Blackburn Institute

Student Fellow Crowned Miss UA

December 12, 2007

On the night of December 8th, Meri-Glenn Freeman, a 2007-2008 Blackburn Fellow, was crowned Miss University of Alabama 2008. Freeman, a junior from Vestavia Hills, is majoring in political science and public relations. Freeman’s future plans include attending law school and working with public policy within Alabama.

“Target Tutoring” is Freeman’s Miss America community service platform. “Target Tutoring” is an after school mentoring program for at-risk children. She works through the University Honors Program and has been with the program and these children for six semesters. Freeman serves as a student intern. She plans, coordinates, and runs the after school programs in three elementary schools in Tuscaloosa: Cottondale, Matthews, and Holt. Freeman said, “The program has netted remarkable results by helping to not only improve these children’s academics, but also help them set higher ambitions and goals for their own lives.” Freeman will continue to promote her platform in Tuscaloosa County, as well as in other schools across the state.

Freeman says that the Blackburn Institute has helped to fuel her own passion for the state of Alabama, especially her passion for the need for improvement in Alabama’s education system. Freeman said, “I have learned in depth about the troubles and obstacles facing our school systems, especially in poverty stricken areas.” She feels that the events, networks, and opportunities provided by the Blackburn Institute have truly helped her to serve her campus, community, and state better.

Freeman will receive a full tuition scholarship for her year of service as Miss University of Alabama, as well as book scholarships and numerous gifts. In June, she will go on to represent UA at the Miss Alabama Pageant in Birmingham, a Miss America preliminary program.

Travel Experience: Northport

November 1, 2007

Click here to see pictures of the travel experience.

by Megan Courington, 2007-2008 Student Fellow

The Northport travel experience really helped me, as a Blackburn Fellow, to understand what the Blackburn Institute is all about. I had always heard about these travel experiences, and I could not wait for my turn to go. This one adventure was beneficial to me in so many ways.

This particular travel experience was a local, or mini-travel, experience, if you will. The day began by Fellows loading on a bus and driving to have lunch in Northport at the Front Porch Restaurant. We enjoyed our delicious country fixins and then headed to Northport City Hall. The Mayor of Northport, Harvey Fretwell, members of the Northport City Council, and the Northport Police Chief, Robert Green greeted us when we arrived. Each of our distinguished guests spoke to us about their job and impact on the city. The panel discussed with us the changes that the future holds for downtown Northport. Mayor Fretwell and the City Council are looking to bringing new development to downtown Northport. We, as Fellows, were extremely interested in this concept of new development since Northport is so close to campus. This panel was great informative though we left not knowing the real issues in Northport. Mayor Fretwell was determined to make us believe that everything in Northport was perfect. We left City Hall anxious to ask the next panel questions about all that the mayor said.

Our next stop our on travel experience was to the Kentuck Art Museum where Sara Anne Gibson shared the history of downtown Northport and the locally owned businesses. The area was very quaint and interesting to see. The museum itself had many interesting pieces of art some of which we could pick up and play with ourselves. Because of the cold weather moving in we did not take a walk through the city streets but we could tell how close the community was from the citizens passing by the courtyard where Sara Anne spoke. In our questioning of Sara Anne and other business leaders, they shied away from answering the questions, even saying at one point that she had worked really hard to get the relationship with the city council and she did not want to say anything that would jeopardize that relationship.

The group left Northport heading to Camp Tuscoba for the late night discussion not knowing the complete story about Northport but it was a mini-travel experience. The best part of the trip was learning what the Blackburn Institute was really about. I have read the material and have heard the message but when we were shown what Blackburn was in Northport, I really understood the vision. It also prepared us for what was to come on the Burt Jones Rural Travel Experience to Mt. Vernon; seeing the old fellow in action while asking tough questions was a huge help in preparing for all of our events.

Blackburn Fellow India Williams honored by Tuscaloosa City Council

September 19, 2007

The Tuscaloosa City Council named September 12, 2007 “India Williams Day” for India’s work as a Blackburn Daniel Scholar. India has worked with ministers of different faiths to address the healthcare crisis confronting uninsured and underinsured citizens of Tuscaloosa.

A Quiet Fellow Reflects on Blackburn Experience

June 15, 2007

Like many student fellows, I entered the Blackburn Institute with great ambitions of who I was going to be—a great prosecutor—and what I was going to do. Life takes its own twists and turns, however, and I find myself preparing myself not to go to law school but to seminary, brushing up not on legal jargon but on Spanish, as foreign missions are my calling.

I confess that this dramatic shift in interests left me wondering what I could contribute or even learn from Blackburn. I grew increasingly quieter as I realized that I did not have much to offer on the state’s transportation or economic development. I realized, however, that while the group’s focus is and always should be changing Alabama, lessons learned from Blackburn have a universal appeal. Networking, sustained dialogue, and a contagious passion for improving the lives of other people are all tools we can carry with us anywhere.

Whether we’re helping our hometown, home state, or new home in a new country, we all share Dr. Blackburn’s goal, which – edited to respect my future profession – is “change the darn state!”

While we are at it, why not change the darn planet too?

Abby Smith
2004-2005 Fellow

Abby graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology and Spanish and a minor in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative in May 2007. She is currently serving as an intern and starting a young adult ministry at Stonebridge Church of God in Findlay, OH. In the fall of 2007 she will attend the Anderson University School of Theology in Anderson, IN to pursue a Master of Arts in Intercultural Service.

Seven of Nine Capstone Heros are Blackburn Fellows

April 16, 2007

On Thursday, March 29, 2007, the University announced nine students as 2007 Capstone Heroes during the culminating banquet for the second annual Capstone Creed Week held in the Shelby Hall courtyard. Of these nine Capstone Heroes, seven are Blackburn fellows. Capstone Heroes is an annual award given to individuals who exemplify the ideals of the Capstone Creed which reads: “As a member of The University of Alabama community, I will pursue knowledge; act with fairness, honesty, and respect; foster civic responsibility; and strive for excellence.” The Capstone Creed was developed in 2000 by the Student Leader’s Council as a reflection of the core values that sustain the University community – it should be no surprise that three Blackburn Fellows helped initially draft the creed: Jonathan Adams (2001-2002), Joshua Burcham (2000-2001), and Bradley Davidson (2002-2003).

The Heroes were chosen by a selection committee after being formally nominated by University students, faculty or staff. Those fellows honored as 2007 Capstone Heroes are: Jonathan Adams (2001-2002), Bob Boylan (2005-2006), Trey Hayes (2004-2005), Kenny Liang (2007-2008), Stevona Rogers (2006-2007), Christian Smith (2004-2005), and Sarah Kate Sullivan (2004-2005). Additionally, fellow Adam Harbison (2004-2005) received one of the Capstone Heroes group honors on behalf the organization Colleges Against Cancer which he leads. In addition to the Capstone Heroes honorees, the winners of the Capstone Creed Essay and Art Contest winners were also announced, and fellow Kim Goins (2004-2005) was recognized as the second place recipient in the essay contest.