J. Blackburn dies at age 67

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- John A. Blackburn, whose 30-year tenure at the University of Virginia brought fundamental changes in admissions and financial-aid policies, died Tuesday. He was 67.

Mr. Blackburn, known as "Jack," spent his entire career at the university working in the admissions office, serving as dean since 1985. He was the longest serving admissions dean in U.Va.'s history.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Rugby Road.

Colleagues said a major accomplishment was Mr. Blackburn's work on AccessUVA, a financial-aid program started five years ago that guarantees anyone admitted to U.Va. can attend, regardless of financial situation.

"He's a legend in the field," said Greg Roberts, associate dean of admissions at U.Va.

Mr. Blackburn, a Maryland native, also cultivated a presence on the world stage, recruiting in such places as China, Korea, Africa and the Middle East.

"He had all the special qualities we look for in our applicants," said William Fitzsimmons, Harvard University's admissions dean, who knew Mr. Blackburn for more than three decades. "He was a prince of a man."

Seen by peers as a champion for diversifying U.Va.'s student body, Mr. Blackburn also was responsible for making the U.Va. application process easier by pushing for a switch to the standardized Common Application. He was instrumental in the university's decision to ditch early admission, believing it gave an "advantage to the advantaged," Fitzsimmons said.

During the fall, Mr. Blackburn was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award, the university's highest honor for a faculty member. And last week the university announced that $1.5 million had been raised to establish a scholarship in Mr. Blackburn's name that will contribute money to AccessUVA.

While undergoing treatment for cancer last year, Mr. Blackburn would still come to work when he could, Roberts said. Mr. Blackburn had planned to retire in June. University officials have been searching for his replacement.

U.Va. President John T. Casteen III hired Mr. Blackburn in 1979 when Casteen was dean of admissions.

"[Thomas] Jefferson imagined our university as an attraction for students from everywhere, and he admired talent and ambition above any kind of entitlement or privilege," Casteen said in a statement. "Jack made the university what Jefferson intended it to be."

Aaron Lee is a staff writer at The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.