Remembering John Berry

Professor and former diplomat John Berry, known for his debating skills courses in Tunis Business School, has died on the 28th of August, 2018.

I was sad to hear the news this afternoon, oddly 18 days after the fact. Professor Berry’s classes were a joy for me to attend. In fact, he was one of the reasons I chose to attend Tunis Business School in the first place.

I love debating. I discovered this art in my 3rd year of high school and I stuck to it since. It was in the American Corner Debate Club that my story with it started. I came every Saturday to learn more and practice destroying my opponents’ arguments.

I’ve gotten good enough that I became a debate trainer. This was in my Bac year, when I started thinking about which university I want to go to. Soon enough, I’ve heard of TBS.

“They teach in English? They have a debating class too?!” I was hooked.

It didn’t take me long to get his phone number from a TBS student. I had to invite him to a debate club session. I mean, he’s a debate professor! There’s so much I can learn from him.

Fortunately, he was happy to attend. The professor spoke slowly and wisely, and I, like many of the club members around me, listened with my eyes and ears. It was at this moment that I knew where I was going for school next year.

“Professor, I hope to see you in class next year.” I thanked him before leaving. Indeed, I have. Little did I know, I attended the last course he was teaching.

In his class, he sought to teach us respect for time, first and foremost. He wanted to raise generations of TBS students that can think for themselves, that knew the difference between reason and bullshit as he put it.

I can’t speak for all, but he succeeded with me.

It was an honour to be your student, professor. May your soul rest in peace.