Alumni Update June 10 – 16, 2024

SUHS 1973 brings 50th reunion to the Berans

Members of the Silliman University High School (SUHS) 1973 visited the Beran family in Ames, IA, May 3-6, 2024 for a belated class reunion. They cooked Filipino food, reminisced about their days at Silliman University, and joined the Berans in worship at the Northminster Presbyterian Church.

“Anne could not attend our 50th reunion last year, so we brought the reunion to her,” said Adlai Amor, a member of the SUHS 1973 class. “We also wanted to spend time with the Berans who played important roles in our spiritual formation.”

Drs. Jan and George Beran, now in their 90s, were mission co-workers sent by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to Silliman University, from 1960 to 1973. Jan Beran taught physical education while George Beran founded the SU Van Houweling Laboratory for Microbiological Research.

All the Beran children – Bruce, Anne, and George – studied at Silliman University. Bruce, now retired as a biker, lives in Takoma, Park, MD. Meanwhile, Anne Beran-Stark, a retired respiratory therapist, runs Chocolaterie Stam Ames with her husband, Terry Stark. Finally, George, a retired schoolteacher, lives in Minneapolis, MN.

Among those who attended the gathering were Alice Flores Mercado, Cynthia Ferrolino Alvarez, Coradell Bernardez McCulloch, and Adelmina Mananquil Maneclang.

“We used to spend our Sundays before church attending Bible study at the Beran’s,” said Alice Flores-Mercado. “Our reunion with the Berans was very meaningful.”

A highlight pf the event was the worship at Northminster, where the group offered two songs, Go Tell Everyone and Salup na ang Adlaw by Dr. Elena Maquiso. Joining them at the worship was John Beran, Geroge Beran’s younger brother, who was also a mission worker both at Southern Christian College and Philippine Christian University.

(Photos and text by Adlai J. Amor)