Day 34

Reporting from Pineville, Kentucky this is Amy Harmon, ’99. I’ll be joining the blog for the remaining eight days of the relay as we wind up for the Grand Finale Celebration in Berea to be held on Friday, May 12th at 6:00 pm on College Square.

I feel blessed to begin this last part of the journey not only with members of the fantastic Berea team like Crystal Baldwin but also with my husband, John Harmon, ’95 who joins me. John came to Berea from Charleston, West Virginia and continues to be the first and only one in his family to have graduated from college. He’ll not only serve as a wonderful alum volunteer for the remaining days but also as a husband who knows “when his woman needs him.”






This morning we started our day at the beautiful campus of the University of the Cumberland’s where we were introduced to Mr. Harold Hubbard, ’58, a business professor who has been on staff there for over 30 years. Mr. Hubbard was on campus for Berea’s 100th year and had many fun memories to share, such as the introduction of rock n’ roll to Berea’s campus.Joining Mr. Hubbard were five administrators and staff from the University, including one who has a son attending Berea! We were pleased to receive such a warm reception and were eager to share the mission of the relay which has been to raise awareness in the communities we visit about Berea’s history and contributions, particularly the Great Commitments, which charge us to demonstrate, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the Earth.”From Williamsburg we headed east to Pine Mountain State Park where we climbed a three mile ascent by “sasquatchian van” to the top of the mountain and were greeted by hundreds of blooming azaleas and, soon to be blooming, mountain laurels.

While on a hike on a nearby trail this afternoon at Pine Mountain State Park we were also greeted by a sleepy copperhead snake lying across our path without movement. John gently moved the copperhead from our path and all four of us were left unharmed!

Tonight I reflect on the day’s activities with peace of mind and will use my husband and the experience with the snake as a metaphor if you’ll permit me. We know that there are those of you out there that keep Berea going just as my husband helps keep me going. Additionally, no matter what crosses Berea’s path we feel your thoughtful support helping us clear the way for promising students in the future.

Signing off from Pineville,

Amy Harmon, ‘99