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Blackburn Headstone Dedication Ceremony

Students of Professor Tim Lake and Wabash administrators traveled to Xenia, Ohio, to present and dedicate a headstone on the gravesite of John R. Blackburn, the College's first Black student. While there, the group visited the gravesite at Cherry Grove Cemetery, toured Zion Baptist Church, and spent time at the Greene County Historical Society. 

a headstone with a picture of a man on it

The Blackburn headstone, located in Cherry Grove Cemetery in Xenia, Ohio.

a sign over a tree

The cemetery features a modest entry gate.

a close-up of a stone

John R. Blackburn, was the College's first-ever Black student, admitted in 1857. He was named an honorary alumnus in February 2024.

several headstones in a cemetery

Blackburn spent more than 60 years as an educator.

a group of people standing next to a woman in a wheelchair

Tim Lake, associate professor of English and Black studies, greets Jeanne Blackburn Burch (in wheelchair), the 105-year-old granddaughter of John Blackburn, and family members Isaiah Williams (rear left) and Mariska Williams.

a group of people standing next to a car

Lake and Mariska Williams hug as family member Joseph Smith (far right) looks on.

 

a group of men in suits

Prior to the start of the ceremony, Will Urschel, mayor of Xenia, shares a laugh with Lake.

a group of people sitting in a cemetery

Lake begins the ceremony, as Balckburn family members sit close.

a group of people standing in a grassy area

Remarks were paused as an attendee (standing) graced the group with a song.

a group of people sitting in a cemetery

Dean of the College Todd McDorman spoke on behalf of the College.

a group of people sitting in a cemetery

Mayor Urschel prepares to read the proclamation honoring the life of John R. Blackburn.

a man in a suit standing in a cemetery

Urschel emphasizes a point.

a man in a suit standing next to a woman in a wheelchair

Urschel presents the proclamation to Jeanne Blackburn Burch.

a group of people standing in a field

Associate Professor of English Jill Lamberton (front, left) and students (rear from left) Reginald Tolbert '27, Austin Pickett '26, Jaden King '28, and Isaac Rivas '29.

a group of men standing in a line

Students listen to the presentation along with Dean McDorman (far right).

a man in a blue shirt holding a piece of paper

Evan Bone '26 in a thoughtful moment.

a man and woman posing for a picture

Lake and Williams durng the ceremony.

a man and woman standing in a cemetery

Rev. Gary Chapman (right), pastor of Zion Baptist Church, offers a resolution on behalf of the church.

a man and woman standing in a cemetery

A Zion Baptist Church parishioner reads the resolution.

a man standing in a cemetery holding a file

Lake offers a eulogy for Blackburn.

a group of men standing outside

(from left) Solomon Massela '29, Max Rosa '26, Hayden Lewter '26, Conner Grimes '26, and Hutch Norris '27.

a group of people standing outside

Pickett (left) and King listen to the eulogy.

a man standing in a cemetery

Lake nears the end of his eulogy.

a woman in a pink jacket

Lamberton offers a suppportive smile.

a group of people standing around a cemetery

Mariska Williams (right) speaks on behalf of the Blackburn family.

a man holding a newspaper in a cemetery

On behalf of the Blackburn family, Isaiah Williams (right) presents Lake with a commemorative copy of the Feb. 2, 2024, issue of The Bachelor, which spotlighted Lake's efforts to confirm the identity of Blackburn as Wabash's first Black student.

a man standing next to a woman in a wheelchair

Lake (left) and Blackburn Burch pose for a photo following the service.

a group of people standing in a cemetery

Wabash students pose with Blackburn Burch (front) following the service.

a group of people sitting at a table

After the service at the cemetery, the group visited Zion Baptist Church. Here (clockwise from front left) Norris, King, Massela, and Rosa listed to Rev. Chapman discuss the rich history of the church.

a man sitting at a table

Massela (right) listens intently.

a man sitting at a table

Grimes pays particular attention.

a man sitting at a table with people in the background

Lake (left) and Pickett share a laugh.

a man looking at a wall of pictures

Lake peruses a history of Zion Baptist Church pastors.

a group of people standing in a church

Chapman (front, left with back to the camera) speaks to the group in the nave of the church.

a group of people standing in a room

(from left) Massela, Allen Zupan '29, King, and Rosa listen to a story told by Chapman. 

a man in a vest and tie sitting on a red bench

Lake enjoys a relaxed moment.

a organ in a church

A look at the Zion Baptist Church's historic pipe organ in the church's sanctuary.

a man in a white shirt

Chapman answers a question.

a man in a vest and tie in front of a stained glass window

Lake in front of one of the church's historic stained glass windows.

two men standing outside a building

(from left) Rosa, Norris, and Lewter share a light moment at the Greene County Historical Society. 

a man in a suit and tie talking to another man

McDorman (left) chats with Tolbert.

a group of people sitting around tables

The group gathers around a table inside the historical society building.

a woman standing in front of a group of people

Catherine Wilson, Green County Historical Society docent, facilitated a discussion.

a group of men sitting at a table

Pickett (left) and Grimes listen in.

a woman in a plaid vest

A Blackburn family member participates in the discussion.

a man with his hand on his chin

Rivas was an engaged listener.

a group of people sitting in a room

Bone pays particular attention to one of Wilson's points.

a man sitting at a table with his chin on his hand

King (left) and Pickett focus on a question from the group.

a man in glasses and a tie

Lewter ponders an answer.

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