Big Shoes Left To Fill Boxes full of equipment and supplies made their way through the parking lot toward a destination, carried by the president of Hutchinson Community College, Dr. Edward Berger himself. LeAnn Bravi, Public Health/ Safety instructor and coordinator, and Phi Theta Kappa advisor gratefully worked alongside with her own arms full. “He demonstrates what a servant leader does,” Bravi said. “He didn’t have to (help her carry boxes) and wouldn’t have been expected to, which I think is what always impressed me about the action. In my opinion, it is the little things that speak of a person’s character.” Individuals readily recalled instances of Berger’s servitude that impacted them significantly. Jamie O’Dell, Hutchinson, a student in his leadership class who had recently had knee surgery, experienced Dr. Berger kneeling on the floor to clean a pool of water created by a leaking ice pack. “Dr. Berger is an individual who is totally dedicated to the success of the college,” Randy Myers, Vice President of Student Services, said. “Sometimes leaders have personal agendas where they want to make themselves look good. Dr. Berger isn’t like that at all. What drives him is that HCC is a premier institution. He is willing to do his part, work hard, and be dedicated. He is not
During the Kick Butts Campaign, Dr. Berger grilled hot dogs with members of SGA which were distrubted for free to students. The Kick Butts Campaign helped raise awareness of the dangers of tabacco use. Photo by Callie White
an individual who stands back and lets others do the bulk of the activity.” Faculty and students alike agreed that Dr. Berger was a devoted leader and his modest demeanor was of distinct humility. “Dr. Berger is an outstanding leader, visionary, and leads HCC as if it were his very own even though he’s quite humble. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t value him as a person,” Dr. Cindy Hoss, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said. Uniquely, Berger was not only the president, but was also a teacher in a leadership class. He interacted with students Dr. Berger
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one-on-one to build leaders that would positively impact their current and future environments. “I have always enjoyed dealing with students, being able to interact with students and hear what kinds of exciting things are happening in their lives,” Berger said. College education piqued Berger’s interest while he worked on his master’s degree at Wichita State University. He was a teacher’s assistant in History, then moved on to become Dean of Community Service at Seward Community College. When the position of Dean of Continuing Education at
HCC opened up he returned to Hutchinson to fill the position with the goal of becoming president. Since achieving that goal in 1981, he has been acutely involved with the success and credibility of the college. “He is a developer. If you look at individuals who have come through HCC and gone on to administrative roles in other organizations or here, he is responsible for a lot of that development,” Myers said. Because of Dr. Berger’s expert leadership, HCC has thrived and become a place of high renown. Hoss said HCC holds a great reputation for academics, athletics, extra-
Dragon’s Tale
4/3/14 2:51 PM