President Cheryl Nixon’s inauguration was a weeklong celebration that showcased all things Berean. Students baked cakes and cookies, sang, drummed and danced around bonfires. Dr. Nixon has been listening and learning from the Berea community for a year. All the while, she emphasized the importance of joy. For inauguration week, all of Berea’s music ensembles came together in Union Church to express their joy and hope for Berea’s future.
The Mariachi band brought the eclectic rhythms of Mexican music to the Church’s halls. Sergio ’26 sang “Viva la Presidente,” his voice reverberating across the atrium as a salutation to Dr. Nixon. The Bluegrass and Folk Music ensembles performed “May the Circle be Unbroken” and “Banjo Picking Girl.” The Black Music Ensemble energized the audience with gospel music, making even the least rhythmic people dance. “Berea’s music ensembles are our resident experts in joy,” Dr. Nixon said.
The inauguration ceremony the next day was solemn yet redolent with Dr. Nixon’s ideals for community building.
Students celebrate President Cheryl Nixon’s inauguration with an ice cream sundae bar and banner signing event to kick off the week. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyRev. Dr. LeSette Wright and several Campus Christian Center students joined the Chapel Service congregation in praying over Dr. Cheryl Nixon and her husband, Tim Monroe. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05The Berea College Farm Store prepared cookies for nearly every reception event on campus. Each was hand decorated with a fondant logo expressing President Cheryl Nixon’s theme of Affirming the Heart of Berea. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05President’s Office executive administrative assistant, Judy Mott (center front), is pictured with the last three Berea College presidents with whom she has worked since October 2001. From left, former President Lyle Roelofs (2012-2023) and First Lady Laurie Roelofs; Ralph Mott, Judy’s spouse; First Gentleman Tim Monroe and President Cheryl Nixon; and former President Larry Shinn (1994-2012) and First Lady Nancy Shinn. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05After the International Student Dinner, students pose on the balcony of the Woods-Penn Commons with flags representing their countries of origin. Photo by Zack ThompsonKatie Basham ’02 and Channing Francis ’12 mingle at the Alumni Community Reception. The commemorative pennant on the table is one of hundreds printed especially for the inaugural events. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Students were issued “passports” to experience activities across campus in celebration of the inauguration. When they received enough stickers in the passport booklet, they received a prize. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyDr. Cheryl Nixon shares a laugh with Honorary Trustee Betty Olinger ’69 and Andrew Baskin ’73, former Berea College professor of African and African American Studies. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Standing next to a banner filled with signatures and well wishes from individuals across campus, this student displays her completed “passport” booklet, showing she completed all tasks that were part of this fun student experience during inauguration week. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Dr. Jessica Klanderud speaks at the Heart of Berea: Our Aspiration toward Educational Unity, Day of Interracial Education “Teach-In” event. Attendees discussed everyday acts of resistance and affirmation that can be used to build interracial coalition and unity. Photo by Brooklynn Kenney
International students from 10 different countries marched in to open the ceremony waving their national flags. They were followed by a procession of faculty, staff and all student organizations; from the Newman Catholic Club to Girls Who Code. Berea College’s dynamism was on full display.
Berea has fought for equality, justice and democracy when it was under threat in 1855, and we will continue to do so today.”
Dr. Cheryl Nixon
Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05
Amid scores of national flags and scrolls embossed with Berea’s Great Commitments, Stephanie Zeigler, chair of the Board of Trustees, officially swore Nixon in as the 10th President of Berea College to a standing ovation.
“We have a heart that feels such a love for the world we live in, that it feels the pain of the world deeply,” President Nixon spoke. “But we also know that love must be built on the foundation of bravery, boldness and fierceness. At a moment when we see war break out and suffering increase, whether it be in Gaza, Ukraine or the Sudan, higher education needs to be helping repair a broken world. Berea has fought for equality, justice and democracy when it was under threat in 1855, and we will continue to do so today.” President Nixon vows to be on the vanguard as Berea takes on modern challenges for higher education, from artificial intelligence to federal budget cuts. She begins her work by reaffirming the goodness of Berea and instilling joy in our sense of community.
Members of the Jazz Ensemble perform during the Inaugural Concert at Union Church. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyDr. Xiangtang Hong, associate professor of Music, leads the congregation gathered at Union Church for the Inaugural Concert where members of all of the College’s musical ensembles performed. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyJohn ’26 and Rodney ’26 play the piano during the inauguration welcome reception on Friday night. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Special programs, designed by Berea College Art Director Amicheli Salyer, were distributed to all who attended the inauguration ceremony honoring Dr. Cheryl Nixon, Berea’s 10th president. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Dr. Cheryl Nixon addresses the crowd gathered at her inauguration ceremony. Nixon’s entire career has been dedicated to higher education, and she was honored to be chosen as Berea’s 10th president, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyAfter the inauguration ceremony, all attendees were invited to a picnic behind the Alumni Building. Photo by Brooklynn KenneyAnthony Basham ’00, Hasan Davis, Esq. ’92 and Joe Saleem ’08 spend time catching up at the Alumni Community Reception. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05After the inauguration festivities, Dr. Cheryl Nixon joined students, staff and faculty at a bonfire, roasting marshmallows and celebrating the excitement of the day’s events. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05During the Inaugural Concert in Union Church, President Cheryl Nixon, sitting with her family, applauds the musical stylings of Berea’s many ensembles. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05President Cheryl Nixon (right) dances with students at the Inaugural Fair in Seabury Center, immediately following the inauguration ceremony. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05Ryan Joiner ’22 basks in the glow of a foam pit created as a fun element during the student party on Friday night. As a Residence Life coordinator and intramural sports and activities coordinator, Joiner was instrumental in creating an exciting, joyful atmosphere for students to celebrate. Photo by Crystal Wylie ’05The picnic that followed the inauguration ceremony fed all attendees, from students and alumni to staff, faculty and special guests. Photo by Brooklynn Kenney
