Premier Leadership Organization, UA Blackburn Institute, Selects New Student Fellows

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Blackburn Institute — recognized this year by NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education as one of the nation’s premier leadership development organizations — has named its 2009-2010 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.

Each year, some 25 student fellows are selected after a faculty nomination process and intensive interviews. To date, there are 416 Blackburn Fellows living in 29 states and three foreign countries.

The 2009-2010 UA Blackburn Institute Student Fellows include:

• Taylor Arabian, a sophomore from Montgomery majoring in finance and Spanish
• Wilson Boardman, a junior from Homewood majoring in international finance and Spanish
• Karis Browder, a junior from Birmingham (zip code 35215) majoring in biology
• Ben Burch, a junior from Birmingham (35242) majoring in biology and economics
• Brian Davis, a junior from Montgomery majoring in electrical engineering
• Matt DeMonbrun, a graduate student in higher education administration from Knoxville, Tenn.
• Lauren Floyd, a sophomore from Hoover majoring in English
• Anna Foley, a sophomore from Richardson, Texas, majoring in English
• Amelia Haas, a sophomore from Birmingham (35222) majoring in English and psychology
• Johnjerica Hodge, a junior from Greensboro majoring in history
• Marshall Houston, a sophomore from Birmingham (35242) majoring in economics and English
• Caroline James, a sophomore from Montgomery majoring in psychology and communication
• Elliot Knight, a graduate student in American studies from Opelika
• Jessica Kuperberg, a freshman from Bethesda, Md., majoring in biochemistry
• Alicia Lewis, a first-year law student from Atlanta, Ga.
• Fernanda Lima, a freshman from Birmingham (35226) majoring in business and dance
• Heather Mackel, a junior from Carrollton, Ga., majoring in nursing
• Katherine McClellan, a freshman from Atlanta, Ga., majoring in political science and journalism
• Lynn McConnico, a graduate student in social work from Furman
• Mallory Meissner, a sophomore from Tuscaloosa majoring in finance
• Andres Peña, a sophomore from Bay City, Texas, majoring in management
• Stanley Phillips, a sophomore from Montgomery majoring in management information systems
• Nichole Ramirez, a junior from El Paso, Texas, majoring in aerospace engineering
• Jay Saxon, a first-year law student from Birmingham (35222)
• David Simpson, a freshman from Homewood majoring in political science and economics
• CadeAnn Smith, a sophomore from Vinemont majoring in criminal justice and political science
• James Tarbox, a junior from Hoover majoring in political science
• Evan Ward, a freshman from Prattville majoring in history and international studies

The new student fellows were selected following a faculty nomination and essay/interview process. The 28 new fellows were selected from hundreds of UA students nominated for the honor. 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 citizens of Alabama.

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 impact of the Blackburn 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.