88th Annual Berea College Labor Day April 20

4/16/10

Berea College Labor Day, a tradition begun in 1922, celebrates the work values to which Berea is committed – the dignity of all labor, serving the common good through work that benefits the college and community and work as educational.

This year’s Labor Day celebration on Tuesday, April 20 will have some changes. The focus will still be on labor, but will include learning, and service along with fun events for Berea students and faculty. For the first time the celebration will include the Berea Academy Awards show which will feature awards to students and the winner of the Berea’s Got Talent competition. Classes and student work are cancelled for the day.

Labor Day will begin with activities for students on the College Quadrangle from 10:30-3 p.m. that include games, music, booths and both breakfast and lunch. The Berea’s Got Talent competition will take place at 1:30 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Auditorium. In the evening, Berea College students will get dressed up for a dazzling Berea Academy Awards show at 7 p.m. in Phelps-Stokes Auditorium co-hosted by alumnus Joe Saleem, and senior Anna Rafferty.

Student awards for outstanding achievement in academics, the labor program and for campus service have previously been given at separate end-of-the-year events. The new Academy Awards will recognize student achievement and award scholarships prizes and awards totaling more than $100,000 during this one event celebrating learning, labor, and service.

On Labor Day Eve, April 19, the public is invited to a free street dance from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Main Street in front of Boone Tavern Hotel – another Labor Day tradition. The event is hosted by the Berea College County Dancers, live music will be provided by Al and Alice White, Atossa Kramer, Becca Miller, Myrna Morrison and Kendra Combs.

CONTACT:

For more information, contact David Slinker (859- 985-3734) in the Berea College Labor Program office.