Berea College offered unique festivities during annual commencement celebrations. Berea native Virginia Piland will share a glimpse into the past at the next Berea Forum scheduled Tuesday, March 12, 4-5 p.m., in Baird Lounge of the Alumni Building on Berea College's campus.

Piland attended the College schools including primary, secondary and college classes and graduated in 1943. Coming from a long line of Bereans, Piland’s mother had written down detailed accounts and anecdotes from commencement days around the turn of the 20th century. Piland also garnered many interesting facts through researching old Berea Citizen newspaper articles detailing events and activities that surrounded commencement.

Along with the speeches and presentations that accompanied graduation ceremonies, commencement was a major community social event. Demonstrations, educational lectures and entertainment were included as well as the annual Home Spun Fair that awarded prizes for handcrafted weaving and other items and gave local and mountain residents an opportunity to sell their work. Piland will have fun anecdotes to share about these and other Commencement activities as well as artifacts to display.

Berea Forum programs are free and open to the public. Meeting times are scheduled the second Tuesday of every month (unless otherwise noted), from 4 - 5 p.m., and are planned by a committee of retired persons with staff assistance provided by Berea College’s Office of Special Programs. Parking is available behind the Alumni Building and also behind Boone Tavern.

For additional information, contact Sherry Bosch at (859) 985-3552.