Oh, What a Day!!!

Berry welcomed 281 new alumni during spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 3. Spirits were high despite the brief shower that fell as students received their diplomas.

Speaker Wayne Meisel, president of the Bonner Foundation, charged the class of 2003 to live with others in mind. "Be well, so that the world can be well," he said.

He added that the graduates should let their passions dictate where they serve. "Do the good work so that the world will have hope."

to be part of the fun of Alumni Weekend -- May 30 through June 1. The weekend is filled with activities, from class reunions to the Alumni Gala and from the golf scramble to Sunday's chapel service.

Check out the schedule at
2003 Alumni Weekend

Following is a list of classes having reunions during alumni weekend. For more information, contact Renee McMillan in the office of alumni and constituent relations at (800) 782-0139 or by e-mail at rmcmillan@berry.edu.

1943 High School

1948 High School

1953 High School

1958 High School

1943 College

1948 College

1953 College

1958 College

1963 College

1968 College

1973 College

Attention Georgia Residents

Order your official 2004 Berry commemorative license plate today. For the state to issue a Berry tag, the alumni office needs 500 applications by July 15!

For details and a form, visit the license plate page on the alumni Web site.

Alumnus Receives Horatio Alger Award

In April, Berry Trustee Barry Griswell, a 1971 graduate of the college, was inducted into the Horatio Alger Society, which includes among its members James Earl Jones, Dwight Eisenhower and Oprah Winfrey to name only a few.

The Horatio Alger Awards are featured in a national PBS broadcast that highlights the accomplishments of distinguished Americans who have overcome hardships to achieve their dreams. Their life stories are presented as a source for inspiration and hope for our nation's youth by demonstrating that opportunity still knocks in America.

Mr. Griswell, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa, is president, chairman and chief executive officer of the Principal Financial Group (NYSE: PFG), a member of the Fortune 500 with $117.4 billion in assets under management, 17,000 employees and 13 million customers worldwide. Read more about the honor at www.horatioalger.com/geninf/pressrel/html/griswell.htm or in the News of Note section of the spring issue of Berry magazine at www.berry.edu/publications.asp.

Economic Woes Got You Down?

Berry Alumnus Roger Tutterow, a member of the class of 1984, shared his positive economic predictions with attendees at Berry's annual Business Outlook Conference. Dr. Tutterow serves as chair of the department of economics and finance at Kennesaw State University and is a member of Berry's Alumni Council. Check out his predictions at news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=680&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID =941799&om=1.

Interested in a Little Adventure This Fall?

The Berry Alumni Travel Program is just the ticket.

Sept. 23 through Oct. 1, we're headed to the Canadian Rockies, where the group will enjoy the scenic wonders of Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway and other sites in Banff National Park. The trip includes a two-day train ride from Banff to Vancouver aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. The cost is $2,859 per person, based on double occupancy.

If you're interested in roaming a little farther from home, we'll tour enchanting Ireland from Oct. 16 to 24. You can explore Dublin, the charming village of Kilkenny and the beautiful landscape of Ireland's western coast. This leisurely tour offers a chance to explore the country's history, culture and traditions. The cost is $2,599 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more info, call Brenda Baldwin at (800) 782-0130 or e-mail brbaldwin@berry.edu.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

The Atlanta area alumni chapters present a Berry Day at the Ball Game as the Atlanta Braves take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, June 7. Tickets are $35, and the outing includes a picnic. For more information or to buy your tickets online, visit www.berry.edu/alumni/eventdetail.asp?ID=14.

The Rome and Cartersville Alumni Chapters host their own Day at the Ball Game at Rome's State Mutual Stadium as the Rome Braves face the Charleston River Dogs on Saturday, June 28. Tickets for the game and picnic are $20. Sign up at www.berry.edu/alumni/eventdetail.asp?ID=18.

You Make Me Promises, Promises

Did you say yes when a Telefund student called and asked you to help support Berry financially? Now is the time to fulfill that pledge.

Alumni participation (the percentage of alumni who give to the college) is roughly even with the same period last year. If 85 percent of those whose pledges are still outstanding send in their gifts by June 30, we're sure to reach a record level of alumni participation for the third straight year!

Help Berry reach the next level of participation. You can make your gift online at www2.berry.edu/campaign/onlinegift.asp.

A Solid Way to Say 'Thanks'

Honor someone special through the Cook Brick Fund. Your $100 donation provides a beautifully engraved brick for the walkway in front of the Cook Building, the new home of the Charter School of Education and Human Sciences and the longtime residence of math, science and agriculture classes.

Order online at www.berry.edu/campaign/brickform.asp or call Mandy Peterson-Ferrington at (877) 461-0039 for more information.

Wanna Hear Something Cool?

Berry's Centennial celebration of a century claimed a national special event silver medal from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Dr. Ouida Word Dickey (50C, FS) and Scott Breithaupt (91C, 96G, FS) co-chaired the effort and would like to thank the scores of alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students who helped make Berry's 100th anniversary spectacular.

Is Berry a Hidden Treasure?

Washington Post writer Jay Mathews certainly thinks so. He included Berry on his list of the nation's most underappreciated colleges. His article is available online at www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1454-2003Apr1.html. Following the announcement, Berry President Scott Colley told the Rome News-Tribune, “Before there was a list, I knew we were on the list. It has always struck me that Berry’s quality is not well known far from Georgia. Berry is an excellent college and our reputation has never matched that excellence.”

Just Around the Corner

The Rome Alumni Chapter invites you to "A Taste of Rome" at 6:30 p.m., May 12, at the Berry Alumni Center. The event will feature food from local restraurants and caterers -- in addition to a tour of the new Alumni Center. For details or a reservation, contact Stacey Jones at sjones@berry.edu or by phone at (706) 290-2164.

The Northeast Atlanta Chapter hosts "90s Night" for area alumni who graduated from 1990 to 1999 at 6 p.m., May 15, at On the Border in Buckhead. For more information or to sign up, e-mail Stacey Jones at sjones@berry.edu or call her at (706) 290-2164.

The Macon Alumni Chapter hosts "Art - Various Painting Styles" featuring Patricia DeVane Burns at 6:30 p.m., June 10, at Jeanne's Restaurant in Pinebrook. Dinner is dutch treat. For details or a reservation, contact Stacey Jones at sjones@berry.edu or (800) 782-0130.

The South Atlanta Alumni Chapter will hold a chapter business meeting at 7 p.m., June 10, at the Headquarters Library in Jonesboro. Light refreshments will be provded. Topics of discussion include the chapter constitution and officers. If you plan to attend, please respond to Stacey Jones at (800) 782-0130 or sjones@berry.edu.

The Polk/Haralson Alumni Chapter enjoys "A Day at Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum" on June 14. The event includes a picnic lunch at the gift shop at noon, followed by a tour of Oak Hill and the museum. For details or to sign up, contact Stacey Jones at sjones@berry.edu or (800) 782-0130.

The Queen City Alumni Chapter will host a summer dinner and meeting at 6:30 p.m., June 17, at Phil and Tony's at the Arboretum Shopping Center. The dinner is dutch treat. RSVP to the office of alumni and constituent relations at (800) 782-0130 or sjones@berry.edu.