Berry Magazine - Spring 25

Groovin’

Lee Shealy (82C) lives dream with Atlanta Rhythm Section

Cover and inside cover photos by

BERRY

Published since 2003 for alumni and friends of Berry College and its historic schools.

Winner of numerous regional awards for writing, editorial and design excellence.

Editor

Rick Woodall (93C, FFS)

Managing Editor and Writer

Dawn Tolbert

Graphic Design and Production

Natorio Howard, Matt Cosby

Director of Photography

Brant Sanderlin

Staff Writers

Catherine Hamrick, Debbie Rasure

Class Notes

Mary Harrison (25c), Alex Nunziato (28c)

Death Notices

McKenzie Todd

Martha Berry Society List

Brenda Geraldson Jenkins (97C)

CONTACT INFORMATION

News From You: submit at alwaysberry.com/ classnotes or email classnotes@berry.edu

Change of Address: update online at alwaysberry.com/classnotes, email alumni@berry.edu or call 706-236-2256

Editorial: email rwoodall@berry.edu or mail to Berry magazine, c/o Dawn Tolbert, P.O. Box 490069, Mount Berry, GA 30149

Director of Alumni Relations

Cecily Crow (94C)

Senior Director of Advancement

Marketing and Communications

Jennifer Schaknowski

Assistant Vice President for Alumni

Engagement and Development

Jean Druckenmiller

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Nancy Rewis

Vice President of Advancement

Laura Croft

President

Stephen R. Briggs

BERRY ALUMNI COUNCIL

President: Meredith Lewallen Roberts (07C)

Immediate Past President: Aaron Chastain (15C)

Vice Presidents: Alumni Awards, Nancy Duvall Ratcliffe (77C); Alumni Engagement, Gavin McGinnis (09C); Culture and Heritage, Julie Williamson Trejo (91C, 21G, FFS); Financial Support, Alison Lounsbury Ritter (94C, FFS)

Chaplain: Brandi Calhoun Diamond (93C)

Parliamentarian: Jason Sweatt (88C)

Secretary: Larry Arrington (93C, FFS)

Brant Sanderlin

Dr. Steve Briggs’ presidency has been defined by progress motivated by his laser-focus on students and his belief in the enduring power of Berry’s distinctive education.

Lee Shealy (82C) is living his dream as full-time keyboardist for Atlanta Rhythm Section, a band that has been part of the Southern rock scene for more than 50 years.

Hurricane Helene forced Tina Culver Kinsey (92C) to improvise like never before in her work as administrative chief for Asheville Regional Airport.

Visit berry.edu/presidential-announcement for more on Dr. Mazumder’s appointment, including a Q&A with the new president led by search committee Chair John Coleman (04C).

Mazumder earns nod as Berry’s 9th president

Achorus of congratulatory messages and well wishes greeted the November announcement that the Berry Board of Trustees had unanimously approved Dr. Sandeep Mazumder’s selection as the college’s ninth president, with alumni, faculty, staff and parents taking to social media to welcome the internationally respected economist, who will take office July 1, 2025.

The board’s vote concluded a rigorous national search initiated last spring after Dr. Steve Briggs made public his intention to retire at the close of the 2024-25 academic year. His final essay as Berry president begins on page 8, followed by a retrospective on his exemplary tenure.

Mazumder most recently served as dean of the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, he studied at the University of Cambridge before moving to the United States to continue his education. Prior to his work at Baylor, Mazumder spent four years as chair of economics at Wake Forest University, where his teaching career began in 2009.

The new president has expressed a deep sense of calling in regard to the opportunity he sees at Berry, citing appreciation for the college’s mission of educating the head, heart and hands of future leaders who will nurture thriving communities.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Berry College,” he stated. “I would like to thank the search committee and Board of Trustees for putting their faith in me. I adore Martha Berry’s philosophy of teaching students ‘not to be ministered unto, but to minister’ and intend to continue to champion that sentiment, as well as continuing to share Berry’s unique distinctives for the nation to see.”

Mazumder’s academic credentials include a B.A. and M.A. in economics from Cambridge and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Johns Hopkins University. His considerable expertise in macroeconomics has been exhibited in more than 30 scholarly articles, with much of his research focusing on U.S. inflation dynamics.

While his education and experience are impressive, it was Mazumder’s character, leadership, vision and shared values that earned enthusiastic support from the Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Mazumder is an inspiring leader with vision, integrity and humility who will champion 21st-century growth and innovation while honoring Berry’s legacy, entrepreneurial spirit and deep commitment to the community,” said John Coleman (04C), the Berry trustee who chaired the search committee.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Mazumder to Berry College,” added fellow committee member Rick Gilbert (77c), who currently chairs the Board of Trustees. “He embodies a profound personal alignment with Berry and understands the challenge of balancing business-mindedness, healthy academic debate, international understanding, technological innovation and a good neighbor mindset. It takes a special person to lead a residential college, and we believe Mazumder will immerse himself fully into the flourishing of our community.”

Mazumder is equally confident that Berry will be an ideal place for his family to flourish. He will relocate to the campus this summer with wife Gretchen, who grew up on a farm in southern Pennsylvania, and the couple’s three school-aged children.

The search process

The intensive national search leading to Dr. Sandeep Mazumder’s selection as Berry’s ninth president was guided by a committee comprised of alumni, trustees, faculty, staff and student representatives, with assistance from the CarterBaldwin executive search firm. Leadership was provided by two Berry trustees: Chair John Coleman (04C) and Vice Chair Sarah Hawkins Warren, a Georgia Supreme Court justice.

Together, the group spent eight months crafting the role, defining the characteristics of the next president, promoting the position, evaluating applications and interviewing candidates. Input was sought from a cross-section of Berry constituencies, resulting in feedback from hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni and interested community members.

More than 175 candidates were reviewed including more than 20 sitting college presidents – a testament to the continuing resonance of Martha Berry’s vision, the strength of the Berry community and the college’s growing stature as a place of distinction in higher education.

Berry offers heartfelt thanks to all who had a hand in the search, including the following individuals who joined Coleman and Warren on the search committee:

Mairo Akpose-Simpson (97C)

Dr. Sheila Allen

Dr. Brad Bushnell

Angie Wilkey Lewis (89C)

Brent Ragsdale (88C)

Bert Clark (82C)

Rick Gilbert (77c)

Brian Erb (FS)

Dr. Michael Papazian (FS)

Grace Harmon (25c)

Student work enhancements ensure consistency, quality

Work has been central to the Berry student experience since the institution’s founding, but recent efforts by the Center for Personal and Professional Development have further optimized the learning outcomes rooted in the historic program (now called LifeWorks).

These enhancements are meant to ensure that all job opportunities available to the 95% of students who choose to work on campus during their time at Berry emphasize skills that add value – for the student, the college and future employers.

“Anyone who knows Berry knows there is a wide variance of jobs here – from the dairy to the Academic Success Center, the president’s office to grounds crew, and everything in between,” explained Dr. Marc Hunsaker, who serves as Berry’s dean of personal and professional development. “Providing consistency was key so that even though the jobs are very different the caliber of work is consistent, as are the expectations placed on students.”

Over the past three years, a cross-campus team led by CPPD has addressed operational improvements to LifeWorks systems; implemented new training to better equip faculty/staff supervisors for their roles as mentors and managers; and recalibrated at least 900 different positions across 180 departments.

Last summer, all campus jobs were reclassified into four categories: entry, intermediate, advanced and pre-professional, each with specific requirements and career readiness outcomes. Progression through the program brings increased levels of responsibility and compensation.

“We asked, ‘How can we shape the way a student moves through the LifeWorks Program and ensure that professional development is happening consistently?’” Hunsaker stated. “We really focused on the moments of hiring and promotion because those are great opportunities to allow students to practice telling their stories by requiring job interviews and updated resumes.”

Student evaluations and promotions are based on a set of career competencies adapted from research conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, including leadership, communication, teamwork and critical thinking. Hunsaker noted that these “fairly broad buckets” provide uniform language for student work supervisors to use when evaluating job performance.

“A good school is going to make sure you grow intellectually, but at Berry, we strive to be a great school because we also promise to promote students’ personal and professional development,” he emphasized. “And we are not going to leave that growth to chance. We tell students we’re going to help them every step of the way, from first semester to last. The LifeWorks Program is a key part of delivering on that promise.”

1,808 students in LifeWorks jobs

606K hours logged

$5.6M+ wages paid to student employees

SOURCE: 2023-24 Center for Personal and Professional Development Annual Report

Ivan Khoo (25c) greets a recruiter at the LifeWorks Job Fair hosted by Berry’s Center for Personal and Professional Development to help connect students with employment and graduate school opportunities.

Brant Sanderlin

Trustees welcome Kelly, Whitaker

Kathleen Kelly and Alexander “Whit” Whitaker IV (81C, FFS) are new appointees to the Berry College Board of Trustees.

The great-great-niece of Martha Berry, Kelly follows in the footsteps of current trustees Marti Berry Walstad and Randy Berry as the latest Berry family member to serve in this role.

Recognized by Land Leader magazine as “the most significant fashion influencer for women shooters and outdoor enthusiasts,” Kelly is co-owner and managing partner of Kevin’s Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel. The Florida State University alumna is also active with the Florida Governor’s Mansion Commission. She and husband Kevin have two grown children.

Whitaker is the only Berry College alumnus to serve as president of a four-year college, leading King University for eight years before retiring in 2024. The former Berry chief of staff and secretary to the Board of Trustees also distinguished himself as a judge advocate general specializing in international law during his 25 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain in 2007.

The Rome native holds a juris doctorate from the University of Virginia and multiple master’s degrees. His military honors include two Legions of Merit and four Meritorious Service Medals. In 2019, Whitaker was presented with the Berry Alumni Council’s Distinguished Achievement Award. He and wife Maria Crego Whitaker (85c) have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Houghton, Earnst chosen to lead Berry’s Board of Visitors

Karen Akridge Houghton (01C) has been tapped for service as chair of the Berry College Board of Visitors, including concurrent membership on the Board of Trustees. Beth Collins Earnst (93C) is the new vice chair.

Houghton is founder and CEO of Infinite Giving, a financial technology platform designed to help nonprofits modernize how they raise and manage money. She was the 2020 winner of the Berry Alumni Council’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Other distinctions include Atlanta Technology Professionals’ Impact Award, “Woman of the Year” recognition by Women in Technology and inclusion on a Salesforce list of “10 Women in Small Business Who Inspire Us Daily.”

Taylor heads Evans

Researcher, faculty leader and author Dr. Kirsten Taylor is the new dean of the Evans School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, concluding a national search coinciding with her service as interim dean.

The 2024 recipient of the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award has excelled in the classroom and in leadership during her 23 years at Berry, including service as department and Faculty Assembly chair and as Model U.N. advisor. With a Ph.D. from McGill University, her research and teaching interests include international institutions, global environmental politics, nuclear proliferation, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

Provost David Slade (97C) praised Taylor’s dedication to academic excellence and experiential learning, noting that her leadership “will be pivotal as Berry College continues to champion hands-on education in the humanities, arts and social sciences.”

Croft named advancement VP

Houghton holds a master’s degree in psychology from Richmont Graduate University. She and husband Paul have one daughter.

Earnst is the new director of corporate communications at Odyssey Logistics. Past achievements include recognition on the Triad of NC Business Journal’s “40 Leaders under 40” list and the Berry Alumni Council’s 2013 Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She is proud to hold a Berry biology degree with minors in chemistry and education.

The Calhoun, Georgia, native was introduced to Berry as a child helping her dad – a state wildlife biologist – trap and relocate deer from the mountain campus to other areas of North Georgia. She led in establishing the Ted Touchstone Endowed Work Position to honor her Berry mentor and support student work in biology and environmental science.

She and husband Tyler live in Central North Carolina.

Laura Croft has joined Berry’s senior leadership team as vice president of advancement, responsible for deepening and broadening college relationships and resources.

Croft came to Berry from the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she helped raise more than $1 billion to support efforts targeting global health threats. The North Georgia native holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Georgia. She succeeds Cyndi Court, now CEO of Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation.

The financial technology platform founded by new BOV Chair Karen Akridge Houghton graced the Nasdaq billboard in Times Square last fall.

Whit Whitaker

Kathleen Kelly

Beth Collins Earnst

Contributed photo

BERRY ATHLETICS: PLAYING TO OUR STRENGTHS

Volleyball program celebrates individual, team success

Berry’s impressive legacy in volleyball grew even more so in 2024, fueled by historic individual accomplishments and another stirring run to nationals.

Jazzy Innis (24C) achieved new heights for herself and her school last June when she was named 2023-24 Woman of the Year by the Southern Athletic Association, the first Berry student-athlete to claim such recognition.

The three-time All-American captained the Vikings to three straight Southern Athletic Association championships (regular season and tournament) and a trio of national tournament appearances, all while maintaining a 3.73 GPA. Now pursuing a sports management MBA at Lynn University, she continued her playing career as a grad student competing for the 2024 NCAA Division II national champions. The fall season at Berry brought more reasons to cheer, including the 200th career win for head coach Caitlyn Moriarty (14G) and, later, the Vikings’ ninth SAA tournament championship, this time with MVP Lura Underwood (26c) leading the charge.

Advancing to its seventh consecutive national tournament, Berry downed Whitworth University in the opening round behind a strong showing from honorable-mention All-American Bella Boston (25c) before falling to Trinity University.

Game! Set! Match!

The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College has been selected as the 2028 host site for the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships.

This will be the first time a Berry facility has hosted a D-III national championship event. Previously, the college has welcomed competitors for NCAA regional or superregional competition in cross country, softball and volleyball, as well as individual playoff games in football.

Recognized as an “Outstanding Facility” by the United States Tennis Association, the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College boasts 57 courts spread across 30 acres of Berry-donated property adjacent to Mount Berry Mall. The city-owned complex opened in 2016 with funding from a voterapproved SPLOST (local sales tax for special purpose). Indoor courts were added in 2020, and in 2022 a Fairfield Inn owned by Berry and managed by Atlanta-based Hotel Equities opened next door.

Back on top: Berry football returns to nationals

A 10th consecutive winning season for Berry football yielded the program’s sixth Southern Athletic Association championship and a return to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season.

After falling agonizingly short of an at-large postseason invitation the year prior, the Vikings overcame injuries and a brutal schedule to claim the SAA’s automatic bid in 2024. The team’s 8-2 regular-season finish was remarkable given the level of competition, including four foes bound for nationals. The Vikings went 2-2 in those games and 6-1 in the SAA, earning the right to host a first-round playoff game on Williams Field at Valhalla.

Facing off against Maryville College, Berry carried a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter before the visiting Scots rallied for a hard-fought 20-16 win. A first-half touchdown by running back Brandon Cade (25c) capped a memorable senior season resulting in his selection as the Vikings’ first SAA Offensive Player of the Year. Safety Jake Whitten (25c) was named the conference’s top defender, the fourth time a Berry player has been so honored.

Cade also earned All-America recognition for the second straight season, this time joined by Whitten and Tonny Garcia (24C, 26g), who excelled on the offensive line.

Sweep! Berry teams claim SAA cross country crowns

Another banner season for Berry cross country climaxed with a pair of Southern Athletic Association championships and a quartet of national qualifiers.

The men’s team won its fourth straight SAA title, this time led by Tucker Wright (27c), the individual runner up. Ethan Smith (26c) was next in fourth place, leading four other Vikings in the top 15. All six earned All-SAA recognition, with freshman T Harris (28c) claiming an additional honor as SAA Newcomer of the Year.

The Berry women seized their first conference title since 2016, breaking Centre’s streak of seven in a row. Pacing the upset were Anna Ayers (26c) and Anna Rose (25c) in second and third place, respectively. Four teammates joined them as AllSAA performers by finishing in the top 15.

Fittingly, Paul Deaton (91C) was voted SAA Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year.

Both teams then placed fourth in the NCAA Division III South Region, where Wright set the pace individually as men’s runner-up. He advanced to nationals along with Rose, Ayers and Troy Blackwood (26c), closing the season against the nation’s best in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Jazzy Innis

Tucker Wright

Brandon Cade

Steven Eckhoff

Nico Klementzos (25c)

Berry Athletics

Powerful podcast

“Who lives? Who dies? Who decides?”

Such were the questions posed by a five-part, student-produced podcast series examining the role race plays in the administration of Georgia’s death penalty. Spearheaded by digital storytelling major Grace Snell (22C), Georgia v. Foster has earned top three recognition in five national/regional awards programs. Completed in partial fulfillment of Snell’s honors thesis and published on Viking Fusion in early 2023, the podcast focused on the case of Rome’s Timothy Tyrone Foster, a Black man sentenced to death for murder by an all-white jury in 1987, only to have that conviction and sentence thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to a plea deal of life without parole in 2022.

“The podcast is among the most important work we’ve ever published at Viking Fusion,” said Dr. Brian Carroll, professor of communication and Snell’s honors thesis director. “Grace tackled an enormously complex topic and treated it with all the care, sensitivity and diligence that we hope for in the very best of our digital storytellers.”

Also credited for work on the series were Anna Rich (23C), Viking Fusion Advisor Steven Hames and Senior Lecturer Kevin Kleine.

Fabulous ‘Fellow’

Berry colleagues will tell you that Brad Reeder (04G) is a great guy, but our headline references his selection to the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ oneyear fellowship program along with 14 other higher education leaders representing the likes of Colorado University Boulder, Notre Dame and William & Mary Law School. When not serving Berry as assistant vice president of financial services, the licensed CPA and former public accountant can be found (in his words) “running all over Berry’s 27,000 acres, getting beat up on by college students in intramurals and eating a fine meal in the dining hall.” That’s a fine “fellow” indeed!

(Berry) numbers of note

There’s nothing we enjoy more than calling your attention to notable recognition for Berry. Here’s a quick peek at some recent numbers that caught our eye:

2nd

Berry’s ranking for value and undergraduate teaching among universities in the South, per U.S. News & World Report.

168K

Students nationwide surveyed for The Princeton Review’s annual publication showcasing America’s best colleges. The final list of 390 of course included Berry, which also earned praise as a “Green College” and as one of the top 109 colleges in the South.

64

Entries in Architectural Digest’s compilation of the “Most Beautiful College Campuses in America,” Berry among them. The publication declared, “When it comes to a beautiful setting, Berry College can’t be beat.”

7

U.S. institutions making Veranda’s list of “The 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses Around the World.” Joining Berry were Cornell, the University of San Diego, M.I.T., Swarthmore, Flagler and Stanford.

Grace Snell

Brant Sanderlin

The name’s the thing

You’ll need a microscope to truly appreciate the magnitude of this honor: A newly discovered species of parasitic worm living in the lungs of frogs (you read that right) has been named for Gund Professor of Biology Bruce Conn. The decision by a team of scientists based in Ukraine, South Africa and the U.S. honors Conn's considerable contributions to his field – including prolific research conducted alongside Berry students and past service as president of the American Society of Parasitologists – as well as his role in collecting the first known specimens of Rhabdias conni in 2009 right here at Berry.

Pride of Auburn (and Berry!)

While not condoning Auburn University’s pairing of blue and orange (anyone versed in Berry’s Alma Mater knows it should be silver), we’re excited to celebrate Associate Professor and Department Chair of Kinesiology David Elmer’s 20-under-40 recognition by the Auburn Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council. The triple alumnus (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees) was lauded as “an accomplished educator, researcher and leader in the field of exercise science.” We’re pleased to add that all of this incredible work has taken place at Berry, his professional home since 2013, before closing with a hearty “War Eagle!” in Elmer’s honor.

“She put the capital ‘J’ in Journalism”

Another Fulbright …

We’re full of pride for Berry’s latest Fulbright grant recipient. Ellie Lizdas (24C) touched down in Spain last fall, excited to begin a year-long assignment as an English teaching assistant. She is the ninth Berry student to earn a Fulbright since 1991 and the eighth since 2010. Other destinations have included Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, the Slovak Republic, Taiwan, Germany and Switzerland. Lizdas is living in A Coruña and working at IES Fernando Wirtz Suarez, a trilingual school offering secondary and vocational courses. When not in the classroom, she enjoys immersing herself in the Spanish language and culture.

… and Goldwater!

Hannah Blanton (25c) struck gold as one of 438 students nationwide to receive a 2024 Goldwater Scholarship. She is the fourth Berry student since 2019 to claim the preeminent award for undergraduates in science, mathematics and engineering. An honors student majoring in biology (cellular and biomedical concentration) and minoring in chemistry and One Health, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology and lead research at a federal agency, hoping to oversee “a diverse research team that will make significant contributions to the development of alternative treatment options against antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.”

Such was the praise directed at Maria Saporta when she was inducted into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame last fall. Described as “Atlanta through and through,” the influential business reporter and nonprofit leader was lauded for “her steadfast and selfless efforts” to move the city forward. Similar words could be used to describe her service to Berry during a dozen years on the Board of Visitors, and for that reason we’re thrilled to join colleagues and civic leaders in celebrating her many accomplishments.

Jeff Brown (FS)

Krys Alex Photography

A BERRY JOURNEY

Recently, I asked a candidate interviewing for a faculty position at Berry about her own college experience. She told me the story of a professor who returned an assignment with a note requesting a meeting. Apprehensive as to why, she was astounded when asked to collaborate on a research project.

We shared a laugh because that’s my story too. In both cases, unexpected invitations prompted a change in course. Professors became mentors who shaped the way we thought about our capabilities, aspirations and paths forward.

Purposeful experiences

In my years at Berry, I’ve seen that script play out for a multitude of students in distinct ways. For some, it began with an invitation to serve for a summer in a special needs camp. For others, it was an opportunity to live and teach in a small village in Costa Rica; study art history in Florence, Italy; or investigate the mechanics of microfinance in Uganda. Students have conducted research (later published) on drugs used to treat cystic fibrosis and benefitted from analyzing a financial data set as part of a professional internship.

A daughter with seven semesters of LifeWorks experience in sports medicine today is a boardcertified specialist in neurologic physical therapy.

My Berry journey

These experiences complement and extend learning that occurs in the classroom and through reading and study. The immersive quality makes them especially potent. They generate moments that inspire and upend, engaging students in a comprehensive way with lessons for the head, heart and hands.

At Berry, we refer to these opportunities as “purposeful experiences” because they invite intentional exploration, a firsthand testing of one’s emerging interests and abilities. I’ve watched their impact in my own family. A niece who as a Berry student took and curated 10,000 pictures at a camp one summer is now an accomplished professional photographer.

As my time as president grows short, I’m encouraged that the Berry Journey has emerged as an organizing structure ensuring that purposeful experiences are the defining feature of a Berry education. This distinctive framework guides students as they consider how to make the most of their four years at Berry, with digital tools and workshops reinforcing the efforts of faculty and staff. Because these intensive experiences serve as optimal learning contexts, we are establishing a special donor-funded endowment so that all students will have access regardless of their economic circumstances.

To be clear, we do not expect students to graduate with a definitive plan for their lives. Rather, we hope they depart Berry with a sense of direction and adventure, imbued with curiosity, courage and conviction. When visiting with alumni who graduated a decade or more ago, I often hear compelling life stories full of twists and turns. Many continue to wrestle with their sense of calling and purpose, exploring possibilities and finding success in endeavors beyond anything they imagined at Berry.

Upon graduation from Wake Forest University, my goal was to earn a Ph.D. in psychology so I could teach and conduct research in a university setting. Close involvement with two faculty members modeled the value of a teacher-mentorscholar, even before I was familiar with that label. I worked on campus for most of my time in college and before that as an orderly in a hospital during high school, entrusted with responsibilities beyond my years. These formative experiences later influenced my career choices as I steered on several occasions toward positions and places that emphasized engaged learning and immersive opportunities.

When first learning about Berry in 2005, I was intrigued by its history and distinctive educational approach. During the presidential search process, I asked committee members what they wanted to emphasize in coming years. Trustee (now Emeritus) Glenn Cornell (62C) answered quickly and earnestly: “It’s all about the students.” He did not mean Berry is only about students; rather, it is essentially about them.

Captivated but wary, I probed one of the faculty search representatives – still a respected Berry professor – as to whether people at the college

Dr. Stephen Briggs

Alex Ruble (23C, 25g, FFS)

Matthew McConnell (21C, FFS)

Brant Sanderlin

were serious about an education of the head, heart and hands. He assured me the commitment was genuine.

Still, that assumption needed testing. Despite our remarkable campus, Berry’s residential community lacked vibrancy, and our venerated student work program suffered from declining participation rates.

In 2007, we conducted market research comparing the perceived value of student work with other possible emphases: study abroad, undergraduate research, environmental studies, community engagement and so on. These other options are valued avenues of opportunity, and Berry has invested in all of them in recent years.

Collectively, we were startled when results showed that all of the groups surveyed – current and former students, prospective students and parents, prospects who chose to attend elsewhere, and benefactors – identified student work as Berry’s crucial distinctive. More recent research affirmed this finding, with alumni from 2000 to 2019 judging student work to be the top factor influencing their personal and professional development, slightly ahead of study abroad, internships and undergraduate research, but with a much higher rate of participation.

That’s why we decided to double-down on our commitment to student work and residential life just before the Great Recession struck in December 2007. Fortuitously, this meant Berry was hiring more students as jobs became tight, and we were adding and renewing residence halls as commercial building trended down.

At the same time, Audrey B. Morgan stepped up generously to meet the pressing needs of students and struggling families by establishing the work-based Gate of Opportunity Scholarship. The Woodruff Foundation soon multiplied her efforts with a challenge grant that spurred dozens of gifts from alumni and friends. Our decision to reinforce Berry’s enduring distinctives, bolstered by this outpouring of support, resulted in robust growth during these difficult years.

I grew as well, gaining confidence in my ability to steer through a crisis – skills that were tested during subsequent construction challenges, severe weather events, personal illness, student deaths, political and social unrest, a global pandemic, and the unexpected passing of a board chair. From experience, I learned the value of holding to a course that is responsive to volatile circumstances and the harsh winds of a particular moment, all the while guided by the compass of core values.

Principled and pragmatic. Innovative and rooted. Berry’s ability as a community to embrace tension and thrive in our differences is one of our greatest assets.

Lasting gratitude

Also from experience, I know there is little a president can accomplish without a highperforming leadership team. Thankfully, Berry has been blessed with leaders across two decades who together forged an era of steady improvement. They are remarkable.

So too are the many other employees who work year after year to make sustained progress possible. The people of Berry serve with dedication and goodwill in classrooms, laboratories, offices and shops across campus, often without notice. With 1.5 million square feet of buildings and 42 square miles of property, Berry is a complicated place that operates efficiently thanks to the efforts of more than 550 faculty and staff overseeing 1,800 student employees. The college’s can-do culture is deep-seated, reflecting the indomitable spirit of Martha Berry.

As I reach the end of my Berry journey, part of me longs to stay. With experience comes clarity of purpose and a steady hand. But each passing year also draws me further away from the emerging student culture. Case in point: Most current firstyear students were born in 2006-07, the same year I arrived. It’s time to yield the helm to someone more relevant.

Berry’s compass

How, then, can we judge the success of two decades?

Enamored initially by Berry’s enduring vision and values, I since have heard many visitors allude to the college’s special culture. Sometimes we appeal to these values with a call to “Be Berry.” This culture has been nurtured across generations through the stories and sayings of our founder. We playfully refer to these as “Martha mantras” –things she said, or could have said, or were said in her spirit.

Success for me, then, is defined fundamentally by whether we have stayed true to those principles. Though Martha had little formal schooling, she founded multiple schools and a college, educating more than 10,000 students in her lifetime – a legacy that has grown by many thousands more since her death in 1942. She was devoted to improving the lives of her neighbors and inspiring leaders who would cultivate thriving communities. That remains our mission.

Today, Berry is a complex educational institution, highly respected for its academic programs, residential offerings and innovative endeavors. We value difference and dialogue, benefitting from diverse perspectives. While some might wish we were another kind of college, built on a different bedrock, Martha’s purpose and expectations were clear, and we have flourished because of this distinctiveness.

Consider the significant benefactors who invested in this vision – John Eagan, J. Bulow Campbell, Emily Vanderbilt Hammond, Henry and Clara Ford, Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, Robert W. Woodruff and Audrey Morgan – to name but a few. None of these individuals were alumni, but Berry as we know it would not exist without these kindred spirits and their belief in our mission.

So, near or far, let us “Be Berry,” venturing forward with curiosity, courage and conviction, confident that Berry is well-poised for the future.

Martha lived out Berry’s motto fully aware that it was countercultural. “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (meaning “Not to be served, but to serve”) is the daunting challenge Jesus used to expose and correct the self-centered hearts of close followers. That’s why Martha made it the bedrock of her educational approach, for “character-building must in the long run be the essence of education.”

Matthew McConnell (21C, FFS)

Rette Solomon (24C)

FOR THE STUDENTS

BRIGGS ERA DEFINED BY MISSION-CENTRIC PROGRESS

BY RICK WOODALL

When Berry seniors clasped hands last October for their final triumphant walk down Lavender Mountain, they brought along a very special guest – retiring President Steve Briggs.

The sight of a salt-and-pepper beard at the center of such a distinctly student tradition as the Grand March might have caused a few doubletakes among the Mountain Day crowd, but Briggs’ presence amid those smiling faces was appropriate, for they represent the motivation for 19 years of student-focused success.

It can be challenging to judge the legacy of any college president, especially one whose service spans nearly two decades. Countless decisions have been made, not all of which were met with immediate consensus or praise. Still, voices are consistent in their assessment that – to Berry’s great benefit – Briggs has led with students’ best interests at heart.

“That guided everything we did,” recounted Dr. Gary Waters (80C, 89G, FFS), vice president emeritus, whose service in advancement, as chief of staff and in enrollment management afforded many opportunities to work closely with Briggs. “It wasn’t about what other schools were doing and how we could catch up with them. What mattered was Berry’s DNA and how we could exhibit it better than we had in the past.”

Achieving that goal required a level of understanding only possible by engaging students on a personal basis – something Briggs prioritized from day one.

“The first thing I noticed was how intentional he was in trying to understand us as students,” noted Ryan Simmons (07C, 14G), Student Government Association president during Briggs’ inaugural year. “He really went out of his way to ask us questions and learn what we were experiencing.”

Often, those interactions have taken place in the dining hall or at other campus venues where Briggs routinely has joined wife Brenda in supporting students’ academic, artistic and athletic pursuits. Though she prefers to remain out of the spotlight, Brenda is a beloved member of the Berry community in her own right, known for her caring attention and engaging spirit, baked treats, and early morning workouts at the Cage Center. At one point, she even audited eight semesters of Spanish classes.

“We miss something incredibly important if we talk about the Briggs presidency without mentioning Brenda,” stressed Vice President

Emerita Debbie Heida (FFS), who served as dean of students and later Briggs’ chief of staff. “They invite students into their home, welcome them into conversations and delight in the stories they’re sharing.”

Those interactions, coupled with Briggs’ extensive study of the school’s history, fueled his resolve to champion Berry’s “head, heart and hands” education, crafting a “journey” rich in the kind of firsthand experiences that already made the institution distinctive, all with the goal of helping students discover their best path forward.

“One of my early impressions of Dr. Briggs was his deep understanding of the mission, values and history of Martha Berry,” said Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Finance Brian Erb, a cabinet member since 2003. “He seemed to really understand how our founding principles could be translated into current improvements and future planning.”

Under Briggs’ leadership, Berry has made significant strides in admissions, retention, campus vibrancy, facilities, academic programs, student work and athletics. At the same time, unprecedented fundraising success has led to the creation of hundreds of new scholarships, furthering access for hardworking students drawn by a reputation for excellence increasingly national in scope.

“The results speak for themselves,” praised Randy Berry, great-nephew of Martha Berry and a longtime trustee. “Aunt Martha was nothing if not results oriented, so I am sure she would give him an A-plus.”

Brant Sanderlin

BELIEVER IN BERRY

From the beginning, Briggs has emphasized Berry’s principled distinctiveness, declaring in his inaugural address that the college would “realize its full potential and gain visibility by being Berry at its best.”

In Berry, he saw reflections of his own undergraduate education at Wake Forest University, where highly engaged mentors and meaningful out-of-class experiences shaped his desire to create similar opportunities for others. In him, others saw reflections of Berry.

“He’s a man of integrity,” lauded Rick Gilbert (77c), chair of the Berry Board of Trustees. “What he says is what he means. And if he changes his mind, he’ll be the first to tell you so.”

Briggs’ dedication to students has played out in ways big and small, from his desire to reinvigorate the work program – now called LifeWorks – to his delight in the moxie shown by those who covered his office in sticky notes.

“To me, that captured the best of Steve Briggs – his playfulness, his sense of humor, his love of students, his tolerance for a wee bit of mischief now and then, and his enormous pride in the students,” observed Secretary to the Board Emeritus and Trustee Whit Whitaker (81C, FFS), retired president of King University and former Berry chief of staff.

Meredith Lewallen Roberts (07C) glimpsed those qualities as a senior challenged by Briggs to race up a climbing wall while she was working at an event for first-year students. Later, she noted with appreciation that the new president and his wife were helping to clean up.

“I was impressed with his desire to truly connect and engage with students and his servant leadership,” said Roberts, now Alumni Council president and a trustee. “Both themes have been evident throughout his tenure.”

PICKING THE BRICKS

Many noted Briggs’ ability to operate both at a high level strategically and in the weeds when necessary, characterizing him as a “data wonk” and “micro-observer” who expects the same level of detail from others. Stories abound of his attention to the design of a college brochure or whether the bricks in Sisters Theatre matched those of Blackstone Hall, built a century earlier.

Motivated by a president who wryly describes his approach as “gentle pressure, relentlessly applied,” staff and faculty increasingly reach beyond traditional “silos” to tap the expertise of colleagues in other departments. Explained Chief Information Officer Penny Evans-Plants (90C): “His style encourages people to keep trying, even when we believe we’ve reached an impasse.”

Measurable results can be seen in such areas as enrollment management, where process improvements over time have led to a 32% increase in Berry’s undergraduate population, from 1,718 Briggs’ first year to 2,262 in fall 2024.

That same attention to detail extends to Berry’s mission. Throughout his presidency, Briggs has worked closely with partners on and off campus to better articulate the institution’s enduring values. These efforts have helped improve student retention by refining the college’s messaging to

prospective students and their families while also defining what it means to “Be Berry” for a wide range of audiences.

“As an alumna, I appreciate that he has honored Berry’s rich heritage while moving us lightyears forward in reputation, programs, campus assets, community and preparedness for the future,” expressed Shannon Walburn Biggers (81C, FFS), creative services director emerita. “That’s a tough balance to strike, yet he did it.”

SENSE OF PLACE

Briggs’ first visit to Berry sparked a reaction not unlike that of countless prospective students: “Oh my word! There’s a lot of opportunity here.”

Taking note of the “good bones” left by his predecessor, Dr. Scott Colley, whose many accomplishments included progress in strategic planning, fundraising, study abroad and growth among tenured faculty, the new president was able to focus on the broader student experience, with early emphasis on the campus community.

The results include astonishing growth in the residential population, which now accounts for more than 90% of all undergrads (the percentage was closer to two-thirds when he arrived). Factors driving this surge include a four-year residency requirement with select exceptions; additional housing capacity; a more dynamic student-life experience rooted in new strategies and funding for event programming; greater emphasis on outdoor recreation; growth in intercollegiate athletics; and a revitalized campus core centered around Krannert Center’s expanded dining areas, Kilpatrick Commons, and the Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center.

“When I was a student, the words ‘suitcase college’ were tossed around a lot,” recalled Cecily Crow (94C), who led Berry’s student activities

office for two decades before assuming her current role as alumni relations director. “Even when I came back in 2002, a number of students still went home on weekends. Under Dr. Briggs’ leadership, we now have a more vibrant campus community.”

GREAT SPACES

Berry also has undergone a renaissance in facilities – much of it funded by gifts from alumni and friends – leading to a 35% increase in square footage campuswide. Notable additions and renovations include the Cage Center; a new animal science building and supporting field laboratory; Sisters Theatre at Blackstone Hall; the Betty Anne Rouse Bell Recital Hall at historic Ford Auditorium; the Valhalla stadium complex; Christopher Browning Pavilion at Oak Hill; Morgan and Deerfield residence halls; HackBerry Lab; Kay Williams Field for softball; a campus welcome center; and Morgan-Bailey Hall for health sciences, now under construction.

“Buildings make a big difference to student experiences,” said Dr. John Grout, chair of management and entrepreneurship and former dean of the Campbell School of Business. “I think one of Dr. Briggs’ biggest contributions is his relentless focus on physical facilities and aesthetic design. His master planning and the unprecedented pursuit of new buildings and their funding have transformed the campus.”

Also of note are The Spires at Berry College retirement community (occupying the site of a former quarry) and the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College and adjacent Fairfield Inn, located across U.S. Highway 27 near Mount Berry Mall. Developed in collaboration with external partners, these projects have yielded fresh opportunities for students and additional revenue streams for the college.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Work program participation has surged during Briggs’ tenure. More than 90% of all undergrads now seek out paid experience through a LifeWorks-affiliated position at some point during their Berry years, flourishing within a conceptual framework emphasizing the personal and professional development of all students, not just those with financial need. Examples of progress include increasing levels of responsibility and experience; student-operated enterprises; the work-based Gate of Opportunity Scholarship; and off-campus work partnerships.

“These programs have been studied and used as models by many other institutions,” remarked Dean of Student Work Emeritus Rufus Massey (75C, FFS). “The experiences available to our students include opportunities to lead, contribute, make decisions, speak publicly and learn realworld skills transferable to any career.”

The benefits are evidenced by the 85% of graduation survey respondents who identify LifeWorks as one of their most significant learning experiences at Berry.

More so than ever, lessons learned on the job complement those taught in classrooms and laboratories as part of an expanding curriculum that now includes creative technologies, creative writing, nursing, environmental science and studies, exercise science, sport leadership and strategy, data analytics, and One Health, among other additions. A new graduate-level physician associate program launches in 2025.

Further augmenting students’ knowledge and skills are growing opportunities available through study abroad, internships, undergraduate research and service, along with new donorfunded initiatives including the Berry Center for Integrity in Leadership and the Center for Student Enterprises and Entrepreneurship Development.

“DR. BRIGGS WAS THE RIGHT MAN AT THE RIGHT TIME. HE RELATES TO EVERYONE. HE’S GOOD WITH THE STUDENTS. HE’S GOOD WITH THE ADMINISTRATION. HE’S GOOD WITH THE BOARD. I THINK HE’S DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR BERRY.” — AUDREY B. MORGAN

“At the heart of the Berry mission is the whole-person education of the head, heart and hands,” said Provost and Professor of Spanish David Slade (97C). “Dr. Briggs has fortified this mission, and we can see it in the new programs that have launched over the past 19 years as well as in how we have enhanced programs in the humanities, arts, sciences and professional fields.”

FIELDS OF STUDY

Briggs’ impact also extends to intercollegiate athletics. Berry now fields 22 varsity teams, 10 of which have been added during his tenure (including equestrian, a former club sport).

Approximately 500 students compete annually, excelling in sports with a long history at the college as well as recent additions such as football, which debuted to 6,700 fans at Rome’s Barron Stadium in 2013 and now draws thousands to Valhalla each fall.

Demonstrating the same eye toward big-picture strategy and ground-level details evident in other

areas, Briggs’ involvement in athletics extends beyond on-campus planning to include formation of the Southern Athletic Association, Berry’s move to NCAA Division III and policymaking at the national level. In January 2025, his commitment to fostering athletic and academic excellence earned him the Daniel T. Dutcher Meritorious Service Award from the D-III Commissioners Association.

“Dr. Briggs is an exceptional leader who truly values the impact of athletics on a residential campus,” said Dr. Angel Mason, Berry’s director of athletics since 2019. “There are not many presidents who invest as deeply as he does not only in the students, but also in the coaches who make such a positive difference in their lives.”

Berry’s holistic approach to athletic participation proved ideal for Tedric Palmer (17C), the first of three brothers to play football for the Vikings. Drawn by the opportunity to help launch the program, he experienced the lows of a winless season and the highs of an SAA championship while earning the respect and trust of teammates and fellow students, culminating in service as SGA president.

“The experience at Berry of building something from the ground up is something I use in conversations in my job today,” the executive recruiter related. “It takes time and a deliberate commitment to build a culture of winning.”

WIDER GATE

The upward trajectory in fundraising that began during Colley’s presidency accelerated under Briggs, to the tune of more than $261 million in funding for everything from new buildings to

the signature Gate of Opportunity Scholarship program, which annually supports more than 120 industrious students willing to work their way through Berry with the goal of graduating with little or no debt. In the process, recipients benefit from the encouragement of their close-knit scholarship cohort and the mentorship of faculty, staff and donors.

“Abundant mentors are a hallmark of Berry’s community under President Briggs’ leadership,” said Mahmood Abdellatif (19C), a former Gate Scholar now working as an attorney. “For firstgeneration Americans and college students like me, this mentoring culture filled many gaps.”

Such is the fruit of relationships forged over many years between the college and its supporters. Briggs has excelled in nurturing such connections, leading to some of the most transformational gifts in Berry history.

Take for example Audrey B. Morgan, whose commitments to Berry exceed $26 million, most coming during his presidency. More than 200 current students are supported by her generosity, including 29 in the Gate Program, the origins of which trace to notes Briggs scribbled on a napkin during a 2008 luncheon with Morgan.

“Dr. Briggs was the right man at the right time,” she declared. “He relates to everyone. He’s good with the students. He’s good with the administration. He’s good with the board. I think he’s done an outstanding job for Berry.”

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

There is great consensus that Berry will continue to thrive in the years ahead, due in large measure to the mission-centric progress Briggs has fostered with his laser-focus on students.

“The value of the Berry brand is stronger than ever and on a solid growth trajectory,” asserted Vice President of Enrollment Management Andy Bressette. “Yet we remain focused on reaching students for whom a Berry education will be transformational. Helping them attend, afford and thrive is our North Star.”

Admitting to getting “choked up” reflecting on Briggs’ many accomplishments, Dean of Students Lindsey Taylor offered a fitting epitaph for his presidency: “I guess his most lasting legacy is the fact that he has fulfilled Martha Berry’s challenge to each of us, leaving Berry more beautiful than when he found it.”

HELP FOR THE JOURNEY

When asked what he and wife Brenda would like to accomplish in their final year at Berry, retiring President Steve Briggs pointed to continued growth in the type of opportunities proven to enrich and enhance the lives of students.

These Purposeful Experiences include study abroad, service or mission trips, mentored research projects, and professional internships.

To honor that request, a new Purposeful Experiences Fund has been created with the goal of empowering students to pursue such opportunities by removing the financial barriers that might stand in their way. You can join other alumni and friends in supporting this endeavor by visiting alwaysberry.com/briggspef or scanning the QR code below.

Brant Sanderlin

Lee Shealy (82C) is living his dream as keyboardist for Atlanta Rhythm Section

STORY BY DAWN TOLBERT LEAD PHOTO BY BRANT SANDERLIN

Soft blue lights pierce the darkness at the front of a sold-out venue. A sharp burst of drums hushes the crowd, followed a beat later by a blaze of electric guitar. On cue, Lee Shealy turns deft hands to the keyboard, calling forth the melody to one of the many iconic hits of Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS).

Radiating pure joy, he spends the next couple of hours entertaining others with the soundtrack of his youth.

From the stage, Shealy can make out faces in the crowd that might once have been his. In his teen years, he grooved to ARS as an attendee at such shows as the New Year’s Eve bash that rang in 1976 at Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre and a rockfest at Georgia Tech’s Grant Field featuring Heart and Foreigner as opening acts and Bob Seger as co-headliner. Now, the Berry music education alum is a full-time member of the legendary Southern rock ensemble, gracing posters with his bandmates for tours that delight audiences nationwide.

“It’s a cool thing,” he said with a grin.

Free this weekend?

The year was 2017, and Shealy was on a weekend getaway in Washington, D.C. By then, he boasted a long and eclectic career in music, both on stage and behind the scenes. He’d played with a touring ARS tribute band, but the notion he’d ever

join the actual group would have seemed ludicrous right up to the moment ARS cofounder Rodney Justo called with an urgent request.

Keyboardist Dean Daughtry, another original member, had broken his wrist and would miss a gig for the first time in 47 years. The band needed a substitute in a hurry. Was he available to step in?

In that instant, connections made over a lifetime formed an on-ramp to opportunity beyond his wildest dreams. So far out, in fact, that he immediately thought of a reason why it wouldn’t work.

“In my feeble brain, I figured they were playing around Atlanta, so I said, ‘I can’t because I’m in D.C. for my wife’s birthday,’” Shealy recounted. “Rodney didn’t miss a beat, replying, ‘Oh great! We’re in Pennsylvania; I’ll rent you a car.’”

In a flash, Shealy was cruising north to the gig with wife Jenny, who enthusiastically agreed to the sudden change in plans. There was no rehearsal once they got there, just “a soundcheck where we hit the high points” before starting the show.

“After being with ARS full time for five years now, I realize there was a lot of stuff I was skating over back then,” Shealy acknowledged. “It’s really well-written music, and people who come to the shows want to hear it played accurately.”

Lee (far left) on stage in the 1970s at Shannon's in Rome and in 2021 with ARS at the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam

Friend to family

That weekend in Pennsylvania opened the door to other opportunities to appear with the band as Daughtry’s health declined. When the legendary keyboardist played in his farewell show at the Buckhead Theatre in December 2019, Shealy was there.

“It was really kind of a prophetic moment,” he recalled. “I was the guy who rolled him in his wheelchair down the ramp, out the backstage door and to his car. He told me, ‘You’ve got the music. This is my word of advice: take care of your body.’”

In that moment, Shealy had Daughtry’s blessing, but he didn’t yet have the job.

He expected to audition, but instead Justo said he and the other bandmembers wanted to discuss Shealy’s “fit” within the group, noting that as a full-time member “eventually you’d be family.”

A six-month trial run followed, during which Shealy joined ARS for shows across the Northeast and out in Oregon, with multiple stops in between. Rather than worry about his long-term future, he opted to enjoy the ride, however long it lasted.

ARS was performing “somewhere cold. Minneapolis, maybe?” when he got a text from Justo.

Shealy decided to lean into Justo’s sense of humor.

Should I wear something nice?

Wouldn't hurt.

Shealy then got the news he’d hoped to hear. With the band’s blessing, he was welcomed to the “family” as a permanent member, joining a proud musical legacy dating back to 1970 (see sidebar).

“They really wanted to make sure I was the right fit because once you’re part of the band, you’re really in,” he explained. “It’s a full-time job with W-2s, the whole nine yards.”

Keys to success

The future ARS keyboardist wasn’t much more than a toddler when his mother got him started playing the piano. At 4, he began taking lessons with a private teacher who stressed the importance of understanding what was happening musically over rote learning or memorization.

“Now that I look back, I understand she actually taught music theory,” he said admiringly. “She wanted you to do more than just look at the page and tap out notes. It’s about making music, not taking dictation.”

As knowledge and skills grew, so too did awareness of his own potential. Listening to rock and jazz on the radio, he realized, “I can play this stuff.”

Shealy eventually added trombone to his instrumental repertoire but admits to getting "too big for my britches" when he dropped out of piano lessons in high school. While he loved playing trombone in band and “did okay with grades,” effort wasn’t high on his playlist. He’d much rather “go ride my motorcycle more than anything.”

After landing what he thought was a well-paying job auditing used coupon books for the then-popular S&H Green Stamps customer rewards program, Shealy spent his free time behind the wheel of his offwhite Plymouth Duster in search of Atlanta’s thriving live music scene. At places like Cooley’s Electric Ballroom, MoonShadow and the Georgia Tech coliseum, he swayed to the sounds of ARS and other Southern rock mainstays such as the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd – in addition to Chicago, Kansas, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Note by note

The bridge to a career in music turned out to be education, not that Shealy realized it at the time. Older brother Walter (80C) had gone off to Berry to pursue a music degree, but he had no such aspirations.

“Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about college,” Shealy remarked, “but [then-Berry band directort] Jim Clark had me try out for a scholarship to play trombone and euphonium.”

The scholarship came through, so he decided to give college a spin.

Early on, he took a piano course designed for music majors with little or no experience at the keyboard. His goal was to get an easy A. The teacher, Faye Rowell (now Kesler), quickly composed another plan.

He recalled: “She threw some music up on the first day and asked, ‘Can you read this?’ After I played through it, she asked if I’d had piano lessons. I said, ‘Yeah, some,’ but otherwise kept my mouth shut.”

Rowell brought out more pieces, and soon Shealy had played through an entire year’s worth of lessons. By that point, she’d figured him out.

“She said, ‘I’m going to put you in private piano lessons so you’ll have to actually work on something,’” he recalled with a smile. “Those lessons required me to study a certain number of pieces and really get to know the scales. That’s one thing that’s really a pain in the butt on the piano – all the scales in all the keys. But it kept my fingers on the keys and got me back comfortable with playing.”

Other Berry music professors proved equally demanding, challenging Shealy to work much harder than he’d intended. As a result, he found fresh opportunities to showcase his growing musical talent and, with graduation only a few weeks off, got an offer to leave school and go out on tour.

His heart racing,

“I told the agent, ‘Dude, I’ve got to finish this degree, but here’s my phone number,’” Shealy recollected. “He never called me. I probably could have jumped on that opportunity and might have done something sooner as a touring musician, but I guarantee you I would not have been responsible enough to survive the huge party scene that revolved around live bands in the ’80s.”

Instead, he started teaching high school band and elementary music classes in nearby Rockmart before accepting a graduate assistantship with the jazz band director at what was then West Georgia College.

Shealy later returned to Rome, working at a local music store where his duties included daily visits to school bandrooms across Northwest Georgia to handle instrument repair. Next came a foray into home theatre systems, leading to installation work in “huge houses” and high-profile locations across the metro area.

All the while, Shealy was playing gigs. A trio of friends grew into a five-piece band that played weddings in Atlanta. This led to a spot in The Rupert’s Orchestra, famed for its 3,000-song playlist (yes, he had to know them all). That experience coincided with the rise of MTV, and Rupert’s Nightclub was “high-dollar enough” to have projectors to sync video with the live music, so Shealy started doing some production for the orchestra.

Like so many other things in his life, he leveraged the experience at Rupert’s into further opportunity, creating his own production company, which in turn led to the break that ultimately landed him on stage with ARS.

Shealy had been hired to set up a rig for an all-star benefit in Atlanta when the planned keyboardist –Chuck Leavell of the Rolling Stones – was called to the West Coast to perform with John Mayer. Asked if he knew a piano player who could step in, Shealy volunteered, telling the harried producer: “I’m not stupid. If I don’t know something, I’ll just turn the volume down and grin until I catch up.”

Sharing the stage with Shealy at the benefit was Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artemis Pyle. He introduced Shealy to former ARS vocalist Andy Anderson, who was

forming an ARS tribute band named Champagne Jam (after one of the band’s most famous hits). That run of shows further increased Shealy's familiarity with the ARS musical catalog while also bringing him to the attention of his future bandmates, setting the scene for Justo’s call.

Lovin' this life

As a full-time ARS member, Shealy is now on the road for upwards of 50 tour dates a year. He travels light, often carrying little more than an overnight bag and a thumb drive loaded with all the files necessary to bring the sounds of ARS to life on any keyboard.

From outdoor festivals to “sold out nice-sized rooms,” the band is greeted by fans clad in vintage ARS t-shirts who are primed to hear the music they love. One show in Canada drew a roomful of supporters who’d driven more than two and a half hours just to be there.

“It’s great because people know the songs, and every now and then I can hear people singing louder than what I’m hearing on stage,” Shealy enthused. “I have great fun with it now and really appreciate it because it didn’t just fall in my lap.”

While he loves performing, Shealy also relishes the opportunity to hear longtime musicians reminisce during “the hang” as they often gather with members of Pure Prairie League, Orleans, Firefall and other popular bands of the era.

“We’ll go to the hotel lobby after a show and commandeer a big table, and the guys who have been around a long time tell their stories,” he raved.

“Rodney [Justo], for example, is a big celebrity in our realm because he was the leader of a band called The Candymen; they were Roy Orbison’s backup band and a precursor to ARS. When those guys talk, I just shut up and listen.”

Shealy’s incredible journey would be a great subject for a song. Then again, it’s entirely possible it’s already been written. Consider this line from the ARS hit “Georgia Rhythm,” released during his senior year of high school and still a fan favorite at gigs everywhere: “Lovin’ the life we’re livin’, Playin’ that Georgia rhythm.”

Backstory: Originating in 1970 as the house band”at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, ARS carved out its own unique niche in Southern rock while hitting the upper reaches of the charts in the late 1970s. Among many notable performances of that era, the band played on the White House lawn at the invitation of then-President Jimmy Carter.

Discography: 16 albums and several compilations, including "Champagne Jam" (1978), which was certified platinum with more than a million albums sold

Biggest Hits: "So Into You," "Champagne Jam," "Imaginary Lover," "Homesick"” and "Spooky"

Original membeRS: Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drums), J.R. Cobb (guitar)

Current lineup: Rodney Justo, Berry's own Lee Shealy (keyboard), David AndeRSon (guitar), Steve Stone (guitar), Justin Senker (bass), Rodger Stephan (drums)

Tour dates and more information: AtlantaRhythmSection.com

Creative vision, analytical thought and collaborative work are tools Tina Culver Kinsey (92C) relies on every day as she tackles duties that touch the lives of the 2.25 million people who travel through the fast-growing Asheville airport each year. But when Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, she was challenged to improvise in ways that tested her like never before. She responded with grit and resilience – traits that define the people of the mountain region she loves.

STORY BY DAWN TOLBERT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANT SANDERLIN

Kinsey has spent countless hours planning and practicing crisis response during her 15 years as an administrator at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in the mountains of North Carolina. Still, nothing could have prepared her for the sensation of being virtually cut off from the outside world when she and husband Geoff (92C) awoke Sept. 27, 2024, to the aftermath of the historic storm.

Neither the Kinseys nor their neighbors expected a major hurricane to wreak havoc in their mountain community, but Helene was no normal storm, roaring ashore with category 4 intensity in the “Big Bend” region of Florida before racing inland and delivering torrential rain and devastating winds to areas of Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas hundreds of miles from landfall.

That morning, the couple found themselves “living on an island,” with downed power lines

and trees on one side and the rising French Broad River on the other. Cell phone service was out; electricity soon followed. They only knew what they could see and felt blessed as the river crested before reaching their house and storm clouds gave way to blue skies.

“A slow awakening” to Helene’s immense impact was accompanied by a powerful realization that her longtime employer was now “the gateway to western North Carolina” in a very real sense, serving as a vital lifeline for a region and people suddenly accessible only by air. Kinsey immediately leapt into action trying to reach someone … anyone … so she could do her part to support recovery efforts in her role as chief administrative officer at the airport.

It would be 12 hours before she finally got a connection, calling from “a pocket of 5G” she found while hiking down the road. She was gratified to learn that the airport sustained only

minor damage, with operations overseen by a team of essential employees on site during the height of the storm.

Relieved, Kinsey turned her attention to getting communications up and running – a job that proved to be every bit as difficult as reaching her colleagues in the first place.

“We have well thought out, written plans, and we drill constantly,” she emphasized,” but when you wake up and can’t talk to anybody, put your eyes on the situation or get on the internet to see what has happened to your region – we had no idea! Do you really ever think the entire communication structure is going to collapse for your entire region? No. You don’t.

“We’re going to have one hell of a debrief after all of this.”

ADJUSTING ON THE FLY

Promoted in July 2024 to her current role on AVL’s four-person executive team, Kinsey’s chart of leadership responsibilities includes business and property development as well as marketing, public relations, customer service, information technology, human resources, administration and air service development. In the storm's wake, her immediate priorities were checking on employees, communicating with businesses that operate out of the airport, and disseminating information to passengers and the public.

All this was done from a makeshift “office” in her gray Nissan Pathfinder until floodwaters receded sufficiently for her to reach the airport –a process that took three days. Even when Kinsey could call out, few had cell phone service to answer. Unable to access the full suite of digital communications tools detailed in their crisis plans, she relied on the airport’s Facebook page to share updates.

With her former role of airport spokesperson as yet unfilled, she assumed that responsibility as well. Tackling her duties from the car, Kinsey eventually gained assistance from public information officers who rushed to AVL as part of mutual-aid agreements with sister airports from across the Carolinas and Tennessee and as far away as Cincinnati, Ohio, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Teams of experts in operations, maintenance, custodial work, emergency response and public safety also descended on the facility, rallying together to help keep the airport up and running at a time when Kinsey and her colleagues were balancing work with a tragedy intensely personal in scope.

“Normally, when you plan for a crisis at an airport, it’s all hands on deck,” she underscored, “but this crisis affected every employee AND the

entire region, their families, friends, homes, churches. Our team members needed to be able to focus on the crisis personally, and we are grateful for the visiting teams that worked with us for several weeks.”

Activity at AVL reached extraordinary levels at the height of hurricane response. On a typical busy day, the airport accommodates 300 flights. After Helene, that number soared to between 900 and 1,000 each day, among them helicopters, C-17s and other military aircraft; commercial flights; and general aviation aircraft carrying emergency supplies.

PLANS TO SOAR AGAIN

By late October, work at AVL began to return to a more familiar rhythm, though restoration and recovery efforts throughout the region will continue for much longer.

“Right now, from an air service perspective, the demand has just plummeted, and rightly so,” Kinsey expressed. “Community leaders are saying, ‘Don’t come. We’ve got to get our house back in order.’ That makes all the sense in the world, but as a businesswoman in the aviation industry, I’m already thinking about what our recovery looks like to get back to the momentum that we’ve had for so long.”

The airport’s momentum – like that of the region it serves – has been impressive. When Kinsey first became head of marketing, public relations and air service development in 2010, AVL served 700,000 passengers per year. As of 2023, that number had surged by more than 221% to 2.25 million.

For years, Kinsey and her peers have worked hard to anticipate and surpass demand for the fast-growing region. The four-county Asheville metropolitan area is home to approximately

450,000 residents, and in 2023 the largest of those counties attracted 12 million visitors. The area also has seen an influx of bleisure travel by individuals who choose to come to the scenic mountain community for extended stays combining pleasure and remote work.

To meet future growth projections, AVL is building a new concourse – 150% larger than the existing airport – that will accommodate up to 4 million passengers annually. Beyond that, plans are already in development for additional future expansions.

“It’s quite a puzzle to put all of that together in our landlocked mountain setting,” Kinsey explained. “The decisions we are making will impact this community for decades. My grandkids are going to fly out of this airport that I had the privilege to sit with the team and help dream about, design and bring to fruition.”

GEARING UP FOR THE JOURNEY

The flexibility required by Helene, as well as Kinsey’s ability to think strategically and thrive within a collaborative environment, showcase creativity and analytical skills first glimpsed as a Berry student majoring in speech communication and minoring in business administration.

“There’s a strong part of my brain that is geared toward business and analytics,” she stated. “Berry was a wonderful place to transition from being a dependent teenager to becoming an independent thinker. There was a focus on teaching me to think, question, and analyze and to realize that it is okay to be a little bit uncomfortable when I don’t understand everything.”

An internship she found by “pulling out the big fat phone book to flip through the yellow pages” enabled Kinsey to put those skills in action in the world of corporate public relations. That summer opportunity at Northeast Georgia Medical Center translated into a full-time job post-graduation that she held until relocating to Colorado for graduate school. While earning a master’s degree in speech rhetoric, she had every intention of beginning a career in academia and following in the footsteps of her Berry mentor, speech communication professor Dan Panici (FFS). Then a different path took shape.

“The analytical side of my brain told me I needed to go out and use the training I’d gotten in the business world before I thought about entering academia,” Kinsey recollected. “Here I am 30 years later still doing that.”

PLOTTING A DESTINATION

Though they attended the same high school in Cumming, Georgia, she and Geoff actually met in the shadow of Berry’s Lavender Mountain. Both share a love for the outdoors and declared themselves “mountain people” while trekking through the Rockies and later settling in North

“The decisions we are making will impact this community for decades. My grandkids are going to fly out of this airport that I had the privilege to sit with the team and help dream about, design and bring to fruition.”

Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Free time included hiking, whitewater kayaking and generally soaking up the natural beauty of the region they chose as their home.

Professionally, Kinsey returned to health care public relations and marketing at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, earning a promotion after five years to vice president of business development. Responsibilities included leading multiple initiatives, starting new service lines, and working with colleagues on financial projections and planning.

As her responsibilities grew, the mother of four felt the need to transition into a role providing opportunities for greater work-life balance. A chance conversation with a colleague she knew through a regional professional organization – just a tiny blip on life’s radar – revealed new horizons. Answering with a firm, “I think so,” when asked if she was serious about trying something new, Kinsey was introduced to the executive director of the Asheville airport, who had spent months trying to find just the right person to fill an opening there.

“Two weeks later, there I was, giving my notice and taking a huge leap into a new industry,” she marveled. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

FLYING FORWARD

While working in aviation was not a route Kinsey would have charted for herself, she finds joy in being part of “a cool fraternity of people who just get it.”

She added, “We joke that when you work in aviation jet fuel gets in your blood, and it’s true. It’s a roll up your sleeves and get it done kind of industry, which I really jive with. We all have the capacity to find challenge and joy in many paths; it’s the choices you make along the way that open different doors. Would I have ever thought that I would be doing this at an airport? No! But I’m so glad that I am.

“I think that’s one of the benefits of a strong liberal arts education: you develop openness, a creative mind, and the ability to navigate lots of scenarios and tailor your skills to various situations. Truly, that has been my journey.”

Looking back on the shared experience of Hurricane Helene, Kinsey draws inspiration from the spirit of her colleagues and the strength demonstrated by her mountain neighbors.

“I saw the best in the team here,” she declared. “Their dedication and determination, grit and tireless work made me want to do better, to dig deeper. On a personal level, we were fortunate. Our kids are fine. We had minor damage, but right

down the road, good friends of ours lost their home; they are now living with us. There was a lot of death. We wonder, ‘Why were we fortunate and others lost their homes or loved ones?’

“The thing about the people in this area is everybody was out helping their neighbors, cutting trees, cleaning up, and checking on each other,” Kinsey added in awe.

The experience has left a lasting impact.

“I’m a different person than I was before,” she reflected. “And that is because I have been a part of something much bigger than just me, much bigger than the airport. It’s sobering and still raw. I’ve really seen that these mountain people have got some grit.”

Editor’s Note: Work on this story was well underway when Helene struck. Tina was kind enough to make time for an additional interview in the midst of recovery efforts. We’re grateful to have this opportunity to share news of her career accomplishments, as well as her experiences during and after the storm. In doing so, we also extend best wishes for comfort, healing and restoration to all those affected by the devastation, including many in our Berry family.

The remarkable generosity of Berry alumni and friends never ceases to inspire. On these pages, we are pleased to highlight ways in which our benefactors choose to make a difference. We also gratefully acknowledge those whose leadership gifts, pledges and realized planned gifts of $25,000 or more were received between March 1 and Sept. 30, 2024.

Elsewhere in this issue, you will find the names of those whose annual support exceeded $1,000 (or equivalent for young alumni) for the most recent giving year. Recognition of the 2023-24 Martha Berry Society begins on page 36. These supporters have our sincere thanks, as do ALL who seek to empower students with gifts of any size. YOU make Berry dreams come true!

OPPORTUNITY

Impart wisdom, share gifts, improve lives

Anonymous, $2.5 million for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

Randy and Nancy Berry, $657,500, including $607,500 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility and $25,000 each for the Tim and Mary A. Page Endowed Scholarship and the Wyatt Young McDaniel III Memorial Endowed Scholarship by Sandra Koedyker (67C) McDaniel, both part of the Griswell Scholarship Program

Brad and Kimberly Bushnell, $25,000 for the MorganBailey Hall health sciences facility

Steve Cage (74C), $333,333 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

Mike (92C) and Margaret Crego, $25,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

Brandi Calhoun Diamond (93C), $25,000 for the Save a Student Scholarship Pooled Endowment Fund

Nell Warren and William S. Elkin Foundation, $75,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

Francy Jessup Geiger (78C), $25,000 for the MorganBailey Hall health sciences facility

Georgia Independent College Association, $35,821 for the general fund

Lee Jones Lance (53C), $53,000 for a charitable gift annuity that ultimately will support Berry’s greatest need

Roger (79C) and Candy Caudill (82c) Lusby, $70,000, including $44,000 for the Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Lusby III Hank Aaron Scholarship and $26,000 for the Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Lusby III Scholarship

Joe (99C) and Nicole Mareno, $25,000 for the MorganBailey Hall health sciences facility

Sandra Koedyker McDaniel (67C), $25,000 for the Wyatt Young McDaniel III Memorial Endowed Scholarship by Sandra Koedyker (67C) McDaniel, part of the Griswell Scholarship Program

Tim McIlrath (98C), $25,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, $40,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Junior Membership Committee, $31,000, including $16,000 for the NSDAR Juniors Expendable Gate of Opportunity Scholarship, $10,000 for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) Endowed Fund, and $5,000 for the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program

Mary A. Page, $25,000 for the Tim and Mary A. Page Endowed Scholarship, part of the Griswell Scholarship Program

Brent (88C) and Georgia Ragsdale, $250,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

Rebecca Underwood Sewell (55C), $99,893 for a charitable gift annuity that ultimately will establish the Class of 1955C Endowed Gate of Opportunity Scholarship

William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, $25,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

H. Oliver Welch (52H, 56c), $50,000 for the H. Oliver and Patricia Welch Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Alex Whitaker-Lea (10C), $25,000 for the MorganBailey Hall health sciences facility

James M. Williams Jr. Family Foundation, $100,000 for the Morgan-Bailey Hall health sciences facility

WinShape Foundation, $292,128, with $200,000 for the WinShape Scholarship, $79,628 for the WinShape Founder’s Scholarship and $12,500 for the WinShape Appeals Fund

Will Wright (01c), $50,000 for the William B. Wright Endowed Scholarship

REALIZED BEQUESTS

Estate of Helen Drummond, $31,333 unrestricted

Estate of H. Wayne Stevenson, $800,000 for the Class of 1960C Gate of Opportunity Scholarship

Generosity born of experience

John Hinman (72C) understands a thing or two about working hard to overcome adversity. He also knows well the life-changing power of an immediate helping hand.

With memories of his own difficult childhood as motivation, Hinman has stepped forward with Dr. Kathryn Grams, his nurse-educator wife, to fund six Berry scholarships offering immediate assistance to students who need it.

Hinman was only 5 when his father died, leaving him, his mother and two younger sisters to run the family farm. It was too much. With no other option, his mother moved her shattered family in with her mother, then later into a housing project where she struggled to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Knowing his “average” grades wouldn’t earn him a college scholarship, Hinman worked at McDonald’s during his teens, hoping to save enough to take an evening class at a two-year college while living at home. Those plans were revised when a relative told him about several family members who’d worked their way through Berry. With

a flicker of hope, Hinman applied, leading to what he now calls “a Hallmark moment.”

“I opened the mailbox, and there was a fat envelope inside from Berry College,” Hinman recalled, awe and gratitude ringing in his voice. “I had not only been accepted, but Berry had also put together a financial aid package that would allow me to enroll. It was life changing.”

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Berry and a master’s degree in humanistic psychology from what is today the University of West Georgia before launching a successful career in real estate.

Now retired to The Spires at Berry College, he and Grams are frequent campus visitors. One of his favorite destinations is Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum, where he worked as a student and now volunteers as a docent.

Inspired by Hinman’s life experience and Grams’ desire to help future nurses, the couple currently supports two Gate of Opportunity Scholarships enabling students to work their way through Berry, two Griswell Scholarships for students who already have overcome adversity in their young lives, and two scholarships for nursing students.

All are designated as immediate use, meaning the funds given by Hinman and Grams are fully expended in the year they are awarded. This enables them to make a difference right away rather than waiting until their gifts build to endowment, at which time investment earnings are spun off annually to fund scholarships. Both types of aid are critical to Berry’s ability to support students now and in the future.

“We hope our scholarship recipients will realize that someone cares enough about them to help fund their education, just like someone I never met cared about me,” Hinman declared. “That way, they can focus on their personal development, academics and skill-building – all the things that will allow them to create a meaningful life.”

If you have questions about scholarship giving, please contact Scott Breithaupt (91C, 96G) at sbreithaupt@berry.edu or 706-346-0049.

Baseball alums remember one of their own

David Cloud (95C) cherished his four years as starting catcher for the Berry baseball team, so it’s only fitting that his name be associated with a place that was close to his heart – Bowdoin Field.

Thanks to the generous support of family, friends, teammates and colleagues, baseball alumni now have their own place to gather, reconnect and cheer on current Vikings – the “Cloud 9” viewing deck in right field. Sporting David’s name and jersey number, it was built to commemorate what would have been his 50th birthday. He died in 2023.

“David was so proud of the years he played for Berry,” Heather Taylor Cloud (97C) said of her late husband. “He felt Berry set him up for success in life.”

Succeed he did, maximizing the value of his Berry business management degree during 25 years with the Aflac supplemental insurance company.

Shortly after David’s death, Heather and youngest son Aiden (26c) came to David Beasley, Berry’s associate athletic director and head baseball coach, expressing a desire to create a memorial. Beasley knew just what to suggest. The resulting effort raised funds and brought former teammates together.

“It’s been very meaningful to see everyone support this project and the many baseball alumni reconnecting through it,” Heather said.

While the Mountain Day dedication was emotional for all involved, Beasley said it provided “a wonderful opportunity to honor one of our own who left us way too early.” Reflecting on Bowdoin Field’s latest addition, he added, “The deck is a great place for baseball alumni to gather and support the team.”

David would no doubt approve.

Sam Ratcliffe (76C, 78G)

Pictured from left at the Cloud 9 dedication are Berry Director of Athletics Angel Mason, Jason Richardson (94C), Coach David Beasley, Freddie Villacci (94C), Heather Taylor Cloud (97C) and President Steve Briggs. Richardson and Villacci were among David Cloud’s teammates at Berry.

Outstanding!

Distinguished Achievement Outstanding Young Alumni

(00C)

Inspired by a persuasive speech researched and delivered while at Berry, Dan Alban has become a champion for others as a constitutional litigator at the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm representing individuals whose rights have been violated by local, state or federal government. The cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School specializes in litigating challenges to violations of economic liberty and property rights, including civil forfeiture (the aforementioned speech topic), eminent domain abuse and occupational licensing regulations. He also co-directs the institute’s National Initiative to End Forfeiture Abuse. Dan has shared his expertise in testimony before Congress and through print and electronic media including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, FoxNews.com, CNBC and CSPAN.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

With determination and work-ethic learned from his seven siblings and a love of entrepreneurism instilled at Berry, Leroy Hite stoked the embers of what was intended to be a side hustle into one of Atlanta’s fastest growing businesses, boasting 600% revenue growth in four years. Renowned for high-quality products and whiteglove service, Cutting Edge Firewood reshaped an entire industry with innovation and a deep commitment to craft, boasting a nationwide customer base, celebrity fans and a robust media presence by the time the company was sold in fall 2024. Leroy is excited to begin his next adventure, which makes us think previous 40-under-40 recognition by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Best Self Atlanta Magazine is only the beginning for this red-hot entrepreneur.

JOSH ETRESS (09C)

Josh Etress strives to live out Berry’s motto through his life and career. As chief operating officer of Anchor Investments, he is passionate about building “America’s Most Generous Real Estate Company.” The Mission Hotels brand, for example, directs the majority of its profits to aid those experiencing homelessness, aiming to provide one million meals, beds and showers by 2028. Under Josh’s guidance, Anchor has earned “Best Places to Work” recognition from the Nashville Business Journal. He has won additional acclaim as a “Rising Star in Technology” and “Best Real Estate Investment Expert.” Active in the community and on LinkedIn, the devoted husband and father of four mentors young professionals seeking guidance and growth. He is thankful for Berry’s impact on his life and desire to serve others.

Distinguished Service

JEN WELCH (08C)

Experience as a Berry Bonner Scholar spurred a self-described “lifestyle of service” for Jen Welch, including two terms with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, eight years as AmeriCorps program director at Clayton State University and, most recently, several different leadership roles with Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity, east of Atlanta. Starting as volunteer coordinator in 2018, Jen has helped the Habitat affiliate achieve impressive growth in annual new home builds and total households supported. Now serving as deputy executive director, her contributions include development of a successful grant proposal resulting in $3 million in funding for plumbing- and septicrelated repairs benefiting more than 750 families. Under her leadership, the organization also received the Georgia Affiliate Hammer Time Repair Award.

Visit alwaysberry.com/awards for more on our winners and to submit nominations for future consideration.

LEROY HITE (08C)

NEWS FROM YOU

CLASS KEY

Names are followed by a number and letter indicating Berry status.

Uppercase letters denote graduates; lowercase letters denote attended/ attending and anticipated year of graduation:

FAMILY (AND) MEDICINE

As a young internist, Dr. Robert Holcombe (76A, 79C) found that he loved his work but missed his family. Providence had an answer.

“I can remember coming home one evening and my beeper went off just as we were sitting down for dinner,” he related. “My oldest daughter, who was 3 years old at the time, started crying. I prayed that night, and I thanked God for giving me a career in something I wanted to do, but I also asked Him to show me if there was anything else He wanted me to do that would give me more time with my family.”

The next day, Robert learned of an opening at the Emergency Care Center operated by Floyd Medical Center (now Atrium Health Floyd) in Rome. That opportunity, followed by another three years later in urgent care, enabled him to spend the next three-plus decades serving families in the local community without the additional pressures of managing his own practice – all to the benefit of his beloved wife, children and (eventually) grandchildren.

“Years ago, I was told if you find something that you enjoy doing you will never have to work a day in your life,” he stated. “I can honestly say that has been true for me over all these years. I got up each morning looking forward to having the privilege of being able to take care of patients.”

Robert retired last August to high praise by Atrium Health Floyd leadership, affirming that the path he chose all those years ago was the right one.

“Dr. Holcombe’s calm and steady leadership has been a blessing in the fast-paced urgent care environment, and never more so than during the COVID pandemic,” said Matt Gorman, vice president of corporate and network services. “When other clinics were closing, he ensured that Floyd Urgent Care remained open for the community. Speaking for everyone on our team, we’ll miss him and wish him the best in his retirement!”

Bravo, Robert! You’ve made Berry proud!

Information and photo courtesy of Atrium Health Floyd

1960s

Dr. Natholyn Dalton Harris (61C) is proud to report that Martha Berry occupies a place of prominence at Popes Museum in her home community of Grady County, Georgia. A recent addition to the National Register of Historic Places, the museum was home to Laura Pope Forester, a noted folk artist who – like Martha – was recognized by Georgia Women of Achievement. Her creations in various mediums are featured throughout the property, many honoring accomplished women of her era. Martha’s bust is located in the area curator Michelle Dean describes as the “front gate,” accompanied by the likes of General Douglas MacArthur and Queen Elizabeth (mother to Elizabeth II). Natholyn, a retired Florida State University professor and past recipient of the Berry Alumni Council’s Distinguished Achievement Award, lives close by in Tallahassee, Florida.

Janis McGee Johnson (69c) is proud to be counted among the first graduates of the Berry College-affiliated Floyd School of Nursing, active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She hopes that more alums of that program will become active in the Berry Alumni Association.

Send your news to us online at alwaysberry.com/classnotes or email classnotes@berry.edu . Submissions are subject to editing. Photos of sufficient quality will be used at the discretion of the magazine staff. News in this issue was received April 1 to Oct. 15, 2024.

1970s

Gladys Shutters Andrews (71C) has been retired for 17 years from the Dougherty County Schools in Albany, Georgia, where she started as an audiologist and later became a classroom teacher for the hearing impaired. Gladys and husband Chuck celebrated 39 years of marriage in November 2024. She added that she “was blessed to be able to join in Alumni Work Week in the past.”

Dr. John W. Smith (76C) was the commencement speaker for both graduation ceremonies at the University of South Alabama in spring 2024. He retired in 2022 after a 46-year career in higher education administration, including three stints as interim president –once at the University of Central Arkansas and twice at South Alabama. John and wife Jeanne Williams Smith (80C) now live in Dawsonville, Georgia.

1980s

The Rev. Randall Hardy (80C) retired in 2023 and is living in his hometown of Jackson,

Georgia, near family. He exclaimed: “I would love to hear from my Berry friends and classmates!”

Dr. Mike Franklin (81C) has retired after 41 wonderful years as a teacher and school administrator.

Greg Hanthorn (82C) has started a new career “following wife Judy Cash Hanthorn (85C) around the house and making process improvement suggestions” after concluding nearly 40 years of law practice with his retirement from Jones Day. He reports that “Judy remains sane (so far)” while noting his continued involvement in law-adjacent leadership positions within the Judge Clarence Cooper Inn of Court, American Law Institute and American Bar Association.

Dunn Neugebauer (82C) recently published his eighth book, Races, Paces, and Faces, featuring more than 50 essays about running and life. Dunn is in his 21st year at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, where he serves as sports information director, Upper School substitute teacher, cross country and track coach, and football announcer.

Kathryn Dugger Nobles (82C, FS) is in her 35th year of “bringing the joy of music to Northwest Georgia families” through work as director of Kindermusik of Berry College, which in 2024 was recognized as a “top program” by Kindermusik International. Together with Wendy Grace Williams (82C, 90G), Kay Bratton (FS) and Katrina Meehan (FS), Kathryn serves more than 200 families each year, proudly declaring Kindermusik to be “the front door to Berry College for families beginning their educational journey through music.”

Brock

Products

ROME TO ROME

after 10 years as president and chief executive officer. His 41 years in the animal nutrition industry also include 31 years at Purina Animal Nutrition. Rob and wife Amber are relocating from Houston, Texas, to Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Marcia Rary McConnell (83C, FS) has earned national accreditation as a certified financial aid administrator from the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators. She is director of new student financial aid at Berry.

Karen Kelley Carter (87C) is pleased to share news of her early retirement after 33 years with Kaiser Permanente. She lives in Snellville, Georgia.

Jeffrey Horn (87C) recently celebrated 10 years at the U.S. Coast Guard. During that time, he has served as deputy chief economist for the armed services branch of the Department of Homeland Security.

R. Jack Kennington (88C) has served 15 years as a hospice chaplain and certified grief support specialist, including 12 with Compassus in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Treasuring his time as a Berry and WinShape student, he stays in contact with many friends, including his mentors, the Rev. Bob Skelton, Terri Sidaras White (84C) and Rick Johnson. A former Chickfil-A owner-operator, Jack opened Rome’s first Chick-fil-A location in 1989 in Riverbend Mall. He now lives in Tullahoma with wife LeAndra. He has three adult children, all living in Georgia, and three adult stepchildren. And then there are the grandchildren he describes as his “real joy.” The ordained minister is a faithful member

Stephanie Talbott Fleming (80C), Susan Leavitt Poirier (80c), Pat Von Hillebrandt Bennett (80C) and Janice Hughes Severence (80c) were students at Berry when they first dreamed of forging their very own Appian Way leading from Rome, Georgia, to its more famous Italian namesake some 5,000 miles away.

That hope endured in the decades after college as the East Mary foursome remained close, taking care to nurture their friendship while navigating personal touchstones such as marriage, children and jobs. Periodic trips brought them together from homes up and down the East Coast for bonding experiences in such locales as Savannah, Atlanta, the North Georgia mountains and Florida, but nothing as ambitious as the trip they’d imagined in college.

In fall 2023, the long-held dream finally became a reality when Stephanie, Susan and Pat hopped a jet bound for the home of the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain (their first destination upon landing). Janice wasn’t able to make the trip, but her presence most certainly was felt as the trio celebrated the ties that have bound them together since Berry.

Over the course of a fun-filled, six-day, bucket-list journey, the women walked the Spanish steps, toured Montepulciano in Tuscany, took a cooking class, and feasted on authentic Italian cuisine at a family dinner hosted by a friend of Pat.

“There was a sense of adventure around every corner,” Stephanie recalled gleefully. “We got a taste of the culture, the food and the life there. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful country together and to fulfill our dream of connecting our friendship from Rome to Rome.”

of Grace Baptist Church in Tullahoma, where he steps in as needed to preach, conduct weddings and funerals, and lead grief groups.

1990s

Allen London (91C) was elected in February 2024 to serve a four-year term on the board of trustees for Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, where he earned an associate’s degree in 1989.

Janna Redding Leff (92C) took the leap from corporate America to successful small business owner in 2020 as founder of Healthy Vending Options Inc. “Yes, THAT 2020!” she exclaimed, alluding to the many challenges posed by that difficult year. “We kept the faith and thrived, offering our high-tech, no-touch, customizable combo machines!” Janna credits Berry with encouraging her entrepreneurial spirit; can-do attitude; and strong Christian foundation for work, life and service – citing participation in such transformational experiences as Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR) and the work program.

Rob

(83C) has retired from Westway Feed

Patrick Carter (91C) is the new store manager at Dillard’s in Panama City, Florida.

Top: Berry friends (from left) Janice Hughes Severence, Stephanie Talbott Fleming, Pat Von Hillebrandt Bennett and Susan Leavitt Poirier dreamed of making the trek from Rome, Georgia, to Rome, Italy. In 2023, the longawaited dream came true for Stephanie, Pat and Susan (pictured at left at the famed Trevi Fountain).

Larry D. Arrington Jr. (93C, FFS) was honored to receive the President’s Award from Aaron Chastain (15C) during Berry’s Alumni Council meeting in February 2024. Larry currently serves as secretary on the council’s Executive Committee.

Dr. Brian Ridley (93C) was “humbled” to be tapped as a 2024 President’s Award recipient by the Georgia School Superintendents Association. In a social media post first shared with us by Professor of Music Emeritus Stan Pethel (FFS), Brian was quick to credit board members, colleagues and community leaders in Gilmer

County (where he serves as superintendent), stating, “This award recognizes all of our work on behalf of the students … Go Bobcats!”

Leigha Young Burnham (94C) was one of 10 finalists for 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year. She represented the Chattooga County Schools.

Col. Patty Bacon Klop (94C) has retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserves after 30 years of service, including combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

‘SWIFTIE’ HISTORY

When Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to London’s famed Wembley Stadium last August, Alison Lounsbury Ritter (94C), left; Brandi Calhoun Diamond (93C), center; and Betsy Kays Bottomley (94C) did their best to represent Berry. Alas, security protocols prevented their “Berry Era” banner from making it inside, but we still applaud the effort!

Danielle Dorling White (97C) is a new partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers focusing on technologydriven human resource transformations for a global client base. She lives in Maryville, Tennessee, with husband Chris and son Xander.

Dr. Jeffrey Blackmon (98C) was awarded the title of “Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians” during the annual Oregon Scientific Assembly in Portland. This recognition honors Jeffrey’s lifetime of achievement and service to his community and the profession of family medicine.

Lest you assume music and spectacle was their sole motivation, Brandi reports that the trip actually sprang from a course she teaches as part of her Sanctuary Groups ministry examining how the lives of Henry VIII and others influenced the separation of church and state in the U.S. With that rather heady topic as their inspiration, the Berry trio spent several days touring the historic city, joined by one of Brandi’s high school friends. It was only afterward that Swift (literally) took center stage.

“That was our last night in London – and boy was it a great one!” Brandi exclaimed. “We felt very much in our ‘Berry Era!’”

Nathan Clackum (98C) is happy to announce that he has joined Impact Ag Partners’ U.S. team as a financial analyst, supporting the organization’s efforts to “accelerate the transition to a nature positive future.” Founded in 2010, the Australia-based agricultural investment and development firm reports on its website that it “has transformed over 600,000 acres across two continents using regenerative farming practices and other nature-based solutions that optimize food and fiber production, while protecting the land’s ability to support future generations.”

Dr. Stacie Clark Petter (99C) has a new role as inaugural associate provost for faculty affairs at Wake Forest University. As of July 1, 2024, she also added the title of Peter C. Brockway Endowed Chair of Strategic Management to her role as professor of management information systems in Wake Forest’s School of Business.

2000s

Michael Dechane (00C) returned to Berry in February 2025 to read selections from his debut collection of poetry, The Long Invisible (Wildhouse Publishing, 2024). In this work, Michael seeks to illuminate the changes in our lives brought about by profound upheaval or

loss. He was excited to reconnect with friends from his Berry days at his reading and is looking forward to his 25th reunion in the fall.

Dr. James “Jim” Moore Jr. (00C, 04G) has earned a Ph.D. in community college leadership at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Angela Harper Baron (02C) opened a third Sylvan Learning Center location in August 2024, this time a satellite center in Adairsville, Georgia.

Tara Bickel Amos (03C) is the newly promoted education chair for the Porsche Care Network, the community service organization for Porsche Cars North America. Responsibilities include offering grants to innovative local students and educational nonprofits, volunteering in local elementary schools, tutoring students, speaking at Career Days and sharing the Porsche dream.

Susie Williams Ivy (03C, 06G) is the new executive communications lead in the Office of the President at Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Tina M. Locklear (03G) retired in May 2024 after 30 years in secondary education. She started her career as a science teacher in 1995 at Rome High School. In 2012, she relocated to Central Georgia,

teaching at Howard High School in Macon, Warner Robins High School and Perry High School. As a retiree, Tina is excited to indulge her love of the outdoors and spend time with her loving husband, Tony Blansit.

Zuly Diaz Clark (04C) and husband Jon welcomed son Joshua via adoption on July 8, 2024.

Dr. Doug Malcolm (04C) earned a doctorate in information technology from Middle Georgia State University in May 2024. He’s now in a tenure-track position at the university, serving as assistant professor of information technology.

Monica Whitfield (05c) is Georgia business development specialist for Family Savings Credit Union, handling marketing for all six branches within the state.

Adam Massey (06C) moved to Lakeland, Florida, in 2023 after taking a controller position with Straight-Line.

Tye Hamilton Clifford (07C) is founder of a microschool in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, now in its second year. Previously, she spent four years as an assistant principal with KIPP Team and Family in both New Jersey and Miami. Tye also has launched a travel company called Voyage Noire, emphasizing countries and communities reflective of the African Diaspora.

Laura Craft (07C) welcomed son Ethan Laine Villavicencio on March 9, 2024.

Amanda Adams Winstead (07C) and husband Ben announce the birth of third son Luke on May 21, 2024. Big brothers Parker and Jacob were thrilled by the new arrival.

Stephanie Marbut Alexander (08C) married John Alexander on March 23, 2024, at Sparrow Grove Manor in Monroe, Georgia. The couple resides in Ninety Six, South Carolina.

ALL-AMERICA CITY (AND MAYOR)

Brian Brodrick (97C) is no stranger to All-America recognition, earning that distinction in the classroom and as a distance runner while at Berry. Still, no amount of familiarity with the title could lessen his excitement when his hometown of Watkinsville, Georgia, was named an All-America City last summer.

Brian, a city council member for two decades and mayor since 2021, exulted with other local residents in attendance for the official announcement in Denver, which climaxed a rigorous application and presentation process.

Watkinsville earned the coveted honor from the National Civic League with a rallying cry of “Small town, big story!” accentuating ways in which city leaders have utilized creative partnerships to enhance quality of life without overstressing their limited budget.

The community was praised for emphasizing public input, conserving surrounding resources, and creating “miracles” and “possibilities” for its 3,000 residents, with examples ranging from a newly renovated historic ballfield and a beautifully preserved 100-acre greenspace to a fully accessible playground made possible through collaboration with Extra Special People (ESP), a social services organization now expanding into Rome.

So now Watkinsville is an All-America City with a Berry All-American as its mayor. Has a nice ring, don’t you think?

Dr. Deana McDougall (08C) said that “after much persistence and a circuitous journey” she has started a residency in family medicine at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Laura Means (09C) and Josh Kiker were married on June 29, 2024, with Josh’s daughters Millie (9) and Mary Wells (6) serving as flower girls.

Tricia Steele (09C) graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 2024 with a Master of Arts degree in science writing.

Lindsey Haines Strippelhoff (09C) and husband Cade Strippelhoff (09C) thank God for the gift of son Joshua, born July 27, 2024. Siblings Caleb, Lilly and Claire were excited to welcome their little brother.

2010s

Brock Anderson (10C) and wife Courtney celebrated the birth of third son Archer John on April 23, 2024, much to the delight of brothers Aiden (4) and Asher (5). In the fall, the family moved into a new home in Ball Ground, Georgia.

Weston Burleson (10C) was recognized by James Magazine as the No. 1 “Rising Star” among Georgia lobbyists in 2024. Weston and his team at Freeman Mathis Decisions also topped the list of “Law Firm Affiliated Governmental Affairs Firms” in that same issue.

Jacque Smith Clarke (10C) and Thomas Clarke (10C, 13G) welcomed son Calvin Thomas in April 2024.

Sara Hohnadel Fowler (10C) published her first illustrated children’s book, Castle of Knots, on Sept. 1, 2024. Available on Amazon, the book’s text follows the exploits of a knight battling through brambles, tangled weeds and underbrush to save a princess, while the illustrations depict a mother and daughter struggling with a case of bedhead before school.

Sara proudly described her new work as “a perfect read-aloud for families and educators of young children.”

Ashley Justice Gordon (10C) has been named Georgia Library Media Association Library Media Specialist of the Year for the Middle Georgia region in recognition of her work in the Houston County School District.

Emily Evans Moss (10C) and Brentson Moss were married at First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven, Florida, on April 13, 2024, and now live in

FIRST LADY

Panama City. Two of Emily’s “best gals” – Elizabeth Wilson McGuire (10C) and Christie Cambron (10C) – joined them in the wedding party. Other friends and family in attendance included Tim Martin (10C) and his wife, Katie Spruell Martin (11C); and Sarah Beth Myers Jaume (10C) and her husband, Charles. Emily also added a shout-out to John Kronenberger (10C) and his wife, Elise, who planned to attend but couldn’t due to field research being conducted in Montana.

Dr. Jessica Nguyen (10C) started a new role as university relations manager with GE Appliances in March 2024. She is also in her second year as a member of the Berry Alumni Council.

Megan Jones Nowicki (10C) is a newly promoted partner at the ShuffieldLowman law firm in Orlando, Florida. The 2024 Super Lawyers “Rising Star” leads the firm’s labor and employment practice, advising on all matters stemming from or related to the workplace. In her LinkedIn announcement, Megan said that her journey “is a testament and reflection” of her mentors, among them the late Dr. Peter A. Lawler (FFS). She characterized the Berry legend as “an intellectual giant with the kindest and humblest demeanor,” crediting him with directing her to Valparaiso University for law school. In subsequent correspondence, she voiced appreciation for two other Berry mentors, Dr. Eric Sands (FS) and Dr. Matthew Stanard (FS), praising them as “professionals that I hold in the highest regard and respect.”

Vessels and Shade and Soil. Learn more at www.ethosband.com.

Stewart Burton

, husband Eric and son Maxwell celebrated the birth of Evelyn Layne on June 5, 2023. Evey is the second grandchild of Layne Banks Stewart (82C) and niece of Rebecca Stewart (14C). The Burtons live in Rome, where Evey already loves time spent at Berry.

Christine Clolinger (11C) and husband Benjamin Murray (09c) are pleased to announce the birth of son Adam James on June 14, 2024.

After 27 years as a classroom teacher, Wendy Leigh (97G) finds herself in a familiar setting but a very different role as “first lady” at an institution that has been part of her life since childhood –Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, where husband Anthony is the newly appointed president.

A Berry Master of Education alum, Wendy grew up near the college, even attending junior high in a facility that is today part of the campus. After teaching in Gordon County, Georgia, from 1995 to 1999, she returned home as an educator in the local public school system. She continued to serve in that capacity after Anthony became a Huntingdon administrator in 2009, eventually concluding her classroom service in 2022.

As she settles into her new role, Wendy is exploring ways in which to leverage her prior experience to the benefit of Huntingdon students.

“I have already been chatting with the faculty in the College of Education, and we have identified several opportunities that will allow me to support both the students and professors,” she stated in an article posted on the Huntingdon website.

In addition, Wendy remains active in church, volunteers at daughter Carey Mae’s school and serves with several nonprofits including Embrace AL Kids and the Junior League of Montgomery.

Tribb Robison (10C) and wife

Teresa Pieklik Robison (10C) welcomed second child Eleanor Marie on March 22, 2024. Nora is the great-granddaughter of the late Dr. William H. Robison (80C, 82G, FFS), longtime Berry professor of music. Befitting his musical roots, Tribb is the drummer for Ethos, a band whose sound combines rock and metal with the sophistication of classically inspired motifs. The group recently released a new EP: An Eye for An Eye. Earlier works include two albums:

Dr. Amy Poe (11C) started her new job as a faculty member at the University of Arkansas in August 2024. Serving as assistant professor of cell and molecular biology in the Department of Biological Sciences, Amy teaches classes and runs a research lab focused on the development of rhythmic behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster (commonly known as the fruit fly).

Rachel

(11C)

Krys Alex Photography

COOL GIG!

Jess Hinshaw (01C) is “obsessed” with music and passionate about the visual arts, so it’s only fitting that he has found success in a career he describes as “the perfect marriage of the two things I love.”

As owner of the Upright Press screen-printing shop in Columbus, Ohio, Jess utilizes skills learned in high school and honed at Berry to create eye-popping promotional items for clients nationwide. He specializes in concert posters, reflecting the inspiration he felt as a high school student first seeing the work of artist Derek Hess in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine.

At Berry, Jess studied under legendary educators whose names are familiar to decades of art alumni who have passed through the doors of the Moon Building: Professor Emeritus Tommy Mew (FFS), the late Associate Professor Emeritus Jere Lykins (FFS), Brad Adams (FS) and Dr. Virginia Gardner Troy (FS) Jess attended graduate school at Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he gained valuable experience interning at Danger Press and working for Ingram Screen Print, which at the time handled the majority of the posters produced for Methane Studios. He later spent five years in Korea, during which time he hatched the idea of opening his own shop – ultimately leading to the establishment of Upright Press.

Dr. Anna Nelson Bennett (12C) has embarked on a new role as assistant professor in the history of early modern Europe and the world at Hollins University. The women’s liberal arts college is located in Roanoke, Virginia, where Anna lives with husband Brady Bennett (10C)

Dr. Emma Schmidt Johnson (12C) and husband Steven are pleased to introduce daughter Kathleen, born March 9, 2024.

Amelia Todd Wierda (12C) married Wander Wierda on July 27, 2024, in the Netherlands, where they reside.

Cory Wright (12C) and Bell Izmaylova Wright (12C) welcomed baby Anastasia Marie on Sept. 4, 2024.

Dr. Alyssa Hollingsworth (13C) proudly reports that she is

“We work with merch companies and artists all over the country,” Jess described. “We’ve printed for Van Morrison, Dave Matthews, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Wilco, Ween, My Morning Jacket, and many more. We even printed for Charles Schultz (Peanuts!). We also print merch for a lot of local breweries and artists. Finding specialty paper, perfecting how inks interact on the paper, and getting registration just right is what we strive for.”

You can see examples of Jess’ work in the accompanying photo. For others, visit @uprightpress on Instagram.

the owner of a fancy new hat signifying completion of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in creative writing from England’s Bath Spa University. Her thesis was titled “Breaking the Curse: Retelling a Folk Fairy Tale to Explore Trauma and Healing in Novels for Young People.”

Glenn Garrido (14C) recently graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a master’s degree in mass communication.

Jennings Hassell (14C) and husband Rusty welcomed a beautiful baby

Kimberly Bagnell Human (14C) earned a master’s degree in music education from Boston University in May 2024. Additionally, she and husband Chris Human (14C, FFS) are excited to announce that they have become foster parents.

Woody Martins

and husband

saw their family grow by one with the addition of a healthy baby boy born Oct. 5, 2023.

Sawyer Ray (15C) has been promoted to art director for the Madden Corp., a tourism merchandising company for Alaska and Hawaii. She is also a traditionally published children’s book illustrator through Island Heritage. Notably, she still uses skills learned at the Berry dairy in helping with a small historic dairy farm in Wasilla, Alaska.

Taylor

girl in July 2024.

Chloe Moore Jimenez (14C) and husband Carlos welcomed a baby boy in March 2024.

Stephanie

(15C)

Lewis

Haley

Dylan Menges

Our Condolences

Berry extends sincere condolences to family and friends of the following alumni and former faculty/staff members. This list includes notices received March 1 through Sept. 30, 2024.

1940s

Sarah Babb Farver (42c) of Hickory, N.C., Jan. 29, 2024.

Cleo Ollie Leonard Ray (44H) of Douglasville, Ga., Feb. 19, 2024.

Lorraine Scott Ratledge (45c) of Maryville, Tenn., April 28, 2024.

Fran Bible Scheidt (48c) of Knoxville, Tenn., April 13, 2024.

1950s

Raymond Douglas (50C) of Lizella, Ga., April 27, 2024.

Taylor Lee (50C) of Franklin, Ga., Aug. 5, 2024.

Perry Little (50C) of Huntsville, Texas, May 6, 2024.

Tom Adams (51C) of Birmingham, Ala., May 8, 2024.

Bill Landrum (51c) of Griffin, Ga., March 19, 2024.

Clifford “Mike” Mizell (51C) of Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 17, 2024.

Gilda Thompson Morris (51C) of Cedartown, Ga., July 15, 2024.

Nell Purcell Veale (52C) of Savannah, Ga., May 7, 2024.

Billy Stiles (53C) of Rabun Gap, Ga., March 14, 2024.

Freda Allen Batchelor (54C) of Greer, S.C., Sept. 15, 2024.

Richard Harmon (54H) of White, Ga., Jan. 25, 2024.

John Hinton (54H) of Clermont, Ga., June 12, 2024.

Charles “Ed” McLeod (54H) of Canton, Ga., June 21, 2024.

Pat Walker Mealer (55H) of Loganville, Ga., March 31, 2024.

Janice Parker Padgett (55c) of Asheville, N.C., Aug. 10, 2024.

Donald Thomas (55c) of Dalton, Ga., July 19, 2024.

Bill Bannister (56H) of Gainesville, Ga., June 18, 2024.

Russ Evans (56C) of Indian Head Park, Ill., March 20, 2024.

Bobby Gene Walker Fulmer (56C) of Lenior, N.C., Nov. 20, 2023.

Billie Ann Allen Cantrell (57C) of Thomasville, Ga., Aug. 17, 2024.

Lois White Garner (57C) of Cumming, Ga., March 12, 2024.

Charlie Weatherford (57C) of Rome, May 23, 2024.

Hazel Weaver Bagwell (58C) of Calhoun, Ga., March 7, 2024.

Shirley Randle Boggs (58c) of Odessa, Fla., June 5, 2024.

Waymond Scott (58c) of Calhoun, Ga., March 28, 2024.

Peggy Whitten Lindsay (59C) of Chapel Hill, N.C., April 29, 2024.

1960s

Ronald Pierce (60H, 74C) of Chickamauga, Ga., May 23, 2024.

J.B. Stanley (60C) of Wedowee, Ala., April 19, 2024.

H. Wayne Stevenson (60C) of Arlington, Va., March 7, 2024.

Doug Stubbs (60c) of Sylvania, Ga., July 15, 2024.

Joel “Harris” Deaton (61C) of Augusta, Ga., May 16, 2024.

John Whitaker (61C) of Huntsville, Ala., April 17, 2024.

Larry Anderson (62C) of Gainesville, Ga., Aug. 20, 2024.

Wanda Hixson Weems (62C) of Sale Creek, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2024.

John Moore (63C) of Tacoma, Wash., May 3, 2024.

Richard Riley (63H, 67c) of Gainesville, Ga., April 24, 2024.

Lois McMinn Tucker (63C) of Warner Robins, Ga., June 5, 2024.

In Memoriam

Berry mourns the passing of two alumni whose service benefited students past, present and future. Joe Walton (62C, 76G, FFS), who died May 22, 2024, worked under three Berry presidents during his 34 years in the finance department, including service as controller and director of finance, vice president for finance and treasurer. Known for his wise counsel and kind demeanor, he retired in 2003. Walton was married to his Berry sweetheart, Duanne Self Walton (62C), for 60 years before her death in 2023. The couple had two adult children: Joseph L. “Josh” Walton Jr. (90C, 99G) and the late Julie Walton McCormick (86C), who died Nov. 11, 2024.

Bob Williams (62H), who died June 24, 2024, was a fiercely proud graduate of the Mount Berry School for Boys who went on to a successful 38-year career as owner of Rome’s Bob Williams Dodge dealership. A lifetime member of the Berry Alumni Council and a founder of the “Berry Breakfast Club” of fellow high school alumni, his heart for Berry was reflected in his spirited support of Vikings athletics and his immense generosity toward students in all areas. Fittingly, his legacy and that of late wife Kay live on through athletic facilities and scholarships that bear their names.

We also acknowledge the passing of A.D. Frazier, who died Sept. 23, 2024. He served as a Berry Trustee from 2012 to 2019. His professional roles included service as chief executive officer of the Chicago Stock Exchange and as chief operating officer of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.

Martha Romaine Allen (64C) of Jasper, Ga., March 15, 2024.

Patsy Whiting Nix (64C) of Gainesville, Ga., June 19, 2024.

Jim Finney (65C) of Rome, March 8, 2024.

Wade Hubers (65A) of Pantego, N.C., Sept. 18, 2023.

Raymond Noblet (65c) of Watkinsville, Ga., Aug. 6, 2024.

Barbara Ferris (66C) of Calabash, N.C., Jan. 7, 2024.

Tom Sheats (66C) of Southwest Ranches, Fla., Jan. 9, 2024.

James Wilson (66A) of Chatsworth, Ga., April 4, 2024.

Darryl Worth (66c) of Hobe Sound, Fla., March 14, 2024.

Peter Sellier (67C) of Houston, Texas, May 10, 2023.

Lamar “Val” Hallman (68C) of Roswell, Ga., Sept. 19, 2024.

Joe Walton

Bob Williams

Evelyn Hamilton (68C) of Rome, Sept. 2, 2024.

Bill Thornton (68C) of Rome, April 28, 2024.

Doris Talley Collins Davis (69C) of South Boston, Va., April 24, 2024.

Larry Dyer (69C) of Morganton, Ga., Aug. 12, 2024.

Arthur Howard (69c) of Homer, Ga., May 31, 2024.

Johnny Phillips (69C) of Damascus, Ga., May 15, 2024.

1970s

Gary Hamlett (70C) of Rome, March 20, 2024.

Jim Williams (71C) of Rome, March 14, 2024.

Jimmie Rowell Jones (72C) of Cedartown, Ga., June 29, 2024.

Dan Douglas (74c) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 1, 2024.

Chris Poulsen Fountain (76C, 86G) of Cartersville, Ga., June 16, 2024.

Glennis Cleveland Coleman (77C) of Douglas, Ga., March 24, 2024.

Debbie Tatum Soulis (77C) of Cartersville, Ga., March 26, 2024.

Billy Mitchell (78G) of Rome, March 28, 2024.

Thomas Pilcher (78C) of Rome, April 21, 2024.

Greg Gibson (79C) of Colquitt, Ga., Aug. 20, 2024.

1980s

Janet Thomas (80C) of Dunwoody, Ga., Aug. 1, 2024.

Shirley Silsby Frye (81G) of Falmouth, Mass., June 13, 2024.

Thomas “Gwynn” Yates (83C) of Roopville, Ga., July 3, 2024.

Dale Graham Smith (85C) of Atlanta, June 26, 2024.

Edgar Maniotes (86C) of Hayesville, N.C., Aug. 27, 2024.

Margaret Stone Combs (87C) of Rome, July 3, 2024.

1990s

Julie Todd Kelley (93C) of Seagrove Beach, Fla., Aug. 15, 2024.

Phyllis Arnold Hammond (95G) of Rome, April 13, 2024.

Sharon Rorex (95G) of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., May 23, 2024.

Selena Cook Magnusson (96C) of Chickamauga, Ga., June 6, 2024.

2000s

Anna Kerr Goode (04C) of Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 8, 2024.

Kevin Ingram (05C) of Cartersville, Ga., July 30, 2024.

2010s

Haley Shields Brackett (15G) of Dalton, Ga., Aug. 28, 2024.

Carson Mathes Grizzle (18c) of Flat Rock, N.C., June 30, 2024.

Former Faculty/Staff

Allen Bennett of Rome, Aug. 2, 2024.

Mary Elizabeth “Ebie” Brown of Rome, June 12, 2024.

Richard Flournoy of Ludowici, Ga., July 24, 2024.

Helen Hoge of Orange Park, Fla., April 24, 2024.

Wilma Maynard of Silver Creek, Ga., Sept. 20, 2024.

David McKenzie of Calhoun, Ga., April 2, 2024.

Patricia Smith of Roswell, Ga., April 5, 2024.

RING THE BELL!

John Coleman (04C) enjoyed a “once in a lifetime opportunity” last fall as Sovereign’s Capital – the Christian faithdriven investment firm he serves as coCEO and managing partner – rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The Berry trustee was thrilled to share the experience with wife Jackie Feit Coleman (05c), two of the couple’s four children, and other colleagues and friends. The milestone occasion marked the one-year anniversary of Sovereign’s Flourish Fund, which enables faithmotivated investors to direct their resources toward public companies led by likeminded individuals who are committed to excellence in their work and flourishing in the customers and colleagues they serve.

Dr. James Ross (15C) recently accepted an assistant professorship at the University of Virginia, where he will start his own research lab in 2025. His work will focus on brain tumor immunology with the goal of developing novel therapeutics for pediatric glioblastoma.

Lauren Buschhorn Zahner (15C) and husband Nick announce the birth of baby girl Nora Jean on June 13, 2024.

Togor Hadassah Nunghe Bulus (16C) married the love of her life on March 22, 2024, with beautiful Lake Como, Italy, as the backdrop.

Brittany Miller (16C) is now working as a supply chain analyst for Answers in Genesis.

Alex Moon (16C) has started a new position as fundraising manager at Homestead Community Land Trust in Seattle.

Avery Bachus Wiggins (16C) is thrilled to share news of her 2023 wedding at “beautiful” Berry, reporting that “the stunning campus made for a perfect backdrop to celebrate our special day.” Since then, she and husband Austin “have built a wonderful home together” in Rome, which is his hometown. Avery continued: “We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to the many adventures ahead.”

Thomas

on July 27, 2024.

“Tommy” Elliott McBride IV (17C) married Veronica Landis

Jess Gross Rubio (17C) married Nicholas Rubio at the end of 2023 in the Georgia mountains. Additionally, Jess is the recently promoted senior manager of business operations and strategy at H.I.G. Capital. She lives with Nicholas and dog Beignet in Miami, Florida.

Krista Zalewski Williams (17C) and husband Kile Williams (17C) have moved into a new home in western Cobb County, just outside Atlanta.

Kassie Kay Jones (18C) and Andrew Scheible (19C) were married at Oak Hill on April 6, 2024. Alumni in attendance included Kristian Willingham (18C), Anna Walker (18C), Ellen Summerlin Minor (18C), Sarah Leimbach Bell (17C), Townsend Stewart (19C), Marc Saboura (20C) and Fletcher Siegfried (21C)

Matt Ogle (18C) and Andrea Flores Reyes (19C) were married in April 2024.

Adekale Ande (19C) won 11 awards in the College Sports Communicators Creative and Digital Design Contest for his work with The Lovett School in Atlanta. Emerging from more than 1,600 entries nationwide, Adekale won “Best in High School” recognition in the following categories: hype/ pregame video, longform video/ recap, shortform video/recap, non-game day graphic, posters and signing day package. He is the first Lovett employee to receive these honors.

John Catton (19C) is a Ph.D. student in history at the

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

University of Texas in Austin, where he is specializing in the history of far-right political movements in 20th-century Mexico. Recently, he published his first academic article, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!: Militant Catholic Devotion and the Creation of the National Votive Sanctuary of Christ the King in Revolutionary Guanajuato, 19141928,” in The Latin Americanist, a leading journal. He is also a recipient of the national Tinker Field Research Grant, enabling him to conduct field research in Mexico. John thanks his Berry professors and friends for their assistance and support, crediting them with helping to make his dream of entering the field of history possible.

Alex Perry (19C) has taken on additional responsibilities this academic year as the new principal of Success Academy Charter School – Prospect

Michael Johnson (24C) arrived at Berry knowing his college experience would prepare him for a successful career. What he couldn’t predict is that his first job title post-graduation would be professional ultimate frisbee player.

Three years with the Berry Bucks – one of the nation’s very best club teams – opened his eyes to the possibility, spurring a successful tryout with the Ultimate Frisbee Association’s Atlanta Hustle in January 2024. The final months of his senior year were spent preparing for his professional debut, which came in July with Michael competing alongside former Bucks teammate and current coach Walter Ellard (22C) in a “dramatic, buzzer-beating” win over the Dallas Legion.

Though the Hustle’s season ended in disappointment with an upset loss in the UFA playoffs, Michael was thrilled to continue playing the sport he discovered at Berry, where he helped the Bucks to three top 15 national finishes (including a high of No. 4).

“Personally, it was great for me to compete at the highest level of ultimate, and it was a blessing to be a part of the team,” Michael said of his first season with the Hustle. “As the youngest player on the roster, it was just an amazing mentoring experience to learn and grow from some of the best ultimate frisbee players in the world.”

While long-term plans include a career in sports media, the Berry communication alumnus hopes to continue playing with the Hustle in 2025. We’re certainly rooting for him!

Heights in Brooklyn, New York. Previously a student intern, lead teacher and assistant principal for Success Academy, he is proud to continue his service as an educator in New York City’s top-performing charter school system.

Dr. Silas Stocks (19C) graduated from Alabama State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in May 2024. He is pictured with wife MaryBeth Rowland (19C).

2020s

David Driskell (20C) is ecstatic to announce his August 2024 move to London, England, to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree as an Advisory Board Scholarship recipient at Imperial College London. He said he is “both honored and humbled” to receive such recognition from an institution that recently surpassed the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Stanford in the QS World University rankings. David added that he thoroughly enjoyed serving the Berry community in his roles as SGA executive treasurer, WinShape Scholar and Presidential Scholar. He now looks forward to carrying on the principle instilled in him: “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”

Photo courtesy of Gino Mattace

Tony McIntosh (20G) is the new department chair for the School of Business and Professional Studies at Georgia Highlands College, where he teaches management, marketing and business administration courses. In August 2024, he said farewell to listeners of Rome’s WRGA radio station after 40 years on air. He remains a marketing consultant for Rome Radio Partners while embarking on his career in higher education.

Haley Edmondson Richards (20C, 24G, FS) graduated from Berry College with a Master of Business Administration degree in May 2024. She currently serves her alma mater as office and project manager in the Dean of Students Office.

Joseph Rios (21C) is excited to announce that he has passed the Georgia Bar exam, exclaiming, “I’m very grateful to God, my wife, family, friends, the Berry Bonner Scholars Program and everyone who has supported me along this journey.”

Sydni Byerley (22C) challenged us to try and say “I received my Master of Science degree in communication and information with a concentration in strategic and digital communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville” five times fast. We failed, which only makes her accomplishment MORE impressive in our eyes. Way to go, Sydni!

KateLynn Davenport (22C) graduated from Kennesaw State University with a master’s degree in social work in May 2024. She is employed with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.

Emily Keller (22C) recently graduated from Belmont University with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and is excited to begin her next chapter as a therapist with Delilah Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee, serving young women and girls dealing with eating disorders, anxiety and spiritual concerns. She is continuing her studies at Belmont as a Ph.D. candidate

in mental health counseling, concentrating in counselor education and supervision.

Will Warbington (22C) and Carly Robinson Warbington (23C) met while students at Berry and were married on May 7, 2023, the day after Carly’s graduation. That same week, the couple moved to Augusta, Georgia, where Carly is pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy and Will is doing IT consulting and land development.

Sarah Baker Emmer (23C) completed breast cancer treatment in April 2024 after six months of chemotherapy. Please join us in sending along prayers and well wishes for continued healing and renewed health.

Lirio Morales Ibarra (23C) has earned a Master of Education degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and now is serving as a nonprofit management fellow with the Phillips Brooks House Association at Harvard College. In this role, the former Berry Bonner Scholar supports students engaged in public service work through

fundraising, communications and special events.

Annalie Harris (24C) has started a two-year research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, working in the immunopathogenesis section of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Allie Herbert (24C) now serves in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Jazzy Innis (24C) is excited to begin graduate school at Lynn University.

Lilli Murphy (24C) continued her education at Chattanooga State Community College last fall while preparing for physician associate school. In the meantime, she is working in homes with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Community Options Inc. Last summer, she was excited to do some traveling, visiting such locales as San Diego and Palm Springs, where she is pictured at the Trixie Motel.

Peyton Reed (24C) has started law school at the University of Mississippi.

Madi Rowe Temple (24C) got married in December 2023 and accepted her first job in January 2024, working as a student success coordinator at Western Governors University Academy.

Ella Walker (24C) anticipates “growing spiritually, developing as a leader and establishing my social impact” in a degreerelated internship as a member of the 2024-25 class of Atlanta Zacchaeus Fellows.

Natalie Wilder (24C) is in her first year teaching eighth grade English language arts at Scoggins Middle School in Dallas, Georgia. She also has begun online pursuit of a master’s degree through Augusta University.

Lauren Yelverton (24C) has started a new position as a graphic designer at HNTB, an infrastructure design firm.

“When I can no longer work for Berry, alumni and friends will continue the work.”

It is our privilege to recognize on these pages the generous alumni and friends who answered Martha Berry’s call to “continue the work” as members of the 2023-24 Martha Berry Society. This special distinction honors leadership supporters who made cash gifts or pledge payments of at least $1,000 (or equivalent for the Young Alumni Leadership Giving Circle) between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Visit alwaysberry.com/MBS for details on benefits and opportunities at all levels. Contact Laura Croft, vice president for advancement, at 706-236-1713 or lcroft@berry.edu to learn how you can join this important group in 2024-25.

Anonymous

Inman and Tricia Allen

Betty Anne Rouse Bell (52H, 56C)

Randy and Nancy Berry

Mary Ivey Blanton (58C)

Steve and Brenda Briggs

Vaughn and Nancy Bryson

Steve Cage (74C)

Leslie Choitz (76C)

Al (61c) and Becky Browning (61C) Christopher

John (04C) and Jackie Feit (05c) Coleman

Larry (69C) and Nadine NeSmith (71c) Covington

Jimmy Davis (69C)

Tommy (79C) and Kelley Dopson

John Eadie (83C)

Ed (57C) and Evelyn Quarles (57C) England

Kitty Farnham

Joan Fulghum

David Garrison

Lee Anne George and David Rapp

Rick (77c) and Debra Bourne (76C) Gilbert

Walter Gill (63C)

Gayle Graviett Gmyrek (67C)

Greg (82C) and Judy Cash (85C) Hanthorn

John Hinman (72C) and Kathryn Grams

Mark and Sonia Ivey

Buford Jennings (58C)

Lou Brown Jewell

Ann Levin and Larry Beeferman

Roger (79C) and Candy Caudill (82c) Lusby

Buzz and Barbara Mote (61C) McCoy

Jim Miller (53C)

Audrey B. Morgan

Sunny and Kay Park

Jim and Lonnie Puhger

Brent (88C) and Georgia Ragsdale

Lydia Richardson

Tony Rivers (78C)

Reg (51C) and Maxine Strickland

Robert (04C) and Tessa Frye (07C) Swarthout

Martha Taylor

John Zellars and Randy Tibbals (79C)

Joe and Marti Walstad

Oliver Welch (52H, 56c)

Buster (73C) and Janice Wright

2023-24

$10,000 - $24,999

Mark Aubel (81C)

Brian and Emily Beals

Jimmy (60C) and Luci Hill (60C) Bell

Daniel and Patricia Blanton

Brian (97C) and Susan Wells (97C) Brodrick

Brad and Kimberly Bushnell

Joyce Carper

Bert (82C) and Cathy Clark

Paul (88G) and Shannon Clark

Brian and Theresa Dulaney

Ron (56H) and Robbie Barber (56H) Edwards

Charlie (86C) and Lori Elrod

Russ Evans (56C)

Robynne Schmidt Ferguson (89C)

Ray Fewell (58C)

Nathan (20C) and Mary Clayton McLane (21C) Gaby

Will Gaines (93C) and Tara Ravi

Mack (59C) and Liz Gay

Bradford Gooch

Marilyn Herring

Howell Hollis

Mark and Julie Hunter

Bill Ingram

David and Lynne Leffler

$5,000 - $9,999

Bret Alexander

Jon Allen (01C)

David (84C) and Kelly Asbury

Lynn Austin (77C)

Mark Beaver (97C)

John (70C) and Linda Beck

Joe Bihlmier (91C)

Carol Buchanan Blair (56H, 58c)

Andrew and Jennifer Rice (07G) Bressette

Niel Brown (90C)

Jerry (66A) and Emily Bullock

Charlie Burdette (68C) and Lauren Timmerman Abrams (74C)

David and Patricia Cloud

Brian and Maria Connors

Glenn (62C) and Jena Cornell

Brian Cothran (95C)

Mike (92C) and Margaret Crego

Gina Griffeth Dickens (93C)

Calvin Doss (49C)

Jeff (81C) and Debby Field

Mark (04C) and Kristen Lillie (03C) Floyd

Vince Griffith (81C) and Angela Hartley

Todd (88C) and Amber Pruitt (89C) Grubbs

Yondi Linker Hall (80C)

Jan Harrison

Steve (10G) and Debbie Heida

Greg and Judy Holloway

Jeffrey Horn (87C)

Jack and Karen Holley (74C) Horrell

Nettie Howell

Rick (83C) and Jennifer Swinford (84C) Jackson

Jeff (07C) and Amber Cole (08C) Jahn

Travis James (97C)

Jerry Jennings

Dale Jones (71C)

Grady (87C) and Kimberly Winkles (88C) Keith

Wanda and William Mack

Charlotte Lee Malone (71C)

Larry and Mary Montgomery

Mark Moraitakis (91C)

Mitch (09C) and Whitney Kazragis (10C) Muhlheim

Wanda Godwin Oldfield (74C)

Ed Parkerson (55C)

Shelley Stokely Przewrocki (95C)

Joe (65C) and Nelda Parrish (64C) Ragsdale

Tom and Eleanor Ratchford

Sonya and Scott Rissmiller

Pete and Carol Roberts

Bill and Kay Stokely

Jean Stutts

Denise Sumner (89C)

Mandy Tidwell (93C)

Jim (70C) and Barbara Van Meerten

Art and Kelly Vanwingerden

Steve (80C) and Cindy Snead (80C) Wherry

Becky Moore White (82C)

Courtney and Shari White

Danielle Dorling White (97C)

Frank and Julie Windler

Mary Wooton

Michael Klein (15C)

Jon and Angie Wilkey (89C) Lewis

Kenneth and Valerie Sapp (76C) Makant

Peter and Tamara Musser

Kennard and Joy Jones (83C) Neal

Bettyann O’Neill and Ken Sicchitano

Larry (63C) and Kathy Osborn

Mary Page

Bill (76C) and Janet Pence

Mark Piecoro (90C)

Dan and Kelley Poydence

Sam (76C, 78G) and Nancy Duvall (77C) Ratcliffe

David Rhoades

Frances Richey (83A, 87C)

Barbara Robertson (79C)

Doris Rowland

Jeanne Oakes Shipp (74C)

Chad Shoultz

Matt and Gwen Sirmans

Don Slater (77C) and Debbie Poss (78C)

Daniel Spangler

Tom Spector (74A)

Margaret Steward

Al Terry (63C)

Michael (87C) and Elizabeth Thompson

Ron (61C) and Bernice Thornton

Jack Timberlake

Billy (62H, 66C) and Marvalee Lord (65C) Townsend

Roger Tutterow (84C)

Freddie (94C) and Jennifer Helton (95C) Villacci

Sidney (60C) and Nancy Harris (61C) Wheeler

Alan White

Sue Wilder (85C)

Chuck (80C) and Regina Yarbrough

Lanette Young

$1,000 - $4,999

Tom (85C) and Kim Evans (84C) Adams

Nicole Aiello

Mairo Akposé-Simpson (97C)

Dan Alban (00C)

Stan (65C) and Wanda Scott (65C) Aldridge

Sheila Allen

Stephen Aultman Jr. (00C)

David and Laura Axelson

Bill Bannister Jr. (56H)

Richard Barley (49H)

Matt Barrett (97C)

Frank Barron Jr.

Everette Bass (78C)

Doris Lane Beall (47C)

Robert and Barbara Jean (78C, 82G) Bentley

Tracey Biles (94C)

Jody Bishop (89C)

Charles Blackburn

Billy Blanchard (93C)

Jane Jones Block (86C)

Anne Bonnyman

Erin Drury Boorn (00C)

Kathy Sparks Breithaupt (77C)

Alan Bridges (79C)

John (62C) and Geraldine Johnson (62C) Bridges

Ronnie Bridgman

Richard and Alice Bristow

Peggy Brodnax (65C)

Erika Jolly Brookes (91C)

Tommy Brookshire

Barbara Dodd Broome (72c)

Bernard and Snookie Brown

Dennis and Trina Buce (82C) Brown

Joan Costley Brown (74C)

Dakota (14C) and Melissa Kelly (14c) Burke

Becky Burleigh

William and Michelle Boyle (84C) Burton

Rich and Diane Byers

Wayne (61C) and Madeline Banks (63c) Canady

Tyler Carman (08C)

Doug (83C) and Sabrina Vail (84C) Carter

Mark and Amy Turner (05C) Cathy

Emma Ruth Elder Catlett (45c)

Larry and Sydney Catlett

Rodney (90C) and Jill Duffy (90C) Chandler

Aaron (15C) and Lizzie Hendrix (15C) Chastain

Heather Taylor Cloud (97C)

Suzanne Carr Coates (78C)

Janet Colbert

Gavin Colquitt (04c)

Helen Cook

Joe (88C) and Leanne Hand (87C) Cook

Lewis Copeland (60C)

Russell Copeland

Leigh Corley

Celeste Creswell (93C)

Todd Crew (99C)

Cecily Crow (94C)

Michael Cuffe

Leigh (90C) and Elaine Culpepper

Dennis (74A, 78C) and Donna Word (78C) DaSilva

Holly Davis (14C)

Amber Dean

Ron Dean

John and Joan Delk

Eddie DeLoach (74C)

Tina Stancil DeNicole (85C)

Brandi Calhoun Diamond (93C)

Jennifer Dickey (77A, 80C)

George Donigian (74C)

Ginny Paese Douglass (68C)

John and Jean Druckenmiller

Laura Dunkin

Warren Dunn (77C)

Stacy DuVall

Beth Collins Earnst (93C)

Scott Edwards (70C)

Susi Edwards

Joe (63C) and Shirley Bowen (63c) Elder

Leon Elder (54C)

Ron and Alisa Elmore

Clay Evans

Thomas Evans (74C)

Ruth Fay

Glenn (71C) and Pam Priest (71C) Ferguson

Lamar Fletcher (66A)

Kim Blalock Floyd (88C)

Brenda Fonzo Sr.

Gary (77C) and Hermanett Pruitt (73C) Ford

Sam Forte (19C)

Elaine and Bret Foster

Sammy (77C) and Holly Wood (73C) Freeman

Terry Frix (86C)

Stewart Fuqua (80A)

Kay Gardner

Dale (79C) and Karen Burton (79C) Garner

Francois Gaulin

Gail Howard Gibson (82C)

Dwight Glover (84C)

Tim (03C) and Maureen Trane (03C) Goodwin

Mark Graham (93C)

Terry and Molly Graham

Cherlyn Granrose

Richard and Susan Green

Dottie Clark Gregg (69C)

Reid Grimes (76C)

Michelle Spiegel Groover (97C)

Bill and Cynthia Hale

Bud Hall (79C)

David Hamby

Evelyn Hamilton (68C)

Randy and Nita Hardin

Susan Haritos

Will (11C) and Dana Wenger (13C) Harper

Brant and Tammi Hellwig

Peter (53H, 57C) and Emmaline Beard (55H, 58C) Henriksen

Don (65c) and Hiawatha Banks (63C) Henry

Douglas and Stephanie Herrington

Craig Heyl

Myrtle Beckworth Hogbin (65C)

Bill (67C) and Diane Harris (66c) Holden

LeBron (60C) and Kay Davis (60C) Holden

Pat Barna Holland (69C)

Faye Lovinggood Hood (65C)

Paul (82A) and Laura Howard

Brandon Howell

Jan Deen Howell (60C)

Charlie Hudson (62C)

Glen and Margaret Hyatt

Denise Riedlinger Iglesias (95C)

Joy Irwin

Mark and Pat Tutterow (82C) Jackson

Todd Jenkins (99C)

Gene Johnson (54C)

Janna Johnson (81C)

Matthew Johnson

$1,000 - $4,999

Max (70C) and Gail McGill (78C, 79G) Johnson

Ronald Johnson

Ty and Joy Padgett (73C) Johnson

David and Jennifer Johnston

Richard Kauffman (73C)

Mark (82C) and Judy Howard (82C) Keappler

Matt Keedy (98C)

Steve (63C) and Nancy Harkness (62C) Kelly

Melissa A. Kruk

Kyle Kutz

Lee Jones Lance (53C)

Drew Landis (06C)

William Langford

Dennis (79C) and Jane Williams (80c) Latimer

Robert and Cheryl Lindgren

Terry (68C) and Charlene Head (67C) Lingerfelt

Lowell (60C) and Dee Hysinger (60C) Loadholtz

Emmett Long (98C)

Patrik Lonn

Howie and Anita Lowden

Scott and Jerilynn Lutjens

Scott and Andrea Macdiarmid

Ross Magoulas

Latha Coleman Maine (59C)

Michael Maney (98C)

Daniel (98C) and Melissa MacKenzie (02C) Marks

Ernest and Amy Marquart

John and Myrtle Marshall

Rufus Massey (75C)

Kris Mayo (94C)

Sandy Koedyker McDaniel (67C)

Gavin McGinnis (09C)

James and Lynne McIntosh

Joseph McMahon

Ruel and Lucy McMillian

Matt (99C) and Heather Harper (04C) Medley

Brad (07C) and Rachel Miller (09C) Meers

William and Janette Melson

Virgil Miller

Blaine and Sara Ellen Midkiff Minor

Linda Collins Minyard (72C)

Heather Morrison Montgomery (80A, 86C)

Christy Moore (02C)

Robert Moore

Emily Hoppman Moothart (89C)

John and Missy Morgan

Melanie Morgan

Dody Bishop Morris (85C)

Melanie Blanchard Morris (05C)

Charles Mosby

Gina Carter Mounfield (77C)

Samantha Nazione

Scott and Fay Neal

Matthew Nelson

David Nicholson (84C)

William (83C) and Frances Walden (84C) Nicholson

Charlie (77C) and Ann (76C) O’Mahoney

Elaine Overman (61c)

Melton Palmer Jr. (64C)

Monica Forbes Parisi (95C)

Thomas Partridge (57C)

J.M. (60C) and Nona Sparks (58C) Patterson

Derrick (06C) and Lindsay Williams (06C) Perkins

Rick (00C) and Stacie Clark (99C) Petter

Krista Miller Pfau (15C)

Kevin and Melissa Phillips

Jack Pigott (69A)

Kyle Pinkard

Joan Pope

David (74C) and Katherine Powell

Janice Prather

Danny (88C) and Tammi Ridenhour (87C, 03G, 10G) Price

Eric Puckett (91C)

Teresa Smith Puckett (75A, 92C)

Jonathan (85C) and Crystal Purser

Dan Randall

Alan Ratliff (02C)

Carolyn Reilly

Dallas (65C) and Judi Reynolds

Jim and Nancy Rhoades

Jane Fisher Richard (78C)

Jason (94C) and Kelly McElroy (94C) Richardson

Steve (85C) and Kristen Riley

Jack Riner (65C)

Alison Lounsbury Ritter (94C)

Fred and J’May Rivara

Colby and Meredith Lewallen (07C) Roberts

Valli Helms Robinson (95C)

Earnest Rodgers (60C)

Charles Russell

Craig Russell

Scott and Rosie Hoagland (78C) Russell

Larry Schoolar (55C)

Tom Schuette (77C)

Leamon and Suzanne Scott

Scott (94C) and Sarah Carney (94C) Seals

Doug and Sandra Sexton

John (64H, 69C) and Jo Shahan

Kay Salmon Shahan (67C)

Sondra Lockhart Shasky (95C)

Jean Mitchell Sheffield (54C)

Thomas Shipman

George and Rosalind Simpson

Nancy Paris Simpson (77C)

Thomas Slocum

Mary Chambers Smith (14C)

Peggy Dalton Smith (67C)

Samuel and Fontaine McFerrin (71C) Souther

George (84C, 87G) and Kay Hurst (85C) Spas

Judy Sperry (79C)

Ross Spinks (05C)

Daniel Sprinkle (00C) and Rita Chen

M.R. Stainton (94C)

Andrea Boyd Stanley (67C)

Robert Stansell

Kendall Stewart (72C)

Dan (91C) and Andrea Cantrell (91C) Strain

Taylor Stukes

Keith (89C, 02G) and Amy Brock (92C, 97G) Summerlin

Darrell Sutton (00C)

Carl Swearingen

Jason (88C) and Melinda Mitchell (90C) Sweatt

C.L. (57C) and Doris Little (57C) Tate

John and Kelly Tate

Stanley (65C) and Lora Stubbs (65C) Tate

Betty Jane Taylor

Billy and Judy Taylor

Debbie Richardson Teal (85C)

Jacque Terrill (65C)

Scot (94c) and Beth Molloy (94C) Teverino

Fred Tharpe (68A)

Matt Thomas (07C)

Mark (05C) and Rebecca Porter (05C) Thornsberry

Bill and Cherie Tidwell

Michael Tidwell (98C)

William and Mildred Campbell (61C) Tietjen

BRONZE

$1,000 - $4,999

YOUNG ALUMNI LEADERSHIP GIVING CIRCLE

This distinction honors recent graduates who already are making a difference in the lives of Berry students. There are three levels of giving, based on age and life stage, all equivalent to that of a $1,000 annual donor.

Additionally, members of the senior class can join the Martha Berry Society with a one-time gift of $19.02, signifying the year in which Berry was founded.

LEVELS

$100 annually for alumni 1-5 years out

$250 annually for alumni 6-8 years out

$500 annually for alumni 9-10 years out

Many young alumni choose to make smaller contributions monthly or quarterly, enabling them to support students in a budget-friendly way. Visit alwaysberry.com/mbs/ young-alumni to learn more.

Earl (52H) and Carolyn Tillman

Juanita Ensley Tipton (70C)

Joel and Lynn Todino

Dawn and Larry Tolbert

Leila Trismen

Ray (69C) and Pamela Tucker

Sam Turner (66C)

Seth Turner (06C)

G.H. (53C) and Jean Junkins (61c) Underwood

Steve Vaughn

Pete (60C) and Janelle Brumbelow (56H, 60C) Vincent

Mike (14C) and Chrissy Ricketts (15C) Voso

Gary (80C, 89G) and Bambi Estill (79c) Waters

Mark (83C) and Chris (89C) Watters

Keitha Davis Weatherford (58C)

Lamar and Dorenda Weaver

Anonymous

Momo Abdellatif (19C)

Emma Allen (24C)

Matthew Becher (24C)

Wendy Bender (24C)

Jordan Brannen (17C)

Charlotte Brown (24C)

Dakota (14C) and Melissa Kelly (14c) Burke

Jacob Caldwell (23C)

Madeline Cammarota (24C)

Aaron (15C) and Lizzie Hendrix (15C) Chastain

Madison Clevenger (24C)

Kate Cosban (23C)

Olivia Crumbly (24C)

Shakarah Boswell Cummings (16C, 22G)

Julianna Dalrymple (24C)

Amanda Davidson (20C)

Brandon (14C) and Charlotte Collins (14C) Davis

Holly Davis (14C)

Simone Dixon (24C)

Ree Palmer Easton (16C)

Alex (18C) and Jenn Breast (19C) Eberhart

Katie Farmer (14C)

Emily Nix Fiddler (16C)

Sam Forte (19C)

Mackenzie Fowler (24C)

Mikaela Fowler (24C)

Anthony Frattaroli (24C)

Christian Freeman (24C)

Nathan (20C) and Mary Clayton McLane (21C) Gaby

Sydney Gosdin (24C)

Noah Guthrie (23C)

Cassie Hale (14C)

Emily Hand (24C)

Haven Hendrix (23C)

Collin Hill (24C, 25g)

Madison Hole (24C)

Sarah Grace Hunter (24C)

Mia Irizarry (24C)

Ashley Jackson (24C)

Jaime Jacoby (24C)

John Jeffords (24C)

Stephen Jenkins (15C)

Matthew Johnson (17C)

Sam (16C) and Loribeth Beaird (20C) Jones

Benjamin Keller (24C)

Veronica Killeffer (24C)

Michael Klein (15C)

Kate Krauser (24C)

Bryson (19C) and Erika Sprecher (21C) Lamboy

Caleb Land (24C)

McKenna Lentych (24C)

Evelyn Wheeler (77C)

Whit (81C) and Maria Crego (85c) Whitaker

Lucile Whitman

John and Mary Beth Whittle

Bob Williams (62H) and Linda Petty

Seymour and Michelle Williams

Wade (84C) and Wendy Grace (84C, 90G) Williams

Bill Wilson

Mistye Williamson Wilson (99C)

Kay Wingo

Jerry (56H, 60c) and Louise Conaway (57C) Winton

David (68A, 72C) and Alta Breeden (70C) Wood

Rick (93C) and Tracy Woodall

Terry Worley (78C)

Will Wright (01c)

Rachel LeRoy (15C)

Laney Lutjens (21C)

Marshall Lynch (22C)

Savannah Macke (24C)

Bayleigh Masterson (21C)

Jasmine Maze McDonald (24c)

Noah and Maddie Jordan (19C, 21G) Miller

Allison Moore (17C)

Julia Newsom (24C)

Abigail Nix (24C)

Elexia Ochoa (24C)

Sunday and Funmi (18C) Peters

Julie Petty (24C)

Krista Miller Pfau (15C)

Nate (19C) and Elizabeth Ragland (18C) Phipps

Heather Rea (24C)

Alan Resmondo (24C)

Will (19C, 23G) and Haley Edmondson (20C, 24G) Richards

Wesley Romero (24C)

Annlyn Royal (24C)

Jess Gross Rubio (17C)

Rosa Sanchez Alvarado (24C)

Joshua Sanders (24C)

Sarah Satterfield (24C)

Stephen Schellhorn (24C)

Katlin Seger (19C)

Gabrielle Sexton (24C)

Matthew Shupenus (20C)

Amber Slyter (14C)

Mary Chambers Smith (14C)

Quinn Smith (20C)

Michael (16C) and Allie Reed (16C) Stephenson

Tanner Still (21C)

Milan Sutaria (21C)

Kristofer Thomas (24C)

AnnaLee Thompson (24C)

Alejandra Torres Suarez (24C)

Diego Torres (24C)

Isabelle Truitt (24C)

Anthony Vitale (23C)

Mike (14C) and Chrissy Ricketts (15C) Voso

Sylvie Estelle Wages (24C)

Trinity West (24C)

Casey Whitaker (19C)

Cade Whitesell (24C)

Tyler (16C) and Maggie Law (15C) Will

Allie Williams (21C)

Kile (17C) and Krista Zalewski (17C) Williams

Nathanael Williams (21C)

Zoe Wooten (23C)

Autumn Young (24C)

IN THE END, IT’S ABOUT THE STUDENTS

Ready to serve: Berry network prepares future legal eagle to soar

By Catherine Hamrick

Brandin Carter (25c) is quick to recall his favorite Berry memory, citing a moment during freshman orientation when he and other Leadership and Service Fellows walked down the storied lane toward the historic Gate of Opportunity.

“Our mentors, students one or two years older, told us to reflect and not look back,” he reminisced. “We got to the gate and turned around and saw the beautiful spotlight on the Hoge Building. We shared a tender moment when we discussed what we were looking forward to most about college.”

It was there, along that elm-lined path, that Carter began the Berry portion of his journey toward a career in law, finding his perfect academic fit as a political science major minoring in economics and pre-law while tapping into an expansive network of supportive individuals dedicated to encouraging his personal and professional growth.

Over the course of four years, the aspiring federal prosecutor and appellate court judge has formed strong bonds with the likes of Associate Professor of Political Science Michael Bailey, who has been there for him since day one.

by Brant Sanderlin

“There are so many times he has shown up for me,” Carter recounted. “Once, I was having a tough week. I didn’t tell him in class, but he knew something was off. Afterward, I received an email saying he was in my corner and always available if I needed him. I couldn’t believe he had known without me saying a word.”

On another occasion, the longtime Berry faculty member “opened his home” when Carter needed a quiet place to take the written portion of the law school admissions exam, which is remotely administered, prompting the grateful student to declare, “That speaks to the level of care that Berry mentors give.”

Bailey also joined Dr. Michael Papazian, professor of religion and philosophy, in writing letters of recommendation for Carter when it came time to apply for law school. Additional perspective on that process was offered by Peyton Reed (24C), a student at the University of Mississippi School of Law, and Hunter Berry (21C), a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School now serving as a patent attorney.

And then there’s Danny Price (88C), Berry’s in-house general counsel, who has supervised Carter’s on-campus internship this year. Through

“I see now how much has come to fruition and feel so certain, so developed, so accomplished – more than I could have ever dreamed. My freshman self could only jump for joy.”

— Brandin Carter

their work together, Carter has gained “exposure to a more diverse approach to the legal profession while gleaning some knowledge and wisdom from someone who’s practiced many different areas of the law.”

Assisting Price with legal writing and contracts has enabled Carter to put into practice lessons learned in a contract law class taught by local attorney and role model Sarah Conn Martin (09C), daughter of Gund Professor of Biology Bruce Conn.

Mindful of the role these mentors and others have played in enriching his Berry experience, the Leadership and Service Fellow purposefully invests in his peers through his work as a Berry Ambassador, tour guide and student director in admissions, where he supervises about 40 fellow students.

As a leader and in life, he leans on advice from the man he considers his strongest mentor, his late great uncle who grew up in segregated America.

“He taught me that you have to compose yourself, to judge the types of conversations you’re going to have.” Carter related. “You’ll never entertain a conversation that’s not fruitful. With some of my friends, we disagree on the fundamentals of things, but we can still be friends. I can dignify people and their experiences.”

Reflecting once more on that long-ago walk, Carter is gratified that his own journey brought him to “The gate through which thousands have come in to learn and have gone out to serve.”

“I was blissfully, innocently unaware of what was to come,” he said. “I see now how much has come to fruition and feel so certain, so developed, so accomplished – more than I could have ever dreamed. My freshman self could only jump for joy.”

Brandin Carter, left, is putting his legal knowledge into practice through an internship with Danny Price, Berry's in-house general counsel.

Photos

Berry College, Inc. P.O. Box 495018

Mount Berry, GA 30149-5018

“Berry” good time!

Smiles like those worn by basketball players Elly Callihan (26c), left, and Jayda Wood (25c) are the only predictable thing about Berry baseball’s annual 100-inning Halloween fundraiser, a modified softball game bringing together student-athletes, coaches and campus friends for costumed fun.

Photo by Jeff Brown (FS)