What’s Fizzin’?: The Controversy Behind Berea Fizz
The Fizz app has quickly taken the spotlight in the Berea community. Many students along with the college’s president, Dr. Nixon, voiced their concern over its potential harm.
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Who is running for City Council in Berea in 2024?
The Berea Torch Interviews Multiple Candidates on Their Plans and Goals if Elected to City Council.
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Building a Brighter Future Together: Brandon Long’s Campaign for the 68th District of Kentucky
Brandon Long, a Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 68th district, challenges incumbent Mike Clines by focusing on children, economic development, and inclusive leadership, aiming to shift the political landscape toward progressivism.
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Kentuckian, Nurseryman: Interview with 6th Congressional District Democratic Candidate Todd Kelly
Todd Kelly, a nurseryman, is running to unseat Congressman Andy Barr in the Sixth Congressional District of Kentucky.
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Building a Brighter Future Together: Shauna Rudd’s Campaign for the Sixth District of Kentucky
Shauna Rudd, a social worker and Lexington resident, is running to unseat Congressman Andy Barr in the sixth congressional District of Kentucky.
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United Student Workers of Berea-CWA Announce Union Campaign at Berea College, Kentucky
A strong majority of Berea College students have already signed union authorization cards.
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Green Party in Kentucky: Interview with Presidential Candidate Jill Stein
Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein answers the Berea Torch’s questions on climate, Palestine and more.
Keep readingBerea College’s Mold Problem and Why it Keeps Happening
By Ameer Abedy On their website, Berea College claims that residence halls exist to “foster a strong spirit of community.” Unfortunately, this is not the only thing being fostered in the halls of Berea College. Mold has been a common problem in multiple dorms, including far-away Blue Ridge and the often forgotten Ecovillage. In the…
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Historic Edwards Building is Demolished
The Edwards Building, has been torn down by Berea College due to the”significant risk” involved with renovation.
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UPS Workers in Lexington Practice Picketing
UPS workers are preparing for a strike after the breakdown of negotiations between the Teamsters Union and UPS Management.
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President Nixon: Her Background and (Possible) Future
This fall, Berea College students will be welcomed by its first female president, Dr. Cheryl Nixon.
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Emma Curtis Announces HISTORIC Bid for 93rd District House Seat
If elected to the 93rd district, Emma Curtis would become the first openly transgender state legislator in Kentucky history.
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How Ket Perkins and the SGA Moved Berea College to Condemn Anti-Gay and Anti-Trans Bills in the Kentucky General Assembly
Berea College President Lyle Roelofs’ statement condemning Kentucky’s anti-gay and anti-trans bills could not have happened without the help of Ket Perkins and the SGA.
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The SGA Proposes Swim Requirement Reform at the GFA
As other colleges across the U.S begin to abandon the swim requirement, Berea College is coming under increased scrutiny from students and staff alike to reform the program.
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The Berea College Farm Store No Longer Accepting EBT SNAP Cards: What Is Next?
The Berea College Farm Store stopped accepting EBT payments without warning on February 2nd. Why did this happen and what does Berea College plan to do next?
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“Open to Everyone” – How The Berea Bus System Plans to Connect Berea
The Berea Bus Service is meant to provide students with a cheap method of transportation, why is it then, that so few students actually use the bus?
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“No Professors Allowed”: How General Education is Changing in Berea College
The General Education Modification (GEM) Committee is responsible for making majors changes to wellness, GSTR and other general education courses in Berea College.
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Taleless Dog Booksellers Criminal Secret
The Taleless Dog Booksellers has been hiding a secret from Berea. Store workers “Clark” Buckmaster, is actually Alvin Buckmaster, a former nurse and convicted attempted sexual abuser.
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What the 2022 Midterm Elections Mean For Berea, Kentucky and Beyond
The 2022 Midterms produced very expected and surprising elections for Berea, Kentucky and the United States.
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Towelgate in Bingham: What We Know So Far
Bingham Residence Hall has been stripped of all towels, what comes next for the devastated dorm?
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“Fighting for Rural Kentucky” – Interview with Josh Bray, Kentucky House Representative
By Lily Barnette and Ülvi Gitaliyev Elected in 2021, Josh Bray is running unopposed this year. He represents the entirety of Rockcastle County, as well as parts of Laurel, Pulaski and Madison County, including most of Berea. The Berea Torch was able to interview him to discuss why he originally ran, achievements from his last…
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“The Soul of Our State Is up on the Ballot” – Interview with Susan Cintra, Democratic KY Senate Candidate
Long time teacher Democratic Nominee for Kentucky Senate seat 34, Susan Cintra, sits down with The Berea Torch to talk about her plans of improving Madison County and beyond.
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Who is Running for City Council in Berea 2022?
Meet the candidates running for Berea City Council in 2022.
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Improving Our Schools – Interview with Berea Board of Education Candidates Rebecca Blankenship and Tom McCay
The Berea Torch interviews two candidates running this year for the Berea Board of Education
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Pride Week Drag Show and Interview with Drag Queen Benita Bloom
Drag artist Benita Bloom talks about their performance in Berea College’s Drag Show and what drag means to them.
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Public Menace Monday: Room Search
Public Safety, Berea College’s own security service, is not the most popular department among students. The Berea Torch keeps students updated on what their actions are to ensure accountability.
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“We Are All in This Together” – Interview with Bruce Fraley, Mayor of Berea
Bruce Fraley is running for re-election as mayor of Berea, Kentucky. The Berea Torch discusses his plans for the economy, walkability, and the place of Berea College in the collage of the city.
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Club Spotlight: Young Adult Book Club
The Berea College Young Adult Club has grabbed the attention of many students. The Berea Torch interviewed its founder and students on what makes them love YA and what there is to join about the club.
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How Much has Cost of Attendance Increased in Berea College?
Due to the recent surge in inflation, Berea College, along with much of the U.S economy, has had to increase its cost of attendance, but who is getting hurt the most by this?
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Berea Drought: What We Know So Far
Berea College is precariously surviving with limited water. What can students and staff do to stay safe?
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The Berea Torch Zine Announcement
The Berea Torch is proud to announce the release of its first physical zines!
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Snow and Sunsets: Berea Arts Council Community Exhibition
Local artists show off their work in the Berea Arts Council annual Community Exhibition.
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Club Spotlight: Japanese Taiko and Culture Club
Drumming, cooking and language are just some of the things the Japanese Taiko and Culture Club are teaching its members.
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The Fight for Abortion, in the Name of God
After the repeal of Roe v. Wade, people of religious faith are turning towards the RCRC to fight for abortion rights, including Berea.
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The Berea Torch is Back!
The Berea Torch, Berea College’s independent, student-run newspaper, is back from its summer hiatus!
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Addressing the Criticisms and a Happy Summer from The Berea Torch!
The Berea Torch responds to some criticism and bids farewell to the College during the summer break.
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Contested Threads: Interview With Christopher Miller on Ukrainian Textiles and Mountain People
The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center has organized an exhibit of textiles from the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine.
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Berea College Student Alleges Discrimination by Rental Storage Company
A Berea College student is alleging that a local Berea branch of Storage Rentals of America is upcharging Berea College students based on gender and age.
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Public Menace Mondays: Easter Chase
This week, Public Safety chases a car across the Pinnacle and beyond.
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Professor-in-Exile: How a Former Provost and Professor at Berea College was Fired for “Incompetence”
Dave Porter was once a provost and the chair of the Psychology Department at Berea College. Now, he is suing his former employer.
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Public Menace Monday: Tickets and Sexual Assault
Public Menace, Berea College’s private security, is known to make some questionable decisions from time to time and so, we feel that it is appropriate to expose them.
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Community Spotlight: Berea Earth Warriors
Berea Earth Warriors is a volunteer group that cleans litter from parks in the Berea area. On April 23-24 they are organizing a spring retreat with music, food and of course, environmental activism.
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SGA Announces New Elections
If you want to change something in Berea, this is your chance! Sign up as a candidate before April 10th!
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Sodexo
Private prisons, horse meat, and worker mismanagement are just some of the activities of Sodexo, Berea College’s dining service provider.
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Mountaineer Dining Part II: Interviews with Sodexo Staff
The Berea Torch interviews Sodexo staff and managers to get a full picture of the issues facing Berea Dining.
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Mountaineer Dining Part I: Interviews with Student Staff
The Berea Torch interviewed more student dining workers about working conditions and the quality of the food served.
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Event Spotlight: Lexington Gem and Mineral Show
The Berea College Geology Program had a field trip for students to see and purchase gems, minerals, fossils and more at the Lexington Gem and Mineral Show!
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The Outdated, Incorrect and Missing Flags in the Woods-Penniman Building
Woods-Penns and its flags are meant to celebrate the international aspect of Berea College. Yet, a shockingly high amount of these flags are either outdated or outright wrong.
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Berea College Lifts the Mask Mandate or Does it?
Berea College students will no longer be required to wear masks indoors… unless you are in a class, labor or an event with more than 50 people.
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Students Allege Overworking in the Berea College Farm
An anonymous farm worker accuses Berea College of being overworked during the Spring Break.
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The Debt Collector, Berea College
Berea College prides itself on its no-tuition promise, but some alumni have spent years fighting off debt and loan payments.
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Club Spotlight: Chess Club
What better way to spend your Sunday than playing an ancient and intellectually stimulating game?
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Sneak Peak into the Search for a New Berea College President
The search for a new president for Berea College is about to begin, but what values should future presidents have?
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A Short Recap and a Happy Spring Break
We wish every student and staff member an enjoyable Spring Break, whether it be at home or somewhere else!
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Creative Writing Competition
Have a story/poem/prose or other form of creative writing to share? Then send it to us and enter the chance to earn a 15$ Amazon gift card!
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Student Life Attempts to Suppress The Berea Torch
The Berea Torch’s response and recollection of events that has led to the March 4, 2022, email administered by Gus Gerassimides.
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American Election 2022 Midterms Updates
As Spring Break looms closer, so do the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections.
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Club Spotlight: B.R.A.I.D.
Few clubs in Berea are as radical and action-oriented as B.R.A.I.D. You can learn more about their mission and tactics here.
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Mitch McConnell and Berea College: Strange Bedfellows
The Kentucky senator is infamous for his conservative politics, but one liberal arts college always has a place in his heart.
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Club Spotlight: Political Science Association
Pizzas, movies and debates are just some of the things that one can expect by joining the Political Science Association. Interested? Read more here!
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Berea Torch Keychains
You can now support The Berea Torch and its staff by buying our handmade keychains for just $3!
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Queer Creek Volume Two: Possums and Scrooge McDuck
Queer Creek, a zine for queer Appalachians, by queer Appalachians. Enjoy a mixture of comedy and art and much more in the zine’s second volume!
Keep readingConnor and Ezra Get Elected to the SGA!
Connor Courtney and Ezra Lanoue are set to serve as president and vice-president, respectively, for one semester. Here is the story of how they got into office.
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Recap of Spring 2022 SGA Debates
Missed the debates? Then see the most important answers and statements from all the candidates here!
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CCC Distributing Anti-abortion Pamphlets
Books distributed by the Campus Christian Center had pamphlets inside of them calling abortion “murder” and a “massacre”.
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The Berea Torch, Shining Light unto Darkness
Bereans need an independent and student-organized space to express themselves and voice their concerns. That space will be The Berea Torch.
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