Adrian Mayor Jim Berryman delivered a speech titled “Taking the Next Step” at Adrian College’s Opening Convocation on Sept. 3, according to a community announcement.
The event, part of the Dr. James Borland Convocation Series, took place in Herrick Chapel.
Berryman has had a diverse career, serving as director of the Michigan Education Association from 2000 to 2013. He was knighted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella in 2018 for his work with Italian Americans in Lenawee County. He also served as a member of the Michigan Senate in the 1990s.
Berryman graduated from Adrian College in 1969 and has served on the Adrian College Board of Trustees since 2020.
During his speech, Berryman emphasized the importance of taking action.
“Whether it’s prayer or critical thinking, both must embrace action to move forward,” he told students.
He used Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking as an example of someone who turned vision into reality through action.
“In the past 20 years, every existing building on campus has been renovated, and/or new facilities have been built,” Berryman said. “Without that individual acting on his vision, there would be no state-of-the-art classrooms, no Arrington Ice Arena, no Craft Tennis Complex, no Nicolay Baseball Field, and certainly no 160,000-square-foot dome siting on campus.”
Berryman concluded that a vision is just that unless put into action.
“Like a line of dominoes falling, one has to take the first step,” he said.
He ended his speech by making a wish for students.
“My wish for Adrian College for the Classes of 2026 to 2029 is that your life be filled with opportunities that will allow you to take that first step,” Berryman said. “Remember, you’ll never get where you want to go until you take that first step.”
To watch the convocation, visit Adrian College TV (ACTV) on YouTube.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: ‘The first step’: Mayor Jim Berryman emphasizes importance of action at Adrian College
Reporting by Janis Reeser / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
