Blackburn Institute

2011 Winter Symposium Overview

April 20, 2011

On the weekend of February 25-26, Blackburn Students, Fellows, Advisory Board Members, and guests gathered at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Hoover, Alabama, for the 17th annual Winter Symposium.  Along with serving as a time of reunion, attendees heard a lineup of relevant speakers and participated in breakout sessions. The event served as the capstone of the Institute’s academic year and saw the pinning of a newly minted group of graduating Fellows.

Friday evening began with a reception which allowed Advisory Board Members, Fellows, Students, and guests to catch up with old acquaintances and make new connections. Immediately following the reception attendees moved into the adjoining hall and were both informed and inspired by the keynote address given by Admiral Thad Allen. Allen’s speech detailed his experience handling the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster and also contained many of the retired admiral’s insights on leadership. Friday evening concluded with dinner and an Institute Update, featuring words from this year’s student officers and Advisory Board Members Bobbie Siegal and John Saxon regarding the Institute’s renewed vision and refined curriculum.

Saturday morning featured an address by Mr. Jason Fredrick, a Senior Economist at BBVA Compass. His presentation articulated the current state of the economy in Alabama, the United States, and the broader world. Following Mr. Frederick’s address was a talk by Mr. Bill O’Connor, the chair of the Advisory Board, on the current state of Alabama’s political, social, and economic climates. As expected, his talk wove together the constitutional structure of Alabama’s state government and its political history, describing their effects on the functioning of Alabama’s economy and culture.

After lunch, the symposium ended with a variety of concurrent sessions from which guests could choose to attend. Offerings included:

- Crafting Policy in the United States Congress: Mr. Mike House
-What the New Ethics Bills Mean for Alabama: Senator Greg Reed
-The Impact of the Republican Takeover on Alabama: Dr. Bill Stewart
-Community Engagement: Ms. Cathy Crenshaw
-Running a Successful Non-Profit: Mr. Stephen Black
-Public Speaking: Mr. John Saxon

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