41 Jim at Berea College

     James Edson Stermer began as Assistant Professor of Sociology in Sept 1962. He received commissioned worker status and promotion to Associate Professor in 1965. He retired at the conclusion of the 1970 academic year. Stermer is referred to as Acting Chairman as early as 1963 and was appointed Sociology Department Chairman on March 30, 1968.

     This was the highlight of his employment over the years.   To him, it was the place he believed in.  He believed that each student should work for their own education.  In the 1960’s, for a student to attend, they had to work part time to go to Berea. I do not know if this is still the practice.  He instilled this belief with me. I followed his advice.  While this was difficult to do, it made me appreciate what going to school really meant.

     Dad and Mom left Berea to move to Raleigh, North Carolina. Mary, now a single mother due to divorce, was living there with her family. Mom had had a heart attack and wanted to be near her children. She felt a need to be close to Mary.

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