[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN STEPHENSON OF BEREA COLLEGE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. John 
Stephenson who retired on July 31, 1994 as president of Berea College. 
Dr. Stephenson received his undergraduate degree from the College of 
William and Mary and later earned his graduate degree from the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After serving as dean of 
undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky and as the first 
director of UK's Appalachian Center, Dr. Stephenson began his tenure at 
Berea College in January 1984.
  During his 10 years at Berea, Dr. Stephenson compiled a lengthy list 
of accomplishments adding to the prestige of an already well respected 
institution of higher learning. As president, he helped lead one of the 
most successful fund raising campaigns in the school's history, raising 
over $70 million for use in improving the school's library, expanding 
student aid, and providing salary increases for teachers. Through his 
leadership, Berea College also developed a program to work with 
community leaders to enhance economic and educational opportunities in 
Appalachia.
  Throughout Dr. Stephenson's service to the faculty and students of 
Berea College, his main priority was to maintain the rich traditions of 
the college. He worked diligently to keep the school among the finest 
institutions in the Nation, and he strove to insure that Berea College 
never becomes ``just another good liberal arts school.'' For 125 years, 
the school has furnished its students with an education that is second 
to none. Berea College focuses on opening the doors to higher education 
to those students who would otherwise lack the financial resources to 
attend college. Berea College's emphasis on applied and academic 
instruction has brought the school national attention for its 
comprehensive approach to excellence in education. In 1992, U.S. News 
and World Report ranked Berea College third among the best colleges in 
the South.
  Mr. President, I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing Dr. 
Stephenson well as he passes his duties along to this successor, Dr. 
Larry Shinn. Dr. Stephenson's work at Berea College was an invaluable 
service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and he will be sorely missed by 
those whom his work touched.

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