Impartial Love

Since its founding, Berea College has believed in the power of education to transform the lives of students and employees from all backgrounds, faith practices, life experiences and perspectives. Berea’s inclusive past reflects the foundational belief of founder Rev. John G. Fee that the inclusive Christian notion of impartial love could create a remarkable learning and living community in a slaveholding state before the Civil War. An ardent abolitionist, Fee chose the motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth” (Acts 17:26). That’s been our motto and North Star since 1855.

Berea College is where Blacks and whites, women and men have been educated together since the close of the Civil War. As for the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, our bold mission to bring people together faced both fierce opposition and great acclaim and admiration. It spoke to society's most vexing challenges: recognizing the value in all people and connecting them across differences to build a living and learning community based on the biblical principle of kinship stated in Acts 17:26. Despite these challenges, Berea College has continued in its mission provided by its founders—to educate students in the name of impartial love.

Putting its motto into action, Berea College recruits, enrolls, retains and graduates a student population representing “all peoples of the earth”—especially those from Kentucky and Appalachia—supported by committed staff and faculty to prepare students for the world that awaits them. The College strives to maintain a campus community deeply rooted in its founding promise of interracial education yet welcomes students who reflect the multiracial world beyond Berea. 

In 1859, Berea originated its work program in its earliest form; this became known as our Labor Program and the dignity of labor became one of our Great Commitments. The Labor Program provides economic, educational, social, personal, and spiritual benefits to students and those served by their work. From its earliest days, Berea has enabled students to contribute to their education while gaining valuable work experience and serving the College and surrounding communities.

Every student at Berea College is part of a unique and historic mission that reflects equal opportunity combined with hard work to build a community based on merit. Berea, perhaps more than any other institution, is a place grounded in love. It is especially designed for students of limited means and high promise who are equally deserving of educational opportunity, which remains the best way to transform lives economically and socially. 

Berea College is home to 11 centers and respective programs, many that bring elements of our Eight Great Commitments into practice. Each center is an open, welcoming space with a singular focus where all members of the campus community can make connections, learn across our differences, and feel a sense of belonging that enriches their Berea experience.

Working, learning, and serving across differences

Many former and current students will tell you their experience learning across difference at Berea shaped them in several ways. It has made them better students, leaders and people.