Mountaineer Club Reaches New Heights

By Nolan Oberg, ‘05

The Mountaineer Club has surpassed its membership goal for the second year in a row.  Thanks to our amazing students and young alumni, we met our goal of 200 members by June 30, 2012. Special thanks to Vanessa Armstrong, Class of 1988, for helping the Mountaineer Club meet its goal of 200 members. Vanessa generously offered a $5,000 challenge gift to help encourage membership in the Mountaineer Club. Thank you, Vanessa, for helping us reach the pinnacle. 

Climbing from 158 members in 2011 to 202 members in 2012, the total dollar amount raised by Mountaineer Club members alone was $19, 603.37 ($24,603.37 with challenge gift)!  The class of 2006 finished with the highest participation of any class with 28 members.  Also, there were 34 alumni couples that joined together, 19 students, and 92 Bereans that renewed their membership from last year.

The Mountaineer Club was founded in the summer of 2010 to recognize students and young alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and donate a minimum of $50 from July 1-June 30 (fiscal year).  Members are encouraged to join at a level that works best for them.  They are broken down into the Quad Level ($50-$99.99 per year), Ridge Level ($100-$199.99 per year), Pinnacle Level ($200-$249.99 per year), and Pinnacle Plus Level (above $249.99 per year).  Members have the option of making a one-time gift or enrolling in the monthly-giving program. 

We asked several members why they joined the Mountaineer Club.  Here are some of their responses:

• I am a Mountaineer Club Member because I would like to give back as much as can to my alma mater and help the current students at the college. I think people paved the way for us and we should do the same! -Lederrick Wesley, '07
  

• Berea College gave me so much and I want to give others that same opportunity that I had. I want to help my alma mater to continue its noble mission to provide education to those who would not usually have the opportunity to continue their education due to economic means. -Damian Buttle, '11
  

• I told myself that when I graduated and that I had "made it,” I would come back to Berea once a year at a semester's open. My intent was to buy lunch for and the books of 1 male and 1 female student (meeting them at the cash register) of new students at Berea. I wanted to tell them how to best take advantage of their educations, and, given their input, how to best realize their potential and dreams. I've been living abroad since I left Berea, so I haven't been able to do as I originally wished. Until I can, I intend to give a little to Berea every month. -Josh Winsett, '06
  

• Berea College provided to me an education that was second-to-none and helped shape who I am as an individual. My core values, my life mission, the things that I hold as true and important all changed because of my experiences at Berea College. Even though I don't make a large salary and live month-to-month, I still give to Berea because I value the opportunity that was given to me and find it essential to pay it forward. -Adam Sparks, '10
  

• …because someone gave me a chance at a free college education that literally changed my life for the better. And now it's time to give back for the next generation of students. Simple. -Michael Olaopa, '05
  

The sentiment in these responses are representative of why the Mountaineer Club exists.  As Berea College alumni, someone helped us reach the pinnacle.  Now we have the chance to do the same!

*To learn more or to join the Mountaineer Club, click here.  View a list of 2011-2012 members here.  Contact Candis Arthur, '11 at arthurc@berea.edu if you have any questions or feedback.