80-acre (32-hectare) campus in Carlinville, Ill., 45 miles (72 kilometers) south of Springfield. It was founded in 1837 by Gideon Blackburn, a Presbyterian clergyman. Founded as an institution to train young men for the ministry, it later developed collegiate programs and began admitting women in 1864. The college has maintained its religious affiliation but welcomes students of all faiths. The student body is made up of about 500 students, with the numbers of men and women attending being relatively equal. Most students are from the North Central area of the United States. The college operates on the semester system and grants bachelor's degrees. About three fourths of Blackburn's full-time faculty hold doctorates. Fields of study include art, business, education, computer science, liberal arts and sciences, music, medical technology, and public administration. Blackburn offers a five-year engineering program in conjunction with Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Students interested in off-campus study can spend the fall at National University in Mexico or intern for a semester in Washington, D.C. Roughly 20 percent of Blackburn's students pursue advanced studies within a year of graduation. Since 1913, the college has featured the Work Program, which requires each student to put in 12 to 15 hours per week toward the enhancement of the institution. Students may work in any of a number of places, such as the bookstore, dining hall, or student center. Many of the buildings on campus were constructed by students as part of this program. The program aims to keep college costs down and to promote community spirit. Blackburn requires students who do not live with relatives to reside in campus housing. Campus life includes the student newspaper, drama club, choir, and intramural sports. Depending on the sport, varsity teams compete in either Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or in the National Small College Athletic Association. |