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Dear Berea College Employees:
Greetings! I am happy to welcome you to Berea College, which is quite a unique community and workplace. Founded in 1855 by abolitionists, Berea was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South and, throughout its history, has been dedicated to serving the needs of the economically disadvantaged youth of the eight-state Appalachian mountain region. Today, Berea College continues and extends its founding legacy as an inclusive community that welcomes “all peoples of the earth,” to study and work at the College.
Berea’s Biblical motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” expresses well the College's non-sectarian Christian tradition. Our inclusive Christian identity recognizes that a diversity of faiths, backgrounds, nationalities, and ethnicities provides a strong foundation not only for student learning, but for a creative, collaborative workplace as well. Berea’s mission is summarized in its eight Great Commitments built upon its inclusive Christian self-understanding. The Berea College Workplace Expectations are a direct expression of the College’s Great Commitments.
As part of an integrated learning community, employees are expected to apply the Workplace Expectations to their position responsibilities, their interactions with co-workers and students, and areas of personal and professional growth. Because of Berea’s unique labor program, many staff members contribute to the education of Berea students as their supervisors. Thus, it is through our collective enthusiasm for learning; integrity and caring; valuing of all people; teamwork; service to others; plain and sustainable living; and celebration of work well done that we are able to extend the founding principles of Berea College in our work today.
As you read through the Berea College Employee Handbook, reflect on Berea’s powerful mission and the Workplace Expectations. I invite you to think about the talents and learning opportunities you bring to such a vibrant Berea community. Again, I welcome you to participate fully in the rich working and learning environment of Berea College.
Cordially,
Larry D. Shinn
President
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