BEREA — Berea College President Larry Shinn shared the stories Thursday of three Berea College graduates whose life was a reflection of John G. Fee’s vision.
The life of Fee, Berea College’s founder, was grounded in a God of impartial love, Shinn said at the beginning of Thursday’s ninth-annual Founder’s Day Convocation.
The three men honored during Berea College’s ninth annual Founder’s Day Convocation that included Berea College graduates John H. Jackson (class of 1874), James S. Hathaway (class of 1884) and Green P. Russell (class of 1897). All three also served as president of Kentucky State University during their career.
Jackson was born in Lexington in 1850 and came to Berea (College) when he was 16. At that time, the school offered classes for kindergarten through 12th grade, and four years of college.
He is the first recorded black person to have ever graduate from Berea College and later became the first president of the Kentucky Negro Education Association.
Hathaway was born in Mt. Sterling in 1859 and became a Berea City Clerk after graduating Berea College.
Russell came to Berea College in 1880 and always said that one of his highlights of coming to Berea was being baptized by Fee, Shinn said.
In 1894, he was the supervising principal of all black schools in Lexington.
Onaje Jackson, the great-grand nephew of John H. Jackson, spoke to the audience Thursday and showed a chart depicting his lineage tracing back to John H. Jackson.
“It’s an honor to represent the entire Jackson family here today,” he said.
He highlighted other members of the Jackson family sitting in the audience.
“These men (Jackson, Hathaway and Russell) represent the enduring legacy of education against all odds,” Jackson said. “I would not have felt secure enough to go to Yale and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) if it had not have been for my background.”
Jackson was given the John G. Fee award along with Kentucky State University President Mary Evans Sias.
“Berea College and Kentucky State University are uniquely connected,” Sias said. “We provide access to opportunity, and we believe everyone has opportunity to succeed if given the chance. Berea College and KSU are living proof that if you believe in the value of dreams, those dreams can be fulfilled.”
Honoring the lives of Jackson, Hathaway and Russell was very appropriate considering that the three men improved the infrastructure of Kentucky State University, that now has 2,600 students enrolled and more than 500 faculty members and staff, she said.
“Their stories are great stories,” Sias said. “Their stories connect us through blood, heritage, hope and vision.”
Thursday’s musical entertainment was provided by the Kentucky State University Concert Choir and Berea College’s Black Music Ensemble.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Three legacies honored at ‘Founder’s Day’
- Local News
-
-
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges. -
Kentucky fallen officers honored at annual ceremony
The best part about Alexandria Police Department Officer James Sticklen’s job was being able to work with kids almost every day.
He was the school resource officer Campbell County Middle School.
“He always used to say there are no bad kids, they just make bad decisions,” said his wife, Laurie. -
Shell beats Mick by 54 votes
Republican Jonathan Shell and Democrat Bradley “Bud” Montgomery will face off in November for the 36th District state representative seat.
Shell received 810 votes in Madison County, beating Republican opponent Nathan Mick by only 54 votes. -
Woman attacked on Berea College walking track
A woman on the Berea College walking track suffered minor injuries Saturday when an unknown man struck her in the face twice, according to Berea Police Public Information Officer Jake Reed.
-
Obama beats ‘uncommitted’ only by 85 votes in Madison County
President Barack Obama won the votes of slightly more than half of Madison County’s Democratic voters Tuesday in the Kentucky primary to select delegates to his party’s nominating convention.
-
Stolen saxophone recovered, two people arrested in connection with theft
Police recovered a saxophone reported stolen earlier this month and arrested two people in connection with its theft.
-
Election results
Madison Circuit Court Clerk Darlene Snyder
-
Newcomer Morgan leads city commission voting
Laura Durham Morgan led the ballot of 14 candidates Tuesday in the non-partisan primary to select eight finalists in the Richmond City Commission race. -
Snyder wins clerk’s race
Darlene Snyder won the Madison circuit court clerk’s race by nearly 400 votes Tuesday, an outcome she attributes to her campaign volunteers.
“It feels like our hard work has paid off,” Snyder said Tuesday night outside the home of A.B. Grant, the site of her victory party. Nearly four dozen supporters were hugging, cheering and high-fiving both outside and inside the home after the results came in. -
Berry kept wheels going round and round for 45 years
Madison County Schools had 29 employees retire this year, some after careers spanning several decades.
While several retirees have more than 30 years of service, only bus driver Louda Berry can boast a tenure of 45 years. - More Local News Headlines
-
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
