenses. This approach ensures equal educational opportunities for all admitted students, regardless of their financial background, and helps promote a diverse community of learners.
What are the benefits of Berea’s work college program?
Berea’s work college program requires each student to work a minimum of 10 hours per week on-campus, allowing them to earn money for their books, accommodation, meals, and reducing student loan debt. This unique model enables students to gain valuable work experience relevant to their fields of study, enhancing their employability skills and networking within their industry.
How do students gain valuable work experience and skills at Berea College?
By participating in Berea’s work college program, students are provided with the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience and skills in their respective fields. The hands-on approach to learning allows students to actively engage with real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice and cultivating well-rounded individuals who are equipped to excel in their chosen career paths.
