Dear Alumni and Friends of Berea,
Meet Julian ’25, a young man from Clarkesville, Georgia, with big dreams who almost missed out on an opportunity that would shape his future. Julian’s journey to Berea College didn’t start with certainty. It began with a flyer and a leap of faith. At first, his parents were skeptical—how could a college offer free tuition and still provide a high-quality education for their son? But when Julian and his family visited Berea, everything changed.
When he first began considering colleges, Julian and his family had never heard of Berea. His parents believed higher education was important—they knew the doors it would open for their son’s future—and so they strongly encouraged him to pursue a college degree. But Julian didn’t know where he wanted to go. That’s when he got a flyer in the mail describing the kind of education offered at Berea College. “All of the red flags went up in both my parents’ heads,” Julian said. They were sure it had to be a scam—who had ever heard of a college with free tuition, not to mention everything else it claimed to offer. But since he still had no idea where he wanted to apply and the end of his senior year was fast approaching, his mother decided that they should at least look at Berea. “We took a trip to Berea from Georgia. We went on the tour, and it was everything we thought it wasn’t. We all fell in love with it immediately,” he said. After that first visit, Julian and his parents knew that this was the college for him.
The moment they stepped on campus, it felt like home. Julian was drawn to the community, the possibilities, and the campus culture. He saw the potential to thrive here—where the bonds were close and the possibilities endless. From a job in Admissions to an unforgettable semester abroad, Julian has taken full advantage of everything Berea has to offer. “This is a one-in-a-million school,” he said. And now, he’s ready to take the next step with dreams of teaching abroad and pursuing a master’s degree in communications.
The chance Berea offers to study abroad was especially appealing for Julian. He spent a semester in Japan at Kansai Gaidai University, where he studied Japanese language and culture. “I liked it so much that I would live there for a while, if I could,” he said. Getting to immerse himself in Japanese culture—authentic food, traditional clothing, and the richness of the language—was a key part of this experience for Julian. “I rented a kimono for a day and just walked around one of the cities,” said Julian. Experiences like his are why nearly half of Berea’s students study abroad during their time at college. And the grants that Berea provides ensure that international education is an option for all its students.
For most of his time at Berea, Julian has worked in the Admissions office for his work position, helping to guide the tours that introduce potential students to the College and its mission—people just like him and his family, who may be skeptical about what Berea offers. “Admissions makes me feel like I’m doing something,” he said. “I can feel and see my impact in the Admissions office because there are times where I’ll give a student a tour, and then the next fall I’ll see that student at Berea. It’s been my favorite job that I’ve ever been a part of.”
Julian’s experiences—his study abroad, his hands-on work, and his supportive professors—are not exceptions—they are the rule. They’re made possible through support from friends like you. Berea College relies on the compassion, generosity, and investment of donors to provide an education that’s not just affordable, but transformational. These transformative experiences are precisely why Julian and his family chose Berea. “It was just all of the opportunities that it offered,” said Julian. “If you want to study abroad, you can do that. If you want an internship, you can do that. And one of the biggest things was the labor program. Berea has so much to offer.”
Your contributions help students like Julian gain the skills, connections, and experiences they need to succeed, just as he did. When you give to Berea College, you’re opening doors to more than just a tuition-free education—you’re providing a comprehensive and life-changing experience that would otherwise simply be out of financial reach for Berea’s student population. “The opportunities that I’ve taken advantage of would not be possible without the donors,” Julian said. “I know that their contributions are helping the College offer opportunities for everyone.”
With your gift, you’ll continue to make Berea College a place where students of high promise and low means not only get a high-quality education but build their futures. A Berea education can completely transform a student’s life trajectory, and by supporting the College you can be a part of that transformation. The sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment that a Berea education provides is truly priceless—your donation helps ensure that the students Berea serves will continue to receive these invaluable gifts. As Julian put it, “College is what you make it, and there won’t be a place where you find closer bonds, more opportunities, and better memories.”
Thank you for your generosity and your commitment to Berea’s students.
Sincerely,
Chad Berry
Vice President of Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy