Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Classes Canceled
2023-01-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IL

Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation
2023-01-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Watch the event from Bothwell Auditorium
Blackburn College is bringing its annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Convocation back to campus. The event will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Bothwell Auditorium at 4:00 pm. The College last hosted an in-person MLK Convocation in January 2020, holding virtual celebrations in 2021 and 2022. This year’s event will include the presentation of the annual Blackburn MLK Student Leadership Award, a proclamation from Carlinville Mayor Sarah Oswald, and a keynote address from Dr. Leon Chestang ‘59. The convocation is open to Blackburn faculty, staff, students, and all members of the community.
A distinguished social work educator, scholar, and expert on race and culture, Dr. Chestang was among the first Black students admitted to Blackburn in 1954. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in sociology, he received a Master’s degree at Washington University in St. Louis and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Dr. Chestang served as Professor and Dean of the School of Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit for nearly twenty years. Most recently, he held the position of Visiting Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Social Work at Jackson State University.
Dr. Chestang’s work is taught throughout the U.S. and internationally. He authored the first article on transracial adoption in social work literature and set the tone for much of the current efforts to find permanent adoptive homes for children. His doctoral dissertation broke new ground in understanding how African Americans achieve in the face of discrimination and racism. His career has included service as a child welfare worker, private practitioner of counseling children and families, and community organizer. In addition, he has served as a distinguished visiting professor or lecturer at Howard University, Norfolk State University, Fordham University, New York University, Columbia University, the University of Michigan, Bryn Mawr College, and the University of Utah.
“Dr. Chestang’s extraordinary insights as part of the first generation of Black scholars admitted to Blackburn during a transformational time for this College and country will inspire and empower this campus and community,” said Dr. Margaret Lawler, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Blackburn. “Our annual convocation is an opportunity to both celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit ourselves to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are directly linked to the College’s mission, values, and goals.”
Lawler continued, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Chestang back to campus as the keynote speaker, learn from his expertise, and grow in our awareness.”
Blackburn College’s annual MLK Convocation is coordinated by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and will feature a public reception before and after the event.

Time Management Tips and Tools
2023-01-18 11:00 - 13:00 | IL
Join The Lumpkin Student Success Center for lunch on Wednesday, Jan 18th, and learn some tips and tools for time management. Sessions will start at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM in the ADR and will last about 45mins. Bring your lunch and join the conversation.

Last day to register, add a course, declare a course to be taken pass/fail, or drop a course without a W.
2023-01-20 08:00 - 17:00 | IL

Minute To Win It -- This Friday!
2023-01-20 19:00 | IL
Join the campus activities board this Friday, January 20th, at 7:00 pm, in the Jaenke Alumni Center Lobby for an exciting night of Minute To Win It! Minute to Win It is an international game show franchise where contestants participate in a series of 60-second challenges that use objects commonly available around the house. CAB plans to take on this fun activity, Blackburn style! Various prizes, including gift cards and other novelties, await our winners. Email logan.elliott@blackburn.edu for any questions or concerns!

Diversity Day Program
2023-01-26 12:00 - 15:00 | IL
You are invited to the Equity Center’s Diversity Day in celebration of DEI and the contributions you have made to the area. Stop by the Equity Center in DCC between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2022 with your favorite DEI apparel, flyers, poster boards, flags, pictures, etc. We will be taking pictures and selecting three winners (a staff member, a student, and a faculty member). The winners will receive a DEI gift. Light Hors D’oeuvres will be served during your visit.

Spectrum Club Meeting
2023-01-26 18:30 - 20:00 | IL
Spectrum, Blackburn’s club for LGBTQIA+ members and allies, is holding their first meeting of the semester this Thursday, January 26th in Lumpkin 120 from 6:30-8:00! Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

3v3 Intramurals Basketball Tournament
2023-01-29 17:00 | IL
Intramurals will be hosting a 3v3 Basketball Tournament Sunday January 29th, at 5:00PM in Dawes Gymnasium. Everyone is encouraged to participate and attend. If you have any questions please email reed.rusten@blackburn.edu or nicholas.vaughn@blackburn.edu.

Black History Month Trivia Contest
2023-02-02 11:00 - 13:00 | IL
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month.
On Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., the Equity Center and the Black Student Union will host a Black History Month trivia contest.
Participants will have an opportunity to answer Black history trivia and facts and win a prize. Two winners will be selected. The prizes will include: Apple AirPods and Blackburn attire.

24-HR Play Festival Performance
2023-02-04 19:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Join us in Bothwell Auditorium to share and celebrate the plays created during the 24-Hour Play Festival experience.
Free and open to the public!
We would love for you to come to experience these short but likely hilarious and moving pieces fresh from the minds of our eager students!

CAB: Guest Artist Masterclass - Meredith Pyle
2023-02-07 16:30 - 18:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Blackburn’s Department of Music & Theatre continues its Guest Artist Series February 6 – 10, 2023, featuring Los Angeles-based professional singer, actor, and teacher Meridith Pyle. The week-long residency at Blackburn will include professional-level workshops open to the public and conclude with a free community concert.
The Guest Artist Series launched in the fall of 2022 as part of Blackburn’s innovative academic program – designed to hone music performance skills and share in-depth entrepreneurial knowledge needed to launch professional careers in the music industry. During her Blackburn residency, Pyle will lead a Masterclass on Tuesday, February 7, at 4:30 pm in Bothwell Auditorium.
As a singer, Pyle works primarily as a score vocalist for film and television projects such as “Doctor Strange,” “Frozen 2,” “Mulan,” “Sing 2,” and “Minions.” Additional credits include appearances on “The Ellen Show,” NBC’s “The Real O’Neals,” TV Land’s “Jennifer Falls,” and she competed with her a cappella group ‘Snow Problem’ on The CW’s “Christmas Caroler Challenge.” She is on the roster of the award-winning ensemble ‘Tonality,’ a group using the art of choral music to promote social justice. She sings regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Master Chorale, and many churches and synagogues around Los Angeles. As a teacher, Pyle currently serves on the voice faculty at USC and Pepperdine and works extensively with Harvard-Westlake school. She is an active member of the National Association for Teachers of Singing and has a thriving private voice studio.
The Series is funded by Blackburn’s Student Experience Fund and presented in cooperation with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Read the full press release >

Spectrum Club Meeting
2023-02-07 18:30 - 20:00 | IL
Spectrum, Blackburn’s club for LGBTQIA+ members and allies, is holding a meeting on Tuesday, Feb 7th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Lumpkin 120. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Movie Night in Jewell
2023-02-08 19:00 | IL
Movie night in Jewell Hall’s parlor. Popcorn, candy, and snacks provided. Email chelsea.terranova@blackburn.edu for movie suggestions.

Black History Month Cultural Themed Luncheon and Karaoke.
2023-02-09 11:00 - 13:00 | IL
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, members of the Black Student Union and CAB will host the Black History Month cultural themed luncheon and karaoke event.
Fresh Ideas will provide a cultural themed lunch that will highlight signature dishes that are featured in the Black/African American communities.
We look forward to your participation from 11:00am-1:00pm in celebration of this year’s 2023 Black History Month themed luncheon.

CAB: Guest Artist Presentation - Meredith Pyle
2023-02-09 16:30 - 18:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Blackburn’s Department of Music & Theatre continues its Guest Artist Series February 6 – 10, 2023, featuring Los Angeles-based professional singer, actor, and teacher Meredith Pyle. The week-long residency at Blackburn will include professional-level workshops open to the public and conclude with a free community concert.
The Guest Artist Series launched in the fall of 2022 as part of Blackburn’s innovative academic program – designed to hone music performance skills and share in-depth entrepreneurial knowledge needed to launch professional careers in the music industry. During her Blackburn residency, Pyle will lead a presentation of “Don’t Sing It If You Don’t Mean It” on Thursday, February 9, at 4:30 pm in Bothwell Auditorium.
As a singer, Pyle works primarily as a score vocalist for film and television projects such as “Doctor Strange,” “Frozen 2,” “Mulan,” “Sing 2,” and “Minions.” Additional credits include appearances on “The Ellen Show,” NBC’s “The Real O’Neals,” TV Land’s “Jennifer Falls,” and she competed with her a cappella group ‘Snow Problem’ on The CW’s “Christmas Caroler Challenge.” She is on the roster of the award-winning ensemble ‘Tonality,’ a group using the art of choral music to promote social justice. She sings regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Master Chorale, and many churches and synagogues around Los Angeles. As a teacher, Pyle currently serves on the voice faculty at USC and Pepperdine and works extensively with Harvard-Westlake school. She is an active member of the National Association for Teachers of Singing and has a thriving private voice studio.
The Series is funded by Blackburn’s Student Experience Fund and presented in cooperation with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Read the full press release >

Concert - Meredith Pyle
2023-02-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Bothwell Auditorium at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
Blackburn’s Department of Music & Theatre continues its Guest Artist Series February 6 – 10, 2023, featuring Los Angeles-based professional singer, actor, and teacher Meredith Pyle. The week-long residency at Blackburn will include educational opportunities open to the public and conclude with a free community concert.
Known for her “vocal chameleon” versatility and strong musicianship, Pyle is a full-time singer, voice teacher, and on-camera actress. She works primarily as a score vocalist for film and television projects, including “Doctor Strange,” “Frozen 2,” “Mulan,” “Sing 2,” and more. She is on the roster of the award-winning ensemble ‘Tonality,’ a group using the art of choral music to promote social justice, and regularly sings with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As an instructor, Pyle currently serves on the voice faculty at USC and Pepperdine, and has her private voice studio.
The Series is funded by Blackburn’s Student Experience Fund and presented in cooperation with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Read the full press release >

Graham Hall Movie Trivia Night
2023-02-14 20:00 | IL
Come put your movie knowledge against others in a team or free-for-all trivia battle in Graham Parlor!

Spectrum Club Meeting
2023-02-21 18:30 - 20:00 | IL
Spectrum, Blackburn’s club for LGBTQIA+ members and allies, is holding a meeting on Tuesday, Feb 21st from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Lumpkin 120. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Graham Hall Office Party
2023-02-21 19:00 | IL
Come enjoy “The Office” themed snacks and watch your favorite episodes while mingling with your fellow classmates.

Black History Month Jeopardy Team Contest
2023-02-25 19:00 | Jaenke Alumni Center, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL, 62626, United States
The 2023 Black History Month Jeopardy team contest will be hosted on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 7 pm in Jaenke.
Teams will have an opportunity to compete for prizes and bragging rights as the winners of this year’s Black History Month Jeopardy contest.
Snacks and drinks will be provided by Fresh Ideas, members of the Black Student Union..
This program is sponsored in collaboration with BSU and CAB.

Graham Hall Video Game Trivia
2023-02-28 20:00 | IL
Come put your video game knowledge against others in a team or free-for-all trivia battle in Graham Parlor at 8 pm on Tuesday, February 28th.

Humanities Salon: Stand in Power
2023-03-02 18:00 | IL
Blackburn’s Humanities Salon is held on the first Thursday of every month is open to all students, faculty, and staff to:

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.

Light-catered refreshments will be served and theme costumes or formal attire of all varieties are encouraged but not required.
March’s Humanities Salon has the theme Stand in Power: What makes you feel empowered? What does power mean to you? Let’s celebrate works of art that help you feel powerful, and the humans, revolutionaries, and creators who keep the world turning with hard work and a little bit of luck.

Spring Break Begins at 5 p.m.
2023-03-03 08:00 - 17:00 | IL

Midterm grade rosters are due.
2023-03-06 08:00 - 17:00 | IL

Course instruction resumes at 8 a.m.
2023-03-13 08:00 - 17:00 | IL

Vortex and Louise Allen Creative Writing Contest
2023-03-13 15:00 - 17:00 | IL
Attention all creative writers and artists – submit your creative works!
Blackburn’s literary and creative arts magazine, The Vortex, seeks your original creative works. Creative writing in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama is also eligible for cash prizes through the Louise Allen Creative Writing Contest.
All entries must be original and unpublished
All entries should belong to one of the afforementioned categories
You may submit up to five (5) pieces in each category
Please upload your work by Monday, March 13th, at 3pm. Full submission guidelines are on the form. For additional questions, contact Dr. Browning.
Submit your creative work >

Beekeeping Class
2023-03-13 19:01 - 20:30 | IL
The Blackburn College Beekeeping Program will host its first beekeeping class this spring. This exciting opportunity will be open to the public, and attendees will have access to the campus’s apiary as a learning resource. The class will run from March 13 until May 9, 2023.
The opportunity will consist of eight evening classroom sessions and up to eight in-hive field days on weekends (weather permitting). Those attending the class will learn introductory beekeeping skills, honeybee anatomy and reproduction, as well as hive social structure and function. The class will also include understanding the bees’ relationship to each other, their relationship to humans, the human relationship to bees, the impact on our shared environment, and how it affects both the bees and humans alike. Blackburn College is a chemical-free apiary, and coursework will therefore reflect this.
While Blackburn’s commitment to pollinators dates back to the late 1800s, the current Bee Program launched in 2016 when an insurance provider forced the College to remove a natural beehive from a tree near Lumpkin Library. The student group maintains several hives on campus and at Solomon Creek Farm, a private nature preserve, and two period-correct hives at Lincoln’s Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL.
Each evening class session will be held on Monday and will start at 7:00 pm. The cost for residents of Macoupin and Montgomery Counties will be $75, all others will be $100. To learn more about the class or find registration information, please contact Dade Bradley or call (815) 216-2282 or Registrar Dianna Ruyle.

Last day to drop a class with a "W" grade
2023-03-17 08:00 - 17:00 | IL

Science Day
2023-03-17 08:00 - 17:00 | IL
Blackburn College Science Day is day filled with demonstrations led by the Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Computer Science departments. High school students from surrounding schools will be visiting the campus for this event. They will also be competing for a chance to win monetary prizes for their school as well as a Blackburn College Scholarship for the top scoring students, which will be announced at the awards ceremony at the end of the day. Science Day will be happening on March 17, 2023. The demonstrations and awards ceremony will last from roughly 9am-2pm. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact holly.metzger@blackburn.edu, alexia.mosby@blackburn.edu, or logan.ullrich@blackburn.edu

Staff Art Show
2023-03-17 15:30 - 17:00 | IL
Come see the great and talented work of our Blackburn staff members. Staff art pieces will be displayed in Lumpkin from 3:30-5:00 on March 17. Refreshments will be provided.
