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Opening Convocation Speeches

Opening Convocations are a celebration of Berea stories and how they connect and reinforce one another. Each year, fellow Bereans share their compelling stories of challenge, accomplishment and triumph with the Berea College faculty, staff, students and community.

Please see below for a collection of these stories by Convocation Year.

2020 Speeches

Remarks by speaker

  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Welcome
  • Brady Willis ’22, SGA President’s Welcome
  • Teena Riddell, Staff Speaker
  • Dr. Kathy Bullock, Hon. ’17, Retiree Speaker
  • Dr. Dawn Anderson, Faculty Speaker
  • Rev. Sonja Williams ’02, Alumni Speaker
  • Dr. John Fleming ’66, Trustee Speaker
  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Message

2019 Speeches

Remarks by speaker

  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Welcome
  • Ishara Nanayakkara ’20, SGA President’s Welcome
  • Dr. Eileen McKiernan González, Faculty Speaker
  • Luke Hodson ’02, Staff Speaker
  • Carl Thomas ’78, Retiree Speaker
  • Je’Dynn Fogle ’23, First-Year Student Speaker
  • Ashley Seals ’08, Alumni Speaker
  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Message

2018 Speeches

Remarks by speaker

  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Welcome
  • Lakshya Bharadwaj ’19, SGA President’s Welcome
  • Dr. Michael Berheide, Faculty Speaker
  • Dr. Channell Barbour ’91, Staff Speaker
  • Dr. Libby Jones, Retiree Speaker
  • Olivia Mbugua ’22, First-Year Student Speaker
  • Vance Blade ’82, Alumni Speaker
  • Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President’s Message
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        Student Autumn Harvey sitting at a table, wearing a mask

        Berea College Student Autumn Harvey Named a Newman Civic Fellow

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        William L. Robbins Elected as Berea College Trustee

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        Silas House Receives Governors’ Award

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    • About
    • Overview
      • Back
      • Quick Facts
      • Rankings and Faculty Recognition
      • Our Mission
      • Early History
      • Berea by the Numbers
    • Leadership And Governance
      • Back
      • President's Office
      • Administrative Committee
      • Board of Trustees
    • Administrative Offices
      • Back
      • Administrative Offices
      • Admissions
      • Alumni Relations
      • Development/Giving to Berea
      • Human Resources
      • Hutchins Library
      • Information Systems and Services
      • Marketing & Communications
      • Public Safety
      • Title IX
      • Centers
    • ON CAMPUS
      • Back
      • Visit Berea College/Visitor Center & Shoppe
      • Historic Boone Tavern
      • Student Crafts
      • Conference Center
      • Seabury Athletic Center
      • Events
      • Convocations
      • Facilities Management
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Contact Berea
  • Admissions
  • Academics
    • Back
    • Academics
    • Academic Programs

      Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 28 fields

    • Labor Program

      Students are engaged in a learning environment that encourages them to be active learners, workers, and servers.

    • Library

      Hutchins Library supports the educational mission of the college by maintaining a rich collection of materials in a variety of formats.

    • Registrar's Office

      Browse the site for information on classes, transcripts, and degree requirements.

    • Academic Calendar

      Browse our current Academic Calendar.

    • Centers

      Berea College boasts eight centers which serve our campus and community in a variety of ways.

    • Catalog

      Browse our current course catalog.

    • Resource

      Explore common resources for campus and community.

    • Faculty Scholarly & Creative Works

      While our faculty proudly focuses on being and becoming excellent classroom teachers, they are also active intellectuals and scholars.

  • News
    • Back
    • More News
    • Mar 04, 2021

      Student Autumn Harvey sitting at a table, wearing a mask

      Berea College Student Autumn Harvey Named a Newman Civic Fellow

    • Feb 18, 2021

      William L. Robbins

      William L. Robbins Elected as Berea College Trustee

    • Jan 25, 2021

      Silas House

      Silas House Receives Governors’ Award

    • Jan 22, 2021


      Neil Mecham interviewed for WalletHub’s “2021’s Best and Worst States to Raise a Family”

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Website Administration

Accessibility

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Consumer Information &
Student Right to Know