Blackburn Institute

Blackburn Fellows to Serve as Teach For America Volunteers

May 7, 2010

Most people could describe their “dream trip” to any city in America. Few people, though, would actually live and teach in an unfamiliar city, dealing with the problems of underprivileged students. However, that is exactly how Blackburn Fellows Elizabeth Jones (2008-2009), Alex Flachsbart (2007-2008), Caitlin Looney (2008-2009), and Wilson Boardman (2009-2010) are going to spend an entire year doing, following their graduation from the University in May of 2010.

Like an increasing number of UA students, they will be working for Teach for America (TFA). Founded at Princeton in 1990, TFA has grown exponentially since then; it now serves 25 urban and rural regions and has approximately 4,400 corps members. The Blackburn Institute is certainly proud to send four of its finest newly minted Fellows into its ranks!

2007-2008 Fellow Alex Flachsbart is excited about his new job in the Blackbelt region of Alabama.  He says that Blackburn was integral to both his decision to apply for Teach for America and to list Alabama as his most preferred TFA region.  It was through Travel experiences sponsored by Blackburn that allowed Alex “to see first-hand the kind of difference that an investment in service can make in the quality of life of a place like Mount Vernon or Camden.”

Alex went on to say, “I feel as if I have gotten to know this state and its people better in the past five years than I ever knew my home state of California. It’s because of Blackburn that I consider Alabama to be my new home, and it’s because of Blackburn that I’m planning to stay.”

Like Alex, 2008-2009 Fellow Caitlin Looney is looking forward to her new job in New Orleans. She says that, “the Blackburn Institute has taught me about the importance of individual responsibility and answering a call to action to be engaged and strive to improve my community. I hope that by joining Teach for America, I will become an agent of change.”

2008-2009 Fellow Elizabeth Jones will also be serving in the Blackbelt region of Alabama and 2009-2010 Fellow Wilson Boardman will be teaching English as a second language in Colorado.

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Transcripts from Memorial Service and Celebration Honoring Dr. John L. Blackburn

May 7, 2010

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Gulf Coast Travel Experience: A Fellow’s Perspective

March 11, 2010

By Anna Foley

The travel experience to Gulf Shores coupled with the trip to Bayou La Batre allowed me to better understand how two adjacent communities that are similar in landscape and natural resources can face completely dissimilar political and social issues. After visiting Bayou La Batre on the first part of the trip and seeing the struggles of an impoverished small town, Gulf Shores was a stark contrast. The population of this vacation community alternates throughout the year. During the summer, it is frequented by short term vacationers, and during the winter, the “snow birds” come to spend half the year in their second homes. We had breakfast with the mayor and discussed how the city accommodates its wealthy citizens as well as its working class. There are few permanent residents in comparison to the amount of visitors, and as a result, the local government has a unique and fluctuating population to serve.

The economy is primarily founded on revenue from tourism, and the decline in the overall economy has taken a toll on Gulf Shores. Representatives from the two major real estate companies spoke with us about the challenges they face in their market during the tough economic times. We had dinner with local business leaders and learned that the money generated in Gulf Shores contributes greatly to Alabama’s economy. It is important for the state that efforts continue to further develop the economic potential there, and measures are being taken to bring in a more continuous flow of guest from throughout the state and country. Our time in Gulf Shores exposed me to the political and economic logistics of a tourist town and allowed me to understand how it plays a role in the overall well being of the state.

Karis Browder Receives First Annual Don and Barbara (Bobbie) Siegal Endowed Scholarship

March 9, 2010

At the Blackburn Institute’s annual D. Ray Pate Dinner in September 2009, Advisory Board Members Don and Bobbie Siegal presented Karis Browder with the inaugural Don and Barbara Siegal Endowed Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed to recognize Blackburn Institute Student Fellows with a demonstrated interest in and a concern for the promotion of cultural understanding.

On receiving this prestigious scholarship, Karis, the president of Sigma Lambda Gamma intercultural sorority, said, “Winning the scholarship was very important for me because it showed me the support that I have from the Blackburn family.  It is encouraging to know that the Siegals and others are as passionate about the promotion of cultural understanding as I am.”  In her application, Karis shared her desires for affecting positive change in her community by including disparate voices and by valuing opinions other than her own. 

Becky Reamey, Assistant Director of the Blackburn Institute, said of Karis: “Karis is a wonderful inspiration to us all as she promotes cultural understanding around campus.  She is consistently searching for ways to improve the world around her.  As a testament to her character, Karis planned to reinvest a portion of the scholarship money in activities to help her multicultural sorority grow.  She embodies the characteristics that are described in the scholarship application.”

The Siegals said the idea for the scholarship came from the inspiration Dr. John L. Blackburn provided during the peaceful integration of the University in 1963.  “We hope John L. Blackburn’s vision of a campus of caring individuals will last into perpetuity,” the Siegals said about the legacy they would like the scholarship to leave.  They hope this scholarship will encourage Blackburn Student Fellows to continue to make the campus a place where all students feel welcomed so they can pursue their education in an atmosphere of equality.  Karis echoed that sentiment by saying, “I hope that others will see the Siegal scholarship as an opportunity to invest towards projects and other experiences that actively promote multiculturalism, especially in the UA community.  I wish that Dr. Blackburn was here to see the strides the campus has taken towards diversity and more cultural understanding.”

The Blackburn Institute announces the Don and Barbara “Bobbie” Siegal Endowed Scholarship

August 12, 2009

The Don and Barbara “Bobbie” Siegal Endowed Scholarship was established by advisory board members Don and Bobbie Siegal in honor Dr. John L. Blackburn and Dr. Robert E. Witt.  The scholarship is designed to recognize Blackburn Institute students and fellows with a demonstrated interest in and a concern for the promotion of cultural understanding.

The Siegals said the idea for the scholarship came from the inspiration Dr. John L. Blackburn provided during the peaceful integration of the University in 1963.  “We hope John L. Blackburn’s vision of a campus of caring individuals will last into perpetuity,” the Siegals said about the legacy they would like the scholarship to leave.  They said the scholarship exists to honor the legacy of Dr. John L. Blackburn and celebrate the efforts of Dr. Robert Witt in promoting values of diversity and inclusion on the Alabama campus.  They hope this scholarship will encourage Blackburn students to continue in helping make the campus a place where all students feel welcomed so they can pursue their education in an atmosphere of equality that is the ideal upon which our nation was founded.

Applicants can be undergraduate or graduate students and are asked to write an essay demonstrating their actions in the promotion of cultural understanding.

Applications are available in the Blackburn Institute office and on their Web site and must be completed and submitted to Candace Peters by 5:00 pm on August 31, 2009 in Temple Tutwiler Hall room 204.  The recipient of the first annual scholarship will be announced at the D. Ray Pate Dinner on Monday, September 21, 2009.

Download the application (PDF)