Day 9

What do an 80-year old Presbyterian minister from Western Kentucky and a 28-year old college advancement professional from Estill county have in common? Well, actually at LEAST two things: 1) a passion for country dancing; and 2) a passion for Berea. As we head outside the state border, we also bid a temporary farewell to Amy Harmon who will be heading home to her husband John and her Maltese, Emmet until the relay route takes us back to the bluegrass state in early May. One of the last road stops that Amy and I shared was an off-the-path visit to Class of ’49 alumnus, Pat Napier who graciously sent me home with a sampling of his homemade cashew peanut brittle and a hand-crafted wooden toy car. Dr. Napier, a retired Butler county Superintendent, currently serves as a minister at a local church and has, since 1948 taught Christmas Country Dance School at Berea College. Dr. Napier actually missed only one year – 1951 – when he was stationed in Korea. For those of you who may not know this, our very own Amy Harmon was also an avid country dancer while a student at Berea and she continues to dance today (she also makes brooms, plays the guitar, and can do a mean U-turn in a cargo van – the things you learn about people when you spend 9 days straight together…)

The inspiration I gained from Dr. Napier's and Amy’s extraordinary commitment to Appalachia along with their unwavering love for Berea, was the perfect send-off I needed as I head into Tennessee tomorrow morning. For the next week or so, we will be joined by assistants to the president, Crystal Baldwin and Eric Waller as we share our remarkable mission and history with friends and alumni in Tennessee.

Signing off from Bowling Green, KY
Mae