Early registration begins for the Fall 2025 semester
2025-03-31

CAB Event: Trivia Tuesday
2025-04-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-22 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Join the Campus Activities Board in DCC from 7:00 – 9:00 pm every Tuesday* for Trivia Tuesday! Are you interested in submitting or hosting your own Trivia Games? Contact cab@blackburn.edu for more information!
*Please check @blackburnstudentlife for any cancellations and updates.

The Beauty Salon (Humanities Salon)
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Jaenke Alumni Center, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Join us for the final salon of the year: The Beauty Salon. What does beauty mean to you? What under-appreciated things in the world do you find beautiful? While we won’t be able to fix your hair for you at this beauty salon, every kind of beauty from landscape photography to nail art is welcome. Beautiful and tasty refreshments will be served! Bring us all your beauties!

The Humanities Salon is open to all students, faculty, and staff who want to:
● read their own creative work;
● perform a short musical, theatrical, dance, or any stage act;
● share and discuss an original work of art;
● share any work of art of any medium that you simply love;
● listen and be part of the creative community at Blackburn.
We hope to see you there!

The works of David Graham
2025-04-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Sharon K. Sandfort Art Gallery – Visual Arts Center
Opening Reception April 4, 2025
Sharon K. Sandfort Gallery in the Visual Arts CenterWe will have a reception to celebrate the opening of an exhibit of the paintings of Artist David Graham.
The reception will be at the Sharon K Sandfort Gallery in the Visual Arts Building and will take place from 4 to 6. The Artist will be in attendance to answer any questions that you might have regarding his vision and technique. Come enjoy the art and stay for the theater!

Spring Musical: Once
2025-04-04 19:00, 2025-04-05 19:00, 2025-04-06 14:00 - 17:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Blackburn proudly presents “Once” as this year’s spring musical. Performances will take place on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7:00 pm, with a matinee on Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 pm.
A heartfelt story of love and music, “Once” follows two singer-songwriters who meet on the streets of Dublin and collaborate, recording an album together. The production will feature a live, integrated band comprised of student musicians. Visiting Professor of Theatre Adam Flores will direct, with musical direction by Dr. Joseph Welch.
General Admission: $10
Free Admission: Blackburn students, staff, and faculty
For more information, please contact us at Theater@blackburn.edu.

Mario Kart Game Night with CAB
2025-04-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Jaenke Alumni Center, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Join the Campus Activities Board Saturday, April 5 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Jaenke Alumni Center for a Mario Kart Game Night. Don’t forget your CAB Card!

Taste of Blackburn
2025-04-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Demuzio Center Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Carlinville, Illinois, 62626
BSU Presents Taste of Blackburn
Come taste and enjoy — Fast Street Food Festival!
April 9
DCC – 5:30 – 7 pm
Contact Tyler Westmoreland or Adalynn LaMarsh for more information.

Land Lost, Culture Lost - Film Screening & Discussion
2025-04-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Join Blackburn College for a screening of the documentary “Land Lost, Culture Lost” on April 10 at 6 PM in Bothwell Auditorium. Co-directed by Blackburn Counselor Daniel Lanctot, the film explores Indigenous land loss and the power of participatory filmmaking in advocacy. A discussion will follow on how storytelling can drive social change and strengthen communities. The screening is free and open to the public.
Read more about the film >

Eberle Speaker Series: Michael Scott Smith, COO Make-A-Wish North Texas
2025-04-10 19:00 - 21:30 | Jaenke Alumni Center, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Blackburn College will host Michael Scott Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Make-A-Wish North Texas. This event, part of the Kathleen J. Eberle Memorial Lecture Series in the Social Sciences, will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 7:00 pm in Jaenke Alumni Center. It is free and open to the public.
As the Chief Operating Officer at Make-A-Wish North Texas, Smith brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to making a difference in the non-profit sector. With over 35 years of professional experience in various roles, Smith’s journey to the COO position at Make-A-Wish North Texas reflects his dedication to utilizing his skills and expertise to create a meaningful impact.
Smith’s career path began in the traditional business world, where he honed his skills in areas such as systems integration, process improvement, and software development. He served diverse companies and clients, including Royal Appliance/Dirt Devil, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Southwest Airlines. During his tenure at EDS and HP, he successfully led large projects and diverse teams, driving tangible business outcomes for clients.
However, Smith’s true passion extends beyond business objectives. He found fulfillment in driving employee and community engagement within the organizations he served, and through volunteering with organizations like Make-A-Wish and Big Brothers Big Sisters. His dedication to innovation, business transformation, strategy development and community engagement reflect his commitment to fostering collaboration to create positive change.
In his current role as COO of Make-A-Wish North Texas, Smith is instrumental in driving the organization’s mission of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. His leadership, coupled with his passion for community engagement, ensures that Make-A-Wish North Texas continues to make a significant impact in the lives of children and their families.
This event at Blackburn College is funded through the Kathleen J. Eberle Memorial Lecture Series in the Social Sciences, an endowed fund established to bring guest lecturers and speakers to campus who will inspire, engage, and inform students, faculty, and the community in the area of social sciences, with a focus on social justice issues.

Last day of early registration for Fall 2025 semester
2025-04-11

Science Day 2025
2025-04-11 | Mahan Science Building
Blackburn College is thrilled to announce the 36th Annual Science Day is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025. One of the College’s most celebrated traditions, Science Day welcomes high school students from across the region to the Blackburn campus for a day of hands-on science, dynamic demonstrations, and scholarship opportunities.
Coordinated entirely by Blackburn science student workers as part of the College’s nationally recognized Work Program, in addition to numerous student, staff and faculty volunteers, Science Day is an event unlike any other. Last year, the event welcomed more than 200 regional students and teachers, awarding scholarships to top participants and their high schools. This year’s event aims to inspire even more students to explore science and discover exciting future career paths.
“Science Day is an amazing experience for all involved,” said senior Alexia Mosby, who is co-coordinating the 2025 event. “My favorite part of planning the event is watching the high school students reap the benefits of our efforts. Blackburn’s Science Day gives high school students an opportunity to learn about science by engaging students with unique demonstrations conducted by Blackburn students and professors. Not only do the visiting high school students benefit, volunteers and workers of Science Day benefit by planning and running the event all on their own, which truly exemplifies Blackburn as a unique student managed work college.”
Science Day starts with a friendly competition in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Awards are given to individual students as well as high schools with top-performing teams in each category. Throughout the day, Blackburn students, staff and faculty will lead engaging activities, including:
Witnessing exciting chemical reactions and even explosions
Exploring animal and reptile care in Blackburn’s Vivarium
Diving into fields like computer science, physics, and psychology fields through hands-on experiments and demonstrations
“Science Day is an amazing experience for the biology workers running it and the high school students who are participating,” said senior Jessica Muckensturm, who is also helping coordinate Science Day this year. “My favorite part of the day is watching all of the high school students get involved in the demos and get excited about the different aspects of science. We will continue working to make Science Day better every year!”
Schools and educators interested in attending are encouraged to contact Mosby and Muckensturm, Science Day coordinators, at biology@blackburn.edu for additional details, including an event schedule and registration forms.

Night In with CAB
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Demuzio Center Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Carlinville, Illinois, 62626
Join the Campus Activities Board for a cozy Night In!
Come to the DCC Lobby Friday, April 11 at 7:00 pm for board games, card games, and puzzles!

Admitted Student Day
2025-04-12 08:00 - 17:00
Admitted Student Day – Save the date, Apr 12, 2025!
A day to step into the shoes of a Blackburn College student. Our accepted students will be able to participate in a student service project while Beaver Nation’s parents are able to attend several informational panels and ask questions of our community. In addition to the fun activites for the day, students who have submitted their tuition deposit, will be able to be in the first group to register for classes!

Spectrum's Annual Drag Show
2025-04-12 18:30 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Please join us on Saturday, April 12th at 7:00 PM in Bothwell Auditorium for our Annual Drag Show! Doors open at 6:30 PM, with a cash bar and photo booth available. Tickets are $5 for Blackburn students, faculty, and staff with school IDs. Outside tickets are $10. If you have any questions please email spectrum@blackburn.edu!

Spanish Club cookie party
2025-04-16 19:00 | Lumpkin Library
Come put together your own Argentine cookies filled with dulce de leche caramel center!
April 16 at 7 pm in Lumpkin 120.

Faculty vs Staff Mac & Cheese Cook Off
2025-04-17 17:00 | Demuzio Center Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Carlinville, Illinois, 62626
A Faculty vs Staff Mac & Cheese Cook Off will occur inside DCC on Thursday, April 17, at 5:00 p.m. The office of Student Life will work to promote this event to students and make sure they know it is going on. If you want to get involved but don’t know how or aren’t the best chef – some examples of what to donate are as follows: Bowls and Cups, Utensils and Forks or Spoons. The winner will receive the golden spoon. Please send all questions and concerns, or even brainstorms, to alia.stewart@blackburn.edu
Please use the following form to sign up for the Blackburn Faculty & Staff Mac & Cheese (Cook-Off) for BC students: https://forms.gle/so2HXAGMCnLGLEEb8

Good Friday Observed
2025-04-18
Administrative and Academic Offices Closed; No Classes Held

Who Will Be Crowned Mr. Jones?
2025-04-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Jones Hall
Join us for an exciting evening of talent, charm, and competition at Mr. Jones: A Male Pageant!
Contestants will take the stage to showcase their talents, answer a pageant question, and compete for the Mr. Jones title! Think you have what it takes? Sign up now and let your charisma shine!
Come cheer on your favorite contestant and be part of the fun!
For more information or to sign up, fill out the google form or contact Keeleigh.pilcher@blackburn.edu
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRIbhI97H-IS-9OtOAYWk4W5Lnh0Bp93CsAM4CgpBrspivyw/viewform?usp=header

Easter Monday Observed
2025-04-21

Last day to withdraw passing from a class
2025-04-25

CEC Field Day 2025
2025-04-25 08:00
Field Day is a special event where student-athletes from MCDD, the local high school Transition to Life program, and local middle school special education classes can come together to have fun, compete in games, and enjoy a day of activities on Blackburn’s campus. This event provides an opportunity for students to meet new people, engage in new experiences, and celebrate their abilities in a supportive environment. It is also a valuable learning experience for Blackburn College students, allowing them to engage with participants, gain insight, and contribute to an inclusive and meaningful event. Field day will be held on the grass area between the soccer and baseball field (if it rains it will be held in the new athletic facility) We welcome any volunteers who would love to come out and make this a memorable day for all our athletes. If you are an Education major with field experience hours you are allowed two hours for attending this event.
Shirts are $15 and orders are due on April 16th by 5 pm. Here is the link to sign up. https://forms.gle/6aKkAV9WDsPeCT6JA

April MAC Monthly
2025-04-25 16:00 - 19:30
Get ready for a creative adventure! Join the MAC and the Campus Activities Board in Staunton, IL, on Friday, April 25, for an exciting evening of art-making. This month, we’ll explore Make-Your-Own Pride-Themed Silkscreens!
We’ll provide all the materials for up to 30 students, so register to secure your spot in this fun group activity.
No need to worry about the details—we’ve got everything covered! Meet us in DCC at 4:00 p.m. to kick off the fun, and we’ll hit the road by 4:30 p.m. We expect to return to campus around 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity! We can’t wait to see you there!
SIGN UP HERE: https://forms.gle/YWm1TCrwuGC96vYN6

Build Your Own Pollinator Stations with CAB
2025-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Demuzio Center Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Carlinville, Illinois, 62626
Join the Campus Activities Board after Beautification Day on Saturday, April 26, at 7:00 pm in DCC to Build Your Own Pollinator Stations.
Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and this hands-on workshop is designed for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, this event is open to all, and we look forward to welcoming you.
The CAB Crew will guide you through building a pollinator station. All necessary materials will be provided—bring your creativity! This is a unique opportunity to learn about the crucial role of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in our environment.

Sunday Funday
2025-04-27 11:00 - 16:00 | Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626
Food, Live Music, and Activities!
Sunday Funday is a student-led event designed to create an exciting, engaging, and inclusive day of outdoor activities on campus. This event will offer a range of tournament-based games, and relaxed social opportunities, filling the gap in weekend activities for Blackburn College’s student body. Scheduled on Sunday when most students are free, Sunday Funday aims to bring students and faculty together for a fun and competitive day.
Sunday Funday will start at 11 am on Sunday, April 27
Event times are as followed:
Food trucks will be available from 11 am to 1 pm on College Ave between Hudson and Jaenke Patio
Live Music will be performing from 12 pm to 3 pm on the JaenkePatio
Sand Volleyball Tournament will start at 11 am
Cornhole Tournament will start at 1 pm on the Jaenke Patio
Disc Golf hole-in-one contest will be ongoing throughout the day
Questions? Contact Jaidyn Lee at jaidyn.lee@blackburn.edu or (217) 691-1987

Honors Night
2025-04-28 18:30 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Honors Night Ceremony
April 28 at 6:30 pm
Bothwell Auditorium
Faculty, Staff and Students – Please join us!
