UA’s Blackburn Institute Recognized as One of Nation’s Top Leadership Programs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s Blackburn Institute has been selected to receive a 2009 Excellence Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, known as NASPA.

The NASPA Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of association members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services and effective administration. UA’s Blackburn Institute was one of three programs to receive an Excellence Award in the category of “Student Union, Student Activities, Greek Life, Leadership and related.”

“This award not only honors the work of the Blackburn Institute, its fellows, and The University of Alabama, but it also recognizes the Blackburn Institute as a leadership organization which maintains high standards and a programming quality to which all institutions and student affairs professionals should aspire,” said Joseph DeSanto, NASPA assistant director of educational programs.

The Blackburn Institute is a leadership development organization affiliated with UA’s division of student affairs and supported through private donations. The institute shares the name of its founder, renowned leader in higher education and former UA dean of students, Dr. John L. Blackburn.

In 1995, the division of student affairs formed the institute to foster Blackburn’s belief that people link strategic actions through the generations for progressive and ethical change. Each year, approximately 25 Blackburn fellows are selected from all areas of the University’s student body following a faculty nomination and interview process. Blackburn fellows (both students and alumni) explore ethical leadership through sponsored programs, deliberative discussions and statewide travel. In the words of founder John Blackburn, membership in the institute is not only an honor but a lifetime commitment to becoming a change agent in one’s community.

Responding to receiving word of the award, Blackburn, who is also a former NASPA president, said, “While the national attention is nice, I am especially honored that this recognition came from NASPA – an organization very close to my heart which represents the truly best aspects of our profession.”

Marc Shook, institute director, said the award comes while the Blackburn Institute is still in its early stages. “While we are truly honored to receive this national award for the recognition it brings to Dr. John L. Blackburn and The University of Alabama, we realize that our work is really just beginning. We measure our success in the collective works of our fellows and, after only 13 years, we are only in the fledgling stages of fulfilling Dr. Blackburn’s vision. With the continued support of a passionate advisory board, I have full confidence that the Blackburn Institute will be a force in Alabama’s communities for years to come,” he said.

In his letter of support for the award, UA President Robert E. Witt wrote, “The Blackburn Institute is an ideal example of an initiative that exists in direct support of The University of Alabama’s mission, which includes advancing the intellectual and social condition of the people of the state through quality programs of teaching, research and service. At its core, the Blackburn Institute is dedicated to improving the social and economic conditions in Alabama by molding the future leaders of our state to not only have an understanding of pertinent issues, but to also seek progressive reform where positive change is necessary.”

NASPA is the nation’s foremost professional association for student affairs with more than 11,000 members representing 1,400 colleges and universities. The other recipients of a NASPA Excellence Award in the category of “Student Union, Student Activities, Greek Life, Leadership and related” were the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Leadership & Civic Engagement Minor and The University of California-Berkeley’s Fraternity & Sorority Life Student Housing Disaster Preparedness Program.

For more information about the Blackburn Institute, visit http://blackburninstitute.ua.edu/.