Berea College recognized 98 students during Mid-Year Ceremony

December 10, 2024

BEREA, Ky. – Berea College recognized 98 students Sunday during its Mid-Year Recognition Ceremony. 

Vivian Hairston Blade, a member of Berea College’s class of 1985 and a highly regarded leadership expert and Certified Speaking Professional with a passion for helping organizations and individuals thrive in the ever-changing world of work, spoke at the ceremony.

Blade’s Berea experience cultivated and enriched her love for business, service and music, preparing her for a remarkable career. As a student, she sang with the Chapel Choir and performed at events like the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies such as Humana and GE, and leading her own company, Blade has developed a deep expertise in business strategy, finance and leadership. Her dedication to building strong, service-driven organizations is matched only by her commitment to helping others succeed. Through coaching, consulting and her engaging leadership programs, she empowers leaders to face challenges with confidence and resilience.

Blade’s work extends into the classroom as an adjunct professor at the University of Louisville, where she mentors the next generation of leaders. Her best-selling books, “Resilience Ready, Influence in Talent Development” and “Fuel Forward,” are trusted guides for professionals striving to grow and make a meaningful impact.

Despite her busy career, Blade remains deeply connected to Berea College. She is the youngest of six sisters who graduated from Berea, met her husband, Vance Blade, here, and has several other extended family members who graduated from Berea. 

Blade frequently returns to campus to mentor students, sharing her story and encouraging them to strive for excellence. 

Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the lasting values instilled at Berea.

About Berea College 

Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor and service. The College only admits academically promising students with limited financial resources, primarily from Kentucky and Appalachia, although students come from 45 states and 70 countries. Every Berea student receives a Tuition Promise Scholarship, which means no Berea student pays for tuition. Berea is one of nine federally recognized Work Colleges. The College follows its eight Great Commitments to align itself with helping students from economically challenging situations through college and improving their life afterwards.