Les Berry comes from a family of people who dedicated themselves to improving the lives of the people around them. Their mantra, which became his: "You never know whose life you are going to touch."
Les says, "You know, if you tell young people that they are stupid or dumb, they will live up to that. But if you tell them that they are smart and can do anything in the world, they will live up to that, too."
Les impacted a lot of us at CU. An advisor. A mentor. A leader. A sage. And one of the smartest guys I ever met. We affectionately nicknamed him "Bookworm," and later shortened it to just "Book." Sounded cooler.
There is a story that he likely doesn't remember that reveals the essence of this man. As a freshman living in Kittredge, I was often nervous, overwhelmed, and scared. I was also an asthmatic, prone to panic attacks. One day, heading back to Arnett Hall, I collapsed , fell to the ground, unable to breathe, unable to move. Les found me there, picked me up, and took me home to my dorm. For him, it might have been another day of doing what he does. For me, it meant everything, and that act of kindness has stayed with me to this day, inspiring me to do good for the next person.
One of my heroes, Mr. Les Berry...
