Emeritus faculty member shares positive messages through music

Fredonia Department of Communication Professor Emeritus Dan Berggren, also an Adirondack folksinger for 45 years, has joined in the effort to brighten the days of those heeding the directive to stay close to home.

On March 15, he posted a song he wrote about keeping well to “loved ones and relations” as well as “neighbors I have not yet met” including musicians, on his Facebook channel. The link to the video is https://www.facebook.com/dan.berggren.9/videos/10221483192367066/ Since then, Berggren has posted other music for his old and new fans to enjoy.

The tune, “Be Safe, Be Well,” tells listeners “you mean the world to me,” and reminds them to “wash your hands” and “stay at home.”

The tune, “Be Safe, Be Well,” tells listeners “you mean the world to me,” and reminds them to “wash your hands” and “stay at home.”

Berggren, who taught audio and radio studies at Fredonia from 1977 through 2004, and was the advisor for the student-run radio stations WCVF AM and FM, received the Fredonia President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1992. In that same year, the New York State Outdoor Education Association presented him with its Art and Literary Award. He was also recognized in 2001 by St. Lawrence University in Canton as a Distinguished Alumnus, by the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks with its Heritage Award and most recently, he was the recipient of the Adirondack Mountain Club's Education Award.

Berggren’s Sleeping Giant records has released 21 albums featuring his music including the newly-released “Dan Berggren in Concert” with Jenny Berggren and Friends. Jenny is also a Fredonia alumna living in California with her husband, alumnus Jim Briggs, and their two daughters. Other albums include “Ten Miles to Saturday Night” with Fredonia alumnus Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn, “Cloudsplitter” with Lynn, a collaboration with Duggan called “Rooted in the Mountains” and two albums with The Newton Street Irregulars. The “Irregulars” was a much beloved group of Fredonia faculty and friends including Professor Emeritus Dick Gilman of the Department of Geology, artist and former adjunct faculty member in art Carmen Gilman and the late Professor Steve Warner of the Department of English.

He and his wife, Nancy, now live in Ballston Spa.