On the eve of Jack Blackburn’s memorial, we caught up with Edward Ayers, President of the University of Richmond and former UVA Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Ayers, who worked alongside Blackburn for close to 20 years, remembers him as a professional, honest and true human being. According to Ayers, Blackburn’s biggest accomplishment came in the form of the enhanced diversity of the student body.
“He felt that the University was a great treasure that should be shared equally,” says Ayers. “I think the whole feeling of UVA as an excellent public that is really dedicated to being for the people of Virginia and excellent students everywhere is due in large part to Jack Blackburn.”
Blackburn’s memorial is Saturday at 11am at the Westminster Presbyterian Church at 190 Rugby Road. A reception will follow at Alumni Hall.
Read more about how Dean Blackburn is remembered by his colleagues in next week’s C-VILLE.
