Student Stories

Immersive internship opportunity enhances college experience

Growing up just south of Berea, Sam '26 appreciates the enriching educational opportunities Berea College provides to students with great promise and limited resources.  Participation in an internship is only one, high impact, way students learn and gain experience in Berea College's supportive atmosphere.

Selected as the second Ray Ramseyer Endowed Internship participant, Sam held this role during the summer of 2024 and found that the experience was transformative in many ways. "It enhanced my professional communication skills, improved my ability to network, and broadened my understanding of philanthropy's role in education," said Sam.  "I also learned more about the immense role that technology plays in today's educational landscape, specifically regarding philanthropic efforts."

A computer science major, Sam's internship within Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy focused primarily on professional communication, donor relations and contributions to various outreach efforts. "One standout project involved creating automated PowerPoint® files using Python," said Sam.  "This was my first experience coding for such a specific presentation purpose."  Despite initial challenges Sam said he learned a great deal by immersing himself into a new area of coding and overcoming difficulties.  His effort, "successfully automated a time-consuming task, which felt like a significant accomplishment," said Sam.

Sam also had the opportunity to attend two trips to Chicago and Washington, D.C., with philanthropy officers to meet with donors, both alumni and friends. He noted that one donor he visited indicated that her husband attended Berea College, and she continually shared how much Berea helped them find their way in life, stating that their lives would have likely been entirely different had Berea not been a part of it.  "The unique way that Berea College manages to make a difference, even later in life, has stuck with me since having that conversation," said Sam.  The trips took Sam outside of his comfort zone, requiring him to confidently represent Berea College and communicate its mission.  "I had the opportunity to interact with individuals who play a key role in the College's development," said Sam.  "This experience boosted my confidence in professional settings, and I realized how much I had grown in my communication skills."

In addition to the donor visits in Chicago and Washington, D.C., Sam met with several donors who visited campus during Summer Reunion.  He spoke with many Great Commitments Society members during the Mocktail Cocktail Summer Social at Boone Tavern, and also noted an enjoyable discussion with Lana Stohl, her twin sister Linda Gaddie and Linda's husband, David, who are also featured in this newsletter.

During this internship, Sam shares that he developed a deeper appreciation for how critical donors are to Berea's mission.  "Donors are not only financial supporters, but they are also partners in our education," said Sam. "Without their generous contributions, the unique tuition-free model at Berea College wouldn't be possible. Their support directly impacts every student's opportunity, including my own, by enabling us to focus on academics and personal growth without the financial strain that so many other college students face."

In addition to an immersive internship, Sam also values his experiences in the labor program.  He works in the Registrar's Office and facilitates registration issues, transcript orders and document organization.  He says the most significant lesson he has learned so far in his labor position is the importance of being flexible and willing to embrace any task.  "Many times, people will approach me with a problem or a specific issue that I haven't dealt with before, but approaching these tasks with a willingness to learn and help has made my time at the Registrar's Office productive and meaningful," said Sam.  "I believe that being in a professional environment will continue to be beneficial after I graduate, as navigating a professional space will not be new to me."

The learning experiences and support extended by Berea College goes beyond internship and labor program offerings.  As a non-traditional student, meaning he's older than most of Berea's students, Sam believes that Berea College is the perfect fit for him at this point in his life.  Attending another higher education institution right out of high school, Sam decided to return home after two years.  He worked various jobs and decided to return to his studies at the age of 24.  Sam shared that Berea supports his learning as a non-traditional student in a variety of ways.  "The faculty are incredibly understanding," said Sam.  "They are all aware that each person is coming from a different set of circumstances, and they do their best to accommodate everyone.  There is a sense of community among non-traditional students that is fostered by college-sponsored events and gatherings."

Sam chose Berea College for a variety of reasons, with the College's no-tuition promise being the most prominent.  "As a non-traditional student, I have financial burdens outside of school, so Berea College was the only institution where it was feasible to continue my education," said Sam.  Additionally, "Berea is small, and, in some respects, it feels like I'm on campus with a family of sorts.  One of the reasons I love Berea is that it feels like I'm a person who can make a difference here, as opposed to just feeling like a number, or feeling disposable."

Sam shared that the first of the eight great commitments, to provide an educational opportunity for students of all races, primarily from Appalachia, who have great promise and limited economic resources, resonates strongly with him.  "I knew I could do well if I ever went back, but I did not have the financial resources to go back to college," said Sam. Berea College "sees promise and doesn't let financial constraints hold students back." 

"I know that attending Berea College has changed my trajectory in life," said Sam.  Prior to being accepted at Berea, Sam indicated he had limited work opportunities and financial challenges. "I believe that having a degree, especially in a field like computer science, will allow me to find a career path that is not only more financially lucrative," said Sam, but "Berea College has helped me broaden my horizons and see things from different perspectives, which has given me a new appreciation for the people I love and the life I hope to lead."

"I would like to thank Berea College donors for their generosity and support.  Without their support, it would not be possible for students like me to pursue higher education.  I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that their generosity has afforded me," said Sam.