Day 10

Though I have missed having Mae along during my stretch of the relay in the central portion of Tennessee, I must admit that I’ve been having the time of my life! Eric Waller joined me on Mae’s behalf. Our Monday was a long, busy, exhausting, yet rewarding day!

The relay went to three different event locations today in Nashville, ensuring that all the country music stars saw the Berea mobile! I’m proud to say that the decorated van draws a lot of attention, which means that we are teaching people about our wonderful College! I am thrilled to be part of spreading the good news of Berea, to Nashville.

Our morning event, a Proclamation to the State of Tennessee, comprised of eight Berea College alumni with graduation classes ranging between 1934, Dr. Sarah Sell, and 2005, Da Norm! On behalf of Tennessee State Governor Bredesen, Legislative Officer, Patrick Smith, accepted the Proclamation and gifts. Also joining us were Jean Dedman, Ken Roberts, and Tom Lawson! We really had an impressive group of alumni! Thank you to everyone who participated in this memorable ceremony! I recall hearing Patrick Smith congratulate our school for our successful alumni and thank us for the work we do!


The Country Music Hall of Fame allowed four Berea College alumni to go behind the scenes in the archives to get a sneak peak at their collection of CMHF inductee and Berea College Academy graduate, Clyde “Red” Foley. Sarah Reynolds, a Red Foley Award Recipient, and her husband, Randall Reynolds, who has worked many years on ‘Music Row’ at Bellmont, joined us to deliver the Proclamation and donation of 3 photo prints from original negatives held in the Berea College archives. The photos will be added to their Red Foley collection, which includes an original red-paint portrait, Red’s very first guitar, and song books. Being behind the glass was indeed a great birthday gift to Berea College! Having Sarah and Randall there to express friendship was the gift wrap and the bow that completed the gift. I should explain that Red Foley Award recipients are recognized for their musical talent and great contribution to the social life of the Berea College campus community. In meeting Sarah, I could see how she once was this person in her musical work, and continues to enhance the community through the work she currently does in development at Vanderbilt.

Following our small ceremony to the CMHF, the curator let us loose to roam the exhibits free of charge! We got some great photos and videography!

We continued our busy day by visiting the West End United Methodist Church, which was built with a gothic structure and interior, just as Danforth Chapel! There were many similarities between their large church and our small chapel, including the colors cascading the stain glass windows and the distinct lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

Matt Tolliver welcomed our relay. He is son to Berea College faculty Wayne Tolliver, who grew up in Berea. Matt was a prospective Berea College student, but decided to attend Vanderbilt due to his preference to gain new experiences in a faraway land. We are sad not to have Matt with us at Berea, but we are certainly excited that he is working to obtain his degree! Matt, we are so happy for you!

What a day! -Recognition by the State of Tennessee; honoring a successful legend at the Country Music Hall of Fame; and visiting a gothic style church with a Berea ‘townie.’ Can you believe that there was more? Well, to give you an idea of how eventful this day really was, I will continue talk about more high points in tomorrow’s blog! Check back again soon!

Signing off from Nashville, TN
-Crystal