John Blackburn Addresses Grads at UA Spring Commencement Ceremonies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. John L. Blackburn, long-time University of Alabama administrator, encouraged The University of Alabama 2006 graduating class to continue the University’s tradition of producing leaders and to make positive change in society.

“I ask you as a graduate leaving this great University with its history of leadership to commit yourself to building a strong and ethical local community and commit yourself to developing a vision of what your state and your society might become,” said Blackburn, who also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters during the ceremony.

“I ask that tomorrow morning and each morning hereafter you ask yourself ‘How are my state and my society going to be better as the result of my getting out of bed today?’ And each evening ask yourself ‘What did I do today that was significant?’”

Blackburn began his career at UA in 1956 and, as dean of students in 1963, his dedication to progress and meticulous planning were credited as key elements in the historic peaceful integration of African-Americans into the Capstone.

“In today’s environment it is hard for me to reflect to you how serious and dangerous the times were for anyone who opposed the status-quo-segregation. Yet the University community was a place where one could hear and discuss the issues with a great deal of freedom,” said Blackburn.

“Student leaders are teachers in the student milieu. The University of Alabama and the state of Alabama owe much to these former students and now outstanding citizens of this state and nation. On the other hand many of these students will tell you that they owe much to the University by having been given the opportunity to lead and to be a change maker in a historic time of social and educational change.

“But to have a good community requires composition of more than one generation, embraces transcending values that esteem each member or each citizen, and creates a sense of oneness where individuals set aside personal gain, benefit or goal for the sake of the group,” he said.

Blackburn served as vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Denver and returned to UA in 1978 as vice president for educational development. Over the next 12 years he helped to raise more than $30 million dollars for the Capstone.

The Blackburn Institute for Student Leadership is named for him, and he is responsible for the creation of Mallet Hall.

Retired from the University, Blackburn is now a higher education consultant based in Tuscaloosa.

Saturday’s ceremonies, which included about 2,300 degree candidates, were broadcast live over the Internet. The web cast will be archived on UA’s
Web site, http://www.ua.edu, and will be available for viewing until May 31.