NOTEWORTHY NEWS
BERRY magazine
Published three times per year for alumni and friends of Berry College and its historic schools Editor Karilon L. Rogers Managing Editor Rick Woodall (93C) Contributing Writers Debbie Rasure Joni Kenyon Design and Production Shannon Biggers (81C) Chief Photographer Alan Storey Class Notes and Gifts Listings Justin Karch (01C, 10G), Joni Kenyon and Rose Nix Contact Information Class Notes and Change of Address: alumni@berry.edu; 706-236-2256; 800-782-0130; or Berry Alumni Office, P.O. Box 495018, Mount Berry, GA 30149. Editorial: rwoodall@berry.edu; 706-378-2870; or Berry magazine, P.O. Box 490069, Mount Berry, GA 30149.
Records Coming...
THE GATE OF OPPORTUNITY OPENED JUST A LITTLE BIT WIDER IN AUGUST as the largest incoming class in Berry history reported for fall semester. A record number of applications – 4,218 – resulted in more than 700 new faces on campus, including 672 freshmen. The new class was distinguished by an impressive academic profile and a more balanced male-to-female ratio driven by the large number of first-year males recruited for Berry’s new football team. You can help us recruit next year’s class by letting us know about young men and women in your com munity who would benefit from the unique combination of strong academic programs and relevant work experience that Berry provides. Visit www.berry.edu/referastudent to complete our online referral form.
BERRY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION President: Haron W. Wise (57H) President-Elect: Timothy J. Goodwin (03C) Vice Presidents: Alumni Events, Ruth K. Martin (65C); Berry Heritage, Kimberly Terrell Melton (04C, 06G, FS); Financial Support, T. Mack Brown (82C); Young Alumni and Student Relations, Laura A. Sutton (09C); Alumni Awards, Rebecca Christopher (61C) Chaplain: The Rev. Dr. Scott McClure (89C) Parliamentarian: Giles M. Chapman Jr. (66C) Secretary: Nelda P. Ragsdale (64C) Historian: Dr. David F. Slade (97C, FS) Director of Alumni Relations Chris Watters (89C) Assistant Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Jeanne Mathews Vice President for Advancement Bettyann O’Neill President Stephen R. Briggs
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BERRY MAGAZINE • FALL 2013
And going... MAY BROUGHT A SPRING COMMENCEMENT LIKE NO OTHER, featuring a record number of total
degrees awarded – 381 – and the presentation of an honorary doctorate to longtime Berry supporter Audrey Morgan. With U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson among the hundreds looking on, Morgan joined Martha Berry as one of only 17 individuals to hold an honorary doctorate from Berry. The noted philanthropist, whose name graces one of the college’s newest residence halls, was overwhelmed by the honor, proclaiming that “after today, not only can I say, ‘I chose Berry,’ but I can say, ‘Berry chose me!’” Morgan’s demonstrative support of Berry students includes powerful acts of generosity (more than $6.6 million in lifetime gifts) and service on
Photos by Alan Storey
the Board of Visitors. She helped establish the Gate of Opportunity Scholarship Program in 2009 and remains one of its greatest champions with commitments that Audrey Morgan ultimately will fund more than 35 Gate of Opportunity Scholars each year. “The end result of her carefully targeted philanthropy is, quite simply, lives and communities that have been changed for the better,” noted President Steve Briggs. “In that way, as in many others, she reminds us of our founder, who saw education as a way of transforming not just individual lives, but families and whole communities.”
Alan Storey