Dr. Cheryl Nixon spoke with a group of first-year students in front of Kentucky-Talcott Hall.

Berea welcomed 500 new students during Welcome Week

Last week, Berea College celebrated the start of the Fall 2024 semester in the best way possible: by welcoming the newest group of arrivals! Nearly 500 new Berea students are beginning their higher educational journey, and we could not be more pleased.

Starting college can be overwhelming for a lot of students, but Student Life and Student Success and Transition is here to help all these new Bereans feel at home as soon as they set foot on campus. These new students have an exciting four years ahead of them, full of priceless opportunities for learning, growth, and service—all thanks to your generosity. Please enjoy these pictures from a few of the Welcome Week events.

Move-In Day

Move-In Day is always an exciting time for new students and their families as new students get settled into their Berea home away from home. President Nixon, Blue the Bear, and Student Life’s dedicated staff all lent a hand to help these new Bereans move into the residence halls and make themselves at home.

Blue the Bear and five new first-year students in front of Pearson Hall.

Ceremony of Dedication

Berea College is a unique community of learning—one founded on compassion, care, and radical love as the basis for transformative higher education. The Ceremony of Dedication kicked off the academic year with a call to celebrate Berea’s unique principles and mission. The ceremony was held in a packed Phelps Stokes Chapel on Move-In Day with a welcoming message by President Cheryl Nixon for the new students.

Dr. Cheryl Nixon and other Berea staff make their way to Phelps Stokes Chapel for the Ceremony of Dedication,

Students exit Phelps Stokes Chapel after the Ceremony of Dedication.

All Peoples of the Earth Worship Service

Every year, the All Peoples of the Earth Worship Service is a highlight of Welcome Week. This event celebrates all of Berea’s new and returning international students. Students wanting to share a bit of their cultures with the Berea community were encouraged to wear styles of clothing common back home. Seeing so many students share their home countries’ beautiful and distinct styles of dress with the campus community truly highlights the multicultural atmosphere and diverse and welcoming community that Berea helps to foster.