Top Story:
Diplomas awarded to 100 students
at Blackburn Commencement
By Jim Rawlins

Blackburn College held its 139th Commencement exercises Saturday morning, May 10.

Heavy rains throughout the week caused college officials some concerns about moving graduation exercises into the gym. But a break in the weather Friday and Saturday morning allowed Commencement to take place on the quad in front of Hudson Hall.

Jacob Flori of Carlinville is this year’s co-valedictorian. The son of David and Laurie Flori of Carlinville, he had a 4.0 GPA, while majoring in accounting, business management and marketing.

“We’re very proud of Jacob,” said L. Flori. “He worked very hard and all of that hard work paid off.”

Jillian Stambaugh of Good Hope was the other co-valedictorian, while Heather Stueckrad of Tinley Park was salutatorian.

Several other Carlinville High School graduates also received their diplomas Saturday morning, including Vanessa Olroyd, Brandon Freehill, Laura Beanblossom and Jackie Wichman. Melinda Barber of Gillespie served as this year’s student marshal, the highest non-academic honor for any Blackburn student.

This year’s Commencement speaker was Leslie Richards-Yellen, an attorney with the Chicago law firm of Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP. Over the years, she has worked on diversity policies and issues.

The great-great-granddaughter of a slave, Rosa, Richards-Yellen reflected on the struggles her family overcame. Her father was an immigrant from La Paz, Bolivia.

“He was fortunate enough to come to the United States because his father had all his gold teeth pulled and sold them for $65 – all the money that my father brought with him to this country,” she said.

As for her grandmother, she attended Tuskeegee University, studying home economics. “She ended up traveling all across the country with George Washington Carver,” she described.

Her family history and college education helped prepare Richards-Yellen to succeed in the world – a message she wanted to pass on to the graduating Blackburn students. “Graduating from college continues to be a defining moment in one’s life,” she said. “Seventy-nine percent of college graduates vote.”

She also credited Gideon Blackburn, who had a dream of providing a quality college education for students in the area over 140 years ago. “Colleges like Blackburn make education more accessible to more students,” she said. “Your future and your past intersect in college. The Blackburn experience gives you the skills set that will help you thrive in the 21st century.”

Most of all, Richards-Yellen hoped the students would continue to take advantage of the many wonderful relationships they made while at Blackburn. She pointed out the lessons taught in the HBO award-winning series “Band of Brothers” as a model.
“Hard work, cooperation, and developing in relationships are the secrets to my success, and they can be yours as well,” she said. “All I know is that I am proud of you, and my great-great-grandmother would be proud of you, as well.”

During the ceremony, several special awards were presented. Dr. John Schaefer was named the Outstanding Teacher and Campus Leader. Schaefer, who teaches physics, has also been a tremendous advocate for the liberal arts education.
This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award went to Macoupin County Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who graduated from Blackburn in 1977. Senior Class President Sarah Hamilton of Tinley Park was named Outstanding Graduate. Dr. Ernest Pascarella was awarded an honorary degree.

On Friday night, Blackburn held Baccalaureate ceremonies at Bothwell Auditorium. The Rev. Julie Wells Blythe conducted the service and delivered the sermon, “To Do Justice, To Love Kindness, and To Walk Humbly With God.”
College Marshal Roy Graham led the processional and recessional. This marks the 43rd graduation ceremony in which Graham has participated.



Source: Macoupin County Enquirer, May 14, 2008