Berea College Welcomes Community Members to Free Fall Convocations Featuring Authors, Innovators and Performers

By Josie Ervin
Berea College

Dubbed “Berea’s Largest Classroom,” Berea College Convocations create opportunities for intellectual exploration, artistic expression and meaningful dialogue. While Convocations serve as an integral part of the student experience, many events each semester are also open to the public.

Through a diverse lineup of lectures, presentations and performances, the Convocations program brings distinguished scholars, authors, artists and innovators to campus, providing free opportunities for community members and students alike to engage with new ideas and perspectives.

“Having community members sitting alongside our students shows them that learning isn’t something that ends when you finish college,” Dr. Sarah Adams, interim dean of curriculum and executive director of education, said. “It’s something you can do for your whole life.”

The fall semester Convocation schedule includes:

Oct. 8, 3 p.m. – Taylor Fellows Showcase. Each year, Berea College selects one graduating senior to receive the prestigious Taylor Fellowship. Supported by generous donors, the fellowship provides $40,000 to pursue a year of learning, service and discovery outside the United States. Attend this showcase to meet the 2026 recipient and learn about their plans.

Oct. 22, 3 p.m. – Andrew Aydin and Cory Vaillancourt. Contributors to Islands in the Sky: A People’s History of Hurricane Helene will discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene on Appalachia through the lens of graphic storytelling and regional history.

Nov. 5, 3 p.m. – Brian Christian, Author of The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values. Explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence and discover the risks and implications of machine-learning systems trained on large-scale data.

Nov. 12, 8 p.m. – Stephenson Memorial Concert: Los Juanos. Experience the genre-defying sound of Los Juanos, whose music blends Conjunto, Corrido and Cumbia Norteña traditions with elements of dream pop, psychedelic rock and punk.

All Convocations are held in Phelps Stokes Chapel on the Berea College campus, located at 101 Chestnut St. in Berea. Visitors to Convo are welcome to park along Chestnut Street or in the Admissions Visitor’s lot near 209 Chestnut Street.

To ensure an enjoyable experience for all attendees, Berea College asks participants to refrain from eating, drinking and using electronic devices during Convocations.

Wheelchair access is available through the west entrance facing the Berea College Art Building. Guests requiring accommodations are encouraged to call 859-985-3965 in advance. Accessible seating and companion seating may be reserved when available.

If you would like to donate to Convocations, contact 859-985-3104 or alumniphilanthropy@berea.edu.

For more information and a complete Convocation schedule, visit www.berea.edu/convocations/convocation-schedule