Gideon Blackburn Award

Carlinville, IL--The Gideon Blackburn Award is given annually to an alumnus/alumna or a nonalumnus/alumna. It is given to an individual who has rendered valuable service to the college in terms of
money, time, service, influence, etc. Giving out this award helps keep alive the memory of Dr. Blackburn
and the period from 1837 to the time of Dr. Hudsons coming in 1912. The Alumni Board presents the
award annually with a plaque given to the recipient.
Last years recipient was Ms. Ann Allen, the Executive Assistant to the President. She was
recognized for her loyal and dedicated service to Blackburn College, organizing much of the planning and
execution that keeps a host of events, meetings, and an executive staff on schedule.
This years recipient is Charles Beetz, a Blackburn graduate of 1962. Dr. Beetz graduated with a
Bachelors Degree in Biology and now teaches Microbiology at Parkland College in Monticello, Illinois.
He is currently serving as the Chair of the Parkland College Institutional Effectiveness Committee,
Parkland College Art Gallery Board, the Treasurer for Parkland Academic Employees, member of the
Illinois Articulation Initiative Steering Committee, Parkland College Strategic and Operational Planning
Committees, North Central Association Accreditation Report Steering Committee, and is on the Board of
Directors for the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, Illinois. He was recognized at the Founders Day
Convocation at Blackburn on February 20, 2012.