Blackburn Institute

Aldrich D. Callins ‘05 Reflects on Experiences in Japan

December 14, 2006

Aldrich D. Callins ‘05 is currently studying in Japan.

As a member of the Blackburn Institute, I have been given many opportunities to learn about issues that affect the state of Alabama with the aim of forming actions that will improve the quality of life for our state and nation. Interestingly enough, while I study abroad in Japan I have connected with local and foreign individuals who share this same ideal for their respective nations. One thing that the Blackburn Institute has taught me is that we should always seek out opportunities to build creative partnerships with others who share similar goals. Fortunately, these partnerships do not have to be contained within our state or even our country. By expanding these networks, I have learned to form bridges between two outwardly unrelated topics and discovered that we all go through the same struggles in our communities, albeit often at different times. It takes this sharing and understanding of cultures, ideas, perspectives, solutions, and underlying values to ultimately create an ideal society not only in our own backyard, but also in those of our neighbors on the other side of the fence.

In Japan this sharing has not once taken place in any formal meeting where we sit down to discuss “issues”. In fact, many times this exchange of ideas has come about on a bus ride to campus, a conversation at dinner, or at a toss of a frisbee.

Most of the pictures below are from an Intercultural Exchange at which I volunteered to speak. This was a time where Japanese high school and college students came together to learn about and share other cultures. It was loads of fun!

Victoria Starks ‘01 Weds Ronald Ward

October 27, 2006

Victoria Starks ‘01 was married to Ronald Ward on Saturday, October 7, 2006 in Pigeon Forge, TN. One of Victoria’s bridesmaids was another Institute fellow, Lorraine Erhunmwunsee ‘03. After graduating from the University, Victoria attended Thomas M. Cooley law school in Lansing, Michigan. Victoria is currently an Associate Attorney at Bryan P. Hilton, P.C. where she practices real estate litigation, juvenile law, wills and estates, as well as family law. Victoria and Ronald will be moving into a new house in Atlanta, GA in February of 2007. Ronald is a physical trainer in the Atlanta area. She attends the Cornerstone Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir. Victoria is also a regular volunteer in her community by assisting children in education and reading programs every other week.

Gen. Wesley Clark to Serve as 2006 Frank A. Nix Lecturer

September 15, 2006

Retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark will present the Blackburn Institute’s Frank A. Nix Lecture on Friday, Oct. 13. The program will be at 4 p.m. in Sellers Auditorium of the Bryant Conference Center. The public is invited.

Those unable to attend will be able to watch live via a webcast. A link will be available the day of the event at: http://www.ua.edu/webcast/.

Gen. Wesley Clark
During 34 years of service in the United States Army, Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. After his retirement in 2000, he became an investment banker, author, commentator, and businessman. In September 2003 he entered politics as a Democratic candidate for president of the United States. His campaign won the state of Oklahoma before he returned to the private sector in February 2004.

In his final military command, Clark commanded Operation Allied Force, NATO’s first major combat action, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. He was also responsible for the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia.

Clark’s awards and honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the State Department Distinguished Service Award, the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and Honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments.

He is the author of two books: Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo and the Future of Combat (Public Affairs, New York, 2001) and Winning Modern War: Iraq, Terrorism and the American Empire (Public Affairs, New York, 2003).

Clark graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1966 and completed two degrees at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He is also a graduate of the Ranger and Airborne schools.

He currently serves in leadership roles with a number of non-profit public service organizations, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Center for American Progress, the International Crisis Group, City Year Little Rock, the National Endowment for Democracy, the United States Institute of Peace, and the General Accountability Office.

More information can be found on the website of WesPAC (http://www.securingamerica.com), the political action committee formed by Clark in 2004.

Frank A. Nix Lecture
The Frank A. Nix Lecture honors the memory of Frank Albert Nix, a UA graduate, business leader and member of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Nix died tragically in an airplane crash in 1996, the same year he had been honored as the alumnus of the year by the UA National Alumni Association.

A native of Walker County, Nix earned his undergraduate degree in finance from UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration and his M.B.A. from Samford University. He founded Arlington Properties in 1969 and the company is now considered one of the premier privately owned apartment development companies in the Southeast.

The Nix Lecture was established by the Blackburn Institute to explore ethical leadership in the national arena.

Contact Information
Cheree Causey
UA Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Advisor to the Blackburn Institute
205-348-3277
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Cathy Andreen
UA Director of Media Relations
205-348-8322
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Blackburn Family Grows

August 15, 2006

Advisory Board member Melody Nix Saueressig and her husband Joe recently welcomed the birth of their first child, Mary Ella, on Monday, July 31, 2006. Mary Ella came into this world at 8 pounds, 15.9 ounces and 20.75 inches long. Joe and Melody live in Houston, Texas where Melody serves as a regional recruiter for the University. Melody is the daughter of Frank A. Nix for whom the Institute’s annual Frank A. Nix Lecture is named.

Blackburn Fellow Published

August 11, 2006

The book Don’t Call Me Gringa!: Living and Learning as an American in Venezuela is about to hit the shelves and when it does it will the first full book published by a Blackburn Institute fellow. Emily Smith Llinas, a 2000-2001 Blackburn Fellow and UA journalism graduate, documents her unique experience as a young American studying to become the first foreign student at La Universidad Central de Venezuela to earn a Master’s degree in International Relations and learning to adapt in a dramatically different culture.

In an interview, Emily stated that her ability to be successful in both the academic work and cultural adoption can be directly attributable to the skills she gained while studying at the Capstone. She has written news columns for the Birmingham News, Dateline Alabama, and the Crimson White. As a Student Fellow, she embraced Dr. Blackburn’s passion for people from diverse backgrounds, specifically citing his successful efforts in the peaceful racial integration of the University. Dr. Blackburn’s vision has inspired her to be innovative, think outside the box, and question “why we as Americans think the way we do.” It is because of her ability to accept and adapt to adverse, foreign circumstances, that she has been able to gain this meaningful experience.

Emily now lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, a native Columbian. She works for the University of Texas Medical Branch as a special programs director in helping prepare logistically for future disasters in the area. Emily has no set future plans other than more international travel. Her book is now available for purchase at http://www.dontcallmegringa.com and will also be available in bookstore nationwide within weeks.