State Superintendent of Education comes to Celebrate Diversity

 On November 7 the Blackburn community celebrated diversity in the classroom during its annual Teacher Quest conference. The program was designed to help educators and future educators understand the necessity to ensure all students get a proper education. The event began with Blackburn Trustee Diane Rutledge discussing problems of diversity from a school district level and how districts cope with the challenges of teaching all students. Dr. Christopher Koch, State Superintendent of Education, shared his knowledge of diversity and spoke about state and federal initiatives designed to help students succeed. Evening breakout session topics included:

• "Issues of Cultural Diversity"
• "Serving all students regardless of socio-economic background"
• "Serving students with disabilities"
• "Is your classroom gender fair?"

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Science construction moving towards completion

 The construction phase of the new Blackburn science building is 80 percent complete and is on target to be completed by the end of January. At that time workers will go through the building and finish the remaining necessary LEED work for Green Building Certification. Among other things, current work includes: mechanical ductwork installation in the labs, painting of hallways (nearly completed), installation of counter tops, electrical installations, and installation of suspended ceilings (student construction crew).

[Science news on the web]

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Veterans Day event held at Blackbkurn

 Blackburn College hosted a Veterans’ Day Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 10 for alumni and friends who served in the Armed Forces. Guest speaker for the event was Blackburn senior Marie St. Louis, an E-5 and Cadet Lieutenant in the Army and ROTC. She saw prior service in the Air Force. St. Louis spoke about her decision to make the service a career and balancing her service responsibilities with being a student at Blackburn. Veterans attending the event represented service time during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. [Full Story]

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Traveling Russian exhibit displayed at Blackbkurn

 An exhibit tour of Russian treasures was recently displayed at Blackburn College’s visual arts center gallery. The Blackburn stop was made possible by Mr. Lloyd Costley, a native of Carlinville. Costley currently serves as the Chairman of the Friends of the Russian Culture Centre in Washington, D.C. The tour coincides with the 200th anniversary of Russian-American diplomatic relations which began in 1807. Mr. Costley is the son of former Blackburn Business Manager Lloyd Costley. [Full Story]

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Former trustee honored at dedication

 Laurna Godwin, former trustee of Blackburn College, returned to Carlinville recently to pay homage to her parents. On Friday, October 26, Godwin was surrounded by family and friends and joined by Blackburn officials, as the Godwin Admissions Office was dedicated. The plaque commemorating Godwin’s gift hangs in tribute to her parents Elmer and Corrynne Godwin and the importance they placed on education. [Full Story]

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Blackburn Reading Lab named for teacher/alumna

 The Susan Stephens Peabody Reading Laboratory was recently dedicated during a private ceremony at Blackburn. Peabody graduated from Blackburn in 1976 and taught kindergarten through third grade and Title I reading in the Jerseyville School District for 27 years. She tragically passed away in 2006. The Sue Peabody Memorial Fund was established in support of Blackburn’s new reading lab, which bears her name, and as testimony to her life and good work. [Full Story]

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Physical Plant crews have removed old plantings around Ludlum Hall. The nearly 50-year-old bushes were overgrown and needing replaced. Over time, natural settling has caused the ground and sidewalks to slope towards the building's foundation. Next summer significant re-grading and sidewalk replacements are planned for Ludlum's immediate surroundings. Removing the large yew bushes now will allow the ground to settle before the summer project begins.

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Stephen Kull of the alumni/development office is scheduling a dinner event for Blackburn alumni in the Phoenix area for Saturday evening, March 8, 2008. Watch for announcements with information about time and location after details have been finalized. For information about the event, please please contact Stephen by email or phone at (800) 233-3550 ext. 4368. He looks forward to hearing your Blackburn stories!

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The semester is quickly reaching final exams time followed by the departure of the students for the semester break. The campus, including the administrative offices will be completely closed during the week between Christmas and New Year -- from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.

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Sports Shorts

 Check for a game near you ... Blackburn's fall sports schedules:

• Football: 4-6 (Final)
• Men's Soccer: 7-9 (Final)
• Women's Soccer: 2-11-1 (Final)
• Volleyball: 4-24 (Final)
• Men's Basketball: 0-3
• Women's Basketball: 0-1

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