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This site is not affiliated with or sanctioned by Berry College. All opinions on this site are solely those of the webmaster.
| Welcome To Memory Lane It's like a ride down the Stretch! |
| What Do You Remember About Berry? |
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| On the Right Path |
| The Unofficial Website of Berry Academy and the Mount Berry School for Boys Mount Berry, GA |
In the Spring of 2007, a group of Berry High School athletes from the 1960's honored their former
basketball coach Jerry Shelton. The dinner in Hill Dining Hall was a huge success, attended by
over 100 people. After the tribute, a few of the men decided to create an organization to preserve
the camaraderie of high school alumni and to work to preserve the history of the high schools.
The Berry Breakfast Club was born.
basketball coach Jerry Shelton. The dinner in Hill Dining Hall was a huge success, attended by
over 100 people. After the tribute, a few of the men decided to create an organization to preserve
the camaraderie of high school alumni and to work to preserve the history of the high schools.
The Berry Breakfast Club was born.
| The 1952 Berry Basketball Team standing in front of The Blue Goose |
Left to Right: Charlie Underwood, A.C. Holbrook, J.W. Walker, Billy Thomason,
Ike Coleman, Chester Hyers, Vance Parkerson, Josh Hutchinson, Oliver Welch,
Sims Hawkins and C.H. Smith.
Ike Coleman, Chester Hyers, Vance Parkerson, Josh Hutchinson, Oliver Welch,
Sims Hawkins and C.H. Smith.
| Remember the Blue Goose? |
|
| Visit our Message Board or Sign Our Guestbook |
| A Tribute to the Faculty and Staff |
Mabel Thompson
Mary Harrison
Gary McKnight
Torris Geraldson
John Bertrand
Fred Loveday
| This site is not affiliated with or sanctioned by Berry College. All opinions on this site are solely those of the webmaster. All Rights Reserved |
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| Click Here to See Who Signed Our Guestbook You might be surprised at who you know |
| * * * News From Berry * * * |
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| The Story of Swofford Is it real or is it legend? Click on the cartoon to find out. |
| Berry Breakfast Club meetings have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 |
| Read the letter that Martha Berry wrote to the class of 1932. Reprinted from the 1932 Yearbook. Click here. |
| Martha Berry |
| The Berry Breakfast Club |
The story of Berry High
School/Academy and the amazing
impact the school continues to
have on the lives of its former
students is the focus of a new
book, A History of the Berry
Schools on the Mountain
Campus, written by Dr. Jennifer
Dickey (77A, 80C). The book was
first envisioned by the Berry
Breakfast Club, a group of alumni
who meet monthly to reconnect
with memories and friends and to
promote the school’s legacy.
Berry President Steve Briggs
commissioned the project, which
was managed by Historic Berry
with the support of the alumni
relations office. The book can be
purchased online at Barnes &
Noble and at Amazon.Com. Or,
you can click here to order.
School/Academy and the amazing
impact the school continues to
have on the lives of its former
students is the focus of a new
book, A History of the Berry
Schools on the Mountain
Campus, written by Dr. Jennifer
Dickey (77A, 80C). The book was
first envisioned by the Berry
Breakfast Club, a group of alumni
who meet monthly to reconnect
with memories and friends and to
promote the school’s legacy.
Berry President Steve Briggs
commissioned the project, which
was managed by Historic Berry
with the support of the alumni
relations office. The book can be
purchased online at Barnes &
Noble and at Amazon.Com. Or,
you can click here to order.
| Finally, the Book Is Here! Six Years in the Making, from Conception to Completion |
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Did You Miss Some Berry News?
| Click Here to see the news archive. |
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| In Memoriam |
Nominations Now Being Accepted
| Berry Alumnus - Pastor to the President |
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
Media release: Berry College is saddened to announce the passing of J. Barry Griswell, chair of the Berry College
Board of Trustees. A towering presence both literally and figuratively, this 6-foot-9 Berry College Viking basketball
alumnus served his alma mater with uncommon distinction during his 17 years as a trustee, the last four as chair.
“His legacy is one of great progress in advancing the mission of the college but his true impact here and elsewhere is
measured in lives touched,” said Berry President Steve Briggs.
His story was a Berry story, as told in his book “The Adversity Paradox” (2009). Griswell came from a broken home
headed by a single mother who worked two jobs and endured abusive marriages. He credits the Joseph B. Whitehead
Boys Club of Atlanta as saving him. He met his future wife and graduated from Atlanta’s Walter F. George High School –
as a 6-foot, 9-inch star basketball player. They both earned scholarships to Berry changing his trajectory.
He rose from humble beginnings to great heights, including serving as CEO and chair of Principal Financial Group in
Des Moines, Iowa. His career success was matched by his passion for service, as evidenced by his sustained work on
behalf of the United Way and many other organizations, Berry among them.
Barry and Michele, with other members of their church, helped found The Harvest Initiative, an endeavor to bring
economic development to the people of Crow Creek County in South Dakota. He has also served as chair of Scholarship
America. His many honors and distinctions included the Horatio Alger Distinguished American Award, the Berry Alumni
Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award and induction into the Boys and Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame. He
was a 1971 graduate of Berry.
Griswell, who died June 5, is survived by his wife, Michele (a 1970 alum), his dedicated partner in service and in life
since first meeting in high school more than 50 years ago, sons John and Michael, John’s wife Abigail, two
granddaughters, three brothers, and a number of nieces and nephews, several of whom attended Berry College.
“We will long remember Barry’s keen insight, wise counsel, impeccable character, quick-witted humor and fun-loving
spirit, witnessed most recently when he joined me in donning overalls and straw hats for a short video meant to open
this spring’s Scholarship Night celebration.
“We will cherish the example he set through his steadfast loyalty and support of Berry and our students. He was often
touched by the stories and potential of individuals he met and would act quietly and directly to make a difference. His
investment wasn’t just one of money or resources but also time. As recently as Wednesday, he was on a video call with
other trustees, discussing passionately the future of the college he loved so much,” Briggs said.
More about Griswell’s life and legacy in this 2016 feature story published in Berry magazine.
TRUSTEES DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
Media release: Berry College is saddened to announce the passing of J. Barry Griswell, chair of the Berry College
Board of Trustees. A towering presence both literally and figuratively, this 6-foot-9 Berry College Viking basketball
alumnus served his alma mater with uncommon distinction during his 17 years as a trustee, the last four as chair.
“His legacy is one of great progress in advancing the mission of the college but his true impact here and elsewhere is
measured in lives touched,” said Berry President Steve Briggs.
His story was a Berry story, as told in his book “The Adversity Paradox” (2009). Griswell came from a broken home
headed by a single mother who worked two jobs and endured abusive marriages. He credits the Joseph B. Whitehead
Boys Club of Atlanta as saving him. He met his future wife and graduated from Atlanta’s Walter F. George High School –
as a 6-foot, 9-inch star basketball player. They both earned scholarships to Berry changing his trajectory.
He rose from humble beginnings to great heights, including serving as CEO and chair of Principal Financial Group in
Des Moines, Iowa. His career success was matched by his passion for service, as evidenced by his sustained work on
behalf of the United Way and many other organizations, Berry among them.
Barry and Michele, with other members of their church, helped found The Harvest Initiative, an endeavor to bring
economic development to the people of Crow Creek County in South Dakota. He has also served as chair of Scholarship
America. His many honors and distinctions included the Horatio Alger Distinguished American Award, the Berry Alumni
Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award and induction into the Boys and Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame. He
was a 1971 graduate of Berry.
Griswell, who died June 5, is survived by his wife, Michele (a 1970 alum), his dedicated partner in service and in life
since first meeting in high school more than 50 years ago, sons John and Michael, John’s wife Abigail, two
granddaughters, three brothers, and a number of nieces and nephews, several of whom attended Berry College.
“We will long remember Barry’s keen insight, wise counsel, impeccable character, quick-witted humor and fun-loving
spirit, witnessed most recently when he joined me in donning overalls and straw hats for a short video meant to open
this spring’s Scholarship Night celebration.
“We will cherish the example he set through his steadfast loyalty and support of Berry and our students. He was often
touched by the stories and potential of individuals he met and would act quietly and directly to make a difference. His
investment wasn’t just one of money or resources but also time. As recently as Wednesday, he was on a video call with
other trustees, discussing passionately the future of the college he loved so much,” Briggs said.
More about Griswell’s life and legacy in this 2016 feature story published in Berry magazine.
Samir Massouh,
class of 1964,
passed away on
January 12, 2021.
You can read his
obituary by
clicking here.
class of 1964,
passed away on
January 12, 2021.
You can read his
obituary by
clicking here.
Reverand Dr. Luis Leon, Academy
class of 1967, served as Rector of St.
John's Church in Washington, DC,
commonly known as "The Church of the
Presidents". Read more about Luis and
his service to others by clicking here.
class of 1967, served as Rector of St.
John's Church in Washington, DC,
commonly known as "The Church of the
Presidents". Read more about Luis and
his service to others by clicking here.
Marilyn Allen,
former Berry staff
member, passed
away on January
25, 2021. You can
read her obituary by
clicking here.
former Berry staff
member, passed
away on January
25, 2021. You can
read her obituary by
clicking here.
You are visitor number:
John Littleton,
class of 1961,
passed away on
March 31, 2021.
You can read his
obituary by
clicking here.
class of 1961,
passed away on
March 31, 2021.
You can read his
obituary by
clicking here.