Select Group of UA Students Named Blackburn Institute Fellows

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Blackburn Institute, considered to be one of the most dynamic leadership development organizations in the country, has named its 2008-2009 student fellows.

Housed within the UA Division of Student Affairs and funded though contributions from private donors, the Blackburn Institute is named in honor of Dr. John L. Blackburn.

Blackburn, a nationally renowned leader in higher education, served as UA dean of students and was instrumental in the University’s peaceful integration. In 1995, the division formed the institute to foster Blackburn’s belief that people link strategic actions through the generations for progressive and ethical change.

To date, there are 394 Blackburn Fellows living in 24 states and three foreign countries. Each year, approximately 25 student fellows are selected after a faculty nomination process and intensive interviews.

The 2008-2009 UA Blackburn Institute Student Fellows include:

Angelica Agee, a sophomore from Montgomery majoring in English

Josh Bell, a medical school student from Northport

Matthew Brown, a freshman from Midland City majoring in communication studies

Steven Donaldson, a junior from Richmond, Ky., majoring in history

J. W. Gallina, a sophomore from Germantown, Tenn., majoring in business

Patty Ann Green, a junior from Columbus, Miss., majoring in communication studies

Ellyn Hamm, a freshman from Huntsville majoring in music therapy

John Hammontree, a sophomore from Birmingham (zip code 35223) majoring in English

Elizabeth Jones, a sophomore from Birmingham (35223) majoring in economics

Kimberly Kilpatrick, a second-year law student from Montgomery

Angel King-Rodriquez, a freshman from Montgomery majoring in political science

Caitlin Looney, a sophomore from Mobile majoring in journalism and history

Aisha Mahmood, a sophomore from Huntsville majoring in political science and journalism

Meg McCrummen, a freshman from Mobile majoring in history and French

Milton Nettles, a junior from Monroeville majoring in chemical engineering

Hylan Noble, a junior from Jackson majoring in psychology

Erica Rice, a junior from Madison majoring in social work

Kristopher Rollins, a graduate student in secondary social studies from Upland, Ind.

Ian Sams, a sophomore from Watauga, Tenn., majoring in political science

Erin Shirley, a freshman from Winfield majoring in health care management

Johnathan Speer, a freshman from Montgomery majoring in English and communication studies

Ryan Sprinkle, a freshman from Hubbertville majoring in finance

Zack Stillings, a freshman from Marysville, Ohio, majoring in international studies and French

Tyler Valeska, a freshman from Montgomery majoring in political science

Nikki Wheelus, a rising graduate student in aerospace engineering from Northport

Priscilla Williams, a junior from Ridgeland, Miss., majoring in international marketing

Matthew Wilson, a freshman from Jacksonville majoring in business

Jimmy Young, a sophomore from Pensacola, Fla., majoring in history and finance

According to Blackburn, membership in the institute is not only an honor but a lifetime obligation to becoming a change agent in one’s community. While traditional collegiate leadership experiences center on individual competency-building, the Blackburn Institute has a three-tiered focus that seeks to make a personal and meaningful impact on student fellows, alumni fellows, as well as the citizenship of Alabama as a whole.

The Blackburn Institute is not an honor society although fellows often have remarkable records of academic and service achievement. Selection is focused on identifying those students who are most interested and best able to sacrifice individual gain for the sake of community improvement. Upon graduation, these student fellows earn the title fellow; the institute assists fellows by providing continued development, support and networking opportunities. An advisory board made up of national community leaders provides support, direction and mentorship for the Blackburn Institute and its fellows.

The four overarching values of the Blackburn Institute include:

-Facilitate diversity of opinion by providing opportunities for students to experience all sides of issues impacting their communities as well as creating situations for open, spirited debate focused on fostering the resolution of issues rather than their mere identification.

-A call to action by constantly reminding students that active citizenship necessitates individual as well as collective works to ensure improvement and providing opportunities for students to access support for strategic initiatives.

-Network through the generations by providing opportunities for fellows to engage in dialogue and personal contact with advisory board members, alumni, faculty, community leaders, scholars and political leaders.

-Lifetime commitment by providing a rich collegiate experience so that, upon graduation, alumni fellows are encouraged not only to mentor student fellows but to also uphold the ideals of the Institute in their daily lives.

The impact of the institute is measured by the collective works of its fellows. Using endowed funds from the institute, fellows are able to sponsor sustainable community service initiatives in Alabama each year. The institute also hosts a number of public lectures and discussion forums each semester to help educate community members about contemporary issues.