Blackman new assistant to Dye

Tucked away in a cozy corner on the second floor of Cox works Mark Blackman OC '89, Assistant to President Nancy Dye since the beginning of July. Popping a Jolly Rancher and freeing himself from the confines of his desk, Blackman proves to be a willing, anxious and entertaining addition to the College administration.

His new position entails assisting members of the senior staff on projects, as well as troubleshooting student issues. Blackman frequently serves as a liaison between the President's Office and Residential Life, Admissions, and the Athletic Department, keeping them abreast on pressing student issues. "We really take a team approach to solving student issues," Blackman said. "We don't want anyone to feel isolated. There are currently a lot of issues to deal with on campus but we think we're solving them well; there's a nice spirit on campus this year."

Blackman cited Oberlin as vibrant and exciting college to work at. "No other school in the country is as ambitious as Oberlin in terms of folks fighting for ideas and maintaining intellectual prosperity," said Blackman. He said that Oberlin graduates ultimately become leaders at other institutions "not because we tolerate sexual, racial and all kinds of diversity, but because we celebrate it."

Although Blackman's eyebrows raise at the understatement that Dye is a busy woman, he challenges students to make use of her accessibility more. "I think students tend to be intimidated to meet with administrators, but we want students to come," he said, motioning to a message board outside of Dye's office. Blackman praised Dye's abilities as an administrator. Blackman said, "She's a very strong, smart person and a wonderful visionary. She breathes, feels, and lives Oberlin College ... and she loves it."

Although Blackman states he eventually wants to run his own secondary school, he says he could never have the stamina required for Dye's position. "She works 28 hours a day, 10 days a week. The stuff we do is minuscule compared to what she does for this college." Most of all, Blackman admires how calm she remains despite the inevitable stress of her position, claiming he's genuinely learning from her, as well as from the other administrators and students.

Blackman adamantly declared he loves his new position. "I'm becoming familiar with Oberlin's complexity as an institution," he joked, declaring his desire to improve Oberlin as it approaches the 21st century. He stresses increasing the accessibility of administrative functionaries as essential to attaining this end. Blackman states that he knows many Oberlin students personally and hopes to make the President's Office more accessible to students. He encourages students to slow down and "celebrate themselves in the present and be passionate without letting it demoralize them."

Previously the Director of Oberlin's Bonner Scholars Program, Blackman continues to work actively for first-generation, low income students. "I myself was a low income student when I came to Oberlin," Blackman said.

Prior to his employment at Oberlin, Blackman worked as a secondary school teacher and administrator in Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Providence and Brooklyn. He refered to these experiences as invaluable in shaping his perception on how to handle community issues.

One cannot help but admire the obvious enthusiasm Blackman has for working at Oberlin College. "I grew up in inner city Cleveland. This place saved me. I love Oberlin," he said. Happy to have returned, he said, "it's a dream to be back," and stressed his invitation for students to visit him frequently.

Photo Op! Mark Blackman (left), the new assistant to the president, poses with George, the mailman. (photo by Andrea Kamins)