He Had A Vision

Abstract

He Had A Vision Larry D. Shinn As I said in my public announcement ofhis death, Dr. John B. Stephenson retired as the seventh president of Berea College with many accomplishments to his credit. A very modest man, John was reluctant to accept accolades for the many achievements of the college under his leadership, even though his pride in Berea College was immense. Those accomplishments for which John deserves much recognition are many that have positively affected the Appalachian region that Berea serves. There was no artifice in his interactions with students, whether they were from the Appalachian region, from other areas of the country, or from abroad. John was devoted to Berea students and was able to talk easily with them on the sidewalk or counsel them in his office. One ofthe obvious strengths of John's presidency was that he was able to combine deep knowledge ofand love for Appalachia with an earnest commitment to international education—to the benefit of all Berea students. While Berea College has a very long history ofservice and outreach to the Appalachian region, that aspect ofits programs was given renewed vigor under John's administration. Because he believed so strongly that Berea was "more than just a college," he sought out opportunities for the college to make significant contributions to the region. Students for Appalachia grew into a nationally recognized program, while providing extraordinary opportunities for Berea students to serve others in the region in life-changing ways. He forged a partnership with his wife Jane to create the New Opportunity School, based loosely on the concept ofa much earlier Berea Opportunity School, to meet the needs ofwomen in the region at times of transition in their lives. The Brushy Fork Institute launched a leadership training program that has effected real civic progress in the region. Finally, the Black Mountain Youth Leadership Program sought to serve an important but neglected group, African-Americans in Appalachia. I have no doubt that all ofthese initiatives will have ripple effects on the Appalachian region that none ofus will ever be able fully to document. Yet none ofthe positive changes coming from these efforts would surprise John, for he Larry Shinn is president ofBerea College and the author ofseveral books on Eastern religions. 10 clearly had a vision for Berea College and called upon its remarkable potential to serve the underserved. John was also a scholar ofthe region and was active in numerous organizations and programs associated with the Southern Appalachian region. He wrote numerous articles, chapters, and reports for a variety of sociological and educational journals and was the author offour books. As president and in retirement, he remained an active scholar and, when he died, was in the midst ofapplying for a Mellon grant to continue his Ford and Shiloh studies. Earlier this year he was appointed by Governor Jones as the chair of the Kentucky Appalachian Task Force, a post he relinquished upon his retirement from Berea. One of the editorial tributes to John following his death referred to the presidency ofBerea College as one ofthe most challenging jobs ofthe commonwealth. I have just begun to appreciate fully what those challenges are. In trying to meet those challenges, I am indebted to John Stephenson for all that he did to make Berea College one that serves well its students and region. Those of us at Berea College and those in the Appalachian region who knew him will miss him dearly. The Night Will Come and Go Night flows here like a slow creek among dark rocks. The moon is more shadow than light in these thick woods. Penciling narrow beams on trunk and boulder. The ear is filled with sounds ofwater seeking its level; The uphill source is as unending as sky, the destination A vast, waiting sea. Human purpose seems a small eddy in this timeless flow. The night will come and go whether or not it is watched; The moon will write its name on the hillside forever. Water will descend until the law ofgravity is repealed, Until we return to earth and sea, And give up mere humanity. -John B. Stephenson 11 ...