Alumni honored, lots of activities scheduled during Berea College Homecoming 2007 Nov. 9-11

Lancaster native Dr. Donna J. Dean, a graduate of 1969, will receive Berea’s 2007 Distinguished Alumna Award.  1997 graduate Corey Craig will receive the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.  Dean and Craig will be honored at a special reception Friday evening, scheduled from 6-8 p.m. in Baird Lounge of the Alumni Building.

Dean, of Washington, D.C., is a senior science advisor with Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC, a government relations consulting firm that advocates for the public policy interests of institutions of higher education and other research and education organizations.  She served in the federal government for 27 years as a senior researcher and executive with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration.  She was founding director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.   at NIH.  Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, in 2005, Dean held the position of Senior Scholar in Residence at the National Academy of Engineering of the National Academies.

During her career, Dean has been a leader on scientific workforce issues, in women’s health and in career development strategies for young scientists.  She is a mentor to aspiring scientists and an advocate on the national scene for the inclusion of women and minorities in the scientific workforce.  Among her many professional activities, Dean is currently National President of the Association for Women in Science and a Board member of the Washington Academy of Sciences.  The Garrard County High School graduate earned a B.A. in chemistry from Berea and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Duke University.

Craig, who lives in Mt. Vernon, is President, CEO and Director of Citizens Bank and Rockcastle Bancorp, Inc.  His banking career also includes positions with Fifth Third Bank, The Bank of Mt. Vernon and Community Trust Bank. In addition to his banking career, Craig enjoys working on his family farm and has taken on a major leadership role in Rockcastle County.  He is chairman of the Rockcastle County Industrial Development Authority and the Rockcastle County Development Board, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Cumberland Valley Development District, and the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).  With other community leaders, in 2002 he developed the first Strategic Plan for Rockcastle County, and more recently helped develop and start “Leadership Rockcastle,” a 10-month training program designed to develop and broaden the base of leadership in his home county.   At Berea, Craig was a four year Varsity Letterman on the Men’s Basketball Team.  He earned a B.S. in business administration from Berea College and also is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking.

Also on Friday will be the 37th Black Student Union Scholarship Pageant beginning 7 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Chapel.  General Admission is $5.  In advance, tickets are 2 for $7 and 3 for $9, and are available at the Black Cultural Center (859) 985-3797 and the Campus Life Office, both in the Alumni Building.

Saturday activities will begin at 8 a.m. with the Berea Spirit 5K Run/Walk at Berea Community School.  Registration is from 7-7:45 a.m.  The Homecoming Parade down Chestnut Street will begin at 11 a.m. (cancelled if raining).  The Annual Gordon Ross Skittles Tournament at the Log House Craft Gallery is scheduled from 1-3 p.m., with the winner receiving a Skittle Game and stand made by Berea College Woodcraft.  From 3-4 p.m., there will be a Town Hall Meeting for updates about the College with Berea President Larry Shinn, in the Trustees Room of Seabury Center.

Seabury Center also will be the site of women’s and men’s basketball action beginning at 5:30 p.m., when the Lady Mountaineers, led by Coach Bunky Harkleroad, play the University of Virginia-Wise.  The Berea College Mountaineers, coached by John Mills, take on the University of Virginia-Wise men’s team beginning 7:30 p.m.  Coronation of Homecoming queen and king will take place at the men’s game halftime.  Tickets are required for admission and are good for both the women’s and men’s games.

Friday and Saturday evening, the Berea College Theatre Laboratory will present “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” from 8 – 10 p.m. in the McGaw Theatre.  General admission tickets are $5-10.  For reservations and tickets, call the Box Office at (859) 985-3100.

Festivities continue through Sunday with an Alumni Worship Service in Union Church at 10:30 a.m., led by Rev. Curtis Wheeler, a 1987 alumnus and a performance by the Homecoming Choir led by Dr. Stephen Bolster.

The weekend concludes with the annual Black Music Ensemble Homecoming Concert, led by Kimberly Wilson, class of ‘97, scheduled for 3 -5 p.m., also in Union Church.  Admission is free.

For a complete schedule of events, ticket prices, and to make reservations, contact the Berea College Alumni Association at (859) 985-3104 and visit www.berea.edu/alumni.  For more information, contact Jacqui Greene, coordinator of Alumni Events, at (859) 985-3108 or jacqueline_greene@berea.edu