John L. Blackburn

TUSCALOOSA John L. Blackburn, Ph.D., a national leader in higher education administration, a principal architect of the peaceful integration of The University of Alabama, civic leader, and founder of the Blackburn Institute at The University of Alabama, died on Friday, July 3, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was 84.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Bullington Blackburn, of Tuscaloosa, his daughter and son-in-law Holly and Harry M. Piper III, and grandsons Harry M. Piper IV and John Mitchener Piper, all of St. Petersburg, Florida. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Dona Blackburn and Josephine Blackburn Malter of Malta Bend, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Malta Bend, Missouri on December 21, 1924, John L. was the son of Clarence Oliver and Vivian Mitchener Blackburn. His parents and his brothers Gordon, David and Clarence Mitchener Blackburn predeceased him.

During World War II Dr. Blackburn served with the U.S. Army in the China-Burma-India Theater. After leaving the service he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Valley College, a Master of Education from the University of Colorado and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by The University of Alabama in 2006.

Dr. Blackburn began his professional career in higher education administration in 1952 as a Counselor to Men at Florida State University. In 1956 he came to The University of Alabama as an Assistant Dean of Men, was named Dean of Men in 1958 and the University's first Dean for Student Development in 1968. In 1969 Dr. Blackburn became the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Denver, and in 1974 was named that institution's Vice Chancellor for University Resources. In 1978 he returned to The University of Alabama as Vice President for Educational Development. He was responsible for fund-raising and alumni activities and led the institution's largest fund-raising campaign to that date. After his retirement in 1990, he established and served as President of Blackburn Educational Technologies, providing consulting services to colleges and universities throughout the United States.

In recognition of his central role in its recent history, including his leadership in the peaceful racial desegregation of the institution in the 1960s, The University of Alabama established the Blackburn Institute in 1995. A nationally recognized leadership development program, the institute links state and national leaders in business and public service with outstanding UA students and Blackburn Fellows. The Institute nurtures the skills and commitment of Blackburn Fellows to a lifetime of leadership and civic engagement. The Institute hosts the Gloria and John L. Blackburn Academic Symposium.

Dr. Blackburn served as president of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and twice as president of the American Association of University Administrators. He was president of Alpha Sigma Phi, his national social fraternity, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, a Jason, and was recognized in Who's Who in America. He was a member of Rotary International and president of the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club, a member of the Apollo Club, and served on the board of directors of the Community Foundation of West Alabama. In 2008 Blackburn was named a Pillar of West Alabama and in 2009 was awarded the Rotary Rose. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa.

A memorial service will be conducted by Dr. Charles Durham on Tuesday, July 7 at 3:00 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. It will follow a family burial service at Evergreen Cemetery in Tuscaloosa at 2:00 p.m. Pallbearers are Tom Blackburn, Don Crump, David Mathews, Stan Murphy, Larry O'Neal, Malcolm Portera, Roger Sayers, Donald Stewart, and Joab Thomas.

Honorary pallbearers are Cordell Wynn, Robert Witt, Don Siegelman, Tom and Carol Patterson, Don and Bobbie Siegal, Redding Pitt, Ski Adamczyk, Steven Antonoff, Oliver Urbigkeit, Blackburn Institute Students, Fellows, and Advisory Board members, former associates at The University of Alabama, and members of Tuscaloosa Rotary Club.

Following the memorial service there will be a reception for family and friends at the University Club in Tuscaloosa.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Blackburn Institute, P. O. Box 870122, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0122, First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, 900 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.

Plans for a celebratory remembrance of the life of Dr. Blackburn will be announced at a later date by The University of Alabama and the Blackburn Institute.