Virginia Wesleyan emeritus professor of history and American Studies remembered as a colleague, mentor and voice for diversity
By Staff | November 2, 2011
Dr. Benjamin D. Berry Jr., former VWC professor of history and American studies, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2011. Dr. Berry initially came to Virginia Wesleyan College in 1992 as the recipient of a Jessie Ball Dupont Visiting Scholar Grant.
During his 13-year tenure at Virginia Wesleyan, he served on the General Studies Revision Committee, as chapter president of the American Association of University Professors, and as chair of the Community Arbitration Board. In addition to his committee roles, Berry was the director of American studies and the coordinator of the VWC Department of History for one semester.
“Ben came to the College through a VFIC initiative to enhance faculty diversity on member campuses,” remembers Dr. Stephen Mansfield, who was the dean of academic affairs during Berry’s time at Virginia Wesleyan. “He became a strong voice for sensitivity to diversity across the VWC community and led January term trips to sites of significance in the Civil Rights movement. We remember, too, his impressive vocal performances, a legacy of his classically trained mother. He was a convivial colleague and a mentor to many students who were motivated by his interest in their development.”
In 2005, Dr. Berry retired from Virginia Wesleyan and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to be closer to his grandchildren.
Dr. Berry’s obituary was published in the Tennessean.