Blackburn was a life-changing experience for me. At first, I only attended to follow my sister to school. Yet, the work program, small class sizes, and the amazing faculty and staff developed a passion in me that I plan to pursue through graduate school and beyond.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Keep an open mind. At Blackburn, you will work in one of the twelve departments on campus, which could include anything from cleaning the dorms to calling prospective students. You may find the work not to your taste, but there is always room to move up in the work program or switch jobs entirely.
Take chances. Blackburn offers you major opportunities to shine. The college is small, but allows students to take leadership roles in work, clubs and organizations, sports, and classes.
Schedule your time and stick to it. Working an extra 10 hours a week (which lowers tuition and grants valuable work experience) can also take a big chunk out of your free time. Always remember that you're here to learn above all else, so make sure you plan study time as well as fun periods.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
There is not an easy major on campus, but some are more demanding than others. Blackburn boasts a very strong Natural Sciences division which require a junior and senior double semester seminar, yet other divisions are quickly upping the ante to make their seminars and course load just as challenging. The newly formed English and Communications department will implement two semester seminars next year, and the Art Department has a Sophomore Review (half semester), Junior Seminar, and Senior Seminar (one semester each) which both include a seminar exhibition show.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Many of the dorms are very old on campus, and I live in the first dorm ever built (crafted by students that went through the work program nearly a century ago). They may not be be newest dorms, but they are not lacking in community. The comradery shared between students on my floor is strong, and many people know us as 3rd floor Stoddard kids. Graduated friends still visit our dorm often and hang out with us, which is something I never would've expected at a small college in a sleepy town.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I think this is about the only thing that Blackburn really lacks. The food here really isn't that good unless you are crazy about buffets everyday. They serve a lot of chicken, and the salad bar items are not always fresh. They have a fast food alternative called Snack Bar, but during rush hours it is plagued by long lines and very slow service. All in all, the togetherness that meals bring keep students eating the school food as well as provide us a common grievance, which is a good conversation starter.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Carlinville, where Blackburn presides, is a very sleepy town. Yet, the Campus Activities Board holds student events every weekend. These include live musicians, comedians, free bowling and movie nights, and bingo, just to name a few. Individual dorms also host smaller events like bonfires and movie marathons. Yet, if you want excitement off campus, you will probably have to drive about 40 minutes to Springfield or an hour to St. Louis.
If you are from a small town, this kind of environment should be no problem, but a student from a big city might find this place to be slow and boring.
Though there is one thing that the area has to offer: it's very scenic. Sloping hills, a cobblestone square, and historical buildings pepper the town, making it amazing for walks and even hikes if you go to Lake Carlinville or Beaver Dam, which also offer fishing.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I don't think many schools can beat Blackburn in this department. The program grants you four years of work experience, a chance to earn paid hours, and an intimate class setting and strong education for the price tag, which is much lower than most private institutions in Illinois.
Most majors even require an internship before graduation, granting students even more work experience, which is extremely valuable especially in today's unstable job market.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Nearly every building is supposedly haunted on campus, but I think the one tradition that is most known here is Butler rock, which, as the story goes, was dropped off in front of Butler dorm from a nearby quarry.
The interesting thing about the rock is that in the dead of night, students paint it to promote events, clubs, or social issues. No one knows when it will be changed or who will change it, but it's tagged every few weeks. It's been anything from a pokeball to a sign promoting breast cancer awareness. It's really amazing to see what students will create. This year there is also a rock painting competition, which will award the different faces of Butler rock in categories such as Most School Spirit and Most Artistic Design.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Anyone hailing from a small town and feels comfortable in that type of setting will most likely enjoy Blackburn. I also encourage students seeking leadership and work experience to attend here.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Though I'm not active in many clubs, there are over 30 here at Blackburn. They have department related clubs as well as sporting and hobby clubs, and if they don't have a club you'd like to join, you can create one.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are no fraternities or sororities here, for better or worse.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The college is small and not that well lit, but I've never felt scared walking around campus, not even alone at night. If you ever feel threatened or uneasy, there is a security department run by students who can escort you on campus at any time.
Blackburn was a life-changing experience for me. At first, I only attended to follow my sister to school. Yet, the work program, small class sizes, and the amazing faculty and staff developed a passion in me that I plan to pursue through graduate school and beyond.
Keep an open mind. At Blackburn, you will work in one of the twelve departments on campus, which could include anything from cleaning the dorms to calling prospective students. You may find the work not to your taste, but there is always room to move up in the work program or switch jobs entirely. Take chances. Blackburn offers you major opportunities to shine. The college is small, but allows students to take leadership roles in work, clubs and organizations, sports, and classes. Schedule your time and stick to it. Working an extra 10 hours a week (which lowers tuition and grants valuable work experience) can also take a big chunk out of your free time. Always remember that you're here to learn above all else, so make sure you plan study time as well as fun periods.
There is not an easy major on campus, but some are more demanding than others. Blackburn boasts a very strong Natural Sciences division which require a junior and senior double semester seminar, yet other divisions are quickly upping the ante to make their seminars and course load just as challenging. The newly formed English and Communications department will implement two semester seminars next year, and the Art Department has a Sophomore Review (half semester), Junior Seminar, and Senior Seminar (one semester each) which both include a seminar exhibition show.
Many of the dorms are very old on campus, and I live in the first dorm ever built (crafted by students that went through the work program nearly a century ago). They may not be be newest dorms, but they are not lacking in community. The comradery shared between students on my floor is strong, and many people know us as 3rd floor Stoddard kids. Graduated friends still visit our dorm often and hang out with us, which is something I never would've expected at a small college in a sleepy town.
I think this is about the only thing that Blackburn really lacks. The food here really isn't that good unless you are crazy about buffets everyday. They serve a lot of chicken, and the salad bar items are not always fresh. They have a fast food alternative called Snack Bar, but during rush hours it is plagued by long lines and very slow service. All in all, the togetherness that meals bring keep students eating the school food as well as provide us a common grievance, which is a good conversation starter.
Carlinville, where Blackburn presides, is a very sleepy town. Yet, the Campus Activities Board holds student events every weekend. These include live musicians, comedians, free bowling and movie nights, and bingo, just to name a few. Individual dorms also host smaller events like bonfires and movie marathons. Yet, if you want excitement off campus, you will probably have to drive about 40 minutes to Springfield or an hour to St. Louis. If you are from a small town, this kind of environment should be no problem, but a student from a big city might find this place to be slow and boring. Though there is one thing that the area has to offer: it's very scenic. Sloping hills, a cobblestone square, and historical buildings pepper the town, making it amazing for walks and even hikes if you go to Lake Carlinville or Beaver Dam, which also offer fishing.
I don't think many schools can beat Blackburn in this department. The program grants you four years of work experience, a chance to earn paid hours, and an intimate class setting and strong education for the price tag, which is much lower than most private institutions in Illinois. Most majors even require an internship before graduation, granting students even more work experience, which is extremely valuable especially in today's unstable job market.
Nearly every building is supposedly haunted on campus, but I think the one tradition that is most known here is Butler rock, which, as the story goes, was dropped off in front of Butler dorm from a nearby quarry. The interesting thing about the rock is that in the dead of night, students paint it to promote events, clubs, or social issues. No one knows when it will be changed or who will change it, but it's tagged every few weeks. It's been anything from a pokeball to a sign promoting breast cancer awareness. It's really amazing to see what students will create. This year there is also a rock painting competition, which will award the different faces of Butler rock in categories such as Most School Spirit and Most Artistic Design.
Anyone hailing from a small town and feels comfortable in that type of setting will most likely enjoy Blackburn. I also encourage students seeking leadership and work experience to attend here.
Though I'm not active in many clubs, there are over 30 here at Blackburn. They have department related clubs as well as sporting and hobby clubs, and if they don't have a club you'd like to join, you can create one.
There are no fraternities or sororities here, for better or worse.
The college is small and not that well lit, but I've never felt scared walking around campus, not even alone at night. If you ever feel threatened or uneasy, there is a security department run by students who can escort you on campus at any time.