Cynthia Williams Lamar ’73 Service Award

The Cynthia Williams Lamar ’73 Service Award honors the outstanding work on behalf of the Blackburn College Alumni Association by Cynthia Williams LaMar ’73, former Alumni Board member and a past Alumni Board President (1995- 1997). The recipient has demonstrated unrelenting efforts, leadership, dedication, and outstanding contributions to the success of the Blackburn College Alumni Association.

2026 Cynthia Williams Lamar ’73 Service Award Recipient

Jeanna (Caselli) Supple: A Legacy of Service, Stewardship, and Blackburn Pride

Jeanna (Caselli) Supple represents the very heart of Blackburn College—a lifelong commitment to community, tradition, and service. Through her leadership, creativity, and unwavering dedication, she has strengthened the Blackburn experience and inspired alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to come together in support of the college she loves.

As a proud Blackburn graduate, born and raised in the Carlinville community, Jeanna’s connection to Blackburn is deeply rooted. Shaped by her family and her mother’s many years of dedicated service in Blackburn’s Business Office, Jeanna grew up understanding the special bond between the college and its community. As students, she and her husband, Bill, served as Residence Hall Directors for Jewell Hall, further deepening their commitment to campus life. Her lifelong involvement reflects deep alumni pride and a genuine desire to ensure future generations experience the same sense of belonging that has defined her Blackburn journey.

Since 2018, Jeanna has served on the Blackburn College Alumni Association Board of Directors and Engagement Committee, becoming a driving force behind meaningful alumni initiatives. Her most visible contribution is the creation, development, and continued leadership of Blackburn College Beautification Day. Established in 2019 with Dr. Lisa Black-Gomez, this annual tradition has become one of Blackburn’s most cherished community events, bringing together alumni, students, faculty, staff, administrators, and local residents to improve and celebrate the campus they share.

Now in its eighth year, Beautification Day has generated more than $90,000 in fully donated support for campus landscaping projects and attracts nearly 150 volunteers annually. Under Jeanna’s leadership, it has become more than a campus improvement effort; it is a celebration of Blackburn spirit, collaboration, and pride. She works closely with campus leaders to identify priorities, enhance the student experience, and create leadership opportunities for students serving as crew chiefs.

Jeanna’s commitment extends beyond Beautification Day. She has provided outstanding leadership for the Blackburn College Holiday Ornament program, managing vendor relationships, production, marketing, and distribution while sharing the Blackburn story with alumni and supporters worldwide. Working with fellow alum Kevin McGill, she helped create memorable ornaments featuring his artwork, including the Campus Entrance and Stoddard Hall 100th Anniversary designs. Her leadership also helped secure the donation of McGill’s original Stoddard Hall 100th Anniversary painting to benefit the Alumni Association.

Through her work on the Alumni Board Shopify website committee and other initiatives, Jeanna continually finds new ways to engage alumni and strengthen connections to Blackburn.

Although Jeanna received the Ziegler Service Award in 2019 for her early work on Beautification Day, her continued leadership and exceptional contributions make her deeply deserving of the LaMar Service Award. Her impact is measured not only in projects completed and funds raised, but in relationships strengthened, traditions created, and Blackburn pride inspired.

Jeanna (Caselli) Supple is a true ambassador for Blackburn College, leading with heart, honoring its history, and working tirelessly to ensure a bright future.

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Past Cynthia Williams LeMar ’73 Service Award Recipients