Tree-Planting to Honor Jack Blackburn

June 1, 2009 — A tree planting will take place on June 9 at 2 p.m. at the University of Virginia to honor John A. "Jack" Blackburn, the long-serving dean of admission who died Jan. 20.

Anyone whose life was touched in some way by Blackburn is invited to attend. U.Va. President John T. Casteen III and his wife, Betsy Casteen, will be on hand.

Blackburn arrived at U.Va. in 1979 and became dean of admission in 1985. He was a driving force behind AccessUVA, the University's financial aid program, and a fierce advocate of building a diverse student body. Just before his death, friends and colleagues began an endowment in his name to support AccessUVA. The fund has reached $1.8 million.

The tree-planting will take place on the Lawn near Cocke Hall. Limited parking will be available on Carr's Hill and McCormick Road.

For information, contact Stacy Smith at 434-982-2392 or stacysmith@virginia.edu.

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