Robert T. Blackburn, professor of higher education, School of Education, retired from active faculty status on June 30, 1997, following 31 years of service.

Professor Blackburn received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees, in 1947, 1948, and 1953, respectively, from the University of Chicago. Following military service (1943-46), he was an assistant professor at Chico State College (1948-49); director and assistant professor at George Williams College (1949-51); research associate and instructor at the University of Chicago (1951-54); assistant and associate professor at San Francisco State College (1954-58); and member of the faculty, college examiner, and dean of faculty at Shimer College (1958-66). He joined the University of Michigan School of Education in 1966 as professor of higher education. During his years in the School of Education and the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education, Professor Blackburn taught a wide array of graduate courses and collaborated extensively with students, both in research and publication. He served on the School of Education Executive Committee a number of times, most recently from 1992-95, and also served on many other School of Education and University-wide committees. Professor Blackburn has also been an active member of FAIR (Faculty Against Institutional Racism), a campus-wide faculty group. Throughout his career, Professor Blackburn has maintained membership in the American Education Research Association, the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE), and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). He is past chair of the professors of higher education for AAHE and regularly reviews articles for such journals as Higher Education, Sociology of Education, and Review of Higher Education. He has worked on a number of externally funded research projects, has served as a consultant to several colleges and universities, and is the author or co-author of numerous publications (more than 100 since 1970). He is a member of the UM Faculty Research Club and in 1988 became only the third person honored by the ASHE with its Research Achievement Award.

The Regents now salute this faculty member for his dedicated service by naming Robert T. Blackburn professor emeritus of higher education.