Every once in a while, following the beaten path still leads to new possibilities. For Bennett McGehee (2018), growing up in Mobile and being surrounded by Alabama fans did not mean his time at The Capstone was a guarantee. Even still, one tour and a scholarship was all it took. Today, Bennett is a proud…
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Danielle Blevins originally had no idea what the Blackburn Institute was. Upon being anonymously nominated, she scrolled through the Blackburn website and immediately connected with the mission and vision of the organization. To Danielle, Blackburn provided an avenue for combining her passions: community engagement, ethical leadership, and storytelling. She officially…
Tom Campbell’s journey to The University of Alabama was not without road bumps. When he was in middle school visiting an ailing family member, the smell of the Tuscaloosa paper mill was enough to make him physically ill. It was not until he received confirmation of its closure that he returned to the university, where…
In October, the leadership of the Birmingham Kiwanis club was transferred from one Blackburn community member to another. Andrew Nix, Blackburn Fellow (Class of 2001), passed the gavel to Blackburn Society and Advisory Board Member John Saxon. This transition illustrates how Blackburn‑affiliated leaders shape the direction and impact of their community and civic organizations. Reflecting…
On January 30, 2026, four Blackburn Fellows were recognized as recipients of the University of Alabama's 18 Under 31 Young Alumni award. The 18 Under 31 Young Alumni Awards honor The University of Alabama’s legendary young alumni who have made a vital impact on their industry, field or community. Dr. Jay Little Cunningham Dr. Jay…
A member of the Blackburn Institute Class of 2020, Trinity Hunter’s connection to Blackburn has only deepened with time. What began as a formative student experience has grown into a lasting commitment rooted in shared values, meaningful relationships, and a belief that people truly make a place. Over the past six years, Trinity has witnessed…
This week, the University of Alabama System announced the 18 students selected for the 2026 class of Capitol Scholars. The Capitol Scholars is “an immersive summer internship program in Washington, D.C., for exceptional University of Alabama System students who plan to pursue a career opportunity in or around the government” (University of Alabama System). Three…
When Ted Hosp first came to Alabama, he thought it would be for just one year. A native of the Northeast who grew up in the New York area, he moved south in 1994 to clerk for Federal Judge Harold Albritton in Montgomery. Thirty-one years later, he’s still here, having built a career, a family,…
Jay Little Cunningham is a class of 2017 Blackburn Fellow. He is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at DePaul University. What have you been up to since graduating from UA? Since graduating from UA in 2019, I earned my M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington, becoming…
