Cranbrook.edu

Sherri Berger ’01 Addresses Fall Cum Laude Inductees

12/16/2025

Sherri Berger ’01 delivered the keynote address at Cranbrook Schools’ Fall 2025 Cum Laude induction ceremony, speaking to students, families, and faculty about curiosity, risk-taking, and the power of learning across disciplines. Berger was introduced by her former statistics teacher, Gail Chun, who spoke fondly of her days as a Cranbrook Kingswood student. The audience included faculty, families, and members of the Cranbrook community gathered to celebrate the newest Cum Laude inductees.

Reflecting on her own experience at Cranbrook Kingswood, Berger encouraged students to take intellectual and creative risks. She shared that as a student she felt deeply supported by her teachers and free to “be weird,” noting that this sense of freedom allowed her to explore widely and discover unexpected connections among her interests. She told students that this same environment of trust and encouragement is something she hopes they will fully embrace during their time at Cranbrook.

Berger spoke about how her education exposed her to a wide range of disciplines — from visual art and forensics to language, literature, and history — and emphasized that learning how to think, communicate, and synthesize ideas ultimately mattered more than mastering any single subject. She reassured students that pursuing multiple passions can be a strength, even when the path forward is not immediately clear.

Drawing on her professional work, Berger described her role as Assistant Director of Digital Access & Archives at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where she helps make millions of artifacts and archival materials accessible to the public through digital platforms. She noted that her work depends on the very skills she began developing at Cranbrook: visual storytelling, clear communication, historical thinking, and the confidence to try new approaches.

Berger closed by urging the newly inducted students to remain curious, take risks, and trust the process of exploration — reminding them that the freedom to experiment and “be weird” can lead to meaningful, impactful work in ways they may not yet imagine.

Click here to view video of Sherri Berger's address
Click here to view more photos

Return to the Alumni Welcome Page

Back

- Gail Chun, Sherri Berger '01, Erika Hansinger
- Sherri with Cum Laude Inductees
- Dr. Jeffrey Welch and Sherri Berger '01
- Sherri Berger '01 addresses Cum Laude Inductees