Bill Blackwell, Jr. received the State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Commitment to Service Award this past Monday. He's the Director of the American Indian Resource Centeron the Bemidji State University campus. Under his leadership, the American Indian retention rate at BSU has reached 84%. Bill has created and continually cultivated an atmosphere of support and encouragement for American Indian students while implementing programs that make significant positive impacts on the students he and his staff serve.
Bill stopped by the KBXE studio during our morning show. He educated us on what happens at the American Indian Resource Center, the challenges many American Indian students face when becoming college students, and he told us about some of the support programs and systems that have been put in place under his leadership.
The State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Commitment to Service Award is presented to Minnesotans who not only lead with integrity, but who also serve as inspirational role models who are committed to serving their communities and making Minnesota an inclusive state that works for all people. Our congratulations and thanks go out to Bill Blackwell, Jr. for his hard work and dedication to making the university experience successful for Native students at BSU!
