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Past GSP Blackburn Enters Omega Chapter |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 7, 2009 | 2:30 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – Past Grand Senior President John L. Blackburn, Ph.D., a national leader in higher education administration, civic leader, and founder of the Blackburn Institute at The University of Alabama, died on Friday, July 3, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was 84.
Brother Blackburn was initiated at Alpha Omicron Chapter, Missouri Valley College in 1949. Blackburn was a native of Malta Bend, Missouri. During World War II Blackburn served with the U.S. Army in the China-Burma-India Theater. After leaving the service he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Valley College, a Master of Education from the University of Colorado and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by The University of Alabama in 2006.
Blackburn served as a Grand Junior President from 1962 – 1968, and as Grand Senior President from 1968 – 1970. He continued service on the Grand Council as a Grand Councilor from 1970 – 1971. He later served on the Educational Foundation’s Board of Trustee’s from 1993 – 2001. He attended the Sesquicentennial celebration in 1995, the 2002 Grand Chapter and Fraternity Headquarters dedication, and many other national programs.
Blackburn also served as president of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and twice served as president of the National Association of University Administrators.
In 1990, Dr. Blackburn was chosen to receive the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s (NIC) Gold Medal. The NIC’s highest honor is given to those with distinguished service to youth, devoted service to the fraternity movement, and the promotion of sound educational attainment. He was the second Alpha Sig to recieve this honor.
He was awarded the Delta Beta Xi Award in 1959 and the Evin C. Varner Distinguished Service Award in 1995.
“An Alpha Sig for 60 years, John exemplified our values and truly loved this Fraternity. As an active volunteer for decades, Dr. Blackburn served the Old Gal with distinction and touched the lives of hundreds of brothers. As we move his name to the rolls of the Omega Chapter, we are humbled by his achievements and the legacy he has left us. The best of our collective spirit is with his family and wife, Gloria Bullington Blackburn. He is a man who cared deeply for the Fraternity and who now serves as an example to those he leaves behind,” said Grand Senior President Richard T. Ritter, Toledo ’91 and Ohio Wesleyan ’93.
Alpha Sigma Phi will hold a national day of remembrance on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Brothers are encouraged to participate by wearing their badge to commemorate the legacy of Brother Blackburn. To read more about the life of Dr. John L. Blackburn, please visit the University of Alabama’s website. Click Here.
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Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Yale University in 1845, and currently recognizes 70 chapters, colonies, and interest groups across the country. The Fraternity aims to be the co-curricular organization of choice for discerning undergraduate men through the provision of an enriching brotherhood experience and a full range of character and leadership development opportunities. The national headquarters of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity is located in Carmel, Indiana.
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