Thursday, December 31, 2015

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Stan Berry, 1923-2015, Rest in Peace


  • Click here to see photos from Stan Berry’s 90th birthday party held in April 2013. 
  • Read about Stan Berry being honored in 1999 when WSU Admissions Office suite dedicated in his honor. Click here.
STAN BERRY

Obituary: Stanley Leo Berry, 92, of Pullman

Thur, Dec 24, 2015, in Moscow Pullman Daily News and Lewiston Trib

Stan Berry of Pullman, a longtime Eastern Washington educator, died on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. He was 92. Berry, who had been a teacher, a high school principal, a school superintendent and a college administrator, was nationally known for his work in international student recruitment to Washington State University and other American universities.

Stanley Leo Berry was born on April 7, 1923, in
Spokane, Wash., to John Fay and Muriel Berry. He grew up primarily in Clarkston, Wash., graduating from Clarkston High School in 1941. After high school, he briefly attended Lewis-Clark State College while working as a reporter for the Lewiston Morning Tribune. When he enrolled in Washington State College in 1942 with plans of becoming a broadcaster, he was beginning the institutional relationship that would dominate his professional life. His education was interrupted by World War II and active duty in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946.

On April 15, 1945, while still on active duty, he married his high school sweetheart, Bernette Thomas, and began the passionate relationship that would dominate his personal life. They made their first home in Oceanside, Calif., where he was stationed.

Stan returned to Pullman and Washington State College after discharge. He graduated in 1948 with a degree in education and a teaching certificate. In the fall of 1948, he began teaching English, speech, drama and journalism at Colville High School. From 1952 to 1955 he was principal of Colville High.

In 1955, he returned to Pullman and WSC (soon to become WSU) for good to become the associate director of admissions, and in 1966 the director of admissions. In 1960, he took a leave of absence to be the interim superintendent of schools in Pullman. He took another leave in 1969-70 to work at the East Asian Institute of International Education in Hong Kong.

In the latter part of his career, he gave much time to international admissions. He traveled extensively, often on behalf of the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense, visiting every continent spreading the gospel of higher education and helping students find a way to fulfill that mission. This work was rewarded with many honors, both regional and national, but most important to him was the respect and friendship of colleagues who praised him for his leadership and professionalism.

His deep commitment to education was personal for many former WSU students. By providing encouragement and opportunity, he produced legions of admirers who thank him for the role he played in giving them a chance to succeed. Other than his family, it is this legacy that gave him his greatest pride.

After retiring from WSU in 1988, Stan continued to counsel students planning their education and working as an educational consultant with colleagues. He spent several years as member of the Pullman School Board, a tenure marked by his passionate defense of student rights.

He is the beloved icon of his family. Gathering them for food and drink was his greatest pleasure. Stan and Bernette took all the children and grandchildren on Big Sky, Mont., vacations for many summers. It was the highlight of each year as his shelves of meticulously produced photo albums attest. He also took pride in the academic, musical and athletic accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, attending hundreds of performances and games. The support he gave all his children and grandchildren is a value that endures.

One other lasting legacy that Stan has passed on is his passion for the Cougars, a condition that produces great highs and crushing agony. This passion has not weakened as it has passed from generation to generation - the signs are already beginning to surface in the youngest great-grandchildren. Once a Coug .

Stan lived the final years of his life at Bishop Place in Pullman. The family wishes to thank them for the great care and fondness.

Stan was preceded in death by Bernette in 2010. He is survived by Bernice Meier of Pullman, Bernette's beloved twin sister. He is also survived by his children, Richard Berry and Pam of Pullman, Kathy Brown and Kelly of Pullman, and Eugene Berry of Fargo, N.D.; seven grandchildren, Sean Berry of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jason Berry and Lacey of Sumner, Wash., Andrea Berry of Pullman, Marissa Stine and Kyle of Spokane, Tyler Brown and Megan of Boise, Idaho, Alison Brown of Portland, Ore., and Jillian Therrien and Josh of Albany, Ore.; and his great-grandchildren Lola and Clyde Berry of Sumner, Wash., and Piper Stine of Spokane.

The family suggests memorial donations to the Stan and Bernette Berry Presidential Scholarship Fund in care of the WSU Foundation.

A memorial service is planned for early spring.

.........

Story appeared in Dec. 24, 2015 editions:

--MOSCOW PULLMAN DAILY NEWS
http://dnews.com/obituaries/obituary-stanley-leo-berry-of-pullman/article_18a81f32-5f76-598d-8a72-16cb3494c0f7.html?mode=print

--LEWISTON TRIBUNE
http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/stan-berry/article_f27b7b1c-84dc-5277-aae3-ba5ea65f15bc.html


Photo, with different cropping,  appeared in both papers.


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Stan Berry honored in 1999 when WSU Admissions Office suite dedicated in his honor




In 1999, the Washington State University Admissions Office suite in the Lighty Student Services Building at Washington State University was dedicated in honor of Stan Berry, who served as an admissions officer for the university for 33 years, 22 as director.



The dedication ceremony and a public reception was held the afternoon of Feb.5, 1999, in Lighty room 405.

In 1999, the Washington State University Admissions Office suite in the Lighty Student Services Building at Washington State University was dedicated in honor of Stan Berry, who served as an admissions officer for the university for 33 years, 22 as director.


In 1996, the Admissions Office was relocated from the French Administration Building to the Lighty building after its completion.


A WSU graduate, Berry was Colville, Wash., High School principal in 1955 when he was recruited to become WSU’s associate director of admissions. He was appointed director in 1966 and served until his retirement in 1988. He was awarded the WSU Alumni Achievement Award in 1992.


During Berry’s tenure, the university experienced unprecedented growth. Enrollment increased from 5,000 students in 1955 to 17,500 students in 1980.

He held the presidency and various leadership roles in both the Pacific and American associations of collegiate registrars and admissions officers. 


Berry convened the first organizational meeting of the Washington Council on High School-College Relations, officially established in 1957. At the time it was the first group in the country comprised of representatives of public and private schools and colleges formed to deal with mutual concerns about preparation and admission to college.


He was active throughout his career in international education and still assists WSU on admission of international students.
…….

STORY SOURCE (with headline “WSU Facilities to be Named for Former Admissions Director”)



Story dated Jan 21, 1999, written by Al Ruddy of WSU News Service.


PHOTO SOURCE (with headline “Admissions Office-dedicated to long-time-employee Stan Berry”):



Photo of Stan Berry and WSU students apparently taken in 1999.