Westervelt Program

The Westervelt program, named for Edmund C. Westervelt, was designed to give Berea College students, faculty, staff, and towns people the opportunity to have a practical “hands-on” experience enabling them to become more self-sufficient, be more informed consumers of goods and services, and develop skills and knowledge which could be applied in both vocational and avocational settings. In order to avoid conflict with classes and work, the Westervelt program is offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Westervelt offerings have included woods, graphic arts, electronics, power mechanics, metals, and crafts. Instruction is provided on a continuing basis with ample time provided for skill development.

Extra-curricular activities provide excellent opportunities for individuals to develop a well-rounded educational background as well as pursue specific areas of interest. Few programs have experienced such tremendous success as that of the Westervelt program conducted by the Berea College Engineering Technologies and Applied Design Department. The diversity of the group involved, the relationship between staff and students, and the unique offerings in the Westervelt program are only a few of the factors contributing to its popularity and growth over the last sixty eight years.

The Westervelt Program for the Fall 2024 Semester at Berea College will be in woodworking. The instructor will be David Cooke and the topic will focus on Shaker styled tables. Specifically, students will design and produce tables that can be adapted to any living space or work environment. Offered through the Engineering Technologies and Applied Design Department, the community-oriented class will consist of one continuous fifteen (15) week session running from September 10 through December 5. Additional projects may be considered upon completion of the initial table construction. Class members with woodworking experience are welcome to work on projects of their own choice. The course will meet every Tuesday and Thursday night during that time from 6:30pm – 8:30pm (except Reading Day, October 8 and Thanksgiving Holiday, November 28). The course fee will be $30, not including the costs of wood. The course is open to campus personnel (faculty and staff) as well as community members with woodworking experience ranging from novice to expert. Participants must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the Westervelt Program. Participants will need safety glasses/googles and hearing protection. Participation in Westervelt is assured upon registration and payment of class fees.