May 2014 Letter from the Provost Saying Goodbye with a Trip by Jeff Aper Back Through Time by Lindsey Becker As the 2013-14 School Year Until 2003
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Blackburn College Turn to page 6 to read Does graduating come ‘Like’ us on ‘Follow’ us Find us on Facebook! on Twitter! Instagram! Heard about the Carlinville, IL about the Res Life issue with a price? Flip to page new athletics honor that everyone is talking 5 to find out. society? Find out Oldest College Newspaper Blackburn Blackburn about. @BCBurnian more on page 11. in Illinois, since 1881 ’Burnian ’Burnian ,, BLACKBURN COLLEGE HEHE URNIURNI NN TT BB Vol. 10, No. 6 May 2014 Letter from the Provost Saying Goodbye with a Trip By Jeff Aper Back Through Time By Lindsey Becker As the 2013-14 school year until 2003. He also served as comes to a close, Blackburn the chair of the humanities must not only say goodbye to division. Currently, he is a graduating seniors, but also professor of philosophy and to many beloved professors. religion and lent his services Greg Meyer (professor of to the college for a total of 33 philosophy and religion), Sam years. Meredith (department chair Dr. Sam Meredith of political science), Victor joined the political science “Jake” Miller (department department in 1979 — giving chair of psychology) and Roy him 35 years at Blackburn — Graham (professor of English and was appointed chair of and communications) will all the social sciences division be retiring at the end of this in 1989. He was also elected year. faculty dean in 1991. Roy Graham came to Dr. Victor Miller, Blackburn in 1964, clocking affectionately known by in an impressive 50 years of most as Dr. Jake, came to service. Mr. Graham even the Blackburn psychology taught Provost Jeff Aper as department in 1989 and a student. In 1996, Graham became the chair in 2003. Dr. became college marshal. Miller was also the chair of the PHOTO BY AURORA GRIMMETT Provost Jeff Aper at the 2013 Graduation Ceremony Students may remember social sciences division and Graham’s portrayal of Gideon served a total of 25 years at I recently sent out a last note to students before I me for many reasons, there Blackburn at the 2011 175th Blackburn. electronic notices to faculty, move on. I’m leaving because is some sadness in leaving anniversary Founder’s Day It’s a fond and bittersweet staff and students announcing a wonderful opportunity arose Blackburn. As 19th century convocation (at which Sam farewell to these professors; that I will be leaving that offered a great deal for novelist Amelia Barr once Meredith and Jake Miller although it’s a shame to see Blackburn during the coming me professionally, but also for wrote, “All changes are more also gave an unforgettable them go, the years of service summer. I wanted to write my family. But even though or less tinged with melancholy, rendition of “This School is they’ve given to the Blackburn this piece for The ’Burnian as this move is very positive for for what we are leaving behind Our School”). community are invaluable and Continued on page 3 Joining the Blackburn extend far beyond the four staff in 1981, Dr. Greg Meyer years that most students have Alpha Psi Omega Members Take the Stage served as the college chaplain had to appreciate them. By Jess Clements Library Granted $100,000 By Marissa Watson On May 4, Alpha Psi Omega will hold its induction Blackburn College said, “Our goal in this update ceremony in the ADRs in the Lumpkin Library recently is to make the library the center Demuzio Campus Center. The received a $100,000 grant from of campus. It is going to take inductions will take place at the George I. Alden Trust. longer than just this summer, 7 p.m. Alpha Psi Omega is Library staff, Academic but we are looking forward to Blackburn’s theater honor Resource Center (ARC), starting the change.” society. To be inducted students Institutional Advancement An immediate change must have been involved in at and the College administration will move Writer’s Block least two theater productions, worked collaboratively on from the adjacent building which includes Blackburn’s PHOTO BY JESS CLEMENTS this project. In serious need into the current Lounge. In Got Talent. Involvement could The Official Alpha Psi Charter. of renovations, the library addition, library desk workers range anywhere from actually Edwards (treasurer). in charge of concessions has not undergone any since will become “Peer Resource performing on the stage to “People sometimes forget during the play and musical its construction in 1966. “The Counselors” and will have working behind the scenes as what it means to be a fully performances. This year space as it is now does not more in-depth knowledge of part of the stage crew. Along dedicated theatrical person members also directed and represent a modern academic the services the Commons with inducting Blackburn (whether on or behind stage). presented a shadow production library, or how people will provide. Other planned students, Alpha Psi Omega We as actors are driven to of the Rocky Horror Picture should view it as,” said Head renovations in Lumpkin also inducts community create art that people can relate Show. Congratulations to Librarian Spencer Brayton. include technology updates members as honorary to as well as learn from. That Marla Courtney, September The grant, though, makes its for the fiction room, revived members. During this year’s takes hard work, perseverance, Stanton, Justina Smiley, modernization possible. office spaces, an updated ceremony, new officers will transparency and faith in your Paul Kline, Lindsey Smith, Lumpkin Library will kitchen and new furniture such be elected for the 2014-2015 fellow theater people. The Jeanette Kelly, Valeri Kolze, also undergo a name change. as booth-style seating that will school year. These officers will greatest part is the ability to Brandon Ellis, Jesse Medina, The new name — Lumpkin foment student collaboration. take their positions as soon as have all these qualities while Becca Wales, Becca Finke, Learning Commons — will Lumpkin Learning Commons’ this current school year comes being a good student in and Patrick Benedict, Michelle help better represent the shift modernization calls for a to an end. The current officers out of academia,” said Guyton. Lee and John Guillotte who in social dynamics the library change in student perspective are Reggie Guyton (president), Members’ involvement in will be recognized for their hopes to achieve. A timeline as to what a library should DeArryka Williams (vice the theater goes beyond just outstanding involvement in for renovations will be made mean to campus. Brayton president), Brendan Lersch performing on the stage or theater. and some changes will begin commented, “It should be an (secretary) and Johnathan as stage crew; they are also this summer. New library open space for everyone.” manager Kelsey Moreland News News 2 • The ’Burnian [email protected] May 2014 May 2014 [email protected] The ’Burnian • 3 Graduation... But Not Really New Options for Foreign Study By Zach Daum By Marissa Watson Letter from the asked. Should college students Starting this summer, Blackburn students can be able to walk in a graduation Provost Cont. ceremony even if they Blackburn will offer new participate in the exchange By Jeff Aper opportunities to study abroad. with Chile only during the haven’t received all of their is part of ourselves.” and support your learning and In addition to the existing fall semester and can stay in college credits? Blackburn That’s certainly the case am proud of so much of the programs (Spain, Ecuador and Santiago or Viña del Mar. College has recently been for me now. I have seen three work we’ve done together Wales) students will now be Also new to Blackburn is the considering taking on special classes of Blackburn students that makes Blackburn a truly able to study abroad in Costa summer study abroad option in cases when it comes to come in as brand new first year remarkable place. Rica and Chile. Heredia, Costa Rica. Students allowing seniors without all students and move through So this spring will be These new avenues apply through the University of their credits to walk. This their experiences to become goodbye. At Commencement were pursued by Spanish of Arizona and participate in would only be allowed for seniors and graduate. I have I will feel this most deeply Department Chair Dr. Ruth their program. In addition to students with special cases, seen in so many students because many of us will be Kartchner, who provided being a less expensive option such as scheduling errors and echoes of my own experience saying the same thing even as connections for both programs. to Spain, Kartchner said, “I conflicts or classes becoming as a Blackburn student and we celebrate so much that is Impressed upon hearing about can match what the students unavailable. Students who am so very glad to have best among us. It’s a bittersweet Blackburn’s educational need to fit much more exactly will not graduate for academic devoted myself to the work thing to say goodbye to friends reasons would be denied model, Kartchner’s nephew with our curriculum here with PHOTO COURTESY OF SERGIO RIVAS of trying, every day, to find and colleagues, but leave- — who teaches at Universidad Costa Rica.” permission. ways to continue to improve taking and the possibility of Walking at graduation is just as important as receiving that diploma. Santo Tomás in Chile, spoke to The five week program Some younger students the learning and experience eventual return are essential his Study Abroad office about has students stay with host at Blackburn have strong Anderson said. “Students with no more than of every student here.